Luck in Lustrous

Chapter One

A black cat is a symbol for bad luck. It is said that if a black cat crosses your path it is an omen of misfortune and death. To others it is a symbol of good luck. That if it crosses your path it will take away your bad luck and replace it with good ones. However, in this world it is a symbol for the thing that watches and follows. An extension of the darkest part of your mind and if you cross one's path you are doomed to live a life with something lost.

Midnight dawns on Fortunate as she stares at the fish bowl as if she were a cat. She begins to feed them slowly and carefully taking time to make sure they are not overfed. She then slouches over to her swivel chair and grabs the unfinished scarf she was knitting. She pushes herself to the window and only little clicks can be heard in the dead of night.

Despite the night being dead it's quite alive with a single person running down an alley. They're wrapped in a navy blue cloth obscuring any distinguishable features. Even more strangely a crowd of what looks like fifty people are chasing them. Oh what a sight to see fifty people outside at one time. The cloaked person leaps over bins and cuts down corners and when it seems like they're about to hit a dead end a cat springs out of who knows where and latches into their face. They stumble backwards and fall into a box then the lid clicks over them. The crowd hits the dead end instead and searches the nearby area but miss the box.

Fortunate rubs her eyes and slowly wheels her chair back to her desk to grab a cup of water. she opens the draw under it and pulls out a camera. She then wheels back to the window and waits taking little sips. The box clicks open and the person slips out gripping the cat in one hand and looking around. The cat lashes out at them one more time pulling at the navy blue cloth and part of their face is left exposed. A chance. She takes a photo. Shoot. She left the flash on. They turn around and Fortunate falls off her chair. Water spills over her face. She spins onto her stomach and scrambles out the door hoping they didn't see her.

She sneaks into the bathroom and pulls down a town drying her hair with a small sigh. Then she grabs a bobble and pulls her green hair into a ponytail. Her eyes wander until she hears a sound coming from the window. A pebble. She edges closer and a massive rock bashes against the glass. She jumps back then rushes forwards to inspect the glass. A figure is standing outside wearing a navy blue scarf. She ducks down and looks up slower. Another rock is chucked at the window. The rock lands on the ledge. It's covered in glitter. Fortunate scrambles to open the window and hears someone shout.

"Forty, are you there girl!?"

A girl with uncombed, dirty blond hair wearing a grey, oversized sweater turtle-neck, white shorts and thick, black tights stands proud, leaned back and waving up at her grinning.

"What? Why? Here?"

Fortunate shouts down and jitters about.

"They will hear... I'll be down soon."

Fortunate creeps into the hallway and grabs her long coat then tip toes down the stairs. Some adults are awake whispering in a small room. Just past here she can escape through the fire exit. As she tip toes past the door someone comes out. She holds her breath. It's Keneto. He looks at her, eyes wide, then looks at where she is going. His face melts into a smile as he waves her away and turns around. Fortunate dashes to the door and hurries down the fire stairs. At the bottom Elekko is waiting for her.

"Lekky, why?"

"What do you mean?"

She smiles.

"The time is perfect to leave for our Wisdom's Certificate, plus you look like you are already dressed for it."

Fortunate looks down at her clothes. Small brown boots, a pale, pink long jacket, black shirt and leggings and a pale blue long skirt that matches her eyes.