Elude

A Legendary Thief?

"What?" I ask.

"They have no leader, and they're probably freaking out about you guys leaving," he says. "Do you think Jace has taken care of everything?"

"Yeah," I decide. "Someone will check in there, now everyone has heard about what's inside."

"What's it like there?" he asks. "You're technically the leader, so maybe they can help."

"They won't be any use," I say. "The adults never walk. The kids do, though. They go through some pretty intense schooling, lots of focus on physica-"

"Exactly," Caelan says. "Let's send someone out tomorrow to take care of Jace. We should go back to Allegan and take some rooms in the luxury apartments. Unless you want to sleep in a prison."

"I'll pass on the prison."

• • •

I walk down the hall to the elevators in Allegan's nicest apartment building.

"Mr. Emerson!" someone shouts from behind me. "Is it true that you're Allegan's new leader?"

"What does it look like?" I snap.
I get in the elevator, scan the pass labeled 12 that I picked up from the front desk. The elevator takes me to the penthouse, a room that takes up the entire top floor.

The doors roll open and my eyes widen. This place is nice. Really nice. The floors are smooth and shiny, and on the left, there's a massive bed sits across from a giant TV. A door slightly ajar reveals a large bathroom. On the right, there's an open closet filled with clothes and shoes, as well as a white leather couch.

I walk into the bathroom, turn on the sink, and splash cold water over my face. The water going down the drain is pretty dirty. Wow. I'm a mess. I walk out of the bathroom and notice that my clothes are covered in dirt.

I pull my shirt off, then I hear a ding and footsteps. I turn around and see Caelan standing there. "Hi," he says.

"Why are you in my room?" I ask. He holds up a pass with 12 written on it. "Why can you go in mine but not the other way around?"

"We're scheduled for an interview on a talk show in an hour," he says, ignoring my last comment, and then adds: "You should probably shower."

"What do I wear?" I ask. "Can--"

"No long sleeves," he says. "But dress casually."

"Not even jeans?" I plead.

"I really don't think that's a good idea," he says. "Seriously, why do you care so much? I don't think I've ever seen you wear shorts."

"It's been a while, I guess," I say.

"Mhm. Ten years is quite some time."

"Do you really want to be reminded of what you did?" I say and cross my arms.

He rolls his eyes. "Fine. Wear jeans. But short sleeves are a must."

"Changing clothes is too much work," I complain. "Why should I take off my shirt and put on another one?"

"Matthew, you aren't wearing a shirt."

"Right," I say. "I forgot."

He turns and goes back in the elevator. I shower and put on a black T-shirt and dark jeans, then boots.

Caelan is already there when I reach the lobby. "All black," he says. "Nice." We don't really talk much on the walk to the studio.

• • •

After the applause dies down, the host, Aidan, starts to talk. "I'd like to welcome Caelan Prince and Matthew Emerson!" More applause commences as we walk onto the set and sit down.

My heart is pounding but I manage a smile. "Welcome," Aidan says. "So, Matthew, you've been in a place called "The Dome" for the past few years. Can you tell us about it?"

"It would have been fine if I could have left," I say, looking at Aidan. "Jace Exlyn kept me in there. He forced me to do what he says, and if I didn't, well..."

"What?" Aidan presses.

"He'd whip me, punch me, tase me..." I say.

"Caelan, you look pretty surprised," Aidan says. "Did you know this?"

"No, I didn't," Caelan says and gives me a look. Aidan laughs, and so does the audience. "And I don't know why he didn't tell me."

"It does appear that Mr. Emerson has been a bit moody lately," Aidan says. Behind us on a projector screen, footage starts to play of the encounter earlier today. I watch as I snap at someone and then get in the elevator.

"I've been a bit... Stressed?" I say, which causes even more laughter.

"I suppose we can forgive you," Aidan says with a grin. "Now, the country has been wondering something for many years that has never been answered."

"And what would that be?" I ask, dreading the answer. I have a feeling I know.

"Rumors have been going around that you're a cyborg," he says. "It's a suspicion that has never been confirmed."

"I can, um, confirm that," I say, and there are many audible gasps. Everyone is probably staring at my hand. I nervously toy with the glove.

"Could you.." Aidan starts. I nod and pull off the glove, and the metal gleams under the harsh light. "Does that ever stop you from doing things?"

"Nice wording," Caelan says.

"All the time," I say, pretending Caelan didn't say anything. "It helps that I'm a lefty."

"What does it prevent you from doing?" he says.

"Well, fighting hand to hand is easier, but I'm not very agile," I say.

"Because...?" Aidan asks.

"It's my leg, too," I say, hoping that my face isn't bright red. "That's why I have a limp. And I can't run as fast."

"What an understatement," Caelan remarks to Aidan. "He's so slow it's almost comical."

"And that is an overstatement," I say. "Still, that's your fault."

"No, it's not!" Caelan says. "For the record, you tripped and fell into that fire. I did not push you."

More gasps.

"It's your fault the fire was there," I say. "And I didn't trip! You shoved me!"

"Now, now," Aidan says. "Would you both tell us your opinion on Jace Exlyn? He's been very bitter lately."

"He hates me, I hate him," I say. "What else is there to it?"

For some reason, Caelan is silent. "Caelan?" Aidan prompts. "There's something you're not telling us."

Caelan looks up. "Yeah," he says. "There is. A long time ago, I met Jace. I was awed by him. Who wasn't? He was a legendary thief, a master of disguise. When he asked, of course I agreed to be his apprentice for a year."