Is Magic a Superpower?

Chapter 1

"Liam, it's time to go!" Estefani yelled as she got ready to leave her apartment.

Before she left, she strapped on her white wristwatch. Shifting its face to underneath her wrist, before grabbing Liam's leash and her red peacoat.

"Come on, Liam, or we'll be late to work."

A black and white husky with two different-colored eyes came running to her call, his tail wagging vigorously, excited to spend the day with her. Estefani crouched down to put on his vest, which read "SERVICE ANIMAL". Petting him helped ease the anxiety that always seemed to follow her.

"Come on, Liam. Hold still," she said, annoyed as she struggled to put on his vest. He was getting very excited; normally, Liam was a calm dog.

It took some time and much-needed patience, but she was finally able to get his hind legs through the vest and put on his leash. They then headed out of the apartment and into the misty morning.

The mornings were always foggy. At times, it was so thick that people could barely make out what was only a block away.

Estefani lived in an apartment in the middle of the town that made it easier for her to walk to the university which was two blocks away. She took art classes there in her spare time when work stressed her out.

Estefani passed dozens of apartments until she was at the corner she needed to cross to get to the bus stop. Thankfully, there were only a few people on the bus, since it was still early in the morning. She smiled to herself. This was the way she liked it. She thought it was best to sit near the exit, so by the time more people got on; she would be able to get out with no problem. As she sat there she gripped Liam's leash and kept gripping it tighter as more people trickled in. Taking deep breaths as each person came in. She shifted to the edge of her seat trying not to make contact with others as it started getting crowded. The noise of people talking started to get unbearable and Estefanie couldn't help but hold her breath. The bus dropped its passengers off at the Business Park where Estefani's work was located.

The Business Park was located at the corner of town where all the other small corporations were. There was a large parking lot shared by multiple buildings, wide driveways, and only a few trees.

Estefani worked at Jupiter Computer Hardware, a newly established business in the area. Even though she became the company's graphic designer five years ago, she still arrived everyday nervous as she had been on the first day.

As she took the elevator to the third floor, her heart pounded furiously, and her palms became wet with sweat. She cleaned her sweaty hands on her fitted dark grey trousers. She took a step back and gripped the railing, taking silent, deep breaths to calm herself.

"Calm down, Estefani. You've done this a million times. No need to worry," she told herself. Liam nuzzled Estefani's leg and whined; this meant he wanted to be petted, which he knew relaxed her.

"Thank you, Liam," she said to him as she petted his head gently. The soft thumping of his tail on the carpet floor echoed throughout the tiny space. Her breathing slowed as she heard the first then second 'ding!', of the elevator. As she neared the third floor, she began to quiver again.

Once the elevator doors slid open, she quickly walked out. The doors opened to desks buzzing with phone calls, employees picking them up one after another. Everyone was too busy to really notice Estefani passing through. If eye contact was made, it was a simple exchange of nods and smiles.

Estefani got to her office where her drawing table was located. Took off her peacoat and purse setting them on a chair in the corner of her office. She took off Liam's leash, knowing that he would stay in her office and not wander off. She sat on the stool in front of her desk, put on her headphones, and started sketching out her latest assignment. Liam laid himself under the desk as Estefani worked.