As always, Lucas returned to a quiet house. At this time, both of his parents would already go to bed. They wouldn't wake up until six in the morning, or maybe even earlier in his mother's case.
Lucas glanced at the two-story house next to his family home. The yard was dark and gloomy, only partially lit by the street lights. The plants died under the cold winter air.
Ever since Grandpa Chen passed away seven years ago, his house had been abandoned. No one came to claim the place as theirs. The late Grandpa Chen was assumed to have no other family members left.
Whenever Lucas had time, he often went over to clean up the yard and the inside of the house. He still possessed spare keys that Grandpa Chen left to him before. It pricked his conscience if he didn't take care of this place.
I'm not sure about abandoned housing laws. Just take it with a grain of salt for the story XD