Sly Cooper: Family of Thieves

Chapter 67: Sly's Lament

The quiet solitude of the hideout enveloped me as I retreated to a corner, seeking solace in the shadows. The weight of the world seemed to press down on my shoulders, a burden formed from the accumulation of losses and heartaches.

I closed my eyes, allowing the memories to flood in—my parents, gone too soon, leaving me with the Thievius Raccoonus as both a legacy and a responsibility. Murray's departure from the gang, a departure that left an irreplaceable void. Carmelita, the love that always danced on the edge of forbidden, a constant reminder of the thin line between law and larceny.

And then, Sangue's truth.

The revelation about Celeste, Sangue's mother, and the heartbreaking circumstances that led to her abandonment echoed in the recesses of my mind. Each loss, each revelation, cut deeper, leaving wounds that time could not easily heal.

In the quiet of that moment, I allowed myself to grieve—for the life that had been taken from my parents, for the departure of a dear friend, for a love that seemed perpetually out of reach, and for the pain Sangue carried in her heart.

As I grappled with the weight of these emotions, I found myself drawn to Sangue's sleeping form. The gentle rise and fall of her chest, the peaceful expression on her face—she seemed almost untouched by the tumult of our adventures. It struck me then, with a sudden clarity, that Sangue was my baby.

Not in the traditional sense, not by blood, but in the profound way that the bonds forged through shared adventures and shared struggles can create a familial connection. She had become a cherished part of the Cooper Gang, and in that quiet moment, I couldn't help but feel a surge of protective love for her.

How could life be so cruel to someone with a heart of gold like Sangue? It was a question that lingered in the recesses of my thoughts, a question with no easy answers. I watched over her, the weight of the world momentarily lifted by the simple act of caring for a friend—a friend who had become family.

In the stillness of the hideout, I allowed myself to feel the depth of our shared pain, knowing that, in time, the wounds would heal, and the Cooper Gang would rise once more, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.