An amateur's guide to conning a conman

Chapter 2

I waited as Jack jogged over to his stall and close shop. He usually left the day-old bread for anyone who wanted them and took the fresh ones home for his siblings

Even walking back home, we had to be careful. Conmen lined the street and if one was not careful, they would be lured in.

" Hey, free fortune telling for couples." A woman shouted at us, she made a big show of showing her cards.

Jack tilted his head, his mouth set in a permanent frown, " Sorry ma'am, we don't believe in magic."

Usually, most low-level conmen were intimidated by Jack's dementor and left without another word however this woman was persistent.

She clung onto his arm, pulling him towards his table. I kept a close eye on the women, especially her hands but the women knew better than to try any fancy pickpocketing.

The women pushed Jack down onto the seat and hurried to the other end of the table, she beckoned me to sit down beside him and I carefully did, kicking the linen-covered table to see if anyone was hiding beneath.

The women laughed, " I'm not a sweet liar or a thief, my dear."

I felt her cheeks reddened at being caught so easily.

" Our apologies. One can never be so careful." Jack smiled, his charm stunning the women for a moment before she grabbed the stack of cards beside her.

" What do you seek? Happy union? Approval? Children?"

Jack and I glanced at each other and attempted to hide our disgust. Us as a couple, having a child together? The thought made me gag. We were nothing more than friends and will stay strictly friends.

The woman hummed as she shuffled the cards.

Finally, she set the cards down and I was confused, weren't fortune teller supposed to place the cards in front of us?

The woman sensed my hesitation, " My dear, I have no need for the cards. I already see them in my mind."

She continued, " For the gentleman, I see a lot
of strength in you, it's fiery, uncontrollable. Yet it's warm to anyone kind enough to look deeper within you. You have faced a lot of obstacles in life, my dear. Some have seemed impossible to overcome yet, you're standing. I see a bright future for you, a big family, a happy life. My words to you are close to your heart, dim your fire, people who have been in the cold for far too long may seek you out for your warmth."

Then she moved on to me and it was like something had changed. The pleasant look darkened to a more serious one.

" For the lady, I see despair. I see lies and deception, I see betrayals and heartache."

I swallowed, I normally didn't believe in fortunes but by how confident the women was I felt myself leaning in for more information. 

" But I also see a strong bond, someone that will help you through all of this. Their fire lives in you, a string connecting you to them. You will meet soon and when you do, I encourage you to open your mind. Trust just a little bit."

The fortune-teller reached out with both of her hands and Jack and I felt compelled to grab it. When we did, she pulled back.

" Payment." She said, " I want pines."

" You said it was free," Jack said.