Thieves' Race

by Isaac Padgett

  “Shut your mouth, street-rat! That scum you talk about saved us and turned us into something better! He feeds us and takes care of us. And best of all, we're feared now!” The voice was just like many I had heard before: Desperate for someone to care about them, someone to respect them. Someone to fear them like they had feared others.

  “Dear Lord, I'd die in here before getting help from them,” I muttered and rolled my eyes. Elroy definitely knew how to convince people he was in charge and make them think he actually cared. I knew better, though. “What are you here for, then? To scare me into talking? Wave a knife around and threaten me?”

  “Actually, we're here to bring you some food. We were ordered to make sure you were well fed. The boss doesn't want to lose you.”

  A hand pushed a plate of food through a slot in the door, or at least, that's what I thought it was based on the sound. My stomach turned at the thought of eating, so I didn't even make a move towards it. Hunger would push me to eat soon enough, but for now, I'd be okay.

  “You know, Mr. Franklin isn't as bad as you think he is. You seem to have had some bad history, but he's changed. He's good to us, keeps us fed. He takes care of his people. So why not join?”

  I was silent for a few long breaths before replying, “Do you know who I am? Or at least, who I was?”

  The silence in the dungeon grew long and heavy, almost reaching that point where it would start seeming like a sound. And then it stretched a little longer.

  I could hear the hesitancy in the boy's voice, but he answered anyway, “No... He didn't tell us nothing, just to throw you in here.”

  “My name is Jack. I ran the crew to the North. And I ran it well. So hear me now. I will get out. And if you stand in my way, you'll stop being anyone's problem, no matter how pretty your uniform or powerful your master.”

  “You...you mean... Jack of the Mercs?” The younger boy stuttered and scrambled back hurriedly.

  “Don't worry, man; he can't do anything. Mr. Franklin knows what to do to those who don't join. This Jack, if that's really who he is, will be with us, or dead, soon enough.”

  I leaned back against the wall and sighed, listening to them walk away in the darkness, bringing the only light with them. Picking at the floor, I wondered how I'd get myself out of this mess.

  Aether

  Thunder rumbled and lightning lanced through the sky. The rain started to fall in short spurts, making the streets that much harder to get through. As people rushed home, the dust turned to mud, and still, the boy hadn't led us to his hideout. He seemed to be taking his time, trying to signal to someone that something was wrong. I almost lost my shoe in the sucking mud multiple times, trying to keep up with the pace we were setting.

  I knew Victoria wouldn't wait much longer. I could already see her patience wearing thin as she repeatedly drew a knife a few inches from its sheath before slamming it back. My anger had fallen back quite a bit, and I didn't want this boy to get hurt. How could I blame him for just following orders?

  It didn't help that as we walked, I realized just how young he really was. At first, the uniform had made me think of him as older, my age, but now, he appeared to be closer to twelve or thirteen.

  We seemed to be getting closer, however. Every street now, we had to dodge our way around more and more uniformed kids, so we had to be getting close to the hideout.

  As my attention wandered yet again, thinking of how wonderful it would be to draw the scenery around me, the animals skipping along the walks with the people; smoke and dust swirling up into the air, and the squall of kids as they ran around, clueless as to how poor their life really was.

  It was beautiful, in its own way. It was eye-opening. It was marvelous. But it was also extremely distracting. Such a distraction, in fact, that I almost missed when we stopped.

  Victoria grabbed me by the arm hard enough to pull me back into a doorway next to her, and a group of uniformed boys rushed past. The boy with us looked as if he would tempt fate and try to join them, but one slight jab from Victoria, and he seemed to rethink his choice.

  He pointed silently at a giant manor that lay down and across the street from where we hid. Elaborately built and opulently decorated, it stuck out from the rabble built around it. It was obviously where we needed to go.

  Victoria leading the way, we stepped out into the street, just to be flanked by two of the boys who had run past before. “You're expected. Mr. Franklin will see you now. You did a good job today, Timmy. Get some rest, but be ready to be called up to be talked to. Mr. Franklin says that you've got some explaining to do.”

  Timmy, as it seemed his name was, blanched and gulped heavily but nodded and trotted off towards the house. We were also led that way, though he went into a side entrance while we were led to the central doorway.

  The inside was just as gaudy and over-decorated as the out, cluttered with all sorts of luxuries.

  “Do you think whoever owns this could own anything more? It seems as if he's obsessed with others being as impressed with him as he seems to be with himself. And coming from me, that's really saying a lot.” Victoria muttered from the side of her mouth with a slight smirk. I couldn't help but grin in response.

  “What do you think this Frank guy wants with us?” I ducked under a low-hanging chandelier, “He's obviously been watching you for a while now.”

  Victoria shook her head, “Not me. Jack. For some reason, he wanted Jack. He probably just set a tail on me to keep track of where I was in case something like this happened. I can't believe I didn't think that before.” Her fists were clenched for a brief moment before relaxing. She seemed to be getting ready to confront our captor.

