Winged Ones

Chapter 4

I slowed down as I neared the leatherworking store, taking note of places to hide and routes to run away if I get caught. There were empty stalls all along the street as there always is except on market day, when they are filled with people and goods. There were a few small alleys that I knew led to parralel streets that I could easily confuse a pursuer with. I didn't really want to steal, but I feel that is it nessecary and I may make it up to the owner in the future, but probably not. Oh well. Time to go for it.

I pushed open the door to the windowless shop, hearing a bell tinkle to announce my presence. The shopkeeper was an ancient-looking man who seemed to be asleep, thus he didn't appear to have noticed me yet. I debated if I should try and stay unnoticed or wake him up; If I don't wake him up and he wakes up on his own I can just say I didn't want to disturb him, but I'll have to find the belt myself. If I do wake him up he can help me find the perfect one, but it will be harder to steal it. I think I'll just let him sleep for now.

I looked around the dark shop and saw a rack with loads of different belts hanging off it among the rest of the clutter. I carefully made my way towards the rack, trying to avoid making any sounds. I looked carfully at all the belts, searching for one with pouches. I could see a few with one soft leather pouch, but not several. There must be extras somwhere around here. I carefully undid one of the belts that had a pouch, admiring the beautifully shaped buckle. I checked to make sure that the old man was still asleep and started searching around the shop for some extra pouches. after a few minutes of nervously searching the shelves that covered the walls I noticed that the desk the old man was sitting at had a shelf on the front, and there were things that looked like the pouches I was looking for. Damn, why do they have to be so close to the man? 

I crouched down and crept over, mindful of my school bag on my back. Yes, those were the pouches alright! I threaded another 5 pouches onto the belt, making it 6 in total. I grabbed another 4 and carfully crammed them in to my school bag, spares are always good. I looked at the belt, trying to figure out how to get it out of here without being noticed. I can't put it in my schoolbag, it won't fit and i can't wear it around my waist either. Hmmm... Got it! 

I knelt on one knee and wraped the belt around my thigh, just above the knee, and did it up. I have never before been so thankful for my long drab school skirt in my life. I stood up and surveyed myself, noting that it was almost invisible. I walked carefully back out the door and when the little bell rang I dodged out of sight and began walking down the street, my heart hammering in my chest. I think I did it! I refrained from running the rest of the way home, knowing that my skirt may fly up and reveal the belt if I ran.

I reached home 10 minutes later, and since I ran to the shop I wasn't late enough to arise suspicion. I went straight to my room and chucked my school bag on my desk and undid the belt, noting that it had left red marks on my thigh. I stuffed it in my cluttered wardrobe, making sure it was at the bottom of the stack. I heard a little meow and was very confused for a split second and then I remembered.

"Dusk!" I spun around to find the kitten on my bed, looking at me expectantly. I gently picked him up and sat down on my bed, cradling him in one of my arms and patting him with the other. He almost immediately began purring loudly. We sat there for a long time, just enjoying each other's company. I eventually decided I had things to do, and lay Dusk down on my bed. He continued purring, so I take it he wasn't too mad at me for stopping patting him. 

I unpacked my school bag, transfering the extra pouches into my packed travelling backpack. I chucked my PE clothes into the laundry hamper, noting the grass stains from when I got knocked down. Now that I think of it, everything started hurting again. Damn. Maybe a nice hot bath will ease my pain, or at least be nice and relaxing. I grabbed my pajyamas(just an oversized shirt and some cotton shorts really), some fresh underwear, my comb and my tube of moisturisor and headed to the bathroom. I dumped everything in there and set the bath running. While it was filling up I went to the kitchen and grabbed another two tins of tuna for Dusk, one for tonight and one for when I leave if he comes with me. I went back to check on the bath and saw that it was half full, so I shut the door and slowly striped, mindful of my shoulder. I dumped my dirty clothes in the hamper and gingerly stepped in to the bath. It was really hot, but in a pleasant way. I slowly lowered myself in and sighed in happieness. It did help, a lot. While I waited for the bath to fill the rest of the way up I unraveled my braid. My hair was wavy from it, but as soon as it got wet the waves went out of it. 

The bath was as full as I wanted it to be so I turned off the taps and started to comb my hair, mainly using my uninjured left arm. Luckily I am left-handed and my right side was the one to get hurt. It took me 10 minutes to get all the knots out of my hair. I then decided to lay down in the bath and daydream for a bit before washing my hair, as the shampoo makes the water funny.

A while later I'd finished my daydreaming, and started washing my hair with one hand. It took a bit longer than usual but it was kind of fun for a challenge. I ducked my head underwater to rinse out the shampoo, massaging it out. I also conditioned my hair, brushing it through then rinsing it out in the same manner as the shampoo. I felt a lot better now that I'd been soaking for a while which is good. I pulled out the plug and waited until the water had drained before getting out and wrapping myself in my fluffy black towel. I dried myself off, put on my comfy pajyamas and moisturised my legs. I barely ever do but I figured I may as well today, since I won't be able to after tomorow. I kept sitting in the bathroom, and thought for a minute.

The markets will be open after school tomorow, and I can hopefully get my bow then. I'll leave in the middle of the night and be well out of here by morning. I am so looking forward to it so much, I don't know if I'll be able to sleep well tonight. Oh well, it's probably time for dinner soon so I'd better get out of here now. I went to my room and out the comb, moisturiser and towel back in their rightful places and petted Dusk for a second on the way. 

"Ella, it's dinnertime!" My mum called from the kitchen. 

"Be right there!" I opened a can of tuna and tipped it out into Dusk's food bowl. He quickly came over and started munching the tuna. I hope he doesn't eat too fast and give himself indigestion! I went out to the dining room, shutting the door to my room when I went out. I sat down and noted that there were only two places set at the table. Dad must be working late today, phew! Mum came over and placed a bowl of pasta soup in front of me. 

"Thanks mum, this looks great!" I say, then start eating it ravenously. She just smiled softly in response.

When I had finished my dinner I took my bowl to the kitchen and washed it up before going to brush my teeth. I was actually feeling strangely tired, so I got into bed as soon as I'd finished cleaning my teeth. On my way to bed I picked up Dusk and gave him a cuddle, hoping that he would stay with me tonight as well. I lay down in bed and set Dusk down on my stomach again after pulling the covers up.

"Will you stay with me tonight again Dusk? I hope so."

He meowed at me and purred, which was quite soothing. I felt my eyelids dropping and my mind wandering off, and I let it go and fell asleep.

Author's note

Hi everyone, hope you enjoyed the chapter :) As always, please comment to let me know what you thought and give it a vote if you think it's worthy.

Stay sharp and live true,

~Ellania