[ WP ] Write a short story using as many literary clichés as possible .

Jack wasn ’ t a normal kid – everyone knew this. But no one really knew it as well as Jack did. He had always been able to blame his bad behavior on his parents, but he only did so because it was easy, and people believed it. Something wasn ’ t right. 
 
 The school bus pulled away with a big wheeze behind him, leaving Jack alone on his doorstep. Before he even opened the door, he knew what would be going on inside, but that didn ’ t stop him from being startled by a vase smashing against the wall to the side of his head. 
 
 “ I can ’ t believe you! I don ’ t see you all night, you come home at 2pm stinking like whiskey with lipstick on your collar and you have the nerve to tell me your boss sent you home early?! ” came the shrill shouting from down the hall. Jack dodged the crash of a flying plate and nimbly ducked up the stairs, quickly pulling his bedroom door shut behind him. Hopefully no one saw him. 
 
 The muffled shouting continued. Jack took a step back, breathing a sigh of relief, when THUD. He whipped around, to see a tall black man in a suit and sunglasses staring down at him. Jack screamed, and stumbled backwards onto the floor. 
 
 “ Hello Jack, ” said the man, his voice soothing and low. “ I ’ ve been expecting you. ” 
 
 “ Wh-who are you? ” Jack stammered, struggling to right himself. “ Are you -- is this because of what I did to Ms. Timmons? I swear I didn ’ t mean -- ” 
 
 The man look slightly amused. “ Ms. Timmons? Perhaps we ’ ll have to talk about her later, but no. I ’ m here to see you for a very special reason. We ’ ve been watching you, Jack, and the time has come for us to meet. ” The man crouched low to face Jack at eye level, taking off his sunglasses. His eyes were dark and serious, with a bit of sadness hiding behind them. “ The world is in danger. I know you must be confused as to why I ’ m telling you this, but believe me, we have our reasons. We think you may be the only one who can help us. We think you may be… the one. ” 
 
 The man searched Jack ’ s face for a reaction, but Jack simply walked around the man to stare out his window. The man righted himself. Outside Jack could see the neighbor kids playing across the fence. It was a sunny day, certainly not one that would indicate that the world was in any sort of peril. 
 
 “ I know, ” Jack said, his voice quiet. The man could see Jack close his eyes in the reflection on the window. “ But I ’ m not interested. You ’ ll have to find another way. ” 
 
 “ Listen, Jack. There is no other way. Time is running out. The world is counting on you. If we don ’ t – ” 
 
 “ No, you listen. ” Jack spun around, his eyes glowing hot white. “ I can ’ t! I ’ m done with all that! ” As he spoke, the toys and trinkets around his room began to rattle. “ My powers, I – it can only bring trouble. ” The rattling eased, and the man glanced nervously at the toys. 
 
 A plate smashed downstairs. 
 
 …To be continued…
