Luana Wu (9) | STAFF REPORTER
A man was leaning against a lamppost. He held a burning cigar between his fingers, and a hat pulled low over his face. He was dressed all in black: black pants, black shirt, and a black jacket. He casually stood with one ankle crossed over the other. He looked like trouble, as if his attire wasn’t a good enough hint.
I’d never seen anyone talk to the man before. In fact, it was like people didn’t even realize he was there. However, it was impossible not to notice him. Someone dressed in black and holding a cigarette would definitely catch someone’s eye. He looked like danger. If I could see his face, I’d bet that it would look as if he was murdering me with his eyes.
“Don’t you think that it’s odd that that man is always there?” I murmured to my mom.
My mom blinked. “What was that?”
“Mom, that man. Don’t you see him? He’s standing right there!” I gestured to him. “I always see him. It’s like he never leaves his spot.”
Shaking her head, my mom said, “I’m sorry, honey. I’m not quite sure who you’re talking about. There’s nobody there.”
“What, but, Mom!” I protested. “He’s in black! He’s holding a cigar!”
She pressed her hand to my forehead. “Your forehead isn’t hot. Are you feeling okay?”
I frowned. My mom didn’t see him? He was so obvious. Just standing there, looking all casual, and he had an air of danger and trouble around him. “Mom, are you sure you’re feeling all right? How can you not see that man? He’s strange; I really don’t know how else to describe him to you.”
My mom sighed. “Okay, okay. Let’s just go home. Maybe you’ll feel better after that.” She placed a hand on my back and steered me away. I peered over my shoulder to get a last glimpse of the man, but I didn’t see anyone there. It was like he had vanished.
After that, I never saw him again. I would purposely take that way home, but he wasn’t there. I didn’t see him for another three years until one day, as I was passing by the lamppost, I saw him. He was the same as I remembered: clad all in black with a burning cigar in his hand. I didn’t know what drove me to walk up to him and tap him on the arm.
“Hello?” I said. The man raised his head, but all I saw was shadows. I could only make out a pair of startling blue eyes and a cruel mouth that was twisted into a wicked smile. When the man didn’t say anything, I tried again. “Excuse me, sir?”
This time, I got a reaction out of him. The man straightened and threw his cigar. However, instead of hitting the ground, it vanished. I gaped at him. Was he some type of magical being? It was that moment that I had the thought that he reminded me of the devil.
“Was it my imagination, or did your cigar just disappear into thin air?” I asked him. The man let out a chuckle. I took a step back. Hearing this man make any noise was a shock to me.
“Have you never seen magic before?” he told me. His voice was deeper than I expected.
“Magic?” I repeated.
Another chuckle. “Has nobody told you anything about magic?” I couldn’t even see his face, so I couldn’t tell if he was being serious right now. Although, it seemed like he was. I opened my mouth to respond to me, but no words came out. I was just staring at him like some fool.
“That’s okay. No need to say anything. Meet me here at midnight tonight, and I’ll show you what magic really looks like.” Then he vanished, leaving me staring at the spot where he’d always been.
