Today was a good day for me, better than most. Over the last few weeks, a lot has happened that has affected my way of life. My mother went missing on the anniversary of my father's death. Nowhere to be seen. I had thought at first that perhaps she was getting home late from her afternoon job, but she never came. Hours later, I contacted the police only for it to be in vain.

I was hysterical that day. Not only had I lost my father, but I had lost my mother as well, and I thought that this was some sort of cruel joke. Why would my mother disappear on the day of my father's anniversary?

I questioned the events that had unfolded. Had she died and her body become unrecoverable? Had she just walked out and left? If so, why? All these thoughts, these questions plagued my mind and now, I felt the healing process, even though I would never be the same.

School had ended, and I began walking home wondering and thinking these thoughts. I had no desire to get home early, so I took a brief detour. Despite having suffered these thoughts, deep inside, I still felt a speck of hope.

I knew I was not alone in the world, even if I felt like I was. Eventually, something good might happen, whether that was now or many years down the line. I could feel it. I was getting closer and closer home when I decided to yet again take another detour, but this time, I went through a dark alleyway void of light.

The city I lived in was rather large. It comprised many alleyways and it was also fairly safe.

I kept walking through the alleyway when in the distance I noticed a bright object was giving off a faint golden glow. The glow was so faint that anyone could have easily missed it despite it being dark, but I saw it. I slowly crept up to it cautiously until I had finally reached it. It was a closed metal box that I nearly mistook for a briefcase, but it was far too large and metal-like, so I dismissed that thought.

As I reached for the dim, glowing box, I heard a voice and pulled back instantly. "What do you desire, Thomas?" said the deep male voice. I had never heard a voice so deep before, so I was in shock. As soon as I came to my pathetic senses, I pulled out my smartphone and turned on the flash, but I could see no one nearby, so I turned to the metal box.

"Who's there? Where are you?"

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"What do you desire, Thomas?" repeated the voice.

"I-I don't know." I had a bad feeling about answering the question, but I felt it may be important. All I wanted in life was to see my parents again, but that wasn't possible. Wherever they were, they were in a better place, I hope. The next thing I wanted was to take control of my own life from these horrible, depressing thoughts that plagued my mind.

So, I answered whatever loser was out there that was pulling an unfunny prank on a thirteen-year-old kid. "I desire to control life. My li-"

"Very well, Thomas. You will now be the Author of Life. None can take the title from you unless you are killed. Pick up the box, Thomas. Until we meet again, future great Author of Life."

Suddenly, the box opened, revealing nothing inside but darkness. I found it odd, considering the glowing light around it. As I reached for the box, I hesitated, but I quickly closed it and carried it from the handle. It fit perfectly in my hand.

----

The box was extremely light despite the size and material it was made of. I headed home again as quickly as possible with more questions in my mind. I threw them aside for now and ran as fast as my legs could handle through the big city. A few minutes later, I arrived.

I quickly made my way upstairs to my room, not bothering to say hello to my aunt. We weren't exactly on good terms, especially after the disappearance of my mother. I was still somewhat grateful for her company and for her taking care of me, but we never talked to one another.

I had finally made it to my room. I turned on my lights and placed the box on my wooden desk. I inspected every inch of the box without opening it once. The box was black with a handle just the right size. It was too perfect for my small hands. It was as though this box was meant for me and only me. I threw those silly thoughts aside and opened it.

Despite putting the box in direct light, I could see nothing. All I saw was the deep abyss of the box. I put my hand inside and my hand simply passed through.

I stared in awe as I waved my hand around inside the box. A few moments later, I felt an unbearable headache. I took my hand out and shut the box closed, all in one quick motion. I grabbed my head with both hands, hoping the pain would subside, but it would not. I screamed in agony as my brain flooded with… something.

I saw images and entire pages full of information pour into my head. The images were of mechanisms within the box that would allow me to slow, pause and fast forward time at my leisure. I read pages of earth-like elements such as soil, water, fire and their components seep deep into my head. I saw many other things and most of all; I saw demos of my abilities and the new powers I had as a god. One of these abilities was that anything I put in the box would conveniently shrink to the right size if I were to will it.

I had many questions left unanswered as a new Author of Life but I felt that they would be answered in due time. I felt the pain slowly subside, but it was too late. Everything had gone black.