Six Of Crows imagines

Fake-Random Character

The markets were crowded with people. Families, friends and lonesome people. Ketterdam is known for its Barrel thief's,  so naturally I pull my satchel in front of me. I desperately want to check and see if my wallet is still in my back pocket but I know what'll happen if I do. Being a Barrel thief myself I know good and well how people pick pocket you. They wait until you tap your pocket or bag, that tells them exactly where the loot is. An elbow connects with my neck as I push through the crowd.

"I'm so sorry" a Grisha woman says

"No problem" I smile innocently and continue walking.

When I'm sure she can't see me I count the kruge I nabbed from her purse. 20, that'll get me lunch and dinner if I can get a bit more. I make my way over to a waffle stall and purchase two, one with berries and one drizzled with chocolate. As the man hands me the food I slip his watch off his wrist and into my satchel. I have to admit, I feel a bit guilty but a girl's gotta eat, right?

As I wind my way through the market stalls I 'bump' into people, taking what I can find. There are a few people I know, not personally just by either the paper or their reputation in the city. I don't have a home, let me make that clear. I spend my days and nights wondering the city and am currently running on three hours of sleep from almost a week ago. You can never sleep on the streets of Ketterdam, well, you can, if you wanna get robbed or brutally stabbed over and over. I talk from experience.

The market stalls are bursting with colour and smells that make my mouth water. The markets come every year on the 16th of October and leave 2nd of November, I am always there. The markets are not only a gold mine but they're also the three F's. Fun, food and more food. Another person bumps into me. I'm not surprised though. As a small 14 year old girl, I'm prime elbow and bag height. I straighten myself and catch the guy looking at me, a strange look on his face. I don't know what the look is but it makes my stomach knot. Discarding the waffles, I turn and begin to walk through the people as fast as I can.

I'm walk for about five minutes before I look back, he's still there. The man is tall, black shoulder length greasy hair and long coat. He looks like trouble, he looks like a Barrel thief just much more... dangerous. I pick up the pace until I find myself running through the markets at top speed. The crowd dies down as we enter the back of the markets and I can see him more clearly. I scan the scattered groups of people looking for someone or something to help me. Without thinking I throw myself at the closest person.

"Dad I've been looking all over" I say as I grip the persons waist and burry my head into their side. I risk a glance up and my stomach does black flips. I have just latched onto the worst person in the square. His black eyes stare down at me and I let out a panicked breath. Is he gonna go along with it or is he gonna ask me what the hell I'm doing, leaving me vulnerable to my stalker? He looks up at the guy then wraps his free hand around my waist and pulls me closer

"I've been right here sweetheart" he says, adjusting his hand on the crow head cane he holds. The cane known by every Barrel thief in Ketterdam. I let out a relived breath and let go of his waist. When I turn around the creepy guy is standing over by a fountain, looking at me. Inej speaks first, "who?" She asks looking around the markets. "Over there" I say pointing subtly at the man. "Black coat and long hair" there are three of them here, Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa and Wylan Van Eck.

"Come on" Kaz says and begins to walk out of the markets. Inej follows. What do I do? Do I follow them? Do I wait here? I'm beginning to panic when Wylan sticks out his hand. "Come with us" he whispers "we'll figure out the rest later, right now you look like you could fall asleep at any moment." I reach out and take his hand and, like a little girl holding onto her dad, I follow him out of the markets.