Reaper

Deathly Silence

The atmosphere felt different today. It didn't feel tranquil and balanced like it usually did. In fact, it almost felt like the opposite of that.

As I walked through the woods along a constantly used path- my shortcut to school- I noticed that the birds weren't chirping, like they always were. There was no breeze rustling the leaves in the trees, or squirrels running across the undergrowth to get to another tree. The only noise was the sound of dead leaves crunching under my dirty red Converse and my steady breathing. It was as if the world stood still. Something was off... something had changed.

I decided to shrug it off and just keep walking. After walking for about another mile, I came across a house, maybe Victorian style, in a clearing among the trees. This house had been vacant for years, and it looked like someone had just moved in.

There goes my secret hideout. I thought. I used to hang out in the towers of this house after my mom died. She loved old houses, and I loved being in higher places to relax and observe human life below. Yeah, that last part might sound a little creepy to some, but people watching can be fun- so long as you're not doing it to stalk people.

I wondered if they had moved in over the weekend or just last night. The vibe the house gave off wasn't anywhere near as friendly as it used to be. It used to look so inviting, but now I was almost scared to simply be near the structure. Of course, this spiked my curiosity about this new family, but I wasn't sure if I really wanted to know more about them.

----------------------------------------------------

"Well, look at what the cat dragged in." my friend, Jason, said as I walked through the door of the classroom. He leaned back against his desk and crossed his toned arms across his chest as he smiled at me. He had shaggy dark brown hair, brown, almond shaped eyes, and lightly tanned skin.

"Hey, Jason." I said simply.

"I haven't seen you in a few days. Where have you been?"

"I was sick and had to take some time off." I set my backpack on the floor beside my chair.

"And you didn't tell me, because...?"

"I didn't feel like doing anything but sleeping, and it's not like I would've been gone forever."

"Still would've been nice to know beforehand that you were going to be gone so I could prepare myself to be alone in half of my classes." He pushed himself on top of the desk and sat cross-legged as he turned to face me. "Do you have any idea how awkward it is to be alone in a classroom full of people you don't know? I felt like everyone was staring at me, and I felt vulnerable."

"Yes, I know the feeling. You forget that I'm alone in most of my classes."

"There's a reason why I'm more of an introvert."

"I know," I sat down. "You'd better get off the desk before Mr. Jackson gets here."

"Why should I? I am the king of this desk." He lifted his head and puffed his chest out in mock-pride as he said that last part.

"Even a king must step down from his throne when the time comes." Mr. Jackson said from his desk. I didn't even notice he walked into the classroom. "And the time has come for you, so I would appreciate it if you would step down from your throne in my classroom, Mr. Hideki."

Jason glanced down in defeat, then slowly proceeded to slide off the desk and sat down- but not before flashing him a fake smile.

"Alright... who are we missing today?" Mr. Jackson asked the whole class.

"Andrew and Ben," some girl replied.

"Andrew is never here." Jason muttered.

"Why isn't Ben here?" I asked him.