Chapter 1: It’s never what you want
Irwin ran through town as fast as his thin, wobbly legs could carry him. As much as he tried to dodge the puddles from last night's storm, his feet kept finding them, splashing more and more gunk on his pants.
"No, Mom, I didn't run," he muttered, breathing raggedly from the slight effort. He was mentally preparing himself for the scolding he would get, but it would be worth it. Bronwyn would be back. Finally! He barely recalled anything of what had happened during school, only that Teacher Rhym had repeatedly shouted at him for his inattentiveness.
It's not like he is teaching me anything I don't know already, Irwin thought before focusing back on the important things.
I wonder if he got me a card! Or if he added an upgrade to his own! Maybe a summoning one!
He dodged around the butcher's rickety stone building, his mind filled with hopes and dreams. He slammed into something sturdy, bounced back, and landed on his ass a few inches from a nasty puddle.
"Dammit, you brat! Look where you're going!"
A towering man loomed over him, grinding his teeth as he held a massive bag. An indent on the blood-stained material showed exactly where Irwin had slammed into it.
"Sorry, Master Bullwinkel," Irwin muttered, carefully getting back up.
His face was hurting, but he kept any comment on the matter to himself. Of all the things that could have gone wrong, he had to run into this angry Charbull! If only he'd looked where he was going. The man had no sense of humor and seemed to dislike him with a passion.
"Your Mum has to come by here tomorrow, Irwin, and you better believe I'll tell her you were running again," the man growled.
Irwin's face fell.
"You know full well what she had to go through each time you hurt yourself. Worse, what would you have done if I'd dropped this bag?" Bullwinkel continued, glowering at him.