The Jester

By Julia Skinner

No one on Main Street was laughing. Jester leaned against the fifth-story railing of an apartment building. He shook his head. There they were living perfectly normal, happy lives, and they still found things to scowl about. Well, if they wouldn’t smile on their own, he assumed it was his job to make them scream.

He activated the band around his wrist. Across the city, multi-colored strobe lights flashed to life and alarms wailed through the streets. He flipped over the railing, tapping his feet together to activate the propellers in his boots. The citizens below screamed when they caught sight of him hovering in the air.

Where are you, little hero? He scanned the area for the girl he’d seen on the news—she’d shown up earlier in the week when a lesser villain tried to take over the city. She defeated him before Jester had a chance to send the scum running. And now… everyone was calling her the city’s hero.

So, it was only polite for The Jester to say hello. Reaching into a pouch on his belt, Jester pulled out a handful of coins. He tossed them toward the panicking citizens. The coins clattered to the street like innocent metal specks.

He laughed. “Who wants some free cash?”

The coins exploded, sending chunks of concrete shattering against the rows of metropolis buildings.

“What is wrong with you?” someone yelled behind him.

Jester spun around, grinning at the girl on a nearby roof. “Whatever do you mean?” He twitched his feet back and drifted closer.

“Strobe lights?” she continued yelling. “And why on earth would you set off an alarm?”

“One must make a brilliant entrance.” He paused in the air in front of her. She was shorter than the pictures on the news had indicated. The ends of her dirty hair were frayed, and holes riddled her faded clothes. There was a familiar, hollow gleam in her dark eyes.

“Ah, so you’re a street rat.” He waved his hand through the air. “Trying to do something good with your life, eh?”

“I’m not a—”

“Oh, but you are,” he said, “I know a street kid when I see one.”

After all, he’d been one himself, so very long ago… scrounging in the alleys, hiding in the shadows, just dreaming of the day he could rise above the nightmares.

“I suppose I should mention that I have a hostage!” he announced. “Trapped in the building across the street, which I have rigged with explosives. So, here’s the deal, either save the hostage, or capture me.”

The girl froze.

“Well? What are you waiting for, hero?” He smirked. “Go save your poor citizen!”

But the girl didn’t move. Her dark eyes scanned him, and then flicked to the apartment. He could almost see the wheels turning in her brain, trying to figure out what to do.

Oh fine… Jester sighed and tapped a button on the side of his belt. “Time’s up!”

Right on cue, the apartment complex across the street exploded. Jester thumbed toward the building. “They’re probably burning to death right now.”

The girl’s face curled into a snarl, and she sprang forward, throwing herself off the side of the building.

Huh… Jester cocked his head. For a moment, as she fell, the girl’s form wavered. Boots like his appeared on her feet. She used them to boost upward. But instead of heading for the groaning apartment complex like any good hero would, she flung herself toward him. Before he could react, she rammed into him, sending them both spinning through the air.

Jester slammed into the ground. He moaned, lying still on the cracked pavement. “So, you’re one of those.” Someone who could momentarily transform into other people. He’d never seen anyone manipulate it so specifically though—she’d only conjured his boots! How fascinating.

His body groaned as he sat up. A few steps away, the girl stared at the half-crumpled building in muted horror, a large bruise forming on her cheek.

Honestly, he was a little surprised she hadn’t tried to shoot him yet—it was always what the newbies tried first.

“Well! That right there was the epitome of fun.” Jester said. The girl jumped slightly, as if she’d forgotten he was there.

“You’re insane!” she snapped.

“I prefer creative,” Jester said, “or ‘lacking in proper entertainment.’”

“That doesn’t even make sense.”

Jester stood, brushing rubble and dust off his clothes. “Congratulations,” he said. “The hostage has died.”

“No,” she spat, “there is no hostage. You’re a liar.”

“True,” he said, “but about three hundred people lived in that building, so about half of them are probably dead now.”

She paled.

“Well, this has been quite the educational first encounter, hasn’t it?” He turned away. “But I really must be going!”

At a familiar, metallic click, Jester froze. Pivoting slowly, he faced the girl. She held a gun, pointed straight at his chest.

“You’re… you’re… under arrest for terrorizing this city!” Her hands trembled.

Jester snorted, fighting back a laugh.

“This is serious, I will shoot you if you don’t get on your knees.”

“Kid, you’re gonna find that nothing in life is truly serious,” Jester said.

“Lead in your chest is.”

Hardcore. He grinned. “Oh, it’s going to be so much fun being your archnemesis.”

She pressed a finger to the trigger. “Your knees. Now.”

“Betsy wouldn’t hurt me.”

“Who’s B—”

Jester sighed loudly. “Dismantle yourself, Betsy dear.”

As ordered, the gun fell apart, dropping from the girl’s hands like traitorous tears. She gasped, taking a step back.

“Yup.” Jester winked. “Guns and I go way back.”

Plus, it helped that his particular ability made mechanical objects listen to him, but really, he liked to think it was just his natural charm.

Jester swept into a bow and threw a handful of coins at her face. Then springing back into the air, he activated his boots.

Now that they’d officially met, the real fun could begin.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julia Skinner is an eighteen year old, modern day hobbit, with a love for good stories and cold ice cream. When she’s not working on one of her many fantasy novels or flash fictions, she can be found procrastinating college, playing video games, reading aloud to her four little siblings, or happy-ranting about Brandon Sanderson’s books. She is a sinner saved by Jesus, and if any good comes from her journey, it’s because of Him.

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