Chapter Two

I suddenly knew what was wrong with me! I needed a job! I was almost broke anyway. I headed down to the local theater and headed to the backdoor, entering only to be met with a thug who was twice my size. The muscles on his arms bulged as he glared at me. Oh Plumbo. I gave him a glare though, putting on my scariest face.

"I want a job here!" I told him

"Oh yeah? Well you're gonna have to talk to the boss"

Well I did and you know what? I got hired! I stuck my tongue out at muscle boy as I exited the building. I walked outside into the fresh night air feeling a bit better about myself now. At least I now had a job. But I really did need some more stuff for my house....huh... Dumpsters...

Up we go!

Theres not very good things in here at all...Ew...A dead mouse! Oh look a rock! Huh...was this a chair once?

Well I didn't find anything that good. I found a rock though. I had no idea what kind of rock, but it was a rock and now it was mine. I supposed I could sell it or...throw it at someone. Something. I don't know but I was keeping that rock. Maybe it was lucky. But why did someone throw it away? Hmm...I should have thought about that before picking it up.

Well anyway, I caught a late night taxi home and crawled into bed. It was a nice bed and a pretty nice room. A little small but hey, I wasn't in it for a fancy house. Maybe someday...but on my salary? It wasn't going to be any day soon.

I woke up to a...dark day. It was about to rain. Oh well..I suppose it doesn't matter. I was going to be stuck inside work all day. I pushed myself out of bed and checked the time. Oh cracker jacks! I was going to be late to work! I changed clothes in a rush.

And ran out the door as fast as I could. Hopefully the carpool would wait!

Oh good it did. Ugh. This is a tiny car. I don't like it. Oh well off to work!

After some minor criminal activity, I headed for the carpool once more to head home. I had a long, stressful day but while at work I had ordered something special for myself. I hope it was there when I got home! I was so excited, even if I was all stressed out.

And there it was! Okay, I know, not much but now I can work out at my own house. I don't have to go the gym now. Now that Ana-whatever can't bother me. Plus, I don't want to risk going back and her husband being there. Who knows what kind of person she married. I don't care if they're rich or not!

I changed into my workout clothes and started to pull myself up.

Grr...This is harder than I thought. I should have splurged on a treadmill! My poor knees and now my butt! What a good first two days! I huffed and jumped back up onto the bar, not wanting to quit. I had to get better and show everyone at work I was going to be a top-notch criminal!

Well...a couple weeks went by. Now I remembered to get up early enough to make some cold cereal for breakfast. I knew I had a stove but I was too nervous to use it. I never cooked a thing in my life. I'd probably just start a fire.

My days quickly fell into a pattern. Eat, work out before work, go to work, come home, work out more, shower, bed. More weeks fell away at this pattern. I got a promotion. I was pretty happy. I mean, I felt a little lonely, but at least I had a job, a house and bills I could afford.

Well one day I emerged from the shower, all ready to go. Today was my day off and one of my co-workers suggested I take that rock I found to the store behind my house. I might be able to sell it or at least find out what it was. So, with a day to stretch out I decided that was exactly what I was going to do!

The place was cute. Painted blue and yellow, but I still climbed the stairs carefully. I was a little wary about this place. It had a mythical energy to it. Now I know I'm an Elf and shouldn't be afraid of a little magic but...Well I took a deep breath and entered the place.

A bored and grumpy looking man stood behind the counter. His eyes were glowing red and when he yawned, I saw fangs in his mouth. Hmm...A Vampire then? I thought I heard rumors about them at the Warehouse and in fact I was sure my one co-worker, Dante, was one. Either way, I approached the Vampire.

"Um...Hi. I found this rock. I wanted to know what it was and if I can get anything for it. My one co-worker sent me here" I was trying to be nice, can't you tell? But that lamp over there looked lovely...I wondered if the Vampire would step outside so I could swipe it?

Oh no! You will behave Lefia!

"What do I look like?" The man whined. "A expert on rocks? This is an Alchemy shop. Not a rock appraiser's. Go someplace else. If you're not here to buy, leave me alone"

Well he was friendly. So I tried a different approach.

"Alchemy?" I asked. "I never heard of such a thing. What is it?"

"If you don't know what it is, how can I explain it to you?" He asked me. Oh boy. "If you're just going to annoy me, go away!"

Well then! I walked away from the counter. He wasn't very helpful at all. Maybe they should replace him with someone who actually knows their stuff!

I took a seat in the corner to think about it though. Why would my co-worker send me here if that old Vampire wasn't going to be any help. He just seemed grumpy and whinny. He didn't seem to want to work here at all. I watched him chase off another customer. It was a surprise they got any business at all!

Well, I decided I was done in here. I headed outside.

Only to be distracted by a pretty red bird! Hello birdy! Be my friend?

Oh OUCH!

Okay, maybe no birdy friend...

With a new bruise from it's beak I headed out back.

To find a bush...with jelly beans on it? Huh. I never had any jelly beans before. Without even thinking of it, I plucked one off the branches. It was bright red and seemed to be glowing. Probably meant it was the best jelly bean in the world right?

Of course! I popped it in my mouth.

Oh no! Oh no! Too hot! Too hot!

I didn't learn my lesson. I grabbed another one.

Now that was a good jelly bean!

I looked at the garden and then suddenly I heard the sound of hooves behind me. I turned to see several wild horses storm into the lot next to the shop. I ran over, intending to watch them but...Well...my worse nature took a hold of me.

And I took some street lamps! Oh darn!

I ran home before the cops could be called. I hoped no one saw that! I decided to lay low for a couple of days and besides going to work, I didn't do anything else. I didn't want to get in trouble. Not in that way at least.

After a few days of beating myself up over the incident though, I decided it couldn't hurt to go back to the Alchemy Shop. Perhaps they had someone new and more helpful working there now. Someone who would answer my questions.

To the Alchemy Shop! Away!

I arrived and looked around. Nope the old man was still there but then I caught a glimpse of purple behind me. Huh...Pointed ears? Leafy clothes? It couldn't be...

Could it?