The Adapted World

Tricked

The next day, I was at the Forgotten City. Its just a small, abandoned town and obviously very peacful. Except for the stupid birds. I come here mostly to find clothes. They have furniture, too but i don't need it, and its not like I can carry them myself. I checked my watch and realized that I only have five and a half more hours to go. I've got to find me some new clothes. I went inside a boutique store and found myself something half decent. A navy crop top, with a pair of denim shorts. I didn't like the length but it was better than walking around in thick, and baggy jeans, while the sun is beating down on me. It's 11:00pm and I've finally made it back to my hide-out. Exhausted from the long run I threw my clothes off and jumped into the cool water.

"DANG IT!"

Alex. To my left, he's once again back into his shameful position. I looked at my bag and remembered the party. Just wonderful, I thought. I stepped out and put on my new clothes, and began brushing my hair.

"You can turn around, intruder."

"What do you mean intruder, I-" he paused. "Nice booty shorts." He snickered.

"They aren't booty shorts."

"Yes they are. Matter of fact, your butt needs to be a little bigger to fit." He laughed.

"Where's the freaking party?" I asked, desperately changing the subject. He looked at me as if I was crazy.

"Where would the knockers be? At the K.O. guild. DUH."He said dramatically. I forgot, he never shuts up about his guild. It's called the Knight Owls. The members call themselves knockers. It where all the neutral kids hang out to practice their magic.

"Let's go." We walked 10 miles to get there, and when we became near, you could see the neighborhood lights shining everywhere throughout the night. As we arrived, i noticed that most of it weren't street lights. Instead, they were the magic that the members were making. It was almost like a carnival, but ten times more beautiful and organized. Kids were laughing and teaching each other their new tricks.

"You like it?" Alex asked, anxiously.

"It's amazing here.."

"You could do it too." He smiled, warmly.

"No, I can't. I'm not gifted like you are. Besides, i'm better off alone." I murmured.

"Wrong. You're stronger than you know." He said, in a serious tone.

"What's next? I'm special? Stop patronizing me!" I snapped. He sighed out of frustration.

"Follow me." He grabbed my hand and led me to a two-story building. When we walked in, he called out.

"Teacher!" We stood there in silence. I looked at him questioningly, but he just slowly shook his head and looked up expectantly. A door slowly opened at the top of a staircase on the left. A twenty year-old guy steps out and slowly walked down the stairs. He had short, wavy, light-brown hair. Icy blue eyes, and light skin. And strangly, his clothes were ordinary, but I could tell there was something more to him.

"Who are you?" He asked in a gentle, yet authoritive voice.

I just stared at him, not able to move my tongue. Alex elbowed me as the man raised his eyebrows.

"Oh, me?" I asked, dumbfounded.

He chuckled. "Yeah."

"Ava."

"Huh." He tilted his head and squinted at me. "You do magic?"

"No."

"Not surprised." Why am I offended?  "Why?"

I opened my mouth, but I couldn't find any words, so I just looked down and shrugged my shoulders.

"She doesn't think she's good enough. She prefers loneliness." Alex responded. I stomped on his foot with all my strength and he winced.

"Then why are you here?" The man asked.

"Why do you ask so many questions?" I blurted.

"Why does it bother you?" he pressed.

"Because it's annoying. I didn't come here to be interrogated."

"Is everything annoying to you?"

"Yep." Alex intruded again.

"Shut your trap, boy." I snapped.

"You're a feisty one." The man stated.

"You don't know me."

"Really?" He looked amused.

"Yes." I gritted my teeth.

"Does Alex know you?" That's a dumb question.

"Yes."

"How?"

"Time."

"Great, then we'll meet tomorrow in daylight." he smiled. "Alex knows when and where." Alex nodded in confirmation.

"Hey! I didn't say I-"

"Oh yeah, you're right! I almost forgot, he'll show you a place to stay here."

"That's not wh-"

"Bye!" he snapped his finger. One moment, we were standing before him, the next moment we were facing the closed door. Great.

"So..." Alex struggled to hide his smile.

"This was your plan all along."

"It's getting kind of late," he said sheepishly, " You wanna meet other members or sleep?"

"Murder."

"Him or me?"

I glared at him.

"Ookay, off to bed we go." He responded.