#mirium

day 4!

The plane ride back home was bittersweet for Thewlis. On one hand, he was going back home to his family and the city he knew. On the other hand, it was the end of his year-long trip and him leaving a city he was getting to know. He was now returning to the daily grind, a life of simplicity and sameness.

Sighing, Thewlis leaned his head against the overhead bin as he waited for the people in front to exit the plane. The daily grind. Something he was not looking forward to. He was pretty sure Swynlake was the same as when he left. The only thing he was looking forward to was seeing Mirium, his twin sister, who was supposed to be meeting him at the airport. Also, the rest of his family who would be waiting for him at home, he was sure.

The Next Town Over was always a good haul. Big enough so he could slip into a crowd, sneak his hands into the pockets of rich tourists and businessmen who looked like they made more money than most of the shopkeepers ever would. Always had a good run there, Rob did, and he’d spend some on a round at a different pub each time and then toss half the rest of it to whatever beggar he saw on the street first and pocket the other half just as a sorta lining for himself.

He walked back to the train station now, at the break of twilight, whistlin’ a little, when he heard a commotion of sorts. Shoutin’, mostly, which normally he wouldn’t pay mind to, ‘cuz who was he to judge a buncha unruly kids getting’ rowdy on a Saturday night?

‘cept they were doin’ more than gettin’ rowdy. ‘cept he heard them yell somethin’ about no-good Magicks (‘cept they said something a little worse than that, mind you).

“Oi!” shouted Rob, roundin’ the corner where a group of secondary-aged boys were gangin’ up on a cowerin’ girl. “Aren’t you lot a little young to be out drinkin’?”

“Ah come off it,” said one of the boys, probably not the leader as far as Rob could tell. “Who’re you, my mum?”

“This dirty little Magick deserves it,” spat another.

“My mum says those with devilblood oughta be kicked outta the country,” said the third, who drew himself up to his full height. Ah yes, there was the leader.

“Dunno if your mum would take too kindly to pickin’ you up from the police station,” said Rob, calmly. “You’re causin’ a ruckus, you are – get outta here right now.”

The leader sized Rob up and Rob didn’t look away. He wasn’t bigger than this boy, in fact, he was much shorter, but he knew how to act tough and knew that there was a way to it, a way to gettin’ posh secondary boys to realize that they were messin’ with someone far outta their skill level.

Eventuallly, the leader shuffled away, gesturing at his two mates to follow him.

Rob watched them leave, then glanced over at the girl, not wantin’ to crowd her up – hell, he wouldn’t trust some stranger off the streets even if they’d rescued him.

“You alright?” he asked.