It's Not Magic

Two

My eyes popped open as my body bolted up to a sitting position. I felt the sweat dripping down my face and my hair sticking to my sweaty face. My arms were behind me, supporting my thin body.

"Damn dream," I muttered, letting out a sigh. "It's always the same one."

I squeezed my eyes shut as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, my blankets already thrown off of me during my nightmare. I was pretty positive having repeating dreams of my pissed off mother and dying brother was not healthy. Maybe I should see someone about that.

With a small sigh, I pushed myself off the edge of the bed, opening my eyes as I stood. Looking out my window, I saw that the sun was barely shining through the trees, meaning it was still early morning. My arms went above my head as I stretched, my back arching slightly as I thought about going back into town.

The downside to my plan: I'd been spotted yesterday, so they were bound to be searching for me still.

The plus side to my plan: I'd be able to get food.

At the thought of potential food, I was motivated enough to walk over to my dresser, pulling open a couple drawers. Grabbing a pair of ripped skinny jeans and a gray t-shirt, I quickly changed into the outfit, grabbing a pair of ankle-height socks before I forgot. Not even bothering to try to mess with my hair, I walked out of my room towards the main room, refusing to look at Cam's room as I walked past. The dream was haunting enough.

Daylight greeted me as I walked out from the hallway. I smiled a little as I saw the sun shining through the trees, dew making the grass seem to sparkle. It gave hope for a good day.

Next to the door sat my gray sneakers, and I leaned down to grab them, completely forgetting that I'd kicked them off when I'd come in the night before. Dirt was covering the sides, and I brushed it off as I stood. Quickly pulling them on my feet, without untying them, I might add–something else Cam liked to bug me about–and grabbed the key from the table as I strolled out the door, taking a glance at the picture of Cam that sat on the table. Good luck, Lil, it seemed to say.

Smiling, I paused. "Thanks, Cam. At least you still have my back." Smiling sadly, I closed the door, scanning my surroundings. When I was positive no one was watching, I bent over real fast, sticking the key under the flowerpot that sat next to the door. It was stupid, but a precaution. I wasn't exactly supposed to be alive, so, you know, anything to keep that a secret.

Taking a deep breath, I took off running, hoping to make it to town before noon. Since I had no idea what time it actually was, that seemed like a reasonable plan. And I had no idea how long it would take me to make it into town. That could be hours. Well, a max of three.

When I went to town, I had a couple standard rules for myself. First: head down, no eye contact. Eye contact meant recognition. Recognition meant death. Second: don't steal from the middle-class. Most of them were struggling enough as it was. No need to make it any harder. I'm not trying to be a Good Samaritan, I just know what it's like. Third: don't make the theft obvious. But don't be too sneaky either, it'll most-likely end in a slip-up. Fourth: don't get caught. Simple enough, yet the hardest rule to follow. Well, it was the easiest to break. Anyone at any moment could identify me, and there's next to no way to tell who would spot me or how or where it would happen.

Life as a criminal is hard.

But, I'll be the first to admit, I've had it a bit easier. Most shopkeepers in town know me well enough, and give me free food whenever I stop by. It's hard though, because with eyes constantly watching, the owners don't want to get caught, or be associated with a magician like myself. I scoff at the idea of it. I'm not that bad of a person. But then again, some of them only take pity on me, knowing of my brother's death, and my parents abandoning me.