There's a crooked house in front of one's owned by the man known only as The Crooked Man. He is a mystery, the mystery of the neighborhood. But why is he such a loner, quiet, scary person?

He has a story, and he'll tell it to you if you are willing to pay. People say if you bring him only a razor blade, he'll tell you everything. He is the man who created the small neighborhood he lives in and destroyed it.

If you walk through the neighborhood, there's no sunshine in anyone's future, no color. It's one big shade of grey. But The Crooked Man is the one who caused all of it.

He sits in his old, rusted crooked house on the top floor, looking out the window through blinds. To hear the story, you must be brave enough to enter the house, for this story is for you and your ears only. The story starts many years ago when the old man was just a boy.

When he was new to the still existing neighborhood, the first person he met was his next-door neighbor. She was a cheery, free-spirited, outgoing little girl when they met. The neighborhood was brighter back then too. The whole world was as bright as she was.

She came over and introduced herself to the new neighbors. But it was The Crooked Man who caught her eye. That is where the rocket ship takes flight.

She was a sunny, positive person, despite the life she was living. He never once forced her to tell him everything but every once in awhile, she would tell him her hardships. And he would tell his hardships too.

The Crooked Man and his neighbor's strong friendship lasted until the final semester of their last year in middle school. Suddenly, everyone turned on them. She was picked on for being too sunny, calling her names like "the hippie".

The Crooked Man, on the other hand, was growing up, somehow becoming more attractive. His looks and visuals caught the attention of popular girls. He became popular and suddenly had two identities towards his neighbor.

At school, he was a follower, teasing, bullying, and hurting her like his "friends", but at home, he was the nice one, apologizing for what he did in school that day. She never said anything though, and how he regrets he never asked. The night came, though. The night that changed both of their lives.

For as long as The Crooked Man had known his friend, she was never the type to dress up. However, that all changed the night of the school dance. When he saw her for the first time, it was as if everything but her, went out of focus.

There are times where people's hearts get in the way of their minds. That is exactly what happened to The Crooked Man that night. While dancing with her on the dance floor, he kissed her.

The first for both of them and the end of their friendship. That night, he didn't want that moment to end. He knows what will probably happen after tonight.

Nothing of their school lives would change tomorrow. That was the unsaid truth. The sick truth. And they both knew it well.

But at that moment, he didn't want to think about the next day. He just wanted to look into her sparkling brown eyes and hold her tight as they danced. It was like a dream come true but like all dreams, you have to wake up sometime.

Months passed after that night and not a word was spoken. Freshman year came and that somehow didn't make anything better. When he saw her again, she was different.

Her colorful clothes were gone, replaced with the color black. From her clothes to her makeup to her hair, all black. Her once warm chestnut hair replaced with the color of darkness. Yet, in The Crooked Man's eyes, she was still beautiful.

Later in the year, a party was held up to which they both received invitations. The party was when it all just crashed down and everyone was doomed. They both went that night.

Unplanned, they found their way back to each other. They even shared their second kiss, a deeper kiss than their first. Little did he know, this would be the last time he would ever place his lips on his love's.

What happened you may ask? The most popular girl in school was drunk at the party. Turns out, The Crooked Man was a little drunk too and the drunk girl took advantage of that.

She kissed him, in front of everyone for attention. Of course, everyone saw, even his childhood friend. While everyone cheered for them, his friend ran away and left without saying a word after.

He saw her leave but he didn't chase after her. He still regrets it to this day. Maybe if he would have done that, she would have still been with him, right by his side.

The next day, his neighbor didn't show up at school. The Crooked Man was pulled out of school early that day without knowing why. When he got home, the neighborhood was crying. Everything was dull now.

Nothing was shiny anymore. The Crooked Man was given a letter. When he opened it, familiar handwriting appeared on the paper. It was her note to him.

In the paper, she explained everything. She explained how she felt when they first met, their friendship, their first kiss, her feelings, and finally, what killed her and hurt him: the party. "After seeing you and her together," it read in the letter.

"it pushed me over the edge. I don't think I can do this anymore. I know I can't. I'm a weak person. I hate to say it but, it was all your fault. You did this to me. So don't try to save me."

He kept looking at her writing. This was the only thing she left him. He was told that real men don't cry over girls but today, he let his tears fall for the death of his first love.

Now he sits alone in his house, the neighborhood dull and gray. After all these years, he still loves her and he still griefs. He tells you his story so you can be a hero to others.

He regrets not being a hero to his ex-best friend. Even if he couldn't save his friend, you can still save someone. That razor blade you brought to hear this story, throw it away. It's not the way out.

"You still have a chance.", The Crooked Man says. He leaves you with a message to carry on.

"Suicide is not a joke, nor an option. It doesn't take the pain away. It transfers it to other people."

When the sun is shining and the birds are singing and the sky is blue once again, maybe, just maybe, his best friend will come back and visit.

THE END