A gunshot was fired. It was a fact that nobody in town could change. Even I couldn't change it, although I somehow could, seeing I'm the author of this book. But still, the truth would stay, no matter how badly you'd wanna change it. So let's get real.

I'm Alex Anderson, who's, unfortunately, the protagonist mentioned earlier, the town "smartypants," as people call me. Next to me is my best friend, Harvey Parker, the mischievous adventurous kid.

Anyway, that's enough introductions. Sorry for leaving you hanging, if I did. 

As soon as we heard the gunshot, Harvey and I just stood still, feet planted on the ground. We didn't dare to move, 'cause if we did, we were afraid we might encounter the gunner.

But if I could go back in time, I'd run as fast as my feet would take me, and find my grandpa.

Anyway, here's what happened next. We watched as a man in a black mask wearing a black hoodie burst out of the shop.

Then it finally hit me - I realized that it was possibly grandpa that was shot. Alarmed, I dashed full speed to the shop, Harvey tailing me at the back. I no longer cared about the gunner.

I rammed the doors open, seeing no sign of grandpa. A chill ran down my spine, heart beating faster every moment. Where the heck was grandpa?!

There was nobody behind the counter. I gulped. Please don't be him, please! I took a deep breath, and finally when I had the guts, I peered over the counter, and my eyes popped out of it's sockets.

I tried to scream, but only air escaped my lungs.

There laid a body, soaked with dark red blood oozing out of a spot with a bullet on the person's stomach. Like I said, I gasped. But when I saw the face, I froze right there. From the worst of the worst, It was...

GRANDPA.

Harvey too peeked over the counter, but he didn't have a mental block like I did. He rushed over to him, and I thought, why the heck didn't I think of that before?!

I rushed to grandpa, kneeling beside him, not knowing what to do. "Help! Somebody call an ambulance!" I shouted, although somebody might've already did.

I carefully laid my hands on grandpa's chest, trying to assure him that everything was alright, although it was way far from alright.

Slowly, grandpa opened his eyes, and our eyes met and locked. He opened his mouth to say something, but the sirens from the ambulance parked outside the shop blared so loud that I couldn't make out what he said.

Grandpa cleared his mouth and held me in the arm. "Son, there's something I need to tell you. Remember that treasure box you asked me about last time?"

I nodded, frowning. Why was he talking about this stupid treasure box at a time like this?

"Go and get it. And save our town," grandpa said. "Don't let anything change this Island."

I nodded again, even I had no clue what he was even talking about.

"And... don't bother to even send me to the hospital. The gunner is just gonna chase after me," grandpa sighed. "It's..." his voice trailed off. With his eyes still on me, a tear dropped from his eyes, and he finished his sentence. "It's over. Farewell, son. Don't let me down." He heaved a deep breath, perhaps his last, and closed his eyes.

A tear also dripped down my eye, and I held grandpa tight. "No, grandpa, no!!" I cried as Harvey pulled me away to give room for the medics rushing in. "Please don't go!" I yelled, but he probably didn't hear me.