From the alleyway, Ibrahim overheard the choir of voices stemming from around the street corner. He was a block away from the main road, Ménage Boulevard. He turned back as footsteps faded into the distance. The hooded witch, twirled into her steps with a smirk on her shrouded face. She faded into the darkness of the alleyway, with the buzzing streetlights dimming into a violet hue as she passed by. Her voice echoed softly from the alleyway.
"Just don't forget. Now, you owe me."
Ibrahim's excitement fell onto his wand: a charcoal-toned, elongated mushroom formed of distressed wood variegated in its intricate golden lace patterns. The mushroom-capped scepter glowed with a deep purple hue, embroidered with a swirling, but fragmented gold strip. He released the plastic bag in his hand. It plummeted to the floor and splattered all over the concrete. Rats, bugs, and onlookers made their way towards it. With his free hand, Ibrahim clenched the wand. His face brightened, as his lips stretched from ear to ear. His mouth gaped open as an energetic whimper echoed from him. Ibrahim huffed and puffed excitedly with the wand wedged between his two palms. His fingers caressed it.
"Finally," he said in a fit of hysteria. "I have it."
***
The next morning, Wino stared blankly at the ceiling of his bedroom. He listened as the crinkly crane dangled at The U. Last night, construction workers maneuvered supplies into position behind a yellow taped barricade. Residents meandered through the maze of traffic cones and tape to get into the residence. His mind pondered the cold shoulder Cheryl gave him last evening. She'd never been so cold and her words echoed within the chambers of his heart.
I said I'll talk to him. But, I barely got a word in last night. Ibrahim was so distracted and I was reluctant to bring it up anyways. I just mumbled to myself inside here. But now what do I tell Cheryl?
The front door clicked and swung open. Wino twitched towards the sound. His door split from the frame as he peered towards it. His heart trembled at the thought of Cheryl appearing.
No! I didn't tell him anything yet! He's still here, Wino thought.
Beyond the doorframe, Wino spotted Ibrahim making his way out into the passageway.
Wino threw open his own door to call, "Ibrahim? Where are you going?"
Ibrahim continued undisturbed. "Food."
In stepped Cheryl, with eyes set on Wino. Her cotton blouse fluttered past Ibrahim's satin robes. She made for the dining table before coming to halt.
Ibrahim continued, "It's not like I'm getting any breakfast here."
"What about Wino?" Cheryl asked.
"What about him? You're here, make yourself useful. Just try not to make too much noise," Ibrahim lowered his voice. "The neighbors like to sleep in on Saturdays."
The front door closed behind him with Cheryl barking, "Jerk."
Cheryl turned towards Wino. "Did anything happen after we left last night?"
"Not really. He sat in the corner out there where I couldn't see him."
"And?"
"And there was something glowing out there."
"Something was glowing? Like…?"
"I don't know. But he's been very happy lately."
"That was happy?"
"That was something."
"Oh brother."
***
Downstairs, The U hosted a continental breakfast in an indoor/outdoor restaurant across from one of their ballrooms. It took place in the center of the U where the makeshift park occupied. Trees, wooden benches, a rocky water fountain decorated the interior while gift shops and other cafes lined the walls.
Despite being the newest building on the block, The U spared no expense when it came to advertising. They hosted guests, events and everything they could to fill those vacancies. Despite overwhelming demand, The U continued to display its major presence on the block. No space outside the business district compared to The U and the management flaunted it. Guests packed the foyer and park; some people stood to eat their meals while others sat on the rim of the water fountain hoping not to fall inside. Inside the cafe, people queued for everything: juice dispensers, omelet line, waffle makers, and more. And Ibrahim, this pseudo-resident strolled past these lines, his hands in his pockets. Filtered sunlight crossed the finely stitched bamboo panes lining the glass walls. Ibrahim continued until his eye caught a lady, seated alongside the sun-kissed wall. She ate by herself. He pulled up a chair and plopped into his seat.
Across from she sat with thin strings of braided hair running down her spine. They're bundled by a golden bangle and rested against her fitted black shirt. Her sunset yellow eyes gazed on her plate of fruit. She poked, prodded, and rolled the grapes around before piercing one forcefully with her fork.
"You made it," the woman said, not looking towards Ibrahim.
Ibrahim's smile from the evening stretched across his lips.
"So how'd you like it?" she inquired.
"Loved it."
The woman's eyes rose just enough to see his smile before getting the message. Smaller plates rested around her with scraps all over them.
"And what about your roommate?"
Ibrahim's smile collapsed as he snapped towards the window. "Who cares what he thinks." He regained his composure and addressed her. "I just want my powers back."
"Does he use magic?"
"No. But screw him. How do you still have your powers?"
To this, the Witch furrowed her brows. She silently stared at Ibrahim while he waited for her answer. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, how come you still have your powers?" The Witch's head pivoted curiously as she processed his question. "No one else has their magic but you."
"Who told you?" she asked.
"I've only seen you use magic."
"Where are you from?"
***
In Wino's room, Cheryl sat by his bedside. His bedroom door hung open granting her a view to the living room. She threw an inspecting glance periodically. Wino lied flat with his arms to his side. He recounted how his conversations with Ibrahim revealed a purple gleam stemming from Ibrahim's eyes – the trademark of a magician. But yesterday evening, it seemed as if Ibrahim himself was unaware that it was happening. If anything was clear from his demeanor, it was that Ibrahim had made contact with something or someone and showed signs of magic aggregation.
"I just don't get why you trust that guy." Cheryl groaned. She stood up, gesturing. "Why don't you let him go? He's nothing but a burden to you now. He's changed."
"It's because of him, I'm still alive. All the things he's done." Cheryl paused quietly. She paced by his bedside. Wino continued, "I just didn't know he'd rebound like this."
"You thought he'd given up on magic."
"He was just waiting."
"Wino, what if The General finds out? What then?"
Wino pretended to ponder it. This exact question, this scenario, was one he'd suppressed for some time now. He knew it couldn't end well.
"That's just the thing. I don't think Ibrahim really considers The General a threat even though he's seen what she can do. And I didn't hear back from him until he showed up at my doorstep a year and a half later," Wino concluded.
Wino fell silent. His gaze rested on Cheryl — flabbergasted. Cheryl huffed forcefully, slacking her shoulders.
"So what now?" she asked.
"I don't know," Wino stared at the ceiling.
"Well. If he takes this too far you'll have to cut him off."
***
Back at the cafe, the Witch leaned forward with a questionable expression on her face.
She asked, "You slept for over a whole year?"
Ibrahim responded, "Yeah, it's a trick I can do. I kinda slip into hibernation."
"You hibernate?"
"Recoil. It's a long story but I went to sleep after our last journey. The magic usage took it all out of me and I enclosed myself within a crystal ball to recharge. This way it doesn't take three lifetimes"
Ibrahim smirked. The light from the window splashed into his eyes. The reflection shined a golden brown like the fur of a golden retriever.
The Witch cheeks rose in reply.
She interlocked her fingers above her plate adding in a soft low tone, "Cus' you know what I want for loaning you my magic."
Her eyes flash from gold to their signature violet.
Suddenly, a deep purple hue polluted Ibrahim's eyes and formed a tight ring just around his irises.
He grumbled, "The General."
The End