0 March Secret Agent #2

TITLE: Leonidas Nelson and The Vampire Prophecy
GENRE: Young Adult

Twelve-year-old Leo sat in his mother’s white station wagon. Parked in front of his new school, a deluge of rain pelted the car but that had little to do with why he didn’t get out.

He watched the photo pendulating from the rearview mirror. His father smiled at him from the tiny frame. The man’s dark eyes reminded Leo of his own.

“Come on, Leo,” his mother said. “I know it’s tough being the new kid at school; especially on your first day, but you’ll make friends in no time. You’ll see.”

Leo huffed out a deep breath. “I don’t understand why we had to move.”

“You know why, honey.”

Leo turned away. Although his father’s murder occurred over a month ago, the pain and emptiness had not subsided.

“Leo, I’m sorry,” she placed her hand on his.

He yanked his hand away. “It’s just not fair.”

“I know—“

“No, you don’t,” he said. “I hate it here. What about my friends? What about my basketball team? And look at this school. It sucks.”

“Leonidas Nelson.” She raised her voice. “Do not take that tone with me. This isn’t easy for me either.”

Leo rubbed his temple to block her from view. He knew she suffered too. Maybe more than he did. She hadn’t only lost her husband, but also became a single mother. He scanned the grounds, spotting a large stone marker which read "Washington Middle School." Jack-o-lanterns leered back at him from its base.