By: Emily Chu

Most of the time, you are sitting on the rooftop, because why not? Rooftops are the perfect place to do what you want without anyone noticing, without the constant “are you doing your homework?” from the kitchen, without parents peeking in and saying, “I told you to stop working on that stupid fantasy novel. Focus on more educational things, like textbooks.”

Tonight, the sky is especially clear, with a soft breeze that made the air a bit humid. You wait until the lights in the house have all disappeared, then you reach up to the window on the celling, pulling yourself through the gap.

It is the perfect night to continue writing your story, so you lay down and start to scribble some notes on the climax.

It gets very lonely up in the sky. There’s no friends of any kind. You can be my friend. Would you like to come up here?

You look up to see a shadow draped in front of you. It is semi-transparent, and you can still see the lamppost gleaming brightly behind it.

“I’m sorry, but do I know you?” you ask the shadow. “And what are you doing here in the middle of the night? And why are you transparent? I’ve never seen a transparent person before.”

I am Death, and yes, nice to meet you. I’ve been examining you for a few days now. And I could already tell you’re bored by your life and people constantly telling you to give up what you want to do.

“So, you can read minds? What superpowers do you have? I don’t have any. But I do want to continue writing my story, so maybe you can… leave?”

Kid, this is the best deal of a lifetime. Everything is perfect in the sky, and plus, you can be my best friend. It’s fascinating here in the sky. There’s unlimited food, fun, and fulfillment… let’s see… what else starts with f? Oh, also endless freedom, fortune, fishes…

“Must be awesome living up there,” you say, getting tired of this stranger. “But I’m afraid I can’t come up. I’ve got this story I need to finish. Maybe you can come back tomorrow? Or you can help me finish the climax.”

Don’t worry about homework or stories. You won’t have to worry about them when you become my friend. We can go around doing anything we like!

“Yes, but I really enjoy writing this story. Plus, Mom will be freaked out when she sees I’m gone. And I don’t want that to happen. So please, you can come back tomorrow.”

You go back to writing your story.

How ‘bout I help you with your story, and you come with me after you finish it?

“Sure, whatever.” For the next few days, you and Death hang out on the rooftop, working on the story. Six days later, it is completely finished.

Okay, now come with me. We made a deal.

“Yes, but I just realized the story needs some revision.”

But that wasn’t part of the deal!

Suddenly, you hear footsteps.

“Sorry, gotta go. I think Mom’s coming to check on me.” You fling yourself, along with your book and other things, back through the window just before the door creaks open and Mom steps in, muttering to herself, “I thought I saw you on the roof. Eh, I must be dreaming. Oh wait, what’s this?” She picks up the book you just finished writing.

“Rooftops,” she mutters to herself.