Mysterious Black Notebook

Today is a Friday after school, I am walking down the sidewalk towards my home until a strong gust of wind passes through me. Hear a soft thud, I look down and see a small black notebook as if one of those mini-composite notebook. Looking at the front and back cover, there is no writing of who it belongs to and no title to indicate what it is. Thinking that maybe it’s inside the cover, I open the front cover, only to see nothing except a short explanation and three rules.

It states: Whoever finds this book, is now the owner until the book deems that you no longer need it. In order to use this book wisely, you must follow these rules.

Rule 1: Must not exceed $20,000 when you are in posses of this black book, and in order to spend it is by writing down in this black book.

Rule 2: It has to be for selfless reasons, if it is for your own greed, there will be severe consequences.

Rule 3: Once the black book disappears, it will never reappear in your life.

There is no way that it is possible that this little black notebook can give $20,000, but I can’t use it for myself. With overwhelming thoughts, I decide to sprint back home which is only few minutes jog. Once I’m inside my home, “I’m Home!” I yells to tell my family that I’m home safely.

“Welcome home, honey. How was school?” My mom yells through the kitchen. As I walk quietly towards the stairs.

“Oh? Same as every day, took notes, have some pop quizzes, and more homework to work on. I’ll be in my room if you need me.” I say quickly, going up the stairs and into my room. Going to my desk and open the black book and start thinking if I should or should not write in this book. But this year, with the Corona Virus, brought hardships for my family from barely making bills and cutting all the stuff we don’t need like Netflix and Hulu. My parents need a break and not worry about the bills that are slowly pilling up.

My thoughts drifts to what can I do to help my parents to ease their burdens… Use the money to buy groceries worth? No, that would be a waste with the perishables… Hmm, no ideas are coming into my head that would be beneficial for them. “Sweetheart its time for dinner!” My dad yells from downstairs, making me look at the clock as I realize its already 6p.m.

“Coming!” I yell back, as I walk out of my room and down the stairs to the entrance of the dining room. I go to my seat across from my younger sister, sitting down, I glance at my sister as I see her glued to her phone, probably talking to her friends. “Sis, you should put your phone away, its not going to go anywhere.” I kindly reminding her.

“No, I am having an important discussion with my friends, unlike you who barely have any.” She says as I shake my head.

“Dear that is no way to talk to your sister, apologize to her right now!” My dad says when he comes in and sits in his seat.

“But dad! My friends and I are trying to figure out what dress to buy for an upcoming party my bestie is having.” She whines.

“My dear, we cannot afford another dress, me and your mother are hardly making it from this COVID-19 that we can only get the necessities, not what we want. We can’t even pay off our debts and gaining more to what we actually owe.” Our dad says, exhausted and tired from having to deal of this.

“Here’s dinner everyone, enjoy.” My mom says, sitting down next to dad, and we all start eating our dinner quietly.

Later at night, I sit in my desk as I replay what my dad had said until I remember that black book. Pulling it out of the drawer and open it up to the first page, I grab for the pen and about to start to write until I hesitate. What happens if I do this? What are the consequences if this is misinterpret as greed? I know my family can get through this, but I really want to help them. With that last thought, I wrote down, “Pay off my parent’s (Mrs. Niki Johnson and Mr. Jason Johnson debt (credit cards, loans) off” Set the pen down and hold my breath, realizing what I had just done. I shove the black book back into the drawer and rush to my bed, scared of what I did. Glancing at the desk, slowly calming down since there is no way that will happen and starts to fall asleep.

Saturday morning… *Bring* *Briiing* *Briiiiiing* I slam my hand down against my alarm clock, gets up, and head to the bathroom to get ready for the day. When I’m done using the bathroom, I go to my closet and put on my clothes such as my favorite hoodie with zip-up, side pockets and comfy jogger pants. “Jason! Come here, you got to see this!!!” My mom yells downstairs.

My mom never yells in the morning, so out of curiosity, I get out of my bedroom and go downstairs, eavesdropping on my parents who are sitting on the living room couch. “Love, what is it? What’s wrong?” My dad says worriedly.

My mom points to the screen on her laptop, “All of our credit cards and loans are paid off! This is a miracle; we don’t have to worry about paying them anymore and have more money to use for our needs.”

“H-how? This can’t be po-possible. Unless someone unanimously paid it off for us or the government must have done something to pardon citizens from their debt.” My father stutters a bit.