  We were led down the hall to a door that looked to lead to a study or sitting room of sorts. Part of me wasn't surprised when the door was opened to reveal Elroy sitting in an oversized, plush chair. He was sipping what looked like brandy from a glass and lounging, waiting for us.

  “Well, well, Aether, it's been a while, hasn't it? And how is Tom? I haven't seen him since shortly after entering the city. Last I saw, he was looking for you. He find you? Never mind, no need. The lack of fresh bruises is answer enough.”

  I didn't even notice myself leaping across the room until a beefy arm from one of his old bruisers, now dressed in livery, stopped me. Clawing at the arm, the bodyguard grunted and flung me back towards Victoria.

  “Come now; there is no need to be so rude. You are, of course, my guests. Mind your manners, have a seat, and we can talk about what brings you to my home.” Elroy gestured towards a pair of chairs sitting across from him.

  With glances back at the now blocked door, we sat down in the chairs offered. A servant came up with a tray full of crackers and at least four kinds of cheese, from what I could see. Neither of us took one, and she just stood there awkwardly until Elroy waved her away.

  “Now, what can I do for you two? Are you here for any specific reason, or did you just want to terrorize my boys and follow them around?” Elroy swirled his drink around his glass before taking a sip.

  “Excuse me?” Victoria's voice raised an octave or two, and even I winced, “Us, following your “boys”? You boy, Timmy, was the one following us! He was just so bad at it that we caught him at it, twice now!”

  At this, his face betrayed his surprise, “Twice? I'm sure I have no idea what you mean. Timmy was obviously acting on his own, for whatever reason it was he had. I will be speaking to him momentarily about it. He was certainly tailing after you today, but any other time is just your imagination."

  Victoria scoffed and leaned back in her chair, “Don't act like you don't know. He was tailing Jack for you a few days back. Though he didn't seem to know his actual name.”

  Elroy's brow creased in annoyance, “And you saw him do this? Interesting. Very interesting. I will definitely mention it to him. Well, now that we know what is going on with the following, why don't you tell me why you're here. Was it just to learn why a boy seemed to be following you?”
>
  “And what you did with Jack!” I interjected loudly, almost coming out of my seat, “We know you did something with him!”

  Elroy nodded and looked past us, out a window, “Yes, I did do something with him. And I might even tell you. But there are things I must get done, and I do insist that you stay for the evening, Aether, if for nothing more than memories sake. While my guards...escort you to your room, I need to talk to this other lady for a moment. Do be polite and go quietly.”

  Before I could even open my mouth to object or process what was even going on, a hand clamped over my mouth, and I was lifted out of the chair from both sides. Victoria tried to stand, presumably to help me, but more of the guards dressed in page clothing appeared and held her back.

  My last thought was that maybe I'd see Jack, wherever it was that they put me. And then something hit me behind the ear, and I was out.

  Elroy

  Aether was dragged, kicking, and squirming so much that one of my guards had to knock her out. And all the while, Victoria was held down in her chair. After a moment or two, the girl stopped struggling and sat with a deepening glower.

  We sat in silence for a long while, her staring hard at me while I tried to form what I was going to say next, “You may have figured out why there was a tail on you, though Aether obviously has no idea.”

  The glower disappeared, replaced with a look of wariness, “It was to keep an eye on me, keep me from getting to Jack, was it not?”

  I almost choked on my sip of brandy and had to set the glass down, coughing, “No, you actually thought that? I honestly don't give a rat's ass if you find him since we're on the same side and all.”

  She seemed stunned and then burst out laughing. I could feel the confidence draining out of me with each passing chuckle.

  “Us, the same side? Oh, boy, you have so much to learn. You've jumped in deeper than you thought possible, but there are still levels you've never been to. We aren't on the same side at all.” She had to wipe tears from her eyes at this point; she was laughing so hard.

  “What's so damned funny? You have no idea what I'll go through to get this done and over with! You want to join Jack and Aether, is that it?” I rose from my chair, drink fallen to the floor, and fists clenched until my knuckles turned white.

  The silence in the room was so sudden, my ears hurt. She stared, deathly calm, and spoke softly, “You dare try to hold me, and a fate a thousand times worse than you could ever imagine will fall upon you. You think you should worry now, try something like what you have planned and see what becomes of your miserable soul.”

  I couldn't even doubt her; something in her voice told me she was speaking the truth. She sounded...dead almost, her eyes empty of anything remotely feeling. As if she wasn't entirely there.

  I gulped hard, “Fine. If what you say is true, you can walk out of here, no matter what I try. So what stops you from just walking through and taking him from me?”

  She shrugged, leaning back again, “Rules are rules. He's yours for now, but I'm not gonna give up just yet. You can still lose him. And I'll be there waiting for you to mess it up. So, if we're done here, I have work to do.”

