Mad Max

Chapter VI Max

I woke up earlier than usual, because I was really on a roll with these boxes. What could I find next? The kid is sleeping on the mind of boxes and a mattress that I made. So while he's sleeping, I go outside to practice my magic. While I'm reading and memorizing incantations, I realize I not only haven't asked the kid for his name, but I also have t told him of the fact that there's magic in this world. When I've had enough fresh air, I go back inside to watch the kid. "You know, telling him about the magic will put him into great danger you know." Maria says. I know. But there is a great power within him. I don't know what relatives he has, and I Don't know why he hasn't discovered his powers yet, but he will soon. "when are you going to tell him?" She asks. I don't know. Sometime. I want to raise him while he's still young and innocent. "He's not going to be young and innocent forever..." she says. At that moment, I hear a yawn and see him waking up and stretching. "Good morning!" I call. He looks at me groggily. Guess he's not quite awake yet to write.

Later, after breakfast, we go back to the boxes, only this time, we're working together. "So. how old are you?" I ask. He writes, "Nine." It's quiet for a little more then I ask, "You know what funny? This whole time we've been doing stuff and I don't even know your name!" he starts laughing, but all that comes out is a strange breathy gasp. "My name is Malcolm," He writes, "Malcolm Jeremiah Kendrick." we work a few more boxes in which we find coffee mugs, women's underwear (we both quickly close this box and push it away) and a set of frying pans and cookware, which Malcolm doesn't want to keep but Maria insists we do. Later, were sitting out in the garden in the sun when I ask, "Malcolm, has anything strange happened to you during you childhood?" He nods, then writes, "when I was three, my mommy told me I couldn't have any candy before dinner and I got really mad. The candy was on top of the fridge, so I could reach it. I was staring at the candy, then all of the sudden it was right i front of me! My mommy found out, and was really mad and confused. Then, when I was seven, I was getting picked on at school. The bullies were trying to give me a swirly, then suddenly, they just let me go and ran away screaming." He looked at me strangely. "Well, there an explanation for that, Malcolm. I'll try to explain it so that you can understand, but it really complicated." I paused, then continued, "When you go to carnivals, and see magicians do things live pull a rabbit out of a hat, or something like that, and you think it real. But it isn't. It's just illusions. But that doesn't mean there's real magic in this world. As a matter of fact, there are a great many people with magical power, including you." His eyes widen, then he writes "Huh. I suppose that does explain a lot. But how can you prove that there really is magic?" I smile at him. Suddenly a squishy Apple flies off the ground and splats him in the eye. "Now do you believe me?" He looks mad, and writes, "Yes, but you didn't have to throw an apple at my head!"

"Ah, but you see, I didn't throw an apple at your head. I used magic to make it fall on you. But what's more, I used an illusion spell to make it look like I did."

"Can you at least clean this stuff off of me?"

"Sure"

The apple goo flew off of him in a big pile, and shot off into the forest like a bullet. He writes, "You said I have magical power. Can you teach me?" I reply, "Yes, which is part of the reason I asked you to stay here with me. When you walked through my door on that very first day, I sense a great magical presence and I thought it was another wizard, come to steal the warehouse from me. You see, the reason I use this warehouse is that I am in possession of a great magical book. I have hidden it well, but whenever a wizard is in the area, he can sense the books magical presence, and I have to protect it. Most wizards who stumble across the warehouse are inexperienced enough that I can erase their memory of the warehouse and send them in the opposite direction." He nods. He's a lot smarter than he looks. I say, "I think it's time we got back inside. What do you say I show you the book? Would you like to see it?" he nods excitedly and we walk back to the warehouse.