Author's word13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVJ2qjHqDJ
(Many people who commented said that they wanted to work with me to make this come more to life with things like cover art and/or turn this into a comic/graphic novel. Unfortunately, I cannot provide money because I don't have a job.)13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZ1dHBZEVq
I have a theory... What if Erica actually used to be a human, and someone, a psycho scientist who probably was only crazy because he was drunk, murdered her! Or wait, even better, what if there was a brutal storm that took her out-- wait, no --It was Kenji that killed her because she was ugly and he later regretted it because being a single dad is tough.
"Hey, Addi. Wassup?" Arlo opens the door, and I frown. He takes note of this and looks down at what I'm holding: a book. He squints his eyes and attempts to read the title of the book from the doorway.
"The Great Robbery of Stella's-" I cover up the cover page with a nearby blanket and close the book. He laughs to himself and walks over to his bed, flopping face first into the mattress. "You're always reading mystery books, Addi." I sigh as I curl up on the floor, thinking about how I wish mysteries were real. How I wish stories were real. No matter how descriptive and beautiful and realistic they sound, I can never, ever live them. I sigh once more before closing my eyes. I wish my life were a big mystery novel. And I was the detective, and Arlo was definitely the villain, and... And I would be the best at everything.
Arlo sits up, and even if I can't see him, I know that's what he's doing because I hear him shifting on his bed.
"Mom said you have to clean our room because you were being mean to me on the way home." He's obviously happy about this. I know he is. I mutter out a 'Fine...' and shoo him off. I'd rather clean by myself than with him. As soon as he leaves, I quickly slide my arm under his bed and feel around until I feel fabric. I pull, seeing a black pleated skirt, and I know what I'm dealing with—a real mystery. I investigate further. I look at the tag on the skirt and whisper it to myself, as if I'm in a movie and the audience needs to hear me say it.
"Kathy Kolors..."
I hear footsteps coming up the stairs, and I know it's Kenji because I can recognize everyone's footsteps. Kenji has a quick, dragging one. bump draaaggg, bump draaaggg, bump draaaggg, bump. I realize that he's already at the door, and I quickly stuff the skirt under my pillow and grab something random, so when he opens the door, he thinks I'm cleaning, not snooping. He knocks once before opening the door, and I run a plan through my head. I have to attack him and make it sound like I'm annoyed so he'll back off.
"Hey, Prodigy! It's dinner time--" He's leaning against the doorframe, all carefree or whatever. This means if I attack him now, it'll be more effective because he's currently in a weak state of mind.
"Kenji," I try to make it sound calm so he won't be prepared for what's next. "You realize that knocking on doors was invented by many people, including people from many years ago, right? What is the point of knocking on doors if you're going to open the door anyway? You always told me to use items for their intended use, so why don't you do just that? The people of Rome invented it for privacy. The people of Greece did it for safety. People in Medieval times knocked on doors for social respect. You do it for no reason, but clearly it doesn't matter because my opinion isn't important, even if it should be because it's correct." Finally, I take a breath, realizing how long I'd been talking for. "So why are you here?" He freezes, like he wasn't even listening and was literally just standing there, so it wouldn't seem rude.
"Also, I hate the name Prodigy, so stop using it. Please."
He stared at me blankly for a moment before whispering, "It's dinner time," and leaving.
I force through dinner and beg Kenji if I can go out tonight. He has this thing against going out alone, but I can't let Arlo spoil my plan. Finally, he complies, and I pack my detective gear. I shove things like binoculars, a notepad, and a pen in the bag while slowly walking towards the door.
"Bye, Prodi- I mean, bye Sweetie." Kenji hollered at my back as I was closing the front door behind me.
ns216.73.216.66da2
and then Add to home screen.