The Man of Many Hats

Chapter 8

After everyone left I entered the house. I went into my room. I looked at the clock. It read half past nine. I had to go to the bathroom. I walked into the room. The bowl was empty. I flushed and the water came back up. I checked the tank. The water was fine. I opened the lid. The water wasn't clear. It was pink. There was a head with an open mouth bleeding intensely in the middle. It was the news reporter.

I closed the toilet bowl fast. I opened the tank, but instead of finding water I found a beret. A schoolboy hat and a note.8of15. He was feeling kiddish today.

I looked outside. There was still one van sitting out there. I walked outside. I told the man,

"I walked into the bathroom and saw that she had slit her wrists. I'm sorry. I can get her out here if you wa-"

The man interrupted,

"Nope!"

He drove off. I smiled. It was a grim moment. I walked inside. My mom was in the kitchen. Her eyes were red. Tears slowly ran down her cheeks. Her nose was running. I went to hug her. She hugged me back.

I ran to my room and turned on my computer. I went straight to Lifebook. My friends weren't doing much. I turned it off.

Summer almost halfway through. I wouldn't make it to the next one. Unless I kill the man. I can do it.

My life was slowly ending. I have to learn how to kill the man. What if we both had to die? What if I have to use his power against him? What if I have to die?

I can't think of the man. I have to focus on something else. I'm going to bed. I fell on my pillow and gently closed my eyes.

I woke up the following morning. I had a good dream. That was a different feeling. I walked downstairs. My mom saw me. She had been crying.

"Who is this man character?'

She demanded.

"Mom, I've already told you.

She looked confused. Her eyes started tearing up. She was afraid. I could see it.

All of a sudden cheesy ringtone music started playing. My mom looked up. She answered the call.

"Hello?"

She managed to gurgle.

"Yes... Yep... Alright... See you tonight."

She hung up.

"Who was that?"

"You know Diedrich Powell?"

"Yeah?"

I hated that stuck up kid. I didn't show it though.

"His mom invited us over. Since we have been through some 'rough times'."

"Alright."

Life ought to be good until tonight.