The Top

Chapter One: "The ICK"

Author's note: I do apologise if my grammar and punctuation is not the best. But I do hope you really enjoy this story <3

Today's downpour was exceptionally heavy, unlike those other days. She thought to herself. Wearing a black raincoat and walking to the only place she could afford food for her siblings "the Ick" a place where low-life people and criminals such as herself go to for food. She only hoped the goods she stole from those so-called rich bastards should be enough to earn her another point. Besides,it takes only 2 successful thefts to be considered a crime here.

She looked up, rain pouring down on her tanned face as she closed her eyes, letting out a breath to calm herself down after such a hectic day. She looked around, seeing rundown shops,houses, and hotels. She looked around more,observing the people who could be her potential target for tomorrow or the day after.

Some looked happy with their loved ones,some annoyed probably after a long day of work. Some are wary of people knowing there's loads of criminals. Some even judged her up and down with what she was wearing. She couldn't help but stare back and do the same only to see their hilarious reaction of looking away annoyed.

Thinking back,when her parents left for a business trip,they told her to look after her siblings. Was this what they meant? Because in her eight years stealing,she only managed to get only 10 successful points. From doing level one crimes. She needs only 40 more. This was harder than she thought it would be.

Living a criminal life,who was she kidding? Of course, it was not supposed to be easy. She was almost there, but she could see the line was quite long. "Right, it was 6 pm." She sighed. Once there,she queued up and kept her guard up.

Even in a place like this, she has to make sure nothing of hers gets stolen so she can feed her siblings. She looked at the shop. It was more like a rundowned food truck with the engine barely working, moss on the wheel,probably from the constant rain this month. The front where a tall brute stood checking the goods people give and in return giving them some bread and packed,instant food. But if she was lucky enough,something even better than that.

Lenny was interrupted from her usual "sight-seeing" when someone from behind called out to her.

"Hey pretty...girl. Don't mind if I take some of those lovely goods you have? It would really help me since I have not eaten in a day. Care for an old man like me?" The man asked. Sure you look old. But only in your late thirties if I make a good observation on you. Lenny thought to herself.

"You call yourself an old man? If you at least looked the part, I wouldn't mind giving you one of my items. You should go out there and actually steal something useful to make yourself look like an old man. Or even better, something to feed you." She said to him ever so nonchalantly.

Her tone of speech made him flare up since his little trick always works for people around her age. So how could she not be affected? He wondered. Her unconcerning gaze irritated him down to the very bone. He grasped her hand tightly, not letting go until he got what he wanted. Someone as petty as her won't bother. Besides, she looked like someone who was weak. And couldn't take on someone like him who was twice her size. But even as he tightened his grip,she seemed unfazed, which annoyed him. He pulled her close only to step aside and let her go,making her fall flat on the face.

She dropped the stuff she was holding, groaning in pain on the concrete floor. She was sure she had a scrap somewhere on her hand and face. But she stayed on the ground as he picked up her stolen goods, laughing at her,with people behind in the queue,looking at the commotion,unfazed. Some worried yet scared to help, and some watched for pure entertainment. "How petty of them. They are the weak ones, not me."

"So princess,I hope that this ought to teach you a lesson on helping people. Besides, if I'm not wrong, you're one of those people." He mockingly told her off.

Those words really had pushed her buttons. So, from where she was,she went into a push-up position, which made him look at her in confusion. But, as she was just about to kick him,he used his foot,placed it on her back, and pushed her down back onto the cold,wet, and hard concrete. This time, he was too fast. He caught on too quickly. She let out an upsetting huff. A sigh of defeat. While he could only laugh in her face.

She looked away from the crowd from embarrassment,clenching her palms into fists. She had the expression of someone who could break out into tears any second, but she was just angry. Not at him,not at them but at herself. For not being strong enough to fight back to claim what's hers. For her siblings. Indeed, she was weak.

With the guy,he went back to the queue to get his food and drinks,which was not surprisingly expensive. He had gotten a can of beer and a packet of meat,bought from her stolen goods. Which was some high-quality ones this time round. In which he probably got a point for theft. Which was supposed to be hers. She slammed her left fist out of anger with what she saw he did with her stuff. Those goods she stole were enough to get food for a week.

She slowly got up on her knees in pain since she scraped them during the fall. She slowly walked away from the place,retreating to her safe place, Her home. As she was heading, a young child came up to her with a bag of coins.

"Hello miss.. my mother and I saw what happened, and we want to give this to you, which we already have enough for ourselves."

She didn't know how to react. They were such kind souls to give to someone as sinful as her, a money for her enough to live with. She smiled and took it, hugging the child, who then ran back to the mother, with a smile on their face. She looked at her and bowed with gratefulness. Lenny then slowly made it to the back of the line, which was shorter this time, looking at the money that was given.

She was surprised, the amount of money which was given was enough to last for at least 3 days.