Sun and Moon

1

Virgil POV

"GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE TWERP!"

I hear the stall owner shout at me as I run as fast as I can, holding tight the few apples I managed to snag. 

I've done this for years and not once have they been able to catch me. I'm not too worried this time. 

Quickly I jump up and over a cart of hay, being mindful not to accidentally break or trip over anything. That would not be good at all. As I continue to run I hear the footsteps getting closer, growing louder and heavier. I'm almost sure there are more people chasing me now but it's too risky to look back.

As I run I recognize an alley way to the left. Swiftly I turn down it and run into the dark shadows. This alleyway is a dead end but is also almost impossible to see anything in. As quietly as possible, I scale the back wall and perch myself up on a roof. 

Apparently the angry stall keeper never even saw me turn for they all ran straight past the alleyway. I wait a while longer before finally releasing a breath. With a sigh, I pull out one of the apples and take a bite.

It tasted so sweet against my dry tongue. I can't remember the last I've had an apple. Heck, I can't even remember the last time I ate.

This is my life.

For as long as I can remember my life has been about doing whatever it takes to survive: haggle, barter, borrow, and this case, steal. 

I hate stealing, honestly I do. But sometimes there is nothing else I can do but this.

Why don't I have a home? Simple. They didn't like me, so I was thrown out. I barely remember my parents and what happened. Not that I want to remember. There is something about my past that my mind wanted me to forget so it's locked away; hidden in a dark room that needs an unknown key to open it.

I lay back against the roof staring up at the stars. The shingles slowly dig into my back causing me to groan slightly in pain.

I would kill to live a better life than this. But for now, this is all I have. It's better than being chained up in some dungeon which is exactly where I would be if I get caught.

As I am finally getting comfortable on the roof I hear a shuffle in an alley across from me. Never a dull or peaceful moment in my life, I guess.

Careful not to fall I slowly lift myself up and peer into the alleyway. While many may not be able to see well in the dark, I, for some reason, have always been able to see more. 

There is an outline of someone in the alley, covered in a cloak and tucked in the corner. They looked small and the ends of the cloak slightly shook. Most likely from the person shivering in the cold night air. 

I continue to watch them, trying to figure out if they were friend or foe. The person moves slightly, adjusting their cloak. As they do I see a small flash of auburn hair and tanned skin. I try to move closer to get a better look at this person. Curiosity gets the better of me sometimes. As I shift, a shingle comes loose and sends a loud creak through the darkness below. The cloaked being quickly looks up, striking emerald eyes locking with mine of dark violet. I hold in a breath.

After a few moments I watch them quickly pick themselves up and make a run for it. Shit. Maybe they knew who I was. Without hesitation I glide across the roof and jump down to the ground below, landing right in front of the person. 

They were definitely not small. Easily a head taller than me, the boy stood to his full height trying desperately to look intimidating.

"Let me pass," he says, his voice was rough and commanding. I didn't move but continued to stand there, "I said let me pa-"

"Yes I heard you." I cut him off. He gave me a quizzical look.

"Then move." I pretend to stand there and think hard.

"You see I could do that," I paused and looked him dead in the eye, "but where is the fun in that?" He scoffed, crossing his arms.

"Do you even know who I am?"

"No. And I don't care either." Right as he was about to say something back a booming voice comes from the entrance of the alleyway. We both look towards the sound.

"I found him! He's here!" Sounds of clunking metal can be heard coming closer and closer. Both of us slowly walk backwards, trying to be as quiet as possible.

"They found me!" The auburn haired boy and I say at the same time. We both look at each other confused. They are after him? Why would they be after him? The man, whom I have now identified as a royal guard, barrels toward the two of us.

"Shit," I mutter. I look between the boy and the guard. Decisions, decisions. With a huff I turn back to the boy, "Come with me."

"What?" I roll my eyes.

"If you don't want to be caught then come with me."