The Magic Shop

Chapter Two

It was late, but for most in this bustling city the night has just began. For Mirae, that was something she knew all too well. Silently, she tiptoed across the cool carpet of her room over to her door. She slowly turned the doorknob and heard the latch click loudly, as she eased it away from the doorframe. Just as she was dragging the door open, her mother slammed it with her hand. Mirae's body trembled and her lips quivered as she hopped away from the door, away from the woman.

"Where are you goin'! the woman slurred. Her eyelids fell halfway down her eyes and she swayed while assumedly standing still. Mirae swallowed a lump in her throat but could not find the voice to answer her mother. The woman's small pale hands clenched into a fist as she moved into the dimly lit room. "Answer me, you bastard!" she screamed lunging for the teen girl. Mirae stepped back, threw her arms up to protect her face and yelped. The woman however, let out a crackly dry laugh which sounded strained and painful. "Mirae, you know..." she started grabbing the young girl by her shoulder. The fabric of her white tee crumpled in her hand and slowly began to stab into the girl's neck.

"Never mind, get out of my face!" she growled throwing the girl to the ground harshly. Mirae's light frame like an unwanted ragdoll bounced over the carpeted floor and slid a bit. Her arm burned suddenly as if hundreds of fiery needles had been imbedded into her elbow and up her shoulder. Her head, which had also hit the wall, throbbed and bitter and salty tears trailed down her face. "I'm going out! I hate being around you too long..." the red-faced woman announced slamming the door as she exited. A framed photo of a man and baby fell to the ground, shattering the glass and frame. Another door being slammed resonated through the small two-bedroom apartment and Mirae released a shaky and relieved breath. Her body, though it still ached, starts to relax as she pulls herself off the ground.

Tears continued to stream down the girl's plum cheeks. She sways over to the photo, grabbing pieces of the shattered glass and placing them atop the picture. She began to sob while staring down at the photo of the baby and man. The man was handsome, young, and happy looking. There was a huge smile on his face, like her own face, his cheeks were plum and shiny. Although happiness radiated from this photo, Mirae could not help but to be sadden. After gathering all the larger pieces of glass and wood, she rushed to the kitchen to dump them in the trash. She returned to her room with a broom and wiped her tears before she swept the mess.

A bright light shimmered through the small bedroom drawing the girl's attention towards her jacket. The black zip-front jacket was strewn sloppily over a white wooden chair that filled an otherwise empty corner. "I should test that tea..." she mumbled to herself. Her voice broken, like the picture frame's glass and scratchy like the carpet beneath her feet. She hopped over to the jacket and grabbed a packet of the tea. With the packet in one hand and the broom in the other Mirae headed into the kitchen. On the packet were direction for brewing and consuming the tea. Mirae laughed at the instructions but read them anyways.

"Place a kettle filled with water on the stove, boil for 2 minutes." She read as she searched for the tea kettle. She filled it with water and sat it on the fire. She continued her reading, "After 2 minutes, apply the bag to the boiling water and boil another minute." She nodded it sounded simple enough. It was not how she normally made her tea, so it must be a more efficient way of brewing. Although she was sure she would enjoy the tea, Mirae was still skeptical the tea would do anything more than warm her stomach for a few moments. She did think looking up at the sky would help, so she planned to go to the park just up the street and lay under the tree.

After the tea had finished brewing it was too hot to consume. The steam from her travel mug was dancing around her face, swirling, and constricting around her neck like a friendly snake. She rushed into her room and grabbed her jacket and phone. Snagging her travel mug, she headed towards the park. Mirae lived in a big city, but her neighborhood was lucky enough to have a large park close by. She gripped her cup, the brisk winds contradicting the warmth in her hands. Mirae was doing her best to make it to the park before her tea could get cold. The park was wonderful looking. To her left was a playground, which was littered with children playing, while their parents watched. To her right was a little stand that sold snacks and treats. Mirae loved coming to the park to clear her mind.