Introduction: I’m a very new writer and I am open to all ideas and correction people may have for this story or me as a writer, the way I want this book to go is that max is being sent all over the world and has to complete the deadliest tasks all by following a notebook given to him in his mother’s will however he is also being hunted down by family members who also want to pursue what awaits them at the end of all the tasks. Hope you enjoy these first few paragraphs and let me know how I can improve

This was the day Max’s world stood still the blue and red flashing light at his window, the knock on the door with 2 policemen stood on the other side hats at their chest asking if they could come inside, setting Max down and delivering the news of the death of his mother, Max rarely saw his mum she was often on business trips or taking vacation in another country but when she was home they both had the best time Max could wish for, now she was gone he didn’t feel any different he just sat there looking at the two men with a dumbfounded face at the time max could see them but they sounded far away “Its ok to be upset, we know how hard this must be for you” Max just nodded no words were escaping his lips until he finally managed to let out a few “H..H..How did she…” he couldn’t bear to say the word the man on the right replied “she was skiing in Switzerland on one of her vacations” “skiing? My Mum hated skiing I constantly asked her if we could go but she said she hated the adrenalin you got when speeding down the snow covered mountains” Max said inwardly “We will have a lawyer come over tomorrow to let you know the details of her will if you need anyone to talk t-“ “MAX oh god Max I’m so sorry” a women rushed in brunette, piercings in her left eyebrow, gothic clothing rushed up and wrapped her arms around Max who just continued staring off through the window oblivious to anything going on around him “Madam may I ask who you are?” one of the men questioned she released Max and turned around to the two men “Oh I’m sorry I’m Madeline his babysitter his mum was often on business trips and she always called me to look after Max whilst she was gone I’ve known Max for 2 years now” the rest of the night was a blur to Max family members coming and going asking Max if he needed anything he would just shake his head and say he was fine until Madeline ushered everyone out and led him up to his bedroom he sat on his bed and Madeline closed the door once the door closed tears poured out of Max’s face like a waterfall but he made no noise that would suggest he was crying except for a loud bang where a dent formed in his wall and blood poured from his knuckles before lying down and drifting in and out of sleep constantly thinking it was just a dream before feeling the drying blood around his fist.

The next day was full of cards from friends at school and lawyers coming and going, the will reading was also that day and due to Max and his mum being the only close family members he figured most things would be left to him and when the will was read Max was completely shocked

Children

To my son max I will leave the money in a bank account I had been putting money into which in its current state hold $1.2 million, I also leave my antique box in my bedroom all my other belongings I will donate to the charities…

“$1.2Million we never had that sort of money where did that come from, and her antique box? That doesn’t contain anything I constantly asked her why she had it and she said it was just for the aesthetics of her room”.

When max got home he was met with people already clearing out his mother’s stuff getting it ready to be shipped off to the charities “why would she do this? Why leave me with money but take all the necessities for living?” he questioned Madeline who had her arms wrapped around his shoulders “I don’t know Max, don’t worry you can come live with me until we can sort you out with any family” Max nodded and walked to his mum’s room “get out” he said to one man carrying out his mum’s wardrobe who looked but continued “GET OUT” he shouted at the man who quickly hurried out, Max walked over to his mother’s antique box “why give this to me?” Max thought as he turned the box it was small probably made to contain jewellery but there was nothing inside Max went to his bedroom and lay on his bed just turning the box in his hand, Curiousness turned to sadness and Max lay the box on his desk before turning over and falling asleep. A sound jerks Max awake as his head snaps towards the sound and he sees a figure standing in his doorway dressed all in black holding his mother box “Hey who are you? Put that back! “was what Max tried to say but his mouth was too dry, the figure started to walk away, Max quickly puts on his jeans and top and goes after the man in black who was now walking down the staircase the man turned and saw Max before running down the stair Max chases him out the front door keeping up with the burglar who wasn’t as fast as Max who had ran for his school in the athletics team but the constant turns into alleyways and jumping over wired fencing meant the burglar managed to keep a distance away before one wrong step and the man in black falls sending the box scattering along the floor Max runs over and grabs a nearby wooden plank and at this point his instincts have taken over and he lands the 2x4 over the ski masked man’s head he walks over to his mums box and there seems to be a notebook lying at the side and the bottom velvet of the box also lying outside the box “what the?” Max whispers as he kneels down to look at the notebook “You don’t know what the fuck your dealing with keeping that notebook only means your untimely… disappearance” the man in black starts to speak before pulling back his mask to reveal a man with a beard aged around the late 30’s Max’s eyes widen “Uncle?” he exclaims “Give me the book Max” he holds out his hand “Hey! LEAVE THE KID ALONE” a local resident had seen the chase and had come to investigate carrying a hunting rifle his uncle pulls down his mask before turning to the resident and letting out a laugh only Max could hear before sprinting down a nearby alleyway the resident runs up to Max “you ok? Did he hurt you? Who was that guy?” the questions started bombarding Max and he managed to pipe in “I don’t know he was robbing my house and he just grabbed my mum’s antique box and ran I managed to catch up to him before you came, thanks” leaving out the part about being his uncle Max with the resident accompanying him back to his house he goes back into his room and he hears the sound of police sirens headed to his house the resident said he would get an officer to wait outside his house in case the robber came back armed he opened the notebook to the first page which was in English

This notebook has been passed down in the family for generations for anyone to attempt to decipher and find what lies at the end of the adventure fortune awaits those who succeed but death awaits those who try and fail.

The next page has words Max doesn’t understand but he knows he need to find out what this means, why his mum left him it, why his uncle tried to steal it, why his mum had died doing something she hated but eventually Max falls into a deep sleep the questions however still lingering in the back of his mind.