The Monkey's Paw

Chapter 4: The Third Wish

Hello everyone! So, I'll be doing two more updates today for two other stories. I feel bad since I fell behind with updating so with this mass one, I'll be all caught up :)

This chapter does not make me happy, at all. I feel like I reread it about ten times and it still sucks...I would love to know what you guys think, as readers, about this story and what I could change if I do go back and edit it some more as a whole.

It had been two days since Alfred had wished for the research materials for his social studies class, three days since he had wished for rain and one day since the rain had stopped. He was thrilled beyond belief that the paw actually worked in his favor and he couldn't wait to see what grade he got on his project. He fidgeted slightly at his desk and when the teacher arrived at his, he looked up to see the glaring eyes of his professor.

"Well, Alfred, I have to say that I'm quite impressed with your report." He threw down the small stack of papers that was Alfred's 'hard work.' "Now, if only you applied yourself like that to everything else in this class."

Alfred gave his teacher a nervous nod, a little afraid that the teacher would see right through everything and know that he technically cheated. Once the elder had left his desk, Alfred let out a sigh of relief and slowly reached out, grasping the report on his school desk. He flipped it around, uneasy as to what he would find. A large "A+" danced across the cover page and Alfred pumped his fisted hands into the air.

"Yes! A plus!"

Minutes later the school bell rang, releasing him and all the other trapped students from the hell that was his U.S. History class. He dashed out, wanting to show Matthew further proof that the monkey's paw was the greatest thing on earth. He ran down the crowded hallways, not stopping till he reached the locker used by his brother.

"Matt! Oh my god! Matt! You have to see this!"

Unfazed by the sudden appearance of his hyper active sibling, the wavy haired blonde pulled his head from the depths of his locker, curious as to what Alfred was babbling on about.

"What is it Alfred?"

"Here, take a look!" He shoved the report at Matthew and continued to do a little victory jig while his brother looked at the paper. "I got an A plus on the history paper!"

"That's great Alfred!"

"Yeah and it's all thanks to the great and magical paw!"

Matthew's smile faded at the mention of the treacherous device that his brother possessed.

"A-about the paw, Alfred….I've been doing some reading…"

"You're always doing 'some reading' Matt. I'd be more surprised if you weren't."

"Alfred! This is important! I've been reading about that thing, that paw, and if it's anything like the original story, all you're going to get out of it is destruction and pain! You need to get rid of it!"

"Yeah right Mattie. Like I'll toss this awesome thing. Why would I believe that it would cause me great pain? Those are just stories. This now," he gestured to everything around them, "this is real life. Ya gotta stop filling your mind with fantasies and lies." He tapped his brother's forehead and continued on. "The paw hasn't hurt me, it won't hurt you, and it definitely won't cause the destruction of anything or everything that I hold dear. Now, let's forget about the paw and head over to the gym. I know you've wanted to see all of the science projects that are on display for the science fair. Then we'll go home after that."

"O-ok. That sounds good."

The two had just arrived home from viewing the projects at the fair. Matthew had scurried to his room to do homework as soon as they had stepped into the door way, thanking him for the company and for walking home with him. Alfred on the other hand went and searched out their parents, locating them in the kitchen. He stepped inside and got both of their attentions.

"I got an A plus on my history report today."

"Alfred honey, that's great!"

"That's my boy!"

"I'll cook you your favorite dinner tonight as a celebration."

"Alright! Thanks mom!"

He left the kitchen with a huge grin and ran up to his room, ready to do anything other than school work until dinner was ready. He reached his room and in a moment of spontaneity, swirled in his computer chair. Noticing the paw, he grabbed the decorated tube from his nightstand. Twisting and sliding off the cap, Alfred took out the shriveled hand. With the magical article in one hand he leapt off his chair and onto his bed, relaxing and thinking of his next wish.

"I want something as a gift to myself for getting such an awesome grade, but what?" He mumbled to himself. "Hmm…I want something that would be considered unobtainable for me but also useful at the same time…"

"Alfred?" Said boy jumped a little as a light tapping was heard at the door, Matthew's soft voice barely making it through the wood that separated them. "Mom says that dinner is ready and that you should come down now."

"Alright." He jumped off the bed and ran to the door, throwing it open much to the dismay of his twin. "Let's go eat!"

