Seeking HIs Luck

It's been twenty years since Megan and her friends have had to deal with anything magical. Her kids only know her adventures as bedtime stories, and everyone seems to be happy that way. Everyone except the fairy tale creatures she left behind.

Greg is the unlucky one of the bunch—literally. His siblings seem to be just as lucky as his mom, while he's the only one who can trip over his own two feet. That doesn't help his high school popularity much, and he just wants to fit in for once.

When a mysterious stranger enters the town, Greg is torn between listening to the warnings his parents have plagued him with all his life and getting the one thing he's always wanted—magic.

Greg sat huddled in a corner by the school lockers, covering his ears. The laughter would die down soon enough and then he could run home.
Mom would still be at work for another hour or two. She'd never know that he skipped class.

He stared down at his hands, wishing he could do what his mom could do. What his dad could do. But it was no use. No matter how much luck his mom poured into him, Greg would never have the abilities the rest of his family had.

The bell rang to go to class, and Greg sighed in relief. He slowly counted to one hundred before standing. He peeked around the corner to make sure there were no
stragglers and then darted for the door. Inches away from freedom, Greg tripped on the door jamb and sprawled on the ground. He rolled over and tried to catch his breath.

Noise sounded down the hallway and Greg knew if he didn't go now, he wouldn't make it. He'd have to endure another hour of mocking. Greg had dealt with his fair share growing up, and it hadn't changed much being a junior in high school.

The two-mile run back to his house was one that was familiar to him by now. Scooters broke, and bike tires popped no matter how many times his dad tried to fix them. Greg didn't know how it happened. It just did. And a bus? No way. It was torture as a kid, and now as a high schooler, that would just add to the mockery.

The cold air froze Greg's lungs as he ran, making it harder for him to keep going. He stopped and leaned against a tree to catch his breath. Rustling leaves sounded in the bushes behind him. Greg turned to watch for whatever dog was in
the bushes, but nothing appeared. More rustling, a yelp, and then nothing.

Goose bumps ran up his arms. Everything was fine. The dog probably just saw him and ran the other way. But his senses told him otherwise. He took off in a sprint.
He could collapse when he got home.

With one block left, Greg slowed to a stop. The burning in his lungs had him gasping for air. Besides, the ominous feeling was gone. He looked behind him and saw nothing but an empty sidewalk.

“Are you lost, dearie?” A woman's voice made him jump.

Greg whipped around. An old woman stood in front of him, smiling. Her face had more wrinkles than he'd ever seen on a person, and she was missing several teeth. It wasn't her appearance that bothered him, though. There was something strange about her.

Whatever you do, don't ever talk to strangers. Especially if they appear out of nowhere. Mom's strange warning screamed in his head. Most parents say not to talk to strangers and leave it at that. She never
explained why, but the warning was enough.

“Excuse me.” He brushed past her, tripping on her long robes. “Sorry.”

The woman's laugh was more of a cackle. “So it's true. You have no luck.”

Greg stopped in shock. What did she know of luck? No. Keep going. Mom's warning screamed in his head again. He continued walking, faster this time.

“I can help you.” The woman's voice was smooth, inviting.

He turned to face her, curiosity taking over. “How?”

The woman laughed again and
held out her hand. A small ball of white light appeared in her hand. “Magic, dearie. I can teach you more than your mother or father ever could.”

Greg swallowed. Mom had more luck than most people and she could share it with others, but that wasn't magic. Not really. “No thank you.”

The woman frowned. “You are making a grave mistake, dearie. I can give you what your parents never could. Power. Real power. No one will ever laugh at you again. Not after they see what you'll be able to do.”

Laughter echoed in his head as he thought back to the lunchroom that day. He'd slipped on a wet spot on the floor and his food had flown everywhere. Greg looked toward his house. His mom would be there in the next hour. She could tell him what to do.

“I have to get home. Have a nice day.” There. He was courteous but got away from her. Mom should be proud of that.