by Scot McAtee
#2
You must never visit
The house in the woods
Just miss it
Ignore their words
They sound like a sweet melody
With the smell of fresh pie
That take over your body
And use you for their lie
Choice story, Felicity Rowland
The Two Million Dollar Bottle
8/16/2025 Dear Journal,
The tide was low, and I had spent most of the morning at the beach, picking through the tangled seaweed for treasures. So far, I’d already found a specked pebble, a piece of driftwood, and a seashell with an inside that glistened like a pearl. It was almost time to return to my alley when my foot hit something hard. I bent down to brush the sand away and uncovered a bright green glass bottle. It must have been very old, because the waves and the sand had polished away the shine. The top was sealed with a cork and some red wax, and when I held the bottle to the light I could tell there was something inside. What could it be? I broke the wax and pulled the cork, as my hands shook with excitement, and then I pulled out a Note and a key. I opened the note and this is what it said,
“To whom it may concern,
Well, Lucky you for finding this bottle. This is no ordinary key. Go to grand central station in New York. In the men’s bathroom, in the handicap stall vent you will find a Briefcase with double locks. In it is another letter. I will lead you to the treasure each letter but you will only make it to the two million dollars if you are desperate. This key works as two. You unlock the first lock as the key is now but for the second lock, you twist the key and it becomes a whole new shape. Fancy isn’t it? I designed it myself. Oh! Silly me I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Goodie Noble and if you can’t tell I am from the 1920’s. I am the world’s current most wanted bank robber. I’m the best of the best, and yes the money I am giving you is stolen. I collected it over the course of ten years. So please don’t let my life savings go to waste by turning them in. I died for that money. This letter may or may not be there but I guess you’ll find out. If you wish not to go on this mission then simply seal up the bottle and throw it back to sea. If you do wish to go after it, best of luck to you.”
I don’t really want to get tangled up in that but its two million dollars. I could finally stop living in allies, have a bed, and eat warm meals! I must do it. Okay, there is a slight problem I live in California how does a homeless person make it to New York?I’ll get a job and figure it out from there. As I slipped the key into my pocket I heard the beach patrol yell, “Hey you!” I started to run as fast I could. I forgot curfew for people under 18 is 10. When I made it back to my alley I dropped to the ground gulping for air and relief from the sharp pain in my side.
8/17/2025 Dear Journal,
This morning I got a job at Starbucks I am really lucky because they didn’t question me on my fake id and social security number. I’m making $9.35 an hour which is minimum wage but oh well it’s still a job. I decided I’ll work there for a week and then start on my trip.
8/31/2025 Dear Journal,
So I worked longer then I had planned. I worked two weeks instead. I needed more money because I don’t know how long this trip will take. I made a total of 1122 dollars. That is a lot but working 12 hours a day and 5 days adds up. Plus I have 200 more that I had saved all year for my dinner every night. I’m leaving tomorrow morning and catching the first plane to New York.
9/1/25 Dear Journal,
I am down to just 1122 dollars because my plane ticket was 200. This was my first time on a plane so I decided to pay for first class. This is fantastic the best liquor that I have ever had! Well, it’s the only liquor I have ever had. I’m just bummed that I can’t smoke on the plane. I just bought my pack of fresh cigarettes. I usually just smoke what people leave on the ground.
The plane just landed and I’m waiting for my cab. I am now in my cab and we are 20 minutes away from Grand Central Station. I’m going to get there grab the letter and take a cab back to a cheap hotel.
9/2/25 Dear Journal,
When I to Grand Central Station the box was in the stall! It took me like ten minutes to get it. I hopped in the cab and came back to Bates Hotel. I got the room for free because the owners had a long history with Goodie. When I got here I opened the box and there was another key, but this one was normal, and the note read,
“Dear stranger,
“Well done for making it this far. Next you need to go to the Bates Hotel room 115. You will find the next clue in the wall behind the mattress. I have warned them to never rearrange the hotel in any way, so it will still be there. If you want to get to room 115 go to the front desk and ask for Moira Bates. Give her the little slip of paper in this case that has my signature on it. If Moira Bates is no longer alive give it to her daughter Marilynn Bates. If Marilynn is no longer alive and she has no children your journey ends here. If so, I’m sorry, and good luck.”
When I got to the Hotel I asked for Marilynn because I knew Moira was long gone. It turns out Marilynn passed away in 1990. Fortunately she had a son, Roman Bates. He gave me the keys for room 115. And here I am now. I will tell you all about the next letter in the morning.
9/3/25 Dear Journal,
Well I found the next letter and she wants me to go all the way to Maine. So I’m leaving in one hour. Goodie gave me another key and told me to go to a little bar called Noble Pub. Apparently it is owned by her family. Her sister founded it then gave it to her son but we don’t know if there is any generation after her nephew so let’s hope.
I finally made it to the pub after 2 hours of riding in a plane. When I went in and asked for Brandon Noble. He fortunately was alive and at his rightful age of 83. When I showed him Goodie’s and his mother’s signature he cried and gave me the case. He asked to keep the paper and continued with telling me how his house burned down once so he has nothing left of them. I gladly handed over the paper and left. I am staying at Airstream Hotel. Tell you about it tomorrow journal. One day this will make a great story or book even.
9/4/25 Dear Journal,
I hope I don’t have to carry on much longer. The case came with another key, another signature, and a picture of her. She was beautiful. She had long locks of hair and a strong jawbone. She had high defined cheek bones and full lips. She was someone I bet every woman envied. She was standing next to a strong wide shouldered man. They were in front of a high school called, Twin Lakes. The letter is sending me to Monticello, Indiana. I have never heard of it. It must be a small town. I will take the night plane there tonight because there is no time to waste.
9/5/25 Dear Journal,
My flight arrived in Lafayette Indiana this morning. So I went to the school already and asked for the janitor. His name was Albert. His father and Goodie go way back I guess. He opened up locker 115 for me and there it was a golden brief case. I haven’t opened it yet because this is going to tell me where the money is and I’m anxious.
9/6/25 Dear Journal,
Unbelievable! Guess where she is sending me now! I am going back to Cali. I only have 657 dollars left. I have to go to a hotel on the beach. I am already on the plane. It was another 200 dollar ticket. I love first class. I have a few more hours to go. I’ll write when I get there.
Later
Well I got to the hotel and went to room 115. Goodie must have an obsession with the number 115. I got in the room and the letter told me to lift up the third floor panel in the bathroom. There I found a huge brief case I opened it and the money was there all of it.
Dear Journal thank you for being a friend along my journey. I will put you away for a rainy day and I’ll never forget you. I have now filled up all the pages in you. Maybe I’ll write more another time. As for the money, I am rich! Let my new life begin.
Hi I’m Alex, I am 15 years old and I am now a millionaire.
