Luisa: The Orphan Tale

Part IX: Thieves and Arsonists

That morning Elise had snuck out and departed, she couldn't bear leaving and saying goodbye so she left, silently weeping to herself. She entered the Prussian's carriage and was soon carried out of the city.

As a reminder of her loves, she had cut off a strand of each of their hair unknowing to them, she now braided it into her own. Tear filled eyes as she did. She left cold and gloomy Paris, heavy in heart and high in melancholy.

Chloe and Luisa awoke to sadness. They held each other and wept together, mourning their loss but also rejoicing that Elise was going to be safe and warm and alive. Something they weren't sure if they'd share in a few weeks.

They had ran out of food after breakfast that morning and we're starving. Claire had ways to get money and food but she'd failed in that she'd not taught anyone else her ways. Chloe and Lusia felt isolated and alone.

Chloe then came up with the idea to pickpocket for some money. She'd done it a few times before but not too often and she gave the best lessons she could to Luisa.

They headed off to the market.

"All right. See anyone good?" Chloe asked.

"That guy looks wealthy!" She said pointing out a well dressed gentleman.

"Let's try it." She said.

Chloe walked over towards the man and as she slipped past she took his purse and he was none the wiser.

She scurried off back to Lusia giddy with her accomplishment.

"That's great!" Chloe said excitedly. "Oh there's another! He looks posh!" She said pointing out a mark.

"I got it!" Luisa said, maybe a little over confident. She followed the mark for a while while Chloe watched on. Finally she saw her moment and went for his pocket. Unfortunately while she was in there she tripped, obviously falling against the man. He looked down at her with her hand in his pocket. He grabbed her and threw her down.

"Thief! Get the guard!" He yelled. "Somebody round up this scum for me!"

Luisa looked up shocked and petrified, finally as she saw people walking up to grab her she ran. She ran towards Chloe and they ran off together, they then heard the marching feet and cries of the guard behind them. Surely armed with swords and guns.

"Rub!" Luisa said as she pushed Chloe ahead of her.

"Stop! In the name of the King!" The leader of tje guards shouted as they chased the two girls.

They ran through the streets, dodging around people and carts and all manner of obstacle. Luisa led them through a shortcut through a bakery, she smashed into man splitting a bag of flour and sending a cloud into the air. She was white as a ghost but she just cleared her eyes and grabbed Chloe and ran again. She'd also knocked over an oil lamp.

Chloe was having a particularly hard time as they returned to the streets, she was still weak on account of her wound. She grew pale and clammy. She grabbed Luisa and led her into a side alley.

"Stop! Let's hide here!" She said panting. "I can't go on any longer."

"They'll find us! Come on I'll carry you!" Luisa said.

"We're finished!" Chloe said. "I can't move much more. So I need you to go! I'll distract them, you get away." Chloe said.

"What!? No! I'm not leaving you! I can't lose you not losing you both in two days!" Luisa cried.

"You didn't notice, we accidentally set fire to that bakery." Chloe explained. "They'll want us for more than pickpocketing now. Now you go and live your life!"