A Sad, Happy Story

By: Kate H., 7^th grade

                “I’m a TIME BOMB Juniper!” Leo shouted out. 

“Calm down Leo, we’re taking you to the doctor,” Juniper answered coolly.

Leo looked around wearily.  He hadn’t slept since the news had come in.  Leo rubbed the back of his head where the stitches were.  Cracking his head open wasn’t fun, it was the first time he’d had to get an x-ray in his 13 years.  The news hadn’t come back particularly well.

Leo had been in a fight at school when a kid pushed him.  He had fallen on the curb, cracking his head open.  He had been reeled into the ER on a stretcher.  Of course, the doctors took an x-ray of him.  The doctors met with his family as soon as the results came in; they were in a panic.  See, Leo didn’t have a concussion, but he was literally a time bomb.  The doctors didn’t know how he had a bomb in him, but it had been ticking off since he was born.  As soon as he turned fourteen, the clock would reach zero.

“My mom and dad have just told me that I’m not actually their son!” Leo finally got a response out of Juniper.

“WHAT?  Then who are your parents?” Juniper grabbed Leo’s shoulder, stopping their walk.

“An evil scientist created me, and apparently he wanted to destroy Las Vegas, so he made it impossible for me to break any bones or hurt myself badly in any way.” Juniper looked confused.

“Then how did you crack your head?” Leo smiled.

“Well, apparently that’s my weak spot.  I can get hurt bad there, but nowhere else.”

Juniper shook her head, a worried expression on her face.  The two friends resumed their walk, only for Juniper to stop.

“Wait, then on your fourteenth birthday I’m going to get blown up?  What are you going to do about your life?” Leo looked at her with that I’ve-got-a-plan-you-won’t-like-look. 

“What am I supposed to do, I’m going to die before my fourteenth birthday.” Juniper looked at him in alarm, but before she could protest Leo was running away.  Juniper didn’t follow.  He just needs some time to think, he’ll come home again.

Leo had bought a ticket to California and threw himself off a cliff, saving people all around the world.   That included his best friend Juniper, and his whole family.  Not to mention the whole state of Nevada.

In other words, Leo never came home.