By: Jessie Sha

I strolled down the street, enjoying the nice fall breeze when a hooded person walked up to me, and threw a letter at my feet.

“What is this?” I said, looking down at the blue colored letter with fancy lettering with my name. I glance up, only to see the hooded person run off in a hurry, disappearing into the crowd.

“Wait!” I yelled, running after the hooded. I gave up after a minute. I sighed and stuck the letter into my pocket.

“Hey,” A squeaky voice said behind me.

“Hi.” I said, turning around and scooting away from the mysterious stranger. She was wearing a dark hoodie, black pants, and stood a head taller than me.

“What do you have there?” She asked, reaching toward the letter in my pocket.

“Stop!” I yelled, slapping her hand away.

“Why? Is it something valuable, like money?”

“No, no it’s not!”

“Then why aren’t you letting me see it?”

“Because, it’s not yours! And you should let me have my privacy.” I yelled, sprinting away back to my small apartment, not caring about the looks I got from creating a scene. “What is in that envelope though? Maybe it’s money? I could really use it to pay off my bills. Hah, who am I kidding, it’s probably another bill for my late electricity bill. I wish I could see dad; he would help a lot. Too bad I’d moved across the country .” I threw down the jacket and walked into the small square kitchen to cook something up. An hour later, just as I sat down at tiny table, steam rising from freshly cooked pasta, there was a knock on the door. “Great, it’s probably more mail.” I opened the door and found the same blue envelope from this morning with the same fancy lettering. “How did- but what?” I picked it up, scanning the envelope. I peeled the envelope open slowly and cautiously.

I opened the letter, not wanting to know what was inside. “What if it’s something good? But then again there is a big chance its something bad.” I sighed, tearing away the envelope, letting my feelings take over my thoughts. I stared at the paper, for what felt like years, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the letter. Without thinking, I ran to the jacket and pulled out the first letter that I received, ripping it open. This letter was exactly the same—same signature, same address, and same strange note;“Go to the address for more information.” “That is very sketchy, but I have to go, it’s something important! It could help me a lot, but what if it is too risky?” Before I could make up my mind, I heard a knock on the door.

“Delivery for Ms. Madeline?” The delivery person asked, holding out another letter with the same blue envelope and fancy lettering.

“Yes, that’s me, thank you.” I said, taking the letter, and ripping it open immediately. This time, it wasn’t just the signature and address, it was a threat. I no choice. I stepped out, walking slowly until I made it to the address. It was an abandoned bakery that was shut down years ago. I shuddered feeling as shiver run down my spine even though the sun was still setting. I ran into the bakery, surprised the door was unlocked. I scanned the small dusy room. I picked a whisk and held it so tight that it could have snapped into two.

“Hello, I see you have listened to the letters.” An old raspy voice said, hiding in the shadows.

“Y-yes, now I would like to receive this money.”

“Now, before I do that, you need to in turn do something for me.”

“D-do what?” I said, a million bad things popping into my head.

“I need you to call your parents and check on them, for me.”

“But, why? That won’t help you at all.”

“It will, just do it.”

“Right now? Or…”

“Go home and do it, then come back. I will give you the money.”

“Fair enough.” I said, as I pushed the door open. The sun had set now, and I didn’t bring the jacket I was wearing this morning. I shivered walking down the street, thinking about the crazy day I had. I finally made it to my apartment and opened the door, falling onto the couch. I called up my parents, and noticed that they were baking? And my Dad’s voice was raspy? “That is like the total opposite of them.” I told them that I would come over soon and ended the call, ran to the bakery, to find that the lights were on this time.

“You’re back, I hope you use this money well.”

“I will, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” The old man said, walking out of his hiding spot.

“Dad!” I said, running up to him hugging him tight.

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too. Thank you for the money.”

“You’re welcome, now let’s go home! Let’s go enjoy home.”

“Home.”