In April 1975, Greenwood, Mississippi’s east side. The sun gradually awoke from its slumber as its radiant light lightened the morning sky but it hardly seemed to lighten the life of Miles Adeboyega, a 17year old boy watching his parents go into the bus from the upper floor window of his two-story home across the street. He palmed his cheeks, wondering whether they had forgotten they had a child, even though he knew they did this for them to survive,he doubted how much it benefited them but the conculuded that always came with a life of no choice.

  "If only there was something I could do to help" He pondered and held the thick brown curtain as he gazed at the empty matching bed opposite to his in the bedroom.

  Miles peered into the dusty mirror near his brother's closet as he brushed his curly kinky short black hair. He was of average height for his age with a rich dark bronze complexion that gleamed in the early sun and symbolized his strong African heritage.Miles clenched his nose hard and sang deeply, attempting to impersonate an afro artist, his delighted smile remained on his big pink lips as his Amber almond eyes peered intensely into his mirror.

  "Are you going to do that all day?" one of his buddies exclaimed as they stood on his front yard watching him. They passed through the open door of the wooden fence that partially concealed his house from passersby. Miles gasped and quickly covered his curtain as he chuckled and prepared for school while his friends laughed and asked why he always did that every morning. He hurried down the stairs to meet his childhood buddies, Joe Adeleke and Francis Mpappe. Joe was the biggest and bravest of the bunch even as the third kid in a family of four. His mature stature made him appear to be 20-year-old, despite the fact that they were all the same age, they called him big Joe because no kid in the block wanted to mess with him, Miles and Francis knew how much that helped.Francis, on the other hand, was an only child. He had a pale complexion and brown curly hair. His father was African, while his mother was a Frenchwoman of mixed race. While they walked towards the fence, miles caught a glimpse of old man jaykins in his yard, he stood for a while confused as he asked himself why the most elderly man in his block was in his yard.

  "Miles, what're you looking at" big joe asked as they both peered in his direction.

  "I thought I saw old man jaykins," he muttered, uncertain.

  "We almost forgot to tell you he passed on this morning, pops was the oldest man in the block, bless his soul" Francis confessed with a long sigh

  Miles stared at them with widened eyes as his heart raced at the thoughts that popped in his mind."Am I seeing things that are not real again? Not again"

  "Come on, we've got to be in school on time," miles quickly said and hurried out of the yard.

  The three friends dashed off to school and talked about the three things most boys of their age loved to talk about girls, money and music.They arrived at school and lagged behind the other students as everyone went to class when the bell rang. Miles sat on the second row with Francis in front of him and Joe behind him.

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  "Now, youngsters, calm down." Miss Mandy admonished the pupil as she sat on the desk in front of the class. She stood at normal height, her black straight hair, packed in a ponytail with light bangs that covering her forehead.She had brown caramel complexion that shone out against the flowered white dress she wore over black cover shoes.Miles peered out his window, watching people pass by like they normally did in the morning. He could see birds flying, automobiles passing by his school and Miss. Magdalene, the elderly woman who lived across the street. She was caressing her kitties after tossing out the garbage, something she did every day. He couldn't stop himself from wondering why she was constantly alone.

  "Miles Adeboyega, what are you looking at right now?" Miss Mandy mumbled as she approached him.

  "Oh, nothing, Miss Mandy."

  "Nothing," you say, but you haven't noticed I've been standing here for the past 15 seconds. Miles, you must concentrate. You barely passed the last exam." The class burst out laughing as she groaned.

  "Kids, keep quiet." Miss Mandy issued a warning and the class fell quiet.

  "I apologize, Miss Mandy."

  "It's all right, now pay attention." She muttered and approached the board.

  It was now lunchtime, and Miles and his buddies sat alongside their lunch table, munching on their fries while watching the other kids at their high school mingle in various groups.

  “I need to improve my grades. If my folks find out I’ve been slacking off again, they’ll be furious" Miles mumbled, palming his face.

  “Miles, calm down, I could tutor you after school" Francis suggested.

  “That’s not what he needs. Plus, you’ve tried it and it didn’t work" Joe replied.

  “But, Miles I remember you could solve maths equations, Francis couldn't solve, what actually happened?”

  “It’s nothing, Joe; what do you think I should do?”

  “Whenever we take a test, we could pass you answers, it's a big high school, no one would know"

  “quoi?(what?) “What if we got caught?”

  “We won’t, believe me, I'll keep miss Magdalene distracted with my charms"

  "Keep dreaming Joe" they both laughed while he roles his eyes at them.

  “Alright, so where are we heading after school today?” Miles asked.

  "The haunted Mansion, deep in the forest." Joe replied with a smirk.

  "The same mansion people have told tales of a ghost humming some creepy song at night? Did you hit your head this morning?" Miles tried not to yell at the top of his voice.

  "No, I've been thinking, haunted places mostly have some nice things someone might be hiding, I'm talking jewelry, Bling blings, you name it"

  “and you think it's just waiting for is to come get it, what if we get lost?"

  "I know we've always been warned not to trespass people's properties, but this is no man's land and I know the way"Joe smirked in response.

  "All right, master planner, whatever happens, you are staying in the Frontline" Miles said and watched them snicker with laughter.

  As soon as the last bell rang everyone hurried home, expect the three friends who cut through another. they took every route that would hide them from the "I saw your kid far in town" reporters as they journyed out from town, their parents could never find out. They continued on until there were no more houses but thick trees and tall grasses. They eventually came across a broken barbwired fence with rusted signs that said no trespassing but as soon as they sliddered past it and walked through the trees on the other side, They stared at the shattered remains of a rocky tall barrier that looked like it was carved out from a mountain as it stretched far to each side and paved just one opening.The only things they could think about was how long it took to make it and what secret lay beyond.