𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋 | 𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐄 𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐗 𝐎𝐂

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓

NINE YEARS AGO.
14 years old.

I was walking down the street doing my usual routine. I watched as the rich people came out of shops with their hands full. I watched for anybody with exposed jewels or money. I watched for those who didn't pay attention.

I got good at pickpocketing. I've only been caught once, and even then, the man I stole from didn't catch me. I always chose the right people.

I sat down on a bench and watched an old man. He seemed to be in his mid forties. He was walking down the street, it looked like he was alone. This would be too easy, it almost made me feel bad about it. Almost.

I stood up as the old man began to walk pass me. I pretended to bump into him, taking money from his satchel. I was quick and quiet. "Oh, i'm sorry, mister." I said and he looked down at me. "No worries." He said. "Just watch where you walk next time."

"I will-"

"And be more careful about who you pickpocket." The old man said. I laughed nervously, then started running.

"Hey!" He yelled for me, but I kept running. "Fuck you, pendejo!"

How did he know? People usually never notice.

"I'll get her for you, Hosea!" A younger man yelled and I felt my body go into panic. Of course. This would only ever happen to me.

This younger man seemed to be in his late twenties. He was fast and big.

I ran into an alley were I tried to loose him. "Puta madre." I bumped into a wall. I tried to go back the other way, but I bumped into the man. "You steal from the wrong people, kid." He walked up to me and I backed up. "Okay, okay." I handed him the money and stepped back. "Just take it."

"Smart choice." He put the money in his pocket.

"Ah." Two men on horses caught up to us. "Seems like you have it all handled, Arthur."

"Yup." 'Arthur' said.

The older man got off the horse and took his money. "Where are your parents, little girl?"

I didn't answer. I was cornered by three strange men, I was a scared.

"Does she speak english?" A man on the horse asked and looked at me. "Inglés?"

"I speak english." I scoffed at the dark haired man.

"And your parents?" The older man asked.

"Gone." I told him taking out my knife. "Now, back up, please."

The men put their hands up and backed up. "We ain't trynna hassle you, kid." Arthur said and I kept my guard up. "I don't care what you people are here to do. I gave the money back. Now go."

"What were you stealing the money for?" The older man asked and I gave them a hard look. "Food. What else?"

"Alright." The older man said. "My names Hosea, that's Dutch," He pointed to the man on the horse. "and this, as you know, is Arthur. Don't let him scare you." He patted Arthur's back. "He's softer than he looks."  Hosea approached me and I put my knife up. "Stay there. Do not move."

"Okay, okay." Hosea stopped. "Listen, we have a camp just North of here. We have women, and young girls your age. We got food, medicine, and protection. You'll be safe there. And more especially, fed."

"I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think it would be smart to follow three men back to their camp." I told him and he nodded. "I understand."

"Now, wait." Dutch got off the horse. He took out his gun and slid it to me. I looked down at it confused.