  She stood, and I waved my guys back, letting her walk out of the study, and presumably, my house. I had no idea how things had gotten so far out of hand, but I had to do something about it. My men couldn't see this happen and not start thinking me weak.

  “Bring me the boy. And after, go rough up the girl a bit. Nothing too bad, though, just some cuts and bruises.” I waved for a servant to bring me another drink and sat massaging my temples. Today was going to be another long day.

  Jack

  A slight scuffle in the dark brought me to my feet. Two soft thuds told me all I needed to know: Someone was here, and my guards weren't conscious anymore.

  Victoria's face appeared over a box and looked in through the bars, “There you are. Wondered where they'd put you.”

  I rolled my shoulders back to get rid of some of the stiffness, “Well, here I am. You gonna sit there, or you gonna get me out of here?”

  To my surprise, she shook her head and backed up a step. She must have recognized the look of shock, for she hurried to explain, “They have Aether. And she's locked up tighter than even I can break her out...and I'm afraid that if I get you out, they'll kill her. And I know what that will do to you, and I just...” Tears started gathering in her eyes, and she bit back a sob.

  “Tor, it's okay,” I hurried to soothe her, “I understand. I thank you for what you've done and for telling me. Do you have any idea what he wants with her?”

  She nodded, though it took her a moment to get her voice back, “He's gonna use her as leverage against you. He wants you to do something, though I don't know what. This is all my fault, Jack. We were being followed, and I decided to see why. She came along with us and we got caught. I'm so sorry, Jack, I didn't mean it to happen; you have to believe me!”

  “I believe you, lass. Get out of here before someone comes; I'll figure something out. Maybe just go along with him for a bit till I find time to break away and come back. It'll be okay, I promise. Get going; I don't want another person captured because of me.”

  She nodded and faded back into the darkness of the cellar. Now I just had to wait for the two guards to wake up so I could tell them to take me to Elroy.

  It took a lot longer than I expected; Victoria really knew how to knock a man out. Over half a mark later, I started to hear the moans and groans as they started to come to.

  “Hey, idiots. Get up already; I need to see your leader as soon as possible.” The older one of the two sat up and stared at me blearily. Shaking his head, he stood up, wobbling.

  “What was that? You want to talk...I...well, let me go...what?” He was probably concussed, the poor boy.

  “Mr. Franklin. Your boss. Bring me to him. Need to talk. Simple enough?” I didn't have time to waste, and this was taking too long already. I didn't know what Elroy wanted of me, but I figured it wouldn't be something that would be over in a mark or two.

  He shambled off somewhere, presumably to go tell his boss that I wanted to talk to him. I had no idea; maybe he was off throwing up or looking for his mother.

  He must have gotten some of my message across because after a while, the door re-opened, “So, I heard you wanted to talk to me? Have a sudden change of mind?”

  “You rotten bastard." I snarled, grabbing the bars of my cage door, "Is she okay? If you hurt her, I will kill you. Kill you so slowly that you'll wish that you had a way to end your own miserable life.”

  “I wonder, how did you...ah, the person who knocked my men out. That...what was it, Victoria? Yes, she was a feisty one. Probably killer in the sheets, if my guess is right. So, she knocked them out, told you I had Aether, and then left you here? She's such a good friend...if only you knew.” Elroy clicked his tongue against his teeth and shook his head, grinning wryly.

  “Quit gloating and just tell me what the hell you want. Let's just get this over with so we can all get back to our lives. And remember what I said. She gets hurt, I end you. I'll find a way; you mark my words.”

  He waved away my words and brought a key out, “On your honor, you won't try anything funny? Just so you know, there are watchers. You do anything at all against me, Aether dies. So go ahead and kill me. At least I won't have to worry and fret about this damned job anymore. But Aether will die as well. So make your choice.” He held the key up and waved it at me, waiting for an answer.

  “Very well, you have my word. You gonna open the cage, or not?” I could tell he was enjoying this far too much; he was a man who loved the feeling of being in control.

  He chuckled and unlocked the door, pulling it open and stepping back, “Glad to see that you've come to see my point of things. It was getting so dreary trying to convert you. So come, have a seat, and we'll talk about what we need to do now.”

  We sat, and he called in a servant, asking for yet more spirits. The amount he drank, he remi
nded me of my father- someone who is running away from something so much, so desperately that they make the bottle their best friend.

  He drank for a while, almost finishing the bottle, and then began to talk, “A while back, a man came to me and offered me a job. With more money than I can even dream of, even now. Millions upon millions, Jack. He even showed me purses filled with gold. I jumped on the opportunity. He mentioned how hard the job was and that he wanted you in on it, so I said sure, I could get you to do it, one last time, for old time's sake. But you wouldn't. And as I got deeper into it, I realized more and more how much trouble I was in. I got desperate.”

  As he spoke, he grew quieter, his glass laid forgotten on the crate beside him. Whatever was going through his mind right now was probably more than I could comprehend.