"Okay again."

I sat on the couch, watching Merritt perform sleight of hand. We'd been practicing this routine for an hour or two trying to nail it, except Jack kept fumbling at the end. Everything was going swimmingly this time round until Jack dropped the card.

I groaned, dropping my head into my hands, already knowing Compass was gonna snap at them for their sloppy moves.

"What have I been saying for the last hour Jack? Place the card under the index finger and flip under the sleeve." Atlas moved from his position to demonstrate this to Jack again. The couch sank to my right and I stifled the groan that was directed at the person, Merritt who sat beside me. Peering through my fingers at Merritt beside me, whose aura was a vibrant mix of colours. For a person whose aura was usually suffocatingly magenta, fitting his eccentric egotistical artistic loner ass to a tee, there were surprisingly flashes of red and black.

I frowned at him not really liking the ominous colours I was sensing. I could already guess what uncomfortable conversation would follow now, "Out with-it Merritt. What do you want?"

"Are you okay? It's been a week or two since you got the news."

I immediately shushed him, muttering to myself about what a dumbass he was, which got Atlas's attention.

"What news?" Daniel said, moving in front of me. He flashed me what I thought was a look of concern before covering it with a scowl, "is there something I should know about that would impact the plan?"

"Yes there-"

"No."

Merritt and I glared at each other. Raising my eyebrows in what I hoped was code for get with the program, I glanced up at Daniel with the biggest smile I could muster, "I am all good. Nothing to worry about."

"Good." Daniel moved back to Jack who also shot me a look of concern.

I glared at him as well and pointedly tilted my head at Atlas, get back to work, I tried to say. He shook his head, heaving a sigh, before looking at Daniel and showing the technique he'd been trying to master slowly, exclaiming that he could do it. They went back to bickering.

Turning back to Merritt I whispered, "I am fine. This isn't anything new to me okay? I'm going to the doctors today for an appointment before our next training session. You'll cover for me, right?" I asked hopefully.

Merritt rubbed a hand over his chin, "I'm not happy about lying to Atlas. You'll have to tell him soon."

I rolled my eyes. "Compass will find out when I want him to. What we need to worry about are these performances."

Clenching his fists, he grumbled, "Which you might not be alive to even experience."

Wow, that was a low blow. True… but brutal. I looked towards the floor, drawing in a shaky breath, "If that happens then at least this has been one hell of a ride, right?"

I stood up quickly, moving towards my room, unaware of Atlas's eyes following my movement.

I closed the door gently after me, before leaning against the door. What extreme bad luck. I just couldn't believe it. I had been diagnosed with a tumor when I was 16. I had been in remission for years. It just shouldn't have been possible. Slowly sliding down the door, I tucked my legs to my chest, resting my chin against my knees. The fabric of my pants became damp quickly, fear leaking from my eyes. The fact that other people knew about my condition made it worse. I didn't need their pity. I don't want their pity.

Feeling my phone vibrate in my back pocket, I answered the call without looking at the caller ID.

"Hello?"

"Andria? It has been weeks since you last called. Where have you been?"

Shit. It was mom. Why couldn't it have been anyone else?

I tried to regain my composure, "Mom. Hi! I've just been so busy working at the shop and everything," I wiped my eyes and nose with the sleeve of my shirt.

"Have you looked at the emails I sent?"

Quickly hopping up, I sat down at the computer pulling up my emails. "Yes, I have, and I totally agree." I lied hoping that my bullshit would work.

"I thought you might. There are just so many great opportunities there and I thought…" her voice was drowned out by the sheer panic I got when I opened her recent message. Boy was that a surprise. Inside contained college programs that I could apply for, with references from her and dad's friends. I nearly banged my head on the keyboard.

I didn't want to go to college. I tried that. It's not for me. I wanted to explore the world, live my life to the fullest and with this newest news, I know there was no way she could convince me. Even if I wanted to go, the Eye needed me… my team needed me.

"Andria did you like that idea?"

Sitting bolt up-right I scrambled for an answer, "Uh yeah mum, But I want to be a magician. It's what I've always wanted to do."

Her mother groaned before huffing, "Honey, take it from someone who's tried all that before. It's not a good lifestyle. You should get a degree!"

"I'll have to get back to you about this though. I've just… got a lot going on." I mustered, trying not to fight with her.

There was a moment of silence before I cleared my throat, "How are you and Dad though?"

"He is bored out of his mind just performing consultations…"

I rubbed my forehead and hummed in agreement. My father was a brilliant obstetrics doctor and researcher who frequently worked with PhD students on differing child diseases. However, he was getting on with age leaving little to do but talk to other doctors and golf… and drink, I guess.

Tearing up again, thinking about doctors and my hospital appointment, I cleared my through, "Ah look I'm working at the shop and a customer's just walked in. Gotta go, I'll call you in a bit! Love you." I hung up while she muttered something about what a tragedy his accident had been.

