6 Down on the Ground “Bugs let us in,” said Nuncio, who fiddled with the old teleprompter mounted under the camera. His cousin Jennifer stretched out on the WWJH anchor desk, resting her head on her backpack. Axle checked the locks on the equipment cages. Cindy stood in the doorway, flabbergasted by the scene. “Wait’ll I get a hold of that jerk,” she said. “He’s going to get me
7 The Black Carriage Axle chased the carriage, catching severe glances from the office workers out on their lunch breaks. He jumped over the mailboxes, benches, and baby strollers in his path with an acrobat’s grace. When the sidewalk grew too crowded and he moved to the street, not even the cars caused him to deviate from his quarry’s path. The carriage stopped outside a cafe on the corner.
8 Walk-Ins Welcome The morning light bled through the bleary windows of The Old Curiosity Shop, Mr. Horum’s magic emporium in the heart of Colta City. Bronson slipped the currency strap off a bundle of crisp one dollar bills then slid them into the cash drawer underneath the register. Posters, paintings, and fliers lined the walls. They showed great magicians performing their signature feats: Alexander Herrmann with his goatee
10 The Jerk Squad When Cindy walked into Jack’s Pizza 2, she found Axle, Jennifer, and Bugs parked at a table in the back. Jennifer turned her magazine around to show the group. “Hey, listen up. These science guys, like, take the silk from spider webs and make all sorts of stuff like cables for bridges or armor or whatever. It says they stack glycine and alanine blocks in
9 Help Wanted Mr. Horum thought he recognized the man when he walked in the shop, but he couldn’t quite place him. He recognized the man’s features, but he couldn’t come up with a name. Regardless, he greeted him like they were old friends. “It’s you,” he said, gripping the man in a bear hug. “How good to see you after so much time has passed.” Osbert broke free
11 Leash Law Bronson scratched BE BACK IN 1 HOUR on a slate then hung it on the front door. He wasn’t sure exactly how the customers were supposed to know when the hour started, but Mr. Horum never seemed too worried when he did it. An orange flash— the door swings open, sending him falling back on his butt as Cindy barges in. She laughs. Bronson stepped back as
13 The Electric Snare “Three rubber chicken bones,” Bronson said, punching a few keys on the register. “That’ll be $4.50.” The man at the counter dug through his pockets until he found a creased five dollar bill. Bronson put it in register and handed him back two quarters along with a coaster-sized promotional magnet. “Luckily, you got all three shades,” Bronson said. “Keep ‘em all with you then just
12 The Pharaoh’s Wish Mr. Horum crossed the bridge from the parking lot to Curleyworld itself. Two unkempt men were busy scrubbing a large globe near the entrance. They called him over as he passed. “Are you lost? Let us help you find your way,” said the tall one. “We live to serve. We serve to live,” said the short one. “I here for audition,” Mr. Horum said. “I do
14 You Will Be Waiting “Is this how you say hello to everybody or am I just special?” Bronson said. He recognized Axle as the boy who’d taught him parkour his first month in Colta City. Those techniques, coupled with his flash forwards, allowed him to scale any building in the city. “Wow, dude. I thought you was somebody else,” Axle said as he attempted to clean off Bronson’s
15 Boarded Bronson shivered as the wind rattled the fire escape mounted to Cindy’s building. He hopped up the last set of steps then stood outside her bedroom window working up the courage to knock. The window slid open. She poked out her head. “Get in here before somebody sees you,” she said, stepping back so he could get through. “I can’t go back to the shop tonight,” Bronson