There's something to be said about gut instincts. Good or bad, if you have a solid, firm grasp on reality, you should always trust them. Now you may not personally believe this but a man with my unique set of interests, happens to have an extremely, tight grip on reality. Oh sure, embracing a calling like a career in magic, might lead one to think otherwise.


Rest assured though. Magicians notice things that most do not. How else do you think we become experts at fooling people? Slight of hand, performing tricks and feats of wonder, it all takes a keen eye and the ability to read not only individuals but situations as well. That's how a good magician captivates an audience and controls the room. By knowing his surroundings. Taking note of everyone and everything.


You could never do that if you were caught up in some make believe world, lost and confused. You would fail miserably and fall flat on your face. Get laughed out of the room, never to perform again. See, it's all about the sell. You have to make the masses believe that you're engulfed in the mysticism and marvel of it all. You're producing magic! A good salesman can pull this off and once you do, the crowd is yours.


Then they happily jump down the rabbit hole, with you leading them in tow; however, what they don't realize is that you're in control. You're navigating them on this journey. When that happens they're the puppets and you're the puppeteer. It's probably the grandest feeling in the world when you know for a fact, that you're the master and commander of attention and every awe filled eye, gazes upon you. It's a sense of power like no other.


Not really one that allows you to do more than entertain and astound, still it's something that just makes you feel -- taller. Like you could do anything and every act that you commit to doing will come out perfectly. At least that's the way I feel. Although I have a secret added ability. Or four. That doesn't mean I solely rely on those assets alone.


As I said before, these gifts would be utterly useless if I couldn't charm a crowd and draw people in with my personality. Wielding them simply means, I have gifts that most magicians do not and that allows me to perform tricks, in ways that will even leave the experts, scratching their heads in disbelief. Still, you always must know to trust your gut and pay mind to your surroundings, to take note of things that might give you away. After all, the last thing you want is to be called a fraud or an amateur, why that would be... worse than death! Ha! See, I told you I had a flair for the dramatics.


After one learns how to do this though, it's a bit hard to turn off. You find yourself picking up on things you never noticed before. It's actually a sort of cleverness and artistry, a skill that has proven to be very useful. Eliminates the possibility of being duped or tricked. It makes you take inventory of the setting and situation at hand. You will never be backed into a corner or placed inside a set of circumstances that would be considered compromising or dangerous.


Imagine that, all from learning a few tricks and taking up the craft of magic.




"How many times are you going to check that watch of yours?"


Misty Fog asked, laughter far from being subtle in her voice.


"My friend is late, he's never late. I think something may have happened to him."


"Oh you're overreacting. Relax. People get caught up doing things, it happens all the time.


He really didn't want to argue, so he said nothing more on the subject. Still there was a growing sensation in the pit of his stomach, that told him that there was something off about the situation. Before he had a chance to rise, a man he had never encountered before, strolled up and took a seat. Right next to Elias.


"You Elias York?"


"Who might I say is asking?"


"I'm a friend of Chase's."


Red flags were raised, mostly because Elias knew everyone that his roommate and best friend was even remotely acquainted with. This man also appeared fairly shady. Unsavory and ill kept. He looked like a man that had several "wanted" posters in multiple states. Your classic, run of the mill, typical scumbag. Not wanting to show his suspicions and let this man see his hand, so to speak, Elias simply nodded and kept a friendly tone.


"Interesting. Where exactly is Chase?"


"Outside."


The panic level rose. Only it failed to seep outward from within. Elias had a good poker face, when he needed to be brave... or when he wanted to gamble and win.


"Why did he stay outside?"


"He had to make a call, told me to go inside and get you."


"Then I suppose we should go outside."


The words were hard to utter but somehow, Elias succeeded. Everything told him this was a bad situation but on the off chance that Chase needed help, assistance of any kind, if he was in danger Elias had to do something. Even if Elias was by all rights and purposes, human and could be harmed or even killed, he couldn't risk Chase's life. So with a great amount of courage, Elias pushed himself up from his stool and away from the bar. The mystery man did the same in kind and they both walked out of the establishment. Surprise. Chase wasn't anywhere to be seen.


"Are you one of them advanced humans too?"


"Beg your pardon?"


"An advanced human, like your buddy, are you similar in nature? Special? Gifted?"


"I honestly haven't the foggiest notion as to what you're talking about."