Placing my head back on the desk I heaved a big sigh. The cool wood provided some relief from this horrible headache I was developing.

"You all good?"

I jumped at his voice. Daniel stood in the doorway of my room, watching me closely. How the hell did I not here the door open? I faked a smile, wiping my cheeks and stood up, moving towards the living room, "Yeah all good."

He blocked my exit, leaning against the doorframe. Towering over me, his presence was overwhelming.

Becoming dizzy, because of his aftershave of course, I took a step back.

"Can I help you, Compass?"

He took a step into the room, closing the door behind him.

"What are you hiding?"

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"What do you mean by that?"

He walked around the room, looking at small trinket items, thinking about his answer. "You've been really secretive lately. I get the feeling Henley and I are out of the loop on something."

I gulped, hoping my confident persona would be a big enough bluff, "Just some inner joke with the guys. You know how it is."

He looked at me with fake offence, "I'm not one of the guys?"

I mustered a sarcastic smile, "After following Henle around like a love-sick puppy I just wasn't sure. My mistake."

This seemed to annoy him, causing his composure to slip, "As head of this team-"

"Actually, that title was never established."

He glared at me, "I believe I have a right to know. It's important that everything in our lives is transparent in case something happens. Understood?" When I didn't answer he stalked over to me, crossing his arms over his chest and scowling. "Understood?"

"Crystal," I muttered.

He nodded before gesturing for me to leave the room first. I mustered up whatever courage I had and walked out of the room with Daniel on my tail.

"Okay let's practice this performance again. Once Henley gets back we can do it all together," Daniel said clapping his hands together to get our attention.

"Actually," I said causing Daniel's eye to twitch at the sound of my protest, "while I really want to be here for this next practice I have an errand to run and should be back in a bit."

Before Daniel combusted, Merritt cleared his throat, "Daniel I needed to talk about my role in the performance, you know. I just need to clarify why I am playing such a small role. We all know I should be the main star here." Daniel exclaimed that the plan was the plan, causing the two to bicker. I grabbed my handbag and walked towards the door, escaping during their lover spat. Jack winked at me on the way out and I tried to hold in a chuckle. Even if this whole magic trick was a scam, at least I'd made some good friends along the way.

I did not think this is where I would be in life. Puking in a trashcan outside a hospital. Real classy.

All that kept playing through my head were Doctor Shore's words.

"No treatment plan."

"Have you got your financials in order?"

"I know this is hard to process."

He knew this was hard to process? He didn't know jack-shit. Like honestly what the fuck kind of comment was that. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, trying to take in some calm deep breaths. A nurse leaving her shift offered me a baby wipe with a sad, comforting smile. Wiping away the evidence of my not so unnoticed panic attack, I thanked her. She just rubbed my back gently and continued to her car, leaving behind her day at the door. I couldn't leave this at the hospital though. Oh how I wish.

Standing fully, I was about to head to the nearest subway station, however I noticed a flier hanging haphazardly off of a notice board. In the center was a picture of a cartoon eye, for an optometrist. However, what caught my eye wasn't just the plainness of the poster, but rather the small words in the corner. "AUstria, DON'T miss out on those beautiful sites. TRUST us and book THE best EYE appointment today." Perhaps it was the atrocious capitalization, or the blatant message reading AU DON'T TRUST THE EYE. Immediately I turned for any sign that someone had posted it or was waiting for my reaction. Nothing but bustling streets. No one sticking out at all. Except for the man in the hoodie staring in my general direction.

I narrowed my eyes about to confront him before a car horn drew my attention away. Jumping out of the cars path which seemed to be the footpath at this stage, I flipped off the car's owner, turning back to find the spot the man had occupied currently empty. Gone. Clenching my fist and jaw, I tried to calm my breathing. The last thing I needed was a mental breakdown.

Snatching the poster off the notice board, I headed to the train. What did it mean? Who posted it? Who was the man?

I didn't head back to the apartment like I promised Danny I would. I instead headed to the shop. I could always think clearly there, plus I'm sure Mrs Smithson wouldn't mind me helping. Entering the shop, I smiled at the older woman who gaped at me in surprise, coming around the front desk.

"What on earth are you doing here Andrea? You're not meant to be in today?"

I gave her a sad smile before reaching out and grasping her in a tight hug, "I've had the shittiest day today and just needed-"

She didn't let me answer, just squeezed me back before lovingly stroked my hair. "It's okay honey. It'll be all good. We'll figure it out."

I just nodded into the crook of her neck, knowing full well that this wasn't going to end well.

Pulling back to look at her I said, "I was at the doctors. They just diagnosed me with an inoperable tumor."

Mrs Smithson's demeanour shattered. She broke down in tears, pulling me back into a hug. We cried for what felt like ages before she started discussing treatment options and what we needed to do.

