1 Blood Curdling News

The bell for the close of school went and Miss Nadia packed her books and left. The whole class soon resounded in noise as everyone prepared to leave for the day, most saying goodbye to their friends. Jeremy was so exception.

"Bye Brooke,I'll see you tomorrow." Jeremy told his friend as he strapped his bag to his back. "Bye. I'll come by your place later." Brooke said.

"Sure, why not." Jeremy returned and they parted ways.

Skipping to his house which wasn't too far from school, Jeremy whistled happily. Everything was going well,his life was great. Not perfect but just great.

Jeremy Sanders Watson was a teenage boy of 16 who excelled in his academics. Sure he wasn't an A+ student but he always strived to be higher than average, he never wanted to disappoint his mum,she was the only thing he had and he loved her to pieces.

She was the only one who was there for him when his father suddenly walked out of their lives when he was ten. It had been six years and she had struggled and worked hard to cater for all his needs,doing three jobs a day. She wanted to make sure that he never missed the absence of his father in his life and he never did, he never had any reason to complain.

He was always grateful for the simple but happy life that he lived with his mum and that's why if you saw him on the road,you'd see a blonde teenager with blue eyes and a handsome face walking home happily.

Sadly, all good things must come to an end and the storm clouds were gathering.

Jeremy arrived home and noticed his mother resting on the couch, she looked very pale and he grew concerned.

After kissing her cheek,he inquired about her wellbeing. "Mum you didn't go to work today,are you alright?"

"Yeah. I was feeling very lightheaded and decided to take the day off today but I'll be fine soon,I just took some aspirin. So,how was your day at school?" She assured and then asked.

"The usual,nothing special. It's always coming home and spending time with my beautiful mum that makes my day." He said and she smiled.

"That's so sweet of you, I'm glad to have you as a son. Let me go make you some lunch." She said and tried to get up but he stopped her.

"No you're not well,rest and I'll make myself something." He said and she shook her head.

"When did you learn to cook? You've never even turned on the stove before so how will you make something for yourself." His mother was truly stunned.

"I'll eat something from the fridge, meanwhile, you should go up and rest,you don't look too good." He reassured but she insisted.

"No,I'll never let my son eat like a hobo while I'm still alive. Go up to your room and do your homework, I'll bring your lunch up soon. I promise I'm fine, the medicine just needs sometime to kick in. I'll be fit as a fiddle before the end of today." She said and left for the kitchen before he could even protest.

He took his bag and went upstairs to start off on his homework.

About an hour had gone and Jeremy still hadn't heard from his mother, he was beginning to worry and couldn't help going to check up on her.

When he got to the kitchen, his blood went cold as he saw his mother sprawled lifelessly on the floor.

He was in a frozen state for about ten minutes before his senses finally kicked in and he called for an ambulance.

The ambulance soon arrived and his mother was immediately rushed to the hospital where she was diagnosed of brain tumour.

Jeremy felt his world come crashing down right in front of him,his mother's life was in danger.

The doctor had requested to speak with a close adult relative and when Jeremy disclosed that he had none other than his ailing mother, the doctor had no other choice but to break the news to him.

According to the reports, not only did his mother have brain tumour, she also only had one year to live if a craniotomy isn't performed as soon as possible because the tumour had been present for quite a while. More frightening was the cost of the surgery, not a penny less than $30,000.

Jeremy was in dismay,his mother had been so worried about him, working day and night to secure his future but had neglected her health in the process.

He was ready to do anything it took to save his mother but he couldn't help but wonder where he'd get such a large amount at such short notice.

He had no relatives to run to for help and he only had one friend, Brooke and Brooke's family wasn't well to do.

As he cried and wandered around the hospital hopelessly and aimlessly, he couldn't help but notice that a suspicious looking man was following him around.

He suspected foul play and decided to act smart. Increasing his pace,he jogged out of the hospital and hid behind an ambulance, wanting to be sure if his suspicions were right before confronting the man.

His instincts were soon proved right as the man exited the hospital and seemed to be searching for someone outside.

As the man walked further away from the hospital's entrance seemingly looking for him,Jeremy came out of his hiding place and confronted him.

"Who are you and why have you been following me?" Jeremy asked, his voice hoarse and his eyes red from crying.

"Hmph! Smart boy,perfect for the job." The man seemed the be speaking to himself.

"I'm talking to you." Jeremy half yelled. He was already so stressed and this man was choosing to get on his nerves.

"I couldn't help but notice that you looked distressed back in the hospital and so I asked the doctor and he told me about your sad situation." The man said with an accent that Jeremy couldn't quite place.

"And what's it to you?" He desperately wanted to know this man's intentions.

"Well,you're a fit and able bodied teenager...." The man started again and before he could finish, Jeremy cut him off.

"Just cut to the chase,I've got a sick mother to take care of."

"I like your personality, you'll be perfect for the job." The man said.

"What job?"

"Let's just say it's a one time job that can give you.....$30,000." The man said and Jeremy's eyes widened.

"What kind of job will give me that kind of money that easily and quickly?" Jeremy knew it couldn't be anything good.

"Before I give you the full details, you first have to accept to do the job."

"Whatever it is,as long as it can give me $30,000 soon,I'm in." Jeremy accepted.

"Then we have a deal." The man said with a wicked smile, taking the young boy's hand in a shake.