Thieves

Chapter 7

Gloria rolled over as she slowly woke up again and grimaced in pain before rolling back over. What had happened? It took her a moment before she remembered. The chain, Scar carrying her, and then passing out.

It was the next morning and Dez was sitting on the floor by her quietly. “Are you ok?” she asked quietly when she heard Gloria roll over. She looked up expectantly at Gloria, wondering what was going on to get her friend hurt.

Gloria smiled carefully and patted her head. “I’m going to be ok. I’m just hurt right now. I just can’t do much right now. Ok?” she said carefully, hoping the little girl would understand a bit.

Dez pouted slightly, still not understanding what exactly was going on but glad that Gloria would get better. She perked up after a moment. “Should I go tell the boys you’re awake? They all left to let you sleep. I stayed and played quietly. I wanted to be here when you woke up,” she said, slightly proud and at the same time wanting to be helpful.

“Go ahead, sweetie. That would be great,” Gloria said and motioned for the little girl to go find the boys. She had hoped that Scar would be the one there when she woke up.

Dez hopped up and smiled at her before hurrying away to find the boys. She returned moments later with Gray and Nath in tow. “Got them!” she said happily. She had forgotten to mention that Scar had gone out.

Gray smiled slightly. He felt completely awkward in this situation. “Hey,” he said quietly. “Scar went out. I’m not sure why.” The relief that Gloria seemed ok was clear on Gray’s face. He had never been able to handle things well when someone got hurt.

Gloria nodded slightly. “Ok. I hope he doesn’t do anything stupid, the idiot,” she muttered. Scar was known for doing stupid things, even though they usually worked out in the end. He had taken in kids that he didn’t even know their names and looked where they had ended up. One big family. He had too big of a heart sometimes. Gloria was the one who kept the family on their feet when he got too distracted with making sure everything was just perfect.

At that moment, the knock on the door came again. “Police!” came a call from the door.

Gray’s head snapped up. “Shit,” he murmured, ignoring the look Gloria gave him for talking like that. He ushered Dez and Nath to their hiding spaces quickly, trying to think up a story. He hurried back to Gloria after a few minutes. “Can you go to the door and pretend to be Scars girlfriend or something? Say he is out or something. I don’t know! But if I go to the door they will suspect something!”

Gloria bit her lip and nodded. “Go find your hiding spot,” she said quietly as she carefully got to her feet. This was already killing her back. She would have to pay for it later in blood and tears. She made her way to the door and opened it carefully, blinking as if she had just awoken. “What can I do for you, kind sirs?” she asked in as polite a voice as possible.

The police officer looked surprised, having expected the young man from before. He shook his head. “Sorry, Miss. We have had continuous reports of children leaving this house and we came here a while back and talked to a boy of the name James Fritsgarold,” he said. “Would you happen to be able to tell me where he is? We would like to talk to him again.”

Gloria eyes widened in mock surprise. “Oh. I see. He went out. I’m his girlfriend. He let me stay here for a while to rest since we had gone out to visit people last night and I was tired,” she said, sticking partially to the truth. That was mostly true, besides she was tired. She had gotten hit with a chain after all.

The officer nodded slightly. “I see. Well then Miss. I must ask to search the house. I know it is probably uncalled for, but we have reason to believe a group of pick pockets are living here. So if you would so kindly let us?” he said politely, trying to make sure the girl agreed without being offended.

Gloria sighed. “Sir, if you would please come back in a few hours? He should be back by then. Please. I don’t feel right letting anyone into his house without him here. That just feels… wrong. Even if it is an honorable officer like you,” she said quietly, sounding nervous.

The officer sighed. “I see. I will be back in exactly two hours, Miss. It doesn’t matter if he is here or not by then. I will take a look around,” he said. “Thank you for your time.” He nodded slightly and started to walk away as Gloria closed the door quietly.

They had to leave. Now.

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