'Ragged Little Devils'

Chapter 1 - The Letter

Earlier that week ...

ALEX

Life has been pretty stressful for me here in Wildehaven. Ever since graduating college with my Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology things have skyrocketed for me. I've been given tons of job opportunities and tons of new projects to work on since landing those jobs. I'm awake every morning at 6:00 and will usually not go back to sleep until 2:00 the next morning. I can never catch a break with all of the stress that I'm under and it's completely wearing me out. I've started to notice dark, heavy bags forming under my eyes and my body is screaming for the attention and well deserved sleep that it deserves. However, this is the life that I signed up for and I have to continue to make the best out of it. I will say that it's not all bad because the projects that I've been assigned have provided me with a huge sum of cash for completing it. Like the one I'm in now. I'm building and designing the next Apple iPhone to be released in stores and completing it alone will leave me with $20,000. I know that's a lot of money which is why I continue to work so hard. I was in the middle of assembling some key components of the iPhone when the telephone in my office rang. I quickly answer the phone and bring it to my ear "Alex speaking". "Hey Alex, your father's here to see you." said the receptionist at the front office who's name I do not know and never cared to learn. What? Don't blame me. Ever since I've been assigned to this new project I've barely made the time to remember any of the people that I met here. "Great! Send him up." I rushed out as I quickly hung up the phone before she could say anything else. I knew where that conversation was going. She's been trying to invite me out to coffee for a couple weeks now but i just choose to ignore it. And I know what you're thinking, he's a cold hearted douchebag who's self centered and is not compassionate enough to accept a nice offer from someone but I'm just not looking for a relationship at the moment. I'm really busy and I have a deadline to get this done. I'm almost finished putting together some of the components when a knock on the door startles me and the pieces scramble all over the desk. "Come in." I stressfully yell and sigh. It was at that moment my dad walked in with the lunch that I forgot on his kitchen counter this morning. Actually, seeing that made me realize exactly how hungry I was. "Hey son, you left your lunch in the kitchen again this morning." I get up to retrieve the bag and give him a hug which he gladly returns. "Thank you." I say with a smile. "No problem kiddo, it's actually nice to visit you at work and see you working so hard." I give a sarcastic laugh "If only hard work didn't come with so many consequences, I would believe your words." "You don't like your job?" He says as he looks at me confusedly. "It's not that I don't like my job dad because this is exactly what I wanted to do. It's just that I'm stressing myself out every week getting project after project done and for what dad? To end up going home lonely with no one to share my happiness with." I dramatically land on my chair in those last few words. "Ouch that hurts! You've wounded me" He says as he dramatically places a hand over his heart with a frown over his face. "Shut up Dad, I'm being serious. I miss my friends, they were the only things I had here that were worth my time. Nowadays it's just all work and no fun." He sighs as he walks over and takes a seat in the chair in front of me "Then why won't you reach out to them Alex if you're so upset about this." I look at him sadly. "I wouldn't even know where to begin. I haven't spoken to them ever since they left and it's been five years. I'm sure they hate me by now." "Boy, be quiet with all that do you know how crazy you sound." My dad quickly interjected. "They could never hate you and you know why, you guys have a bond that can never be broken but it all starts with making an effort." "Yeah, You're Right!" I say as I smile at the ground nervously. "Just remember that time is running out son, if you're going to make a move you have to do it now. Those boys have no idea what's coming and it's only better if they were to find out from you." He subtly adds. "I know dad." I said quickly. I knew what was at stake and they needed to know before it began. My dad and I immediately said our goodbyes before he left but not without a few reassuring words. That's how I ended up with a paper in front of me and a pen in my hand.