THE KID IN THE ATTIC:
I have been homeless since before I can remember. I remember on my fifth birthday I didn't get any presents. I didn't even get any food. I never went to school like every other kid, for going to school would cost money for supplies. Money we didn't have.
Everyday my parents would leave in search for food. They rarely got any. I grew up always being hungry, and I was used to it by now. One day, after their daily search for food, they didn't come back. I waited and waited. They never came.
When I realized they were never coming home, I knew I needed someplace to live. I found a small door leading to the attic of a big building. I later found out that that building was an Orpheum. That is where I have been ever since.
For two years, this has been my home. My first night living in the attic was very scary. Until I met my best friend, Ned. Although Ned is a rat, he has always been there for me. I tell him everything. He is my only friend.
Everybody knows me as "the kid in the attic". People who work or go to the Orpheum are okay with me living there. Probably because they feel bad a little ten year old boy has no place to live, no family to go home to.
I am a short, skinny kid, with brown hair and ocean blue eyes. I wear ripped up pants and a dirty shirt. My face is covered in dirt due to the lack of hygiene. Many people see me in the streets and feel bad for me, but not enough to do anything. I was alone, until I found Ned.
One day, after working for very little pay, I came back to my attic.
"Hi, Ned!" I yelled happily. He always comes running over to me when he hears my name. When nothing happened, I got a little worried.
"Ned?" I asked, looking around for him.
"Ned?" I asked again. "It's me, Billy."
Still no Ned. I looked behind my mattress. Still no Ned! Then suddenly I saw a blob of white from behind my treasure chest. There he was, laying there. I ran over and picked him up.
"Ned! Wake up!" I exclaimed. But he didn't wake up. He was dead.
And I was alone again.