The Magician

The only thing we must fear, is fear itself.

We create fear in our own minds, it’s a fictional feeling we create in our bodies when something happens that we cannot explain. Fear is a choice, not a need or a want, no one needs fear, and no one wants it. We choose whether we’re afraid or not, whether we should be scared of something our not. We create our own fears, we choose what frightens us.

Fear fuels the fire that creates the human race.

That is why we all pay taxes, why we follow the law, why we do good. Because we’re afraid of what will happen if we don’t. We’re all afraid of consequences, we’re all too busy worrying about the future to care what is going on in the present. The human race is afraid of dying, of burning out, so they do everything they can and stay afraid of the future. Afraid of the end of the world. So afraid, that nothing in the present matters. Not people’s deaths, not disasters, not terrorists. That is why all of that happens, because we’re oblivious to today’s fears, and stuck on tomorrow’s.

Have no fear and we will go far.

The only obstacle of the human race is fear, which is why we never take risks or push our limits. Because we’re all afraid. But, I am not afraid. I was once and that cost me everything I lived for. Fear is nothing but an illusion now to me. I no longer let fear stand in my way, I am courageous, no longer afraid of a single thing. That is why I can get up on that stage and show people my talent, a talent I’m not afraid to show. I was scared of the nonbelievers, the people that would scold me for showing what I can do. I was scared. I am no longer.

Now the only thing that fuels me is magic.

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“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, the one and only, Forsell the Fearless!”

The crowd went wild, the stadium filled with millions of bodies, all coated in sweat from the humid summer heat, their cheers ringing inside my head constantly. No doubt I would have a headache once I was done with my act. Stepping out onto stage, I bowed, then presented myself and my cape so I would look majestic and mystical. Letting the crowd savor my presence for a moment, I smiled brightly, my white teeth glimmering underneath all the stage lights.

With a single clap, the crowd became deadly silent beneath me, awaiting my first trick. “I am, as you all know, Zayne Forsell, or otherwise known as, Forsell the Fearless,” I introduced myself proudly, tipping my top hat to the crowd, a few ladies holding their hands over their hearts in a swoon. “You have all gathered here to see my famous and unforgettable performances. As I have said before, I do not recognize them as tricks, for they are not silly games played on the human’s naked eye. But, they are true and pure magic. If you do not believe, leave immediately! Or I warn you, magic will play such tricks, and they will be cruel.”

I felt the crowd grow even tenser as I warned them of the dark sides of magic. Standing back, I fixed my hat, gesturing my arms towards the left of the stage, “Here in our company tonight, is my lovely and beautiful assistant, Marx Johnathan.”  I watched with my bright blue eyes as the dazzling young woman came onto the stage, attired in a sparkling black mini dress, her dark hair tumbling in precious curls down her back. God, thank you for sending me this delicate angel. “My dear, Marx, would you please roll out the tank?” I asked, taking my cape off in a swirl, setting it aside with my hat. She nodded in obedience, going off the stage to the props that were set up in the shadows behind the velvet curtains. I sat in a chair, untying each shoe with a slow and gentle movement, building up suspense in the audience, their eyes wide with anticipation. Marx came back with a giant glass tank that was balanced precariously on a board with wheels, the only sound in the stadium was the soft squeak of the rolling wheels. Inside the tank was gallons of nothing but pure water, the lid hanging open, a lock at the end of it. “Now, my friends, my gorgeous assistant will now chain me up.” I announced, standing straight with my hands clasped behind my back.