“I don’t know, Jason. I don’t think they are this kind enough to wipe our debt, but I believe it more if it was a unanimous benevolent person.” Mom says as she continues to stare at the screen.

Biting my lips, I rush back up to my room, towards my desk and take out the black book, opening it. My eyes widen from what I see: Pay off my parent’s (Mrs. Niki Johnson and Mr. Jason Johnson) debt (credit cards, loans) off. Remaining balance: $11,250. Shock that it actually did what I had put down, quickly look back and forth in my room to make sure no one is looking, I quickly put it in my drawer as if nothing happened. “I can’t believe that black book can do that.” I said in a whisper, but not knowing my door was ajar, my little sister watching and listening to me.

During dinner, we are at the dining room table, eating spaghetti and meatballs until *Cling* *Cling* *Cling* to get our attention. Looking who has clings their glass, I see my father clearing his throat, “Girls, I have good news.”

“Is it about getting me a new dress, daddy!!” My sister squeals as she is jumping in her seat.

“No, dear. Like I said we can’t get what we want, just our necessities. But we have extra money now to save for emergencies or when this is all over, maybe a family trip.” My father says excitedly as he looks at both of us.

‘That’s great to hear father, I’m happy that you no longer have to worry about it” I say happily that I was able to help my parents. As my sister slouches in her chair, crossing her arms in front of her chest, pouting.

“It is as if like magic, you were able to clear your debt.” My sister mumbles, which caught my surprise when her accusing glare focuses on me. “Mom, Dad, don’t you think that this is weird? Why did a random stranger, pay off all your debts when he/she don’t even knows us?” She questions our parents.

“We do think it is strange dear, but we are also have hope in humanity when people who either knows each or not, help each other in time of need.” My father says, as the rest of our dinner finishes in silence.

Later that night, I’m looking at the black book as I think who I should help next and I realize my best friend is also having difficulties as well. Opening to the following page, I wrote, “ Pay off my best friend’s (Destiny) parent’s (Mrs. Darla Smith and Mr. Adam Smith) debts (credit card, loans) off and year worth of non-perishable food.” Closing my book, set it back into my draw, and go to bed.

The following morning, I go to my desk and take out the black book, opening to see: “ Pay off my best friend’s (Destiny) parent’s (Mrs. Darla Smith and Mr. Adam Smith) debts (credit card, loans) off and year worth of non-perishable food. Remaining balance: $5,000. Smiling and breath a sigh of relief since now my friend doesn’t have to worry about her parents not paying their bills. Putting it back, I get ready to go to my best friend’s house to see how they will react to the surprise. Unfortunately for me, I didn’t see my sister watching me leave the house, and quickly go into my room, taking my black book into her room.

Later that night, I came back home and into my room, I quickly go to my desk for the black book. When I didn’t find it in the drawer, I look all over my desk, not finding and makes me grab my hair, worried that I lost it. Then I remember the description and sigh in relief and get some sleep. In my sister’s room is a different story, she opens the black book and write “Mallory Johnson would receive her desired dress with all the accessories to match.” Puts the black book under her pillow and goes to sleep.

The next morning, *Knock* *Knock* *KNOCK* I wake up from pounding of our front door, so I quickly get out of my room and spy on top of the stairs. My parents already at the door opening it and see two policemen at our door. “Sir, Ma’am. We are here for Mallory Johnson; she has stolen a dress and all accessories going with it. We have security surveillance of her crimes and request to come with us.”

My mom gasps and cries as my father holds her and tries to soothe her. “Mallory! Come down here this instant!!” My father yells, as I see my sister come out of her room, wearing the dress and accessories and go down the stairs.

“Ms. Mallory Johnson, you are under arrest…” the policeman goes through Miranda rights.

I quickly go to her room and see the black book on top of her bed, so I quickly rush towards it, seeing it open. Gasping as I read what it states: Mallory Johnson would receive her desired dress with all the accessories to match.” Remaining Balance: - $130,000 You have been warned.

In the end, my sister is old enough to be charged as an adult and spending 10 years in prison, my parents heartbroken. I learned a lesson though, doing selfless deeds, rewards you being happy and proud that you help someone. But doing selfish deeds gives you consequences, filling you regret.

*This story is fiction, and no one is related to this story. I hope you enjoy.*