CRITICAL POINT/ THE BLACK KING (MAGIC CHRONICLES #1)

Chapter 1:

Thursday, 6:27 p.m.

Along a street

Commerce City, Colorado, USA

        “You sure bought a lot,” seventeen year-old Laura Collins told her childhood friend.

        “And why not? We’re gonna have a party,” Rick Alderfer replied, “It’s been a long time since I last saw you, so I wanted to cook something nice.”

        “You’re the one to talk, considering that it’s you who’s been gone so long.”

        The two friends were walking down the street after a short trip to the grocery. It was a Friday afternoon, school was out, and it was Rick’s idea to have a party of sorts in his place. It was a small affair. The only people attending would be Laura, and two or three other friends.

        Rick’s parents had a bitter divorce, and he had to live with his father on the other side of the country. It has been five years since he left Commerce City. Now, he was finally back.

        “How did your mom react when you said you’re going to live with her again?” Laura asked.

        “Ecstatic,” Rick nodded his head, “she said it was the best news she’d ever heard.”

        “Does she still think your father's some useless bum?”

        “Considering what dad does, I really don’t blame her. Still, he’s my dad.”

       Rick was about to say more when he stopped. Following his gaze, Laura saw that they were in front of a TV shop. The multiple televisions sets on display were tuned in to the news channel:

        ‘… In our global headlines,’ the newscaster’s voice was heard, ‘the mysterious disappearance of a mountain in Brazil, the strange lights in the Malaysian sky witnessed by tourists, and eyewitness reports of people flying in Canadian airspace…’

        “No doubt a sloppy job…” Rick muttered, “They never changed.”

        “Who never change?” Laura asked.

        “Whoa, what?” Rick blinked, forgetting that he has a companion, “No, I mean, the news, yes, the news.”

        Seeing Laura’s puzzled expression, Rick began to elaborate:

       “Well, come on Laura, all you can hear about are bad news.  Nothing really good comes out of the reporters anyway. That’s why I don’t usually watch or read the news anymore.”

        “Oh, I see…” Laura slowly nodded.

       They continued their walk in silence. Laura’s mind was working overtime as she tried to find a topic to talk about.

        “Reminds me, is your Dad still doing his research travels?” Laura sounded very nostalgic, “I really like the way he talks about the places he’s gone to.”

        “Almost all the time,” Rick sighed, “He’s never at home.”

        “That’s pretty lonely.”

        “Why do you think I moved back to mom?” Rick said, “At least I’ve got something to do here. And people to take care of.”

       “Speaking of which, the student council is hosting a school dance next Friday. I’m part of the decorations committee. Want to help me when you come back to school?”