THE LATEST NEWS IN TOWN

" Dude, did you listen to the news today? A Mayor's son died while doing a solo hunting mission." A student in John's class asked his friend.

It was lunchtime so everyone was free to discuss.

John as usual just kept to himself and sat on his desk alone, but his ears could hear their conversation.

Despite the fact that this school was in a poor area, there were still some few rich and popular kids one never had to mess with.

" What? A Mayor's son? Man that is strange. I mean what will he need money for? He is a Mayor's son."

" But after examining the body, the police found out that it was not a beast attack but someone murdered him and collected his gold coins."

When John heard this, his heart started beating faster as he remembered the trouble he was currently in.

" The Mayor has placed a bounty of ten thousand gold coins to anyone who reveals the killers."

Those words in particular really touched John's ear drums and it got him thinking; He contemplated on whether to report the case or not.

He needed money and ten thousand gold coins to feed his family for two years and settle all their debts, even buy them a house.

And again if he reported the case, the hunters would be caught and sentenced which would free him from them.

At the end John decided that he would discuss it with his parents.

John left School and returned home.

This time around he was in a hurry, not because he was in a haste to go start his business, but he was in a haste to reach home quickly and safely .

He kept looking over his shoulders to make sure he was not being followed.

John reached home and discovered that the place was weirdly quiet. With all the hunger and tiredness in him, he opened the door.

" Surpriiiissse"

John was shocked to see that more than two people were in the house and there was a cake in front of them, with eighteen candles on it.

" Happy birthday to you John Rizzo."

Turns out, John's Parents and his neighbors had planned a surprise birthday party for him.

" Wow I am so happy that you all remembered my birthday. I seriously forgot that today I have turned eighteen." John Expressed his joy.

John was happy to meet them especially Raya

his neighbor's daughter, who attends the same school as him, but in a different class.

" Happy birthday Johnny." She said with a red face.

" Wait, are you two a thing?" Her shameless elder brother asked.

" No!" Both John and Raya said at the same time.

" I mean we are just friends." John said, scratching his head.

John took his cake and everyone asked him to make a wish.

This made John remember his dream last night, when the genie asked him to make a wish.

He still could not understand what the dream meant, but he could not allow that to ruin this moment for him.

--

After all the celebration and everyone had left the house, leaving just the formal trio, John was on the dining table with his parents.

His father's name was Peter Scott and he had the looks of a regular man, with an average height. Also the bags under his eyes could tell that he hardly sleeps.

On the other hand, his mother Alice Julie was a pretty woman. Sometimes people would wonder "how could a wimpy man marry such a pretty woman?"

They were both Earth ability users and so was John.

--

" Mum and Dad, I really appreciate you for making so much effort for the party. I know it wasn't easy to come up with the finances." Said John.

" Don't worry about it son, you deserve to be happy." Replied his mother.

The family kept eating and when they were through, John was about to head to his room but his parents asked him to stay.

They looked at each other and John's mum nodded to his dad, then he cleared his throat and spoke.

" Son, today you have turned eighteen and that means you are now an adult. Coupled with that, there are certain things that you would be allowed to do and those you should not do.

I know you must have heard the news of a Mayor's son who died carrying out hunting missions.

I know you are eligible to apply for bounty hunting when you turn eighteen, but I must use that boy's death as an example to warn you not to carry out such dangerous tasks.

I know we don't have a lot of money but we have enough money to feed ourselves. All you need to do is go to school and we will provide your fees okay?

All I am trying to say is; Be safe out there and make wise decisions." He concluded for the moment.

" Thank you dad, I will do my best not to get into trouble." John replied.

' Dough I am already in one. I think this is the best time to discuss my situation with them.'

John was about to explain his situation but his dad cut in.

" However, the culprit who killed the boy had been caught, but he kept saying he's friend had set him up, though all the evidence pointed against him.

But one thing he said confuses me. He said someone will speak the truth and save him. That his friend should be monitored or he might kill the witness." John's Father held his chin thinking.

With this said John's face became serious as a certain thought crossed his mind.

" What did the culprit look like?" John asked and his father, though surprised by the question, decided to explain the appearance of the culprit, but it never matched what John had in mind.

' This Means that the hunter must have set up his friend in greed for gold. What do I do?'

" Son, is everything okay? Is there something you want to say?"

" No dad. Please excuse me, I need to go to my room."

John's reaction baffled his parents.

But they just let him be for the moment.