Everything I wanted

Chapter two

!PLEASE READ!
((Context and setting information- Mageria is a small society hidden from the rest of the world, enclosed by a fence. The people there can't leave, for their own safety. No one from our world knows about them; at least not yet. They have limited resources, considering that they don't have access to the outside world.))

Miller stood in line with his groceries in hand. He had messy, curly hair with a bright, white streak in it. He was in his late twenties, pale, dirty, and had stubble showered across his chin. He sighed, staring down at the bag of tokens he was carrying with him, knowing he would have to work two jobs the next day if he wanted to have enough for food. Suddenly, Miller heard an angry grunt from behind him.

"The line's movin' pal!" He bit his lip to keep himself from barking a snarky reply, and moved forward. Soon, he was coming close to the front of the line. A man, Miller's friend, was sitting at a table collecting everyone's tokens. Miller moved forward, dumping his bag of items on the table.

"Mornin'." Miller's friend greeted him, grabbing the bag and looking over Miller's items. Miller grunted in response, licking his lips. Miller's friend, Conner, stuffed the groceries back into the bag and handed it back to him. "That'll be 35 tokens." He said. Miller's eyes widened.

"THIRTY-" Miller started, his voice full of anger. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before starting again. He stepped towards Conner, and dropped his voice to a whisper. "Thirty five tokens?"

"I know it's a lot, but this stuff is getting scarce around here. The prices are rising on everything." Conner said, shaking his head.

Miller let out a frustrated sigh, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't afford this," he mumbled angrily.

"No one can," Conner admitted. "But I can't do anything about it."

"Then who can?" Miller asked, looking up at his friend expectantly.

"Marcus Billsky. He's the one in charge of the paying system round here."

"Where can I find him?" Miller asked, his voice low. Conner raised his eyebrows.

"Wait a minute now, I know what you're thinkin'. But this guy is nasty, Miller. Real nasty. He ain't gonna take your crap for nothin'."

"And I ain't gonna take his, neither!" Miller said. Conner shook his head, knowing Miller wouldn't let this go.

"You're gonna get yourself k!lled," Conner said.

"Well if I don't come back, at least you'll know why," Miller said. Conner sighed, pulling out a map and pointing at it.

"You'll find him at the North Tower, near the fence." Miller nodded, turning away.

"Thanks. I appreciate it." He started to walk off, but Conner called out to him.

"Hey Miller? You still gotta pay 35 tokens for your stuff," Conner said, crossing his arms. Miller sighed, turned around and tossed the stuff at his friend's head.

"Keep it." He grunted, watching as the bag smacked Conner right in the face.

Miller made his way north, towards the fence. He knew Conner was probably right about Marcus, but Miller had a way with people. He had the ability to persuade others by using the tone of his voice. He was only allowed to use this ability during emergencies, but this had to be done. He wanted things to be better for him. He didn't care what he had to do to get the life he wanted. He wished to have a better system in Mageria, not just for money either.

Everything was a mess here. People lived in small, multi-family houses called tenements. They were always severely damaged, crowded and filthy. Because there was no sewage system or dump, many people threw their garbage and feces in the grass or in the air shafts of their homes. Fights would break out on the streets, and robberies happened in broad daylight. However, no one ever did anything about it. None of it.

The only law that was strictly enforced was the law in which restricted powers. If anyone were to use their abilities unless it was an emergency, they would face severe consequences. Everyone in Mageria was born with abilities, each one different in a way that made everyone special. But the second they were born that was stripped away. It was like forbidding a human to breathe. Their powers were a part of them, and always would be. They couldn't just be taken from them. But in a way, that's exactly what had happened.

Mageria could be a wonderful, magical place if it had a better system of government. And Miller wanted that for himself, and everyone else. He was sick of watching Mageria get worse and worse. He wanted to fix things around here. Somehow. He didn't quite have a plan for that yet, but he would start by persuading Marcus to lower prices to make necessities affordable for everyone.