Morph: Book One

| 12 |

I raced through the streets, looking for our next unfortunate victim. The roads this time of day were crowded and full of unsuspecting people. However, one had to be careful. If you picked the wrong pocket, you'd find yourself down at the police bureau with a strike on your record, if you were lucky. Cell time was the common punishment as no one took kindly to thieves, regardless of why they were on the streets.

I spotted an older man, maybe in his late fifties or sixties. He stood to the side of a shop, rummaging through his briefcase, searching for something. I immediately spotted the gold watch he was showing off and motioned to the two silhouettes lurking nearby to advance. They lept from the shadows and raced past me, slowing to a light trot as they closed in on the target. They stopped in front of the man. I watched as they performed in front of him. I stood off to the side, waiting for the perfect moment to attack. Only when the man's full attention was on the piss-poor excuse of a distraction did I start to run toward them.

"Theo!" I hollered, cupping my hands at the corner of my mouth to help project my voice. "Theo were'd you run off to!?" I raced past the duo who had the older man's attention. I pretended not to see where I was going and ran right into the poor man, causing the both of us to fall into a heap on the sidewalk. His belongings and briefcase flew every which way.

"Oh my god." I said in false horror while pulling myself off the ground and helping the man up in the process. While I did so, the duo grabbed as much as possible before returning the belongings to the older man. But, of course, they kept some for themselves. "Im so sorry! I wasn't watching where I was going." I watched as the finely dressed man brushed himself off and put his belongings back into his pockets and briefcase. He cast me a distasteful glare before answering.

"Watch where'ya going! Children these days are such a menace." I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes as I feigned concern.

"Are you alright?" I watched for a few more moments as he checked over himself and his belongings.

"Im fine, just get now, get!" The man said dismissingly. I let my face contort into one of sadness before turning around on my heels and walking dolefully away. However, before I could disappear into the crowd, the olde man angrily called out after me. I kept up my pace and hoped that he would let it go. But, deep down, I knew that he wouldn't. He continued to holler after me, eventually catching the attention of some soldiers.

Shit!

I took my leave at that moment and sped across the street, bumping into people so violently that it caused me to falter on my feet. I surged through the crowd urgently, slowly making my way toward an alley. I heard giant footsteps and voices hollering behind me; it seemed that I had caught the attention of multiple soldiers in my attempt to flee. I cursed at myself. Had I remained calm, I would've been able to escape this unscathed.