The dinner was delightful and tasty and Alfred couldn't have asked for anything more. Instead of running back up to his room, he had stayed downstairs to help clean up and spend quality time with his family as a thank you for the awesome food. Later in the night, as he and Matthew were getting ready for bed, he returned to his room to change when he noticed a thin piece of paper laying on the comforter of his bed. Curious as to what it could be, he picked it up and read the fine writing scrawled on it.

"Oh my god! This can't be real!" He reread the paper once more and pinched himself just to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

In his hands lay a check for one hundred thousand dollars. All that ran through his head was that he had to show this to someone, but whom? Who could he show it to without the threat of getting into trouble? Mom and dad were totally out of the question and all his friends lived on the other side of town…Matthew. He would show it to Matthew. He would never rat out his brother.

"Matt!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.

"What?" Was the quiet yell from the other down the hall.

"You have to see this! It's a full blown miracle!"

Alfred waited a few seconds, listening to the light pitter-patter of his brother's feet against the cool wooden floor of the house. Slowly the door to his room creaked open.

"What is it Alfred? I was trying to sleep."

The one being spoken to jumped off the side of his bed and ran up to his look alike at the door, shoving the check into delicate pale hands. The other looked down at the slip of paper and read the small words printed on the lines while Alfred continued to smile deviously. He watched as Matthew's eyes widened as shock took root on his face.

"Alfred! How…How did you get this? This is the first place prize money for the science fair!"

"How do you think I got it? I wished for something totally unobtainable and the paw granted my wish. Pretty cool huh?"

"No." Matthew looked up and locked his violet eyes on sky blue ones. "No it's not 'pretty cool' Alfred! You need to give this back to the school!"

"Give it back? There's no way in hell that I'd 'give it back' Mattie. It would be a total waste of a wish and plus, what's some nerdy kid going to do with all this money?"

"Oh, I don't know Alfred, maybe pay for their college education! Not every kid can get an athletic scholarship like you!"

"So, I'm still not giving it back."

"Goddamn it Alfred! Stop being such a selfish jerk! If you're not going to willingly give the money back, I'm going to tell the principal that you stole it!"

"What!" Alfred took a hard look at his brother. He can't do that! He'd lose all the scholarships he had achieved for athletics and he'd be kicked off the baseball team. "No! You are not going to do that!"

"Yes I am! And I'll tell mom and dad that you cheated to get that A as well."

"No you won't, because it you do I'll tell everyone about that time you got wasted at Francis' party and ended up making out with that albino kid who graduated last year."

"You…you wouldn't." The anger in Matthew's amethyst orbs were overcome with fear and Alfred knew he had won.

"Yes I would," he sneered, "and you know exactly how dad feels about stuff like that. You'll probably be kicked out and everyone at school would laugh at you and you'll be a total outcast. If you don't want that to happen, you won't tell. Got it?" He poked a finger out and into Matthew's chest.

The wavy haired blond, knowing that he had been beaten, nodded his head and left the room, heading towards his own. Alfred stayed rooted where he stood, only moving once he heard the door to Matthew's own room close. He entered his bed and covered himself with his blankets, turning his light out once he was comfortable. As he lay in bed, he could not fall asleep, paranoia entering his brain and filling his thoughts with 'what if's.

"He won't tell anyone, would he? No, not with the threat I told him…but what if he still does. I'll be suspended, no, I'll be kicked out. I'll never be able to play sports again. Mom and dad will disown me! Matthew can't tell them…no, he won't tell them. I'll make sure of that, I'll make it that he'll never tell."

As Alfred wrestled with his own thoughts, Matthew lay awake in bed, torn by his two conflicting sides. On one hand, he had to someone that Alfred had stolen the money but on the other, he really didn't want that embarrassing moment of his life out in the public. It wasn't his fault he got so drunk at that party. He just wanted to try and enjoy himself for once in his life and not be one of those people who lock themselves away to study all the time. He wanted to break free just once in his life. Too bad it ended the way it did, with a guy he really didn't know that well.

"I have to do it," he whispered to himself. "I have to tell the principal. I don't care what will happen to me, it's the right thing to do."

With his conscious cleared, Matthew was finally able to drift off into a somewhat peaceful slumber.

I'm sorry I made Alfred a total jerk in this chapter. I didn't want to but I felt like it fit since he has the paw and all. I'll probably be updating this story next week so that we'll be able to finish it. If there are continuation problems please don't hesitate to tell me. I tend to have trouble with that especially in stories I haven't written for in a long time. Thanks!

Please read and review!