Chapter 1
Christmas Wake
Prologue for SIDE HUSTLE: New Beginnings
Mana.
The world runs on this resource. These days, we refer to it as currency. Money to solve problems. Magic deals. Your magic or wealth is determined by your Mana count. When you lose or spend, your Mana drops. When you win or sell, your Mana gains. That’s how I started.
Enter Chris: A young boy has just woken on Christmas Day.
There is no noise in the house. Something is amiss. Parents? Sister? Grandmother? No one. There is a small black box under the tree glinting by the tree’s light. A card with it reads, “Merry Christmas. I think it’s time we start to tell you. ”. There was a number left with the card. The nearby home telephone was placed perfectly within range after receiving this message. Before the boy could dial the number given, *RING* RING RING. Terror. The boy quickly gathered to answer.
CLICK “Hello? I see you’ve already woken. Good morning to you!” “Did you get the chance to read the letter?” The boy questioned who was speaking to them. “What’s the matter? Expecting more on Christmas?” The boy tried to be delightful. “Well…I guess now is a better time than any to tell you. Your family kicked you to the curb. They left the house in your name. I wouldn’t ask why. Everything is paid for.” Against warning, the boy questioned why in his own mind. “Don’t sweat the small details. It’ll become clearer over time.” “For now, why don’t you open your present?” “...Oh, and check again under the tree. There might be something from Santa, too.” The boy’s eyes widened. He looked over at the tree again without hanging up. The man’s words were true. Behind the tree was another present. This time laced with a red bow. “I knew you’d spot it.”
“Go on and open them. I’ll wait for you.” The boy did as the man instructed. He placed the phone down gently and then scurried to the tree. First was the black box. He wasted no time opening the sleek rectangular prism. There was a brief pause. The boy was met with disappointment and then confusion. What was it? Inside the box was a golden, engraved lighter, the type for smoking. The boy’s eyes admired the colour. He saw letters inscribed on them, his initials. “Burn when needed.” The boy could hear a cough on the phone. He thought to go back to answer. He struck the ignition, a golden hammer stylised for ease. A beautiful amber flame with a red centre sparked to the sky like a rocket! He almost dropped the flame while losing his! Inside those amber sparks, the boy saw a face!
“That’s much better. I was waiting for you!” Shocked, the boy read the room. The flame was speaking to him. “Surprised? Your parents made a deal with me a long time ago. This, here, is your way of contacting me whenever you need. We’ll see about getting you a cellphone later.”
The boy heard but was eager to open the next gift. What was it that he was yearning for? “Open the box. Merry Christmas.” The boy closed the flame. A voice could be heard again through the phone. “Your sister thought of seeing you before they leave. Any last words?” The boy was already midway into shredding through the colourful paper of the next box. A boy got his wish. An angel received their halo. Santa was real.
Skip forward ten years; the boy is a teenager in high school. He is looking for an odd job. He’s told he has a great debt to pay off. His family’s wealth is running dry. The house may be up for sale as collateral. His grandmother stays in touch by payphones. The mysterious man calls from time to time. His sister has not been seen again. The boy has learnt to communicate with the flame. Soon, he will have his first job. A detective agency… Help wanted.
He obtained Mana.
