Welcome to The Pilot Program 2021!
For those that don’t know how I choose the short stories for each year, I don’t. You do. Every year for the first eight-nine months I post one extra story part of The Pilot Program where you read, share, like and comment on the stories. The most popular becomes the short story series for the next year. The winner of last year’s The Pilot Program 2020 was The Horrorscope, and now you have the chance to choose the short story for next year. Hope you like JACK - Anthology of a Young Wizard.
You wench! You cheated on me! Taking my money and dignity! I hear a man scream. What’re you talking about? I’m just a washerwoman. The man pulls out a knife. Give me my money back! The man screams as he jumps on her. You women are but a blight on this world. The man says as he runs away. Should I have helped her? No, that’s not why I am here. What did he say? “Jack, go to London. Observe life. See the good, the bad and learn to distinguish between them. That’s how a young wizard becomes a great one, through experience.” If this is life in London, then I shall observe it and not mingle in it. The voice of another man calls out to me. You! Young man! Stop! As I turn around I see a watchman running towards me. What is it mr. Watchaman? As he gets in front of me, out of breath he pulls a rope he had tied around the stick he had on him and ties it around my hands. What are you doing? He looks at me confused as he tries to catch his breath. You… I’m arresting you… For the… You murdered that young lady. Why is this happening? But I didn’t. The man who did ran that way… He smiles. Whatever you say, young man, he says as he starts screaming like a lunatic…
The people start to gather around us as he keeps screaming. Until finally a man interrupts him. What’s the matter. Have you lost your mind? It is the middle of the night. The watchman with a smug look on his face looks at the man. I have caught a murderer, red handed. I sigh. But there is no blood on my hand. He scoffs. He killed that young woman there. Another woman comes crying. Her name was Juliana Prickfield. How could you? You monster! The man turns towards the watchman. What exactly happened? The watchman smug again. I was doing my duty, as one should. And then I hear some glass shattering, a man screaming. So, I did the only heroic thing I could do. Went and checked it out, only to find that woman there dead and him here at the scene. More people gathered. Eventually the coroner and one of the sheriffs arrive. As they explain the situation to them, I can feel the crowd’s eyes on my back, starring at me like I’m the devil. What is your name young boy? I turn towards the sheriff. Jack. I’m a wizard. The watchman quickly interrupts. See? He could’ve used magic to clean himself up… He did it. He killed miss Juliana. The sheriff turns towards her. Did you know the woman? She continues to cry. Yes. She was kind and let me live with her there…
The coroner comes back from the scene. Her throat was sliced and so was her chest, under the breast. It might’ve been a knife, a ripper, who knows, but t’was sharp. And whatever money and jewels she had, was now gone. The sheriff looks at me. Would you tell me what are you doing here, Jack the young wizard? I sigh. I was sent here to… The watchman interrupts me. I bet he stole the money, look here, in his pocket. He pulls out some money. See? The sheriff takes the money and looks at me. Continue. I take a deep breath. I was sent here to observe life and learn to be a better wizard. He looks up and down at me. You don’t look like a wizard to me. And what about the woman there? Did you kill her? I shake my head. No. The man that killed her screamed something about her being a wench that cheated him out of money and then ran that way after killing her. He sighs. And why didn’t you stop him? I look him in the eyes. Because I was sent here to observe, not interfere. The sheriff looks at me weirdly. Take him to a cell, the jurors will deal with him tomorrow. I hear a woman whisper behind me. He doesn’t look like he’s from here… Heard he used a ripper to kill the woman. Glad they caught him so fast. Another woman chimes in. Yeah, this Jack the Ripper fellow is a vile one. Hope they hang him… I sigh… So, this is life…
If you liked this short story don’t forget to like it, share it and the sorts. Because it is part of The Pilot Program 2021, where you decide the short story for the next year by views, likes and comments. And if you want to support the blog and keep the short stories free, you can always donate at: https://www.paypal.me/RaulFO