Me Against the World

"Once upon a time -"

"Mommy, not all stories start that way."

"... Why, yes, you are right. Okay then, not too long ago, there was a big hunt."

"For animals?"

"No, but for treasures."

"You mean like pirates did?"

"... Yes, sweetie, like the pirates did. The hunt pit four different teams against each other to fight for the prize. All four were special in their own ways, but isolated, they could do nothing but run around in circles, chasing each other."

"Like Tom and Jerry?"

"Yes, like Tom and Jerry. However, two of the competitors did not have a team. They were by themselves, with only one person to help them. What they did not know was that they would be the ones to reunite those four teams."

"In peace?"

"Maybe, honey, maybe. But right before that could happen, something bad happened."

"What, mommy? What happened?"

"... nothing, sweetie. They defeated them in the end, okay? Get some sleep, mm-kay?"

"Okay, mommy. Good night."

"Good night, Verity."

That was the last night I saw both my mother and my father. Right after she turned off the light and I had cuddled into the warmth of my blankets, there was a crash and muffled voices. I heard as light footsteps ran towards my room, and I stopped breathing for a second to realize it was just Leo. His eyes were as round as buttons, and he ran towards me.

I don't know why, but I knew we had to get out. Like I used to do before my mother had started locking my window, I would climb out to the tree beside my room and climb down. I figured out how to break the lock days back, but I dared not tell my mother.

We rushed out just in time to see the house burst into flames, my hopes crashing beneath them.


A/N: I always wanted to write about actual children in the 39 Clues. As you can tell, they are non-canon characters, or OC, but their parents are canon characters. This is not Amy - obviously stated when the mom says her name and when she says her younger brother's name is Leo. Anyway, please point out any errors and so on.