The Thief

Divert

Heels click down the hallway pinching my poor feet. Oh, how I wish I was like Cinderella and could leave one behind. My mint colored dress freely flies around me as my chestnut brown hair lay in curls; aching feet finally come to a halt. I stare at the mahogany door in front of me my pale arm stretches to grab the golden handle.

I take a deep breath in; and then push the door open to see men everywhere staring at me, was I the only woman aloud in my father's study? Although tons of men stare at me the only one I notice is the newbie guard. I glance at him his eyes practically falling out of his skull. I roll my hazel irises and notice my father, the King watching me. I suddenly feel as if I had done something wrong, yet I hadn't really unless you count the reason we are here. I casually curtsy; and head for a silver chair with velvet cushioning, when I am stopped by my father's loud voice.

"Kimberly, have you heard of the news?" He questions raising an eyebrow, while running a hand through his nicely cut sable colored hair. I want to say yes! Then go because I don't like this one bit however, he won't let me go.

"No I haven't, please explain what has happened." I calmly say taking a seat in the chair; my head is turned towards my father however, I feel the gaze of the guard burn through my flesh, I hate being looked at I hate it! I wish I would have killed that guard, I smirk. My father continues on talking about the 'Unknown Thief' waving his hands around to give his lecture more meaning I'm guessing. Everyone except for the guard and I seem to be paying attention, my brother slowly nods to something my father has said. I finally give my father some attention... Some

"That is why we must find him!" My father finishes, clearly I missed a lot of information.

"Him?" I blurt out wishing I hadn't, men stare at me with hatred in their eyes I'm only supposed to be hated when I'm the Thief. "How do you know it's a Him?" I finish my thought.

"Well clearly he has great fighting skills which is something a woman can never posse, and not to mention he doesn't even look like a woman." My father finishes, I'm very surprised should I be honored for my fighting skills or should I be saddened for my ugliness. I just let it brush off my shoulder and arise from the seat just as all the other Noblemen, Knights, and Guards, had done. My eyes follow the Newbie Guard who has just arose as well, I sit back down as does he. I crease my eyebrows into confusion, and do what every 17 year old girl would do. I swiftly stand up and rush toward my father my shoes slamming against the marble floor.

Laughter erupts from my father as I tug at his arm. "Father why is this-this guard following me?" I question pointing at the guard who stands in front of us. I wouldn't mind if it was some other guard but, him! No way. "Oh, my have I forgotten to tell you?" He rubs his chin as if he was thinking, which he wasn't. I raise an eyebrow waiting for him to continue. "Since the thief has been attacking more I thought it would be best if you had a protector." His lips curl into a smile. "I don't see any protector" I flatly say staring at the guard.

"Please, if you are wondering why he has the marks on his face it's because he bravely fought off the thief." My father pats the guard on the shoulder, "Oh, is that so" I smile knowing that is the biggest lie I have ever heard. I stare at the guard, whose lips form a straight line I could probably protect myself better than this boy ever will.

"Where would you like to go" he nicely asks.

"The garden" I say while glancing at his face to see if it rings any bells, his eyes grow, almost as fast as they grew they shrank. "O-okay" he stutters I can't help but laugh.

XXXX

My feet push off the ground as my mint tinted dress sways in gentle folds with the wind, my pale hands hold on to the rope. My nose fills with many flower smells. The guard stares at the metallic gate clearly in a daze, I wonder if he was thinking of me, or the thief. I firmly place my feet on the ground making the swing come to a halt. "So you fought off the thief? That's why your face is messed up. Right?" I question firmly sitting on the wooden swing see this is my problem . . . I speak my mind; and it gets me in to too much trouble!