Death Pool

Chapter 3

I open the letter as fast as I can, but a thought came in my mind. Maybe I should open it up with Mason? But my mom did sign the letter to me. I really want to open it. I don't know if I'm ready I thought as I slowly start to close the letter. Its been years since the last time I heard from my mom. I don't know what to expect what my reaction will be. This is the last note from her. Mason is waiting for me. I have to get going. I put the letter carefully into my folder, making sure I don't make any wrinkles, and head downstairs to the front door. As soon as I opened the door, a cool breeze blows onto my bare skin. I breath out. My warm breath intrudes the cold air like a fog. I close the door and start walking into the direction of Mason's house. All around I'm surrounded with dark winter colors. I walk past the forest as the wind wailed. I could hear the leaves rustling and branches creaking. You could hear all of the living among the forest. It was so peaceful. There is so much nonsense and chaos in the world, people don't just sit there quietly and listen to the forest. Walking, I close my eyes and listen to the nature. As my face starts to numb, my hands cringe and a shudder of chills is sent down my spine. My breath acts like a blanket as I blow into my hands.

As I walk up the steps to Mason's front door, I start to get nervous. I've never been to his house before. I knock on the door three times, waiting to see Mason's face. Seconds felt like minutes to me. I couldn't wait any longer to open the note. "Clary come in. I've been waiting for you!" he said as he started to open the door. He starts rambling as he closes the door behind me. We walk upstairs and go into his room. His room was an average looking teenage boys room, but something caught my eye. In the corner of his room I could see a shelf filled with records.

"You collect records?" I said with a surprised face.

"Yeah. My dad and I collect a bunch of records. Why? Do you think thats weird?"

"No.  I collect records too. It's just, I've never met anyone else who likes records."

He smiled, "Oh! Here is what I wanted to show you," he says. He opens the yearbook and shows me a picture with Vanessa Daniels, Christine Bradford, and Jackson Montgomery.

"I guess they were all best friends. Hopefully this helps you with something," Mason says.

"Mason, this is great! Thank you."

"This was in their senior year when this picture was taken. See? 1988."

"Wait. Who's that right next to them?" I ask.

"Hmm. I don't know."

We look on the very bottom of the page. This picture is taken of Vanessa Daniels, Christine Bradford, Jackson Montgomery, and Sebastian West.

Sebastian West? Who's that? I've never heard of him. Then again, I never heard of Christine Bradford and Jackson Montgomery until the incident. Sebastian is a different problem, but right now I need to focus and tell Mason about the letter I found. I told him about how I found it. "A secret drawer? Cool. Well, did you open it yet?" Mason asks. "No. I was thinking. Maybe I should open it with you?" I replied. We slowly open the letter.

My sweetest Clary,

When you find this, I will be gone and for that I am so sorry. All my life, I made sure I would protect my family and make sure they are safe. And that's what I'm doing. In a few weeks from now, an attack will happen in our town. I am disappointed to say I have no control over this and I can't do anything about it. I have kept a lot of secrets, but it was all to protect my family. There are bad people in this town and you must stay away from them. Please don't tell anyone about this, for I fear it will fall into the wrong hands. Even close ones can betray you. You are a smart girl, Clary. I know that whatever will happen to me, you will figure it out. I believe in you.

Love you always,

your mom

P.S. Remember to think outside of the box.