"See ya bruh." Ethan gave a quick fistbump before leaving. In the meantime, I clutched my school supplies in one hand and held my sipper by the other. I walked down the long, dark and empty corridor of Amethyst High and made my way through the main exit.

School was over two hours back but Ethan and I were supposed to stay back, as instructed by our football coach, Mr. Henry Mooseley. He wanted to inform us about an important interschool football match which was scheduled to take place after a week.

I dug my hands into my jeans pocket and took out my phone. I dialed mom-probably for the umpteenth time today. She picked up the call on the last ring.

"Sorry honey, I'll be late tonight. We have a tea party lined up." She hung up, without even waiting for a response. I could hear the annoying loud music already blasting through the phone.
I silently placed the phone back into my pocket and started walking forward.

It was a busy evening- as far as I could make out- with numerous vehicles plying on the main road.

I had always dreaded the chaos on roads in the evening. They terrified me.  They brought with them, hundreds of recollections from the past. And it always made me uncomfortable.

Just as I was walking on the pavement, I saw an old man, trying to cross the road. His walking style was similar to that of a drunkard, with wobbly  shoulders visibly bent with age. I watched closely, trying to investigate what the man was trying to do. My eyes widened in horror as I saw a huge truck moving towards the man, while he controlled his steps, seeming to be lost in his own world.

I quickly broke into a run and without further delay, I grabbed the man by his arm and we both fell on the pavement with a thud. I asked him if he was okay but instead of replying, he just gave a warm smile and muttered a few words which were almost inaudible. I, however, guessed them to be words of gratitude. Then I stood up and turned to settle my clothes which were dusty after the fall. After doing so, I turned to the man to ask if he wanted a drive back home but to my horror, he had disappeared. It was a bit creepy. "Maybe he went away." I convinced my mind reluctantly.

I went to my car which was parked a few metres away. I know it is weird but I like parking my car at a little distance from my location so that I can have a good walk. I sat in it, put my seatbelt on and drove back home. I went straight to my room and changed into my sweatpants. My mother was not home yet, so I ordered a giant chicken cheeseburst pizza for the dinner. After having more than I usually did, I went to my backyard to feed Charlie. He leaned closer for a cosy hug and we played for a few minutes. Then I heard the honking of a car horn and recognised it to be my mom's Mercedes.

I quickly waved at her and returned to my room upstairs. I lay on on my bed, trying to sleep but I couldn't stop thinking about that old man. I don't know why but he seemed just...strange. Ignoring the unnecessary thoughts that were popping up in my head, I dozed off.
"Come here my boy, Blake. Come here. I am so glad you saved me today, and for that deed, you mustn't go unrewarded. Today I will show you the path to something you have desired all this time. True love. Just follow me to the attic. In the old brown cupboard of your Dad, you will find your reward. Good luck my boy. "

I woke up with beads of perspiration all over my forehead and I realized I was breathing heavily. The old man was in my dream. His words echoed in my mind. I was petrified. However, I couldn't ignore what he said to me. I put on my slippers and made my way upstairs to the attic. I leaned closer to the old, dusty cupboard and opened the door with a bang. Suddenly, there was a strong flash of lightning and I closed my eyes. After a moment, I opened my eyelids very gently, trying to peep through the door of the cupborad,and there it lay, my reward.
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