Cover

River sprinted towards the park, his youthful exuberance propelling him forward. It was a Monday evening, but the allure of a crucial math test held no sway over his rebellious spirit. Academic concerns seemed distant as he found himself repeating the third year of high school for the third time.

Alongside him, another boy matched his stride. Laughter spilled from their lips, harmonizing with the crisp air as they reveled in their audacious adventure. They sought refuge behind the statue of the first mayor, gasping for breath, their pulses racing from the exhilaration of their escapade.

With lungs still gasping for air, they indulged in a shared cigarette.

"That was amazing, Ravish!" River exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. Ravish, in all his genius and intellect, emitted a soft laughter, a testament to his carefree spirit. Gifted and untouched by the woes of academia, Ravish had effortlessly glided through his school life. But it was their chance encounter in the school bathroom, where River had defended him against bullies, that had forged an unbreakable friendship. From that moment, Ravish had embraced a lighter approach to his academic pursuits, finding solace in the freedom of their little transgressions.

River offered him the half gone cigarette, and Ravish smiled at him, his brown skin kissed by the sun, his thick and luscious dark hair cascading in the gentle breeze. The brilliance of that moment seemed suspended in time.

Finn's voice broke the spell of River's reverie, calling him back to the present moment. Startled, River blinked away the remnants of the vivid memory, returning to the here and now. Finn's impatience was palpable, his eagerness to unveil the secrets of the suitcase growing with each passing second.

"River, are you okay?" Finn's voice carried a mix of concern and anticipation. He couldn't contain his excitement, desperate to see what lay hidden within the depths of the mysterious case.

Shaking off the lingering effects of the recollection, River reassured Finn with a faint smile. "I'm fine. Just lost in thought for a moment. Let's do this." His voice carried a newfound determination as he focused his attention on the task at hand.

Sage, caught up in the anticipation, stole a glance at Cove, sensing his friend's underlying discontent. There was an unspoken understanding between them, a recognition of the tension that had lingered from the earlier discussion. Sage chose to remain silent, offering Cove a comforting look, silently assuring him that they were in this together.

Cove's expression remained guarded, his eyes reflecting a mixture of wariness and resignation. He had reluctantly agreed to open the suitcase, despite his doubts. Sage's understanding gaze provided a small measure of solace.

The room was filled with a charged atmosphere as River carefully flipped open the locks of the suitcase. With a soft click, the lid released, revealing its hidden contents. The boys held their breath, their eyes fixed upon the unfolding scene.

Nestled within the case was a large first aid kit, its pristine white case hinting at its importance. Beside it, neatly arranged, were several boxes of basic medicine, including ibuprofen and other essentials. The practicality of these items contrasted with the air of mystery that surrounded them.

Next, their eyes fell upon an old flip phone, its faded exterior a testament to its age. A charger lay coiled beside it. Nearby sat a small pea-colored phone book, a glimpse into a past communication network.

But it was the sight of a large pack of raspberry-flavored hard candy that brought a touch of whimsy to the scene. The vibrant colors and nostalgic aroma evoked memories of childhood innocence and simple pleasures.

Finally, at the bottom of the suitcase, they saw a closed envelope adorned with an official-looking logo on the front. Its presence carried an air of significance, stirring trepidation within the boys.

Sage, Cove, Finn, and River exchanged glances, their minds buzzing with questions. The eclectic assortment of items sparked even more doubts.

Sage's soft voice pierced the silence, his words laced with curiosity and a hint of urgency. "Should we look into the envelope?" he asked, breaking the spell of contemplation that had engulfed them. The other boys exchanged silent nods, a collective agreement that echoed in the room.

Surprisingly, it was Cove who made the first move. With a determined expression etched upon his face, he extended his arm toward the closed envelope, his fingers gingerly grasping its edges. His usually reserved demeanor seemed momentarily overshadowed by a resolute determination to unravel the secrets that lay within.

Time seemed to stand still as Cove slowly withdrew the envelope from its place. His hands trembled slightly as he broke the seal, his eyes focused intently on the contents within. The paper unfolded, revealing carefully crafted words. As Cove's gaze traveled across the page, his expression shifted from curiosity to astonishment, his eyes widening with a mixture of surprise, fear and intrigue.
Finn, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, his voice tinged with childlike impatience, broke the silence with a soft yet urgent plea. "Cove, please, read it out loud! We need to know!" His words hung in the air, carrying a sense of urgency that mirrored the collective anticipation of the group.

River and Sage, their eyes fixed upon Cove, echoed Finn's sentiment without uttering a single word. Their curiosity danced in the depths of their gazes, their unspoken yearning for answers intertwining with the silent plea that reverberated in the room.

Cove took a deep breath, the weight of the moment resting upon his shoulders. With a steady voice that belied the turmoil within, he began to read aloud, each word resonating through the room like a bell tolling in the distance.