That's So Wizard

Chapter 21 - Out of Mind

Both the ambitious wizard Eldrian and his brave companion Kevin sat together on a bench overlooking one of the local parks, bundled up in cozy jackets and scarves, but luckily they shared that Canadian durability to combat Alberta's crisp biome. In Eldrian's hands was a newspaper. He licked his finger, and brought the page over to the next before snapping it flat into place.

It was nearly empty. Not only was the park not one of the most expansive, but few went out without the bright warmth of the sun, at least not in the same degree.

"Interesting," he muttered. "So it displays the news, but on paper."

Kevin deadpanned his expression over to Eldrian.

"Do you actually not know what a newspaper is, or are you doing a bit?"

"Life is a bit, my friend. The sooner you learn that, the easier it'll be."

"You're only a year older than me."

"In wizard years."

"Now I know you're doing a bit."

He lowered the paper to his lap and expelled a sigh. "You got me."

"It could have been true. I still don't know much about... Well, you know. Everything. It makes me wonder what'll happen next. When we find out who's behind everything that's been happening. Can it get crazier than a magic potion that makes people superhuman?"

"I reckon it can."

"I can't imagine what's next. We find a dragon?"

"I doubt it."

"Fight an evil clone."

"That sound really dumb."

"Deena has a baby."

"The shark in fact leapt from the water, caught you mid-jump, and devoured you whole."

Kevin laughed. "All right. I'll try to focus on the present. That's probably the better way. You said an assassin came after you, right? Is sitting out in the open really the best idea?"

"Actually, yes. They wouldn't dare do something in public. They know the same as what we know, as in they know to stay hidden or be caught. Like two mice having a war while the house cat watches."

"We're mice?"

"That's more of Daveon's thing, I know."

Once more, Kevin let out a sharp snort of amusement. "So now what?"

"Well," Eldrian started as he flipped through the newspaper again. "Deena told me to look in here for something. Apparently she thought an article was odd enough to bring to my attention. Odder than the fact that she reads the newspaper still."

"What is it?"

"Here. I think. It says that a small crowd of criminals stormed a local shop and robbed them of everything they had. What was strange was the fact that they were an assortment of seemingly normal people. Old woman, child, even what looks like a family. Five. There were five culprits and three were arrested."

"The strangest mafia I've ever heard of," muttered Kevin.

"Maybe. I say we look into it. What say you, my courageous friend?"

"I agree! But how?"

"The photograph is fuzzy, but I bet we can determine the identity of at least one of these people. The police didn't catch them all, and I'm not crazy enough to go straight to them to ask them about it. This needs to be off the record. And involve more stalking. I have the ability to turn invisible. It flickers the more I move, but against regular people, it should hardly matter anyway. If this is a group of wizards, well, that'll just suck for me."