One of the big questions in life, in general, is ‘What happens after death?’ Well I’ve found out because I went and died. It wasn’t a pitiful death mind you, I went out like a badass some may even consider me a hero. I wouldn’t be surprised if a film was made about the event.

Not my life mind you, that’s kind of depressing and boring. I come from a poor family of three, both parents were consumed with work to make ends meet. And I respected them for this, but I was saddened that I didn’t get to spend more time with them. There was a gap between us, they would make time for me but the majority of the time they gone from the house make it a quiet lonely place.

As such I spent most of my time outside of the house, either at the library, the mall or somewhere less than friendly on occasion. And would spend my time either reading and learning, stealing and pickpocketing, or fighting and running from fights. I managed to knick a few fancy things and earn a bit of money, I saved the money for an emergency though so I never got around to spending it unfortunately. The thing I was most proud of stealing was a switchblade, it had a little hilt and a red wood handle. I kept that thing on me at all times and well maintained.

It wasn’t an enjoyable life but it could have been a lot worse, as a result of it I’ve learned not to form attachments easily. But thanks to this life I’ve become somewhat athletic and fairly smart. Allowing me to earn a scholarship to a fancy school for the rich and influential in the town over, I’m pretty sure it was also done to meet some sort of diversity quota. It had high walls all around the premises and a big metal gate at the front with guards as well, the guards were also spread throughout school as well.

But I made the best of it by buckling down and studying hard. I didn’t try to make friends as that could have ended poorly, the other students also made efforts to avoid me, not wanting to fraternise with the riff raff. But I did make a ‘study buddy’ we didn’t see one another outside of the school library mind you and didn’t discuss much beyond our work. It was like a comfortable silence, understanding one another without communicating.

His name was Tony, a serious fellow never saw him laughing or hanging out with others, just concentrating on the task at hand. He was the son of some crime boss, he didn’t tell me this mind you it was something I picked up from others conversations over time.

Anyway you’re probably curious as to what lead to my death, after all I’ve dragged it out long enough. It was during lunch when I was out in the courtyard, not many others were out there when i was on my own snacking on my ham sandwich when gunshots rang out and the school alarm went off, but not the fire alarm this one indicated intruders on the premises.

As such we all made our way to the auditorium, this place was actually decked out to be a bomb shelter with a month's supply of rations, so in the event of a siege we could hold out and wait for rescue.

This time however it wouldn't go to plan, as I made my way there I heard gunshots and ducked for cover behind a column. Obviously something went wrong if they're already inside. Hearing the gunshots sent me into overdrive and my senses heightened, not knowing what to do I decided I would still head to the gathering point but try and avoid any conflict. It was slow going but I eventually made it to the hall, I had passed five people on my way and thankful I wasn’t noticed when I hid.

As I approached the auditorium, the doors flew open and three men with flack jackets, knives, pistols, a belt of grenades and submachine guns walked out dragging three students, two boys and a girl, with them by the hair, they were struggling in vain though. I noticed that one of them was Tony, he seemed calmer than the others despite the situation.

“Stop your damn struggling or I’ll cut you! Damn brats making this more troublesome than it needs to be. Let's get these kids to the helipad and get the hell out of this place before things go sideways.” Says the lead mercenary.

I waited till they passed and made my way to the doors and looked through, I saw over forty students and seven teachers all on their knees and with their arms bound behind their back, there was only one mercenary with them though he also seemed quite relaxed.

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“Ha as easy as this job is I want to get out of here before things get heavy. Once the three families find out shit is going to hit the fan.” Says the remaining mercenary.

Seeing the opportunity I took out my switchblade and slinked up behind him, I then stabbed him the back of his left knee, as he fell yelling I clambered over him like a koala and stabbed in him the throat and dragged my knife through it; causing a spray of blood that covered my face.

With him dead I took his knife and pistol, then walked over to one of the teachers, everyone was looking at me with wide eyes most with fear, I then cut the teacher free and handed him the knife and left without saying a word.

I then made my way to the helipad. As I did I wondered to myself ‘why am I doing this?’ and all I could come up with was that I felt invincible, like I couldn’t fail nothing else. Even though an acquaintance was in trouble I didn't really care all that much, I just felt compelled.

I didn’t come across any other mercenaries on my way. I eventually reached the stairwell to the helipad and slowly crawled my way up to remain as quiet as possible. I made it to the top and looked through the window in the door and saw the three children kneeling down with their hands tied behind their back. There are two mercenaries standing behind them and one standing before the helipad, all with their backs to me.

Ducking down below the window I looked over my gun, checked it had ammo and was not set to safety, remembering all the motions I had seen characters make in games and the few films I’ve seen. Steadying my breath I then gently opened the door and pointed my gun to the first man, taking my time I measured my shot and hit him straight in the back of the head dropping him instantly; I then unloaded shots in the man next to him as he turned around, hitting his left shoulder and upper arm lastly, before hitting him in the temple.

I then ran towards the final man in an attempt to stab him, but he turned fast enough and shot me in the arm.

“Well, this is unexpected, didn’t think it would be a kid of all things to fuck this job up. Don’t suppose you’ll tell me who you are kid?” the man asks.

“I’d rather not in case you get out of this and you happen to be the vengeful type.“ I reply.

“Fair enough, fair enough. How about we make this fun, instead of just shooting you?” He says smugly.

I nod and get into something resembling a stance as does the man with his knife in hand. I run at him and telegraph a thrust, which he swipes aside and then cuts my face. Pulling back from the cut, I try to size him up but find no obvious weakness. Realising I’ve no chance of winning I think up a plan that’ll cost me, but let me win.

With this plan I smile and make to stab him again but this time I don’t make to avoid the man's attack. He ends up stabbing me in the kidney and pushes me back.

“What was that boy, were you tired of living? You may as well have slit your throat. That wasn’t any fun at all.” He yells.

“Well I’m smart enough to know my chances and to find a way around it, hehe.”

“The fuck you on about?” He replies with a raised eyebrow.

“Well seeing how fond you were of me, I went and put ring on it.” I say and show the grenade pin on my ring finger.

With this he looks to his belt and makes to remove but isn’t fast enough and suddenly explodes, the explosion knocking me back.

Lying on my back I look up at the sky and see the clouds move about undisturbed by the explosion and make the comparison between my death and the world. Nothing will change with it, the world won’t stop, people won’t die, I will just be an afterthought in time. But I don’t really care about it and even accept it as I hadn’t really lived anyway, having no real connections to the world beside my parents.

While I was busy philosophising a head appears in front of me, it’s Tony, still bound though. I make to hand my knife and he turns around and grabs it, then undoes his restraints before tossing it to the others.

“Well fuck man, I don't know what to say. Thanks would be to insincere and anything more would be disingenuous I feel. But regardless thank you for the save, we were going to get carted off to a warehouse and held hostage, likely ending in death. So truly thanks.” He said to me sadly, while taking my hand in his.

“Well I'll be honest, I don't know what I was doing. Just felt I had to do it, you know.” I said weakly.

“Well damn, life's a mystery ain't it. Got any final wishes? I mean you're bleeding real heavy and you've got some big burns I'd be surprised if you pulled through.” He said straight faced.

“Well aren't you a beacon of hope. I don't know, a bit a money for parents to deal with the funeral and get through the coming years, is about all I can think of.” I said glumly.

“Well I don't see the use in lying and money will be no problem.” He replied.

With that the two of us remain silent, our piece said and simply look up into the sky waiting for what happens next. Before it all fades away from me.