After an hour or two, I bid her farewell, knowing the team would be super pissed that I was so late. She was reluctant to let me leave and asked for me to come back in the next couple of days to see her. I laughed, telling her that I would see her during my next shift, and she didn't need to worry about me so much. She just gave me a pitiful smile.

At the shared apartment doorstep, I could hear shouting. God could this day get any worse. Opening the door, I walked in to find Jack and Atlas shouting at each other with Henle pushing Merritt back.

"She should be here now! If she doesn't want to be a part of this whole plan than she can go back to that tacky shop and we can forget she ever existed." Atlas shouted at Jack.

Jack and Merritt immediately protested, yelling back that they had no idea what was happening. Henle was trying to diffuse the situation.

"What the hell is going on?" I said from my place in the doorway.

They fell silent taking in my appearance, which probably consisted of puffy cheeks and red eyes. Jack and Merritt immediately asked me how it went while Atlas and Henle asked where I was.

"I was at the doctors," I said to Atlas and Henle, whose eyes widened. I turned to Jack and Merritt, "I was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour. I have a few years left hopefully. Which is a good thing because our plan isn't compromised then." The room was awfully quiet, "And on that happy note I'm off for bed."

Sitting at the foot of my bed, I pulled out the note that had gotten lost in the middle of my outing. I smoothed out the note before folding it neatly and sticking it under the mattress. This would just have to wait until morning.

I woke up earlier than the others, hoping that I could ignore the awkwardness of last night while getting a head start on planning. We'd decided that the best way to gain publicity and access the money from Arthur Tressler would be to draw him in with a big opening show. One that he would have to sponsor us for of course. So that first meant that we needed to meet with him. The plan was for Atlas and I to approach him first. Therefore, we had to provide a fake business proposal to convince Tressler to let us carry out our real plan. Welcome to the art of the long con.

Sitting at the lovely kitchen table that Henle had gotten us (she had taken it upon herself to furnish the entire apartment), I focused on the proposal layout. A door near me opened, faint footsteps leading to the coffee machine. My shoulders tensed. God please just turn around and go back to bed, I prayed. But obviously I'm disaster-prone since the person in question placed one coffee cup to the right of me and another a bit further away before sliding the chair out beside me and sitting down.

I must have stared at the coffee cup for what felt like hours, before looking at the intruder. Atlas's hair was a mess of brown curls and knots, falling into his eyes. His eyes were blood shot and judging from the smell of his coffee, that was straight caffeine. In his plain t-shirt and plaid pyjama bottoms, he almost looked like the struggling magician we all were. Absent was his arrogance. He yawned, pointing to the cup in front of me. I narrowed my eyes at him before looking back at my computer screen, "If you were looking to poison me, you could just wait a few years and let mother nature take its course," I gritted out.

Atlas chuckled, reaching for his own mug, "That would certainly be a lot easier." I must've died earlier because I thought Satan couldn't laugh. He nudged my arm, drawing my attention back to his face, "It's hot chocolate. If I wanted to kill you it would have been coffee."

I hid my smile in the crook of my arm, turning back to the computer. He remembered my fascination with hot chocolate? What had happened to the mean Atlas? Obviously, this was pity. My smile immediately changed to a frown. It had to be pity. Before I could even make a biting comment about how I didn't need his pity he said, "So I will be taking over the proposal. Since you're dying and all I don't think we'll need your pessimism and death talking at the meeting."

I scoffed turning to glare at him however his grin threw me off. It wasn't malicious but rather playful. "I know. You're right. It's as good as time as any to play the brain tumor card?"

Atlas, shifted in his chair, "You mean the whole dying thing and like this is your only chance to shine?"

I shook my head, "I actually think I want to change the plans."

Danny narrowed his eyes at me, "The plan?"

"Yes."

"The plan created by the Eye?"

"Yes."

"I don't think that's a good idea."

Biting my lip, I pointed at the new plans I had drafted, "I was thinking something along these lines. With the whole brain tumor situation, I think it would be best if I just stay behind the scenes. I can still help with the acts and stuff but I'd just be the main person running everything. Besides it would allow me to you know…" chocking up a little I pushed though the words, "go to appointments and stuff. Plus I can keep an eye on Tressler."

He looked over the plans, muttering to himself and deliberating. Finally he nodded, a grim look taking over, "This could work."

"Well duh, of course it will. I came up with it."

It was silent for a few seconds before Daniel spoke, "I like the new name."

"Really?" I asked surprised.

Danny slowly nodded, standing up with his coffee ready to head back to his room, "Yeah it's good. We'll catch everyone up this morning."

I nodded, turning back to my plans.

"Oh and Andria?"

I turned back to see Atlas grimace before stumbling on his words, "I'm sorry about the diagnosis. That's what I should have said last night." I kept nodding, shocked at his kindness this morning.