It was a lie, of course. Elias knew Chase had abilities as well. His powers were limited. Much like Elias, Chase was human for the most part. Yet the gifts he did have made him a worthy adversary. Chase Chambers could produce earthquakes, from the tiniest of rumble, to a massive off the richter scale quake and everything in between. A mighty ability to have but it didn't make Chase invincible. Similar to Elias' powers, they were impressive but far from making him superman.


"Yeah? I think you know exactly what I'm referring to, in fact I'm willing to wager on it and that's why, if you want to see your friend, you'll pay his ransom."


"Ransom."


Elias couldn't help but smirk as he said the word aloud.


"Yeah, ransom. On account of you being in the entertainment industry, you've got to have some cash laying around. Pay up and you'll get your friend back."


That's when Elias noticed the beat up car, parked several feet away. The thing looked like it survived a small war. One of the doors was held in place, by some type of tether system inside the car. Secured and fastened tight. Like the door had been permanently knocked open and this was the only way to keep it closed. Both tail lights were busted and Elias wasn't sure what the original color had been but he was certain it wasn't what coated the car now. Underneath the dirt, mud and massive amounts of rust, it looked like someone used paint meant for a house on it. Flat and dull, lifeless. It was the saddest car Elias ever saw in his life. He could practically hear it, begging for death. In a weak, pathetic sounding voice.


"He's in the trunk, isn't he?"


"No."


"He's in the trunk."


Rolling his eyes, Elias started for the car.


"Not another step. I mean it, I have a gun!"


"A gun. How intimidating! Tell me, how do you plan on shooting, what you can't see?"


Almost instantly, Elias vanished. Why you could scarcely hear his footsteps on the pavement. That didn't stop the man from shooting wildly. Unseen by any normal eye, Elias sauntered over to the car and stuck his hand through the lid of the trunk. Ahah! A body! Elias grasped onto the form tight and using both hands now, yanked upward. Thus pulling Chase to safety. Both invisible, they could still see each other and Chase shrugged sheepishly. The two men hurried off to a nearby alleyway, where Elias brought them back to proper sight.


"What did you get yourself into now?"


"I was closing up at Martin's, then I went out back to toss out the trash and the guy came out of nowhere. He hit me in the back of the head and the next thing I knew, I was in the trunk of his car."


"You have to learn to be more careful. We have abilities that others don't and that puts a target on both of our backs. Luckily that guy was just a loser looking for a payday but next time, it could be someone hunting down advanced humans."


"I know, I was running late."


"Massively late."


"Massively late."


"Tremendously late."


"Okay, I get it! Anyway, I was trying to rush and I guess my guard was down, it won't happen again. You know, you could always get a job at Martin's, the diner is short staffed anyway. Then we can work as a team."


"But I'm a magician. Not a short order cook. Plus I wrestle. I have a match on Saturday Night Savage against the Sugay Sisters."


"One match. That hardly makes for a groundbreaking career. Look it's just a thought. We could watch each other's backs this way. You could always work the counter. I prefer cooking anyway."


The heaviest of sighs ever heaved.


"I'll think about it."


"That means yes."


"That doesn't mean yes."


"That means yes.'


Chase's confidence and self assuredness was appalling. Utterly.




"Sugay Sisters! Tomorrow night, Zane Norrison and I will meet you in the ring. A zombie and the invisible man. How fun for you. You get to face actual, real talent. Alright, I know I'm new but rest assured, my bragging is well warranted. You called both -- Zane and I, stepping stones, when in fact you will be the ones to allow us the ability to have a proper position and footing against the tag champs. APEX!"


"This is a very exciting moment for me. Standing at the cusp of my career, gazing onward at a bright and shiny future. Why it's practically gleaming it's so bright! You were supposed to come in and reclaim your thrones. Being Queens and all. Oh please, you aren't queens. I suppose every prostitute feels special though, when they sell their bodies and can afford nice things. Forget the little amount of worth that they place on themselves, they can buy designer jeans, furs and jewelry. It's sad really but this is the life of a lady of the night. Till they're dried up and completely worthless. Really though, were they worth anything to begin with?"


"I'll answer that for you. It's no. No, they aren't and neither are you. You're going to find that out very soon. When you fall flat on your faces and fail. The returning call girls fresh from the pharmacy, ready to prove that not everyone can make a comeback. Can you really call it a comeback if you never actually accomplished anything? I'm a brand new talent and here I am, fighting for a chance to face Apex. First match. Ever. What was your first match? Oh, it was against people that don't exist anymore, for nothing. Impressive stuff. Truly."