[ WP ] I was babysitting my nephew when he told me he had $ 15,000 dollars in a paper bag under his bed ... ( xpost from adviceanimals )

The boy awoke, still pulsing with fervor from the night before. He hung his torso from the side of the bed and peered under. His breathe came quick. The bag was still there. $ 15,000. How had it come to this? He heard footsteps, and paused, listening to every creak in the house. `` Elijah, time for breakfast!'' 
 
 He jerked back under the blanket at the sound of his mother's voice. She opened his door, stepping in to wake him. `` C'mon bud, time to get up.'' He rubbed his eyes, feigning grogginess, and dangled his lanky legs off the side of the bed. `` Okay Mom, I'm up...'' 
 
 She left the door ajar as she left the room. He could hear the bacon and sausage sizzling from the edge of his bed. The smell of Sunday breakfast was his favorite of scents. But not today. It was tainted by fear. 
 
 Elijah dropped his bare feet to the hardwood floor, and darted across the room. He knew what he would wear before opening the dresser. Overalls and his lucky dinosaur tee. He was going to need all the luck he could get today. 
 
 The breakfast was as delicious as ever, but it turned to soot in the boy's mouth. The guilt, the danger, the money. He was scared, petrified, but knew his actions to be just. He had heard his parents arguing the night before. His family needed the money. Times were tough. `` You're almost 8.'' He told himself. `` You're nearly a man. Provide for your family.'' 
 
 He stood, put his plate in the sink, and marched to his room. He had chosen his next move over breakfast. He would bury the bag, like his pirate ancestors, until the heat wore off. Grabbing his napsack, he stuffed the cash in, and made for the back door. 
 
 The phone rang, once, twice, thrice, before his mother answered. `` Hello?'' There was a pause. `` Yes, he's here.'' 
 
 Fear ensnared the boy mere inches from the door. They'd traced the money to him. Somehow. Some way. `` I've put my family in danger. `` he realized. `` I have to run, to protect my family. I will get them the money, but first, I must survive.'' 
 
 `` Elijah, where are you?'' He heard her call. He stood, nearly grasping the door handle, yet frozen in his tracks. His breakfast started to climb his esophagus. He realized he had made a grave mistake... The sound of his mother's footsteps spoke of her approach. The boy closed his eyes. `` Elijah!'' His name shot like a bullet from her lips. `` Jake's mom is on the phone! Did you take their Monopoly set?'' 
 
 The jig was up. He started crying before the words could leave his mouth. `` Ye... ye.....yesssss.'' Tears rolled down Elijah's cheeks as he spilled his guts. 
 
 He knew he'd be grounded from Nintendo for like a **WEEK**!!! 
 
 
 
 
 
 

