Criminally In Love

Chapter 1

"Keep up, Coppers!" Casey Woods shouted behind her, advancing the cop cars by two building roofs. Her hair propped up, through her mask, by a gold piece stolen from the museum just behind her. Per usual, Casey, or the Silent Steeler notorious for stealing things, then breaking the area with a steel thin sword, awaited the sound of sirens wailing before escaping the muse She lives for the chase and the thrill of fighting off the area's best protectors. Her smile quickly faded to a shocked fear as her ankle rolled left and sent her off the roof of a Moondollar Bar & Grill. The brisk air nipping at her back as her hair whips her face. Casey quickly rushes her hands to the back of her head and neck to prevent as much fatal damage as possible. The cold air abruptly stops, shattering her pride and most likely a few bones as well. The wind knocked out of her along with her hearing for a moment. Sirens blazing at different volumes and music pumping through the sky. Casey crawls closer to the alley door of the building as it opens, neon strobe lights shining through as a short male is thrown out by security. "Hey, let me in. Will ya?" She asks politely, hiding her mask behind her face alongside her pain. The security guard looks at her for a moment before hearing the sirens and quickly ushers her inside.

"Be careful, young lady. If those sirens are going, that means the Silent Steeler is out hunting. You never know if she'll be hunting for you." The beefy man warns her, irony flashing in her face.

"I certainly will be." Casey replied before walking into the sweaty crowd. I need a drink. She thought instinctively. No. I can't get buzzed. The cops will get me. A sour look grew on her face to this remark. She walked into the V.I.P. section by accident, and because it was a quiet spot, she decided to sit down. Finally, some peace and quiet. She told herself mentally. This was until chaos began to ring through the sectioned off area.

"I told you to lay off me, Thomas!" A girl yelled from the entrance.

"But, baby, you know you don't mean to say no." The assuming Thomas replied. Casey can tell there is alcohol mixed into the situation, meaning she probably shouldn't interfere, but this Thomas fellow isn't exactly thinking modestly.

"Thomas, I said no. I know what it means and I think you should learn it!"

"Come on, Babe. Stop being such a-"

"Being such a what? A woman concerned for her own body?" Casey chimed in rudely. "Listen- Thomas, is it? Whatever. This poor girl has already said no, and she doesn't want you doing whatever you plan to do. So go, sober up, stop being whatever that is, and man up while you're at it. Because as far as I'm concerned, only little boys can't take no for an answer." She finished, Thomas' face red from both embarrassment and anger. Casey enjoyed this before turning to the girl who was huddled on the couch in ripped jeans, a pink crop top, and white high tops. Great. I just helped out a newbie. Now I'm gonna have to help her home.

"Thank you." She murmured before lifting a bottle to her lips.

"Don't mention it." Casey responded before embarrassment fully took over, and she added, "Ever."

"So who are you that you are allowed in V.I.P?" The girl asked coarsely, trying to keep her beverage down.

"Just a lucky brat, I guess."

"Okay, well, Mrs. Mysterious. My name is Taylor Crofton from the famous fashion family."

"Ooh, yay. I'm stuck with a fabric fake."

"Don't get hostile with me! I bet you're just some dumb criminal who‐" Casey appeared in from Taylor in an instant, inches from her face. Her eyes danced between Taylor's leaf green eyes.

"Don't call me dumb. Some are only called criminals because they do what is right when no one else will." Casey stayed in her same position for a small pause to leave an impactful moment and memorize the surprise on Taylor's face. Straightening back up, Casey sat on the couch facing Taylor and watched to see what she'd do next. Taylor sat quietly and didn't dare to say anything even as her face contorted in disbelief and ignorance. Under Casey's gaze, Taylor felt helpless. Trapped in ice. "Listen, princess. If you aren't going to make some epiphany about your wallet being missing, what's the point of me sitting here, waiting?" Taylor's eyes grew wide as she rushed to her pockets, her wallet was, in fact, missing, and Casey was most definitely the thief.