The Hour of Our Death

By Nick Cascione

The Hour of Our Death is a story of what happens to a young man when life has been taken away from him, in which the act of that intense incident is directly connected with a past bad judgment. He may find out that dying is the easy part of life and that living life with all its imperfections is indeed the hardest part. This young man will soon find out that a judgment in another realm has its own rules and is completely different from an earthly point of view. He will eventually find out through death what it takes to try and move onward to a better place and what the word redemption truly means. It is a costly lesson that can only be learned when your heart is at its purest and your soul has been cleansed. Only time will tell once the clock starts ticking.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781640791800

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The Hour

of

Our Death

Nick Cascione

ISBN 978-1-64079-179-4 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64079-180-0 (Digital)

Copyright © 2017 by Nick Cascione

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

296 Chestnut Street

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

I dedicate this book to my loving and supportive family;

my wife Tricia and daughters - Nicolette, Louisa, and Jacqueline; you all inspire me!!!

Chapter One

A Childhood Nightmare

Astunning panoramic view of New York City shines on a bright sunny day. Its majestic-looking skyscrapers seem to glitter under the warm sunshine. There is traffic in the streets and crowds of people everywhere. It seems to be a typical day in the city that never sleeps. In the distance, an elementary school’s day is over as it basks under the same warm sunshine, but on this particular day, an incident will occur that will change the lives of three young boys.

Nearby, not far from the school, upon entering, is the town’s welcoming sign that reads, Welcome to Serling, New York—A Place Where Peace and Quiet Happens. It is a small upstate suburb where time has kind of stood still. The feeling of quaintness creeps in as one enters and allows the town’s humdrum attitude to envelop ones being. Not many outsiders come around, so more often than not, the same routine goes on daily, and that continues to keep the newspaper’s headlines very tame. For this town, it is exactly what the doctor has ordered, until this day comes to be. This day will alter an individual’s life for the worse and within time teach two others that time never forgets and that one’s fate has a way of catching up with you. The latter two will find out soon enough that justice from another realm is somewhat different from earthly justice and will inevitably find a way to judge your character and more importantly, your very soul.

The school building bears the name Wellington Elementary School, which was named after the town’s first mayor, Edward Wellington. Under the picture-perfect light-blue sky and surrounded by the whimsical tweets of the surrounding birds are two young boys, both age ten, trading baseball cards. Friends since kindergarten, Arthur Adams and Ray Cummings, for the most part, are your average everyday ten-year-olds, but the dark-haired boys can both be aggressive towards others at times, especially against a particular timid schoolmate of theirs named Tommy.

The ringing of the dismissal bell lets out hoards of school children, and they run and scatter in all directions. As Arthur and Ray continue trading their baseball cards, a beautiful butterfly with the prettiest of colors lands on Ray’s shoulder, perching itself for at least twenty or so seconds. Wow, do you see this, Arthur? said Ray excitingly. He likes me! he continues to express. Arthur stares at Ray and his new butterfly friend.

I remember my mom saying once that a butterfly landed on her and she said that it was my grandma who had died and was coming back to see her in the form of a butterfly, said Arthur. But I didn’t believe her.

Why not? asked Ray. My great grandfather died a couple of months ago. Maybe it’s him coming back to visit me!

I doubt it, said Arthur. The butterfly poetically flies off of Ray’s shoulder towards the beautiful light-blue sky. They both look at it as it flies away. Ray waves good-bye to it. Well, I believe it, said Ray. Arthur just shrugs his shoulders a bit. He then points to someone in the crowd—Tommy, the boy they both love to tease. Arthur taps Ray on his chest with the back of his hand. There he goes. Come on! voiced Arthur.

Remember the plan. Scare him good, said Ray. They both begin to run through the crowd of kids to catch up to Tommy who is in the distance. Arthur speaks under his breath. I’m doing more than that.

What did you say? asked Ray.

Nothing, uttered Arthur. He thinks to himself, I’m going to take his money and beat him up too. Arthur starts to run a little faster than Ray and gets ahead of him. Hey, wait up, Arthur, expressed Ray. A timid Tommy now scurries towards the school gate as he realizes Arthur and Ray in running mode coming toward his direction. They catch up to Tommy just as he sits down at a nearby bench right inside the school gate.

Hey, Tommy, said Arthur. Tommy is startled.

Uh…HI, guys. I’m sorry but I can’t talk right now, mentioned Tommy. I’m going to work on my homework here while I wait for my sister to come out because she’s staying to help her teacher out for about a half hour.

That sounds boring, said Arthur.

We thought you might want to come with us, proclaimed Ray. Tommy looks surprised to get an invite from two boys who tease him just about every day, and who are never nice to him.

I would love to, guys, but once my sister comes out, we have to get home fast because my parents are taking me to an appointment I have, said Tommy. Arthur puts his hand on Tommy’s shoulder lightly.

I tell you what, Tommy, you come with us, and we’ll be back in time for you to get your sister, said Arthur. How’s that sound?

You really want me to come with you guys, asked Tommy.

Of course we do, said Ray. It’s only a few minutes from here. Arthur and Ray look at each other as Arthur gives his buddy a wink.

Really…Well, as long as I’m back to get my sister in time, Tommy told them both. I just can’t be late because my dentist appointment is at four sharp and both of my parents are taking me and that never happens, so I can’t be late, expressed Tommy.

You won’t…I promise, said Arthur. The two friends giggle a bit. They all begin to walk outside the school grounds together.

So where are we going? asked Tommy.

On an adventure, said Arthur.

What kind of adventure Arthur? asked Tommy.

A treasure hunt to end all treasure hunts! whispered Arthur. Tommy’s eyes widen and smiles.

So where exactly is the treasure at? asked Tommy.

We’re going to that old abandoned house on Weiss Street, where supposedly the old owner hid his money before he died, exclaimed Ray. He points up the street. It’s just another block down, said Ray. By this time, Tommy is really starting to get excited about the treasure hunt. They all pick up a light jog together.

Wow…This is going to be so much fun! said Tommy.

It sure is pal, said Arthur. We’ll split the money three ways!" Arthur and Ray both cross their hearts at the same time.

Meanwhile, back at the school, Tommy’s eight-year-old sister, named Victoria stands outside her classroom. She speaks to her teacher from outside the classroom’s doorway.

I’m sorry I can’t stay as long as I promised, Mrs. Wagner, but I’m just not feeling too good, said Victoria. My brother said he will be waiting for me at the school gate.

From inside the classroom, she hears her teacher respond to her, That’s all right dear. Thanks for your help and feel better.

Okay, Mrs. Wagner, said Victoria.

Go straight to your brother Tommy now, sweetheart, worried Mrs. Wagner.

I will, Mrs. Wagner. I’ll see you tomorrow, said Victoria excitedly. She heads out to go look for her brother Arthur. Meanwhile, the three young boys carry on with their conversation regarding their adventure as they get closer to the abandoned house.

You guys would really split the money with me? asked Tommy.

Of course we would. Right, Arthur?

Yep, replied Arthur.

Finally reaching their destination, they stand together and stare at the rundown exterior of the two-story house, which is completely surrounded with keep out tape along the property’s perimeter. The paint on the house is faded and peeled away where there is wood siding. All the windows are boarded up, and the walls have graffiti on them, causing the house to look sad and pathetic. Eventually, they break a side window after prying off wooden planks used to board up the window. They use some large tree branches found on the premises in order