With a casual turn, Shilo disappeared from the crowded plaza and retreated into the alley, using the shadows of the buildings as a cover. Crouching down behind a trash can, she reached into her coat pocket as her dark eyes remained alert, making sure she wasn’t seen. After taking a moment to ensure her anonymity, she turned back to rummaging around her pockets. And once she found what she was looking for, a devilish smirk began to creep onto her face. In her hand was a small glass bead, clear of any blemish or bubble, and almost invisible in between her thumb and index finger. One would have to look closely in order to even see the object. After setting the bead in the palm of her hand, she finally managed to relax herself. Closing her eyes, Shilo exhaled calmly while placing her free hand over the bead.

“Showtime.”

Lifting her hand, Shilo watched as the bead began to dance in small circles in her palm, letting her know that it was ready. After a small involuntary giggle, she placed the object on the ground and it continued to dance, as if waiting for an order.

“Go on,” she whispered lightly. “Get a move on!”

Immediately the bead rolled away, leaving Shilo alone in the alley. She scrambled to her feet, careful to stay hidden while watching her tiny friend disappear into the crowd. In her mind she pictured her target, a small cart offering her favorite sweets. She kept the cart owner in her mind, having memorized his face after seeing him countless times. While keeping this in mind, her eyes never lost connection of the tiny bead rolling along the cobblestone street, avoiding the crowd of feet. Crowd…

“...Uh oh.”

It was way too busy. Too many witnesses. Too many variables she hadn’t counted on. She took a step forward, having it in mind to just call off the spell, but she reasoned that all the shoppers would help disguise her if things went wrong. Yes, things would be okay!

Until she notice a passing patron lightly kick her bead off course. “No..! The other way..!” She whispered in a frantic tone, hoping it was still obeying her. But she had lost sight of the bead, breaking the spell and thus, her control. Shilo hurried into the crowd, looking straight at the ground trying to find the aimless object now without a mission. Finally she saw it! It was almost at the cart…

But then it made a sharp turn to a completely different cart. Shilo quickly tried to see exactly what the cart was selling, and boy did her excitement turn to despair when she realized what it was.

Without hesitation, the witch twirled right back around and started walking far from the scene, trying to seem natural. Turning her head slightly to see if the worst had happened, she suddenly bumped into a familiar mass. She squeaked in surprise, almost staggering back.

“Caleb! Uh.. You..” She looked up at the boy, his eyes already judging her rather harshly.

“Just what do you think you’re doing here? You’re missing our-“ He was silenced as Shilo took his hand, dragging him behind as she kept her pace.

“I know I know just.. Just walk. Quickly. Don’t look suspicious.”

He sighed and pulled his hand away with ease, crossing his arms. “Shi, what did you do?”

“Nothin’... I mean… Yeah, nothin’.” Caleb lifted a brow suspiciously. After a light nervous laugh, Shilo bolted, running into the crowd.

“Wait a sec..!” He took a step to follow her, until he heard a loud whistle shoot out from the sounds of chatter. He turned, his ears low against his head. That sound was ghastly… But he soon found that there was more to come. Cracks and bursts filled the air, overtaking any other sounds in the square. Caleb groaned softly and broke out into a run, heading closer to the source of the sound.

And the lights.

Once he grew closer, he watched as bright bursts of green and gold shot up into the air, sending even more booming and whistling to his ears. The entire cart had suddenly came to life! The seller was caught by surprise, but was already gathering a bucket of water to douse the fireworks going off, patrons rushing to his aid. Caleb quickly put two and two together.

“...That brat.” How could she just mess with a man’s cart like that! Surely she knew what he sold and how dangerous it was to be playing around with explosives… But then Caleb noticed the stand not too far from the fireworks. And he, once again, put two and two together.

Idiot.