As Kenneth motioned for the stranger to put his books into the bag, he explained himself. "I like magic tricks, close up magic really. That's the type you can do pretty much anywhere with little preparation, the stuff you do on the street."

He couldn't explain how magic made him feel invisible, like he could hide out right in front of whatever crowds gathered to watch him perform. Then, Kenneth hid in plain sight. They didn't see him, they saw the magic, the illusion. He loved it, that feeling. It was the greatest trick of all, something you'd find written about in fantasy novels, taking place in other worlds so unlike the one that mistreated so many of its people.

Kenneth plucked up his string of handkerchiefs and started stuffing them into his sweater.