Growing up a Thief

Chapter 2: I Saw Something Amazing

      I got lucky; when I pushed my way through the door my arm cut open on the frame. It's bleeding a lot but it doesn't look too deep and I think I can patch it up with the first aid kit back in my office. I frantically begin cleaning up, knowing that if the guards come back and see blood they may search the property or worse call the cops. After I finish undoing any damage I've done, I grab the keys and make my escape back to the office to clean my battle wound.

     Sleeping now has become a bit of a challenge, my arm is throbbing and every noise I hear makes me jump out of my skin. Paranoia sets in and I obsess over whether or not I cleaned up the crime scene well enough. If the guards do somehow manage to catch on to my little living arrangement, they will surely call the cops and I can't let that happen. Ever since the night my parents died I have been utterly terrified of the police, although I try not to think about what happened. When they came knocking on Amy's door, they were so cold and emotionless. They took me away like I was someone they just caught and not someone who was too young to comprehend the situation. 

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     A few days have passed since I took the keys and something strange is happening in my head. I'm starting to look at rich people differently; my envy has turned into curiosity. Almost in the same way you see a cat stalking potential prey, even if it knows it is too small to take down its target. Walking the streets now has turned into a game for me; the last few days I have spent most of my mornings following old guys in suits watching them like a hawk.

     As I make my way down the stairs heading into the subway I start to hear Joey playing his makeshift drum set, made mostly of buckets and old plastic pipping. When I get to the last step I feel someone rush by me, quickly followed by a man in a blue blazer with matching pants who knocks me down out of his way. "Someone stop him", the man yells as he chases after the guy half his age and clearly in much better shape. "He... he's got my suitcase," the man says as he stops, gasping for air. 

     Joey runs up to me, drumstick still in hand. "James, you okay buddy?" he asks genuinely.

     "I'm good. What's that all about?" I ask with obvious curiosity.

     "Looks like money bags got jacked," Joey answers with a grin. 

     Out of nowhere, another guy, about the same age as the one who took the suitcase, comes jogging up to the man in the suit with a briefcase in hand. Although it's too loud to hear what they are saying, it is clear the business man is grateful. Then as he leans in to give the young man an awkward hug, I see something that I will never forget, the guy who saved the day reaching into the older man's jacket, taking out a large black wallet. Seemingly unaware the man he just hugged was robbing him, he gives him a few more words in gratitude and then walks away. The young man walks in the other direction, looking back smirking as he turns the corner to likely meet up with his accomplice. 

     After I see him turn the corner I bump fists with Joey and run after them. Trying not to be spotted, I creep up behind a concrete pillar and peek around the corner, waiting for them to make their next move. I see them go into a train car just as the doors are starting to shut and I run to the doors, hoping to make it. I end up making it in between the train doors just in time before they close, which makes me feel like I'm in some cheesy chick flick. Luckily they did not notice me stumble onto the train. I begin studying their every move, trying not to look too sinister. 

     After about five minutes of on and off staring, I realize that I have no idea what train I have managed to get on. I have no clue as to which direction it's even going in and it's starting to get late. My foot begins tapping. I look down at my hands and they are starting to shake. I try to keep myself calm, taking in deep breaths, trying to get up the nerve to go talk to them. Finally, as if I had no control over my legs, I stand and walk towards the two young men. I finally make the trek over to them, as if those ten feet became ten blocks. 

     "Uhh... can we help you, kid?" the bearded one asks, tilting his head around his friend. 

     "I... I... could you show me?" I blurt out like they just performed a magic trick and I'm an awestruck fan.

     "What?" the man replies; his friend is just sitting there with his eyes closed, shaking his head.

     "I saw y..." I try and speak and get cut off.

     The man that was once quiet stands up and grabs me by my jacket, pinning me up against the pole. "What, exactly, did you see, you little shit?" 

     "Taylor, chill, he's just a kid," the man with the beard calmly says as he puts his hand on the guy's shoulder. "Talk, kid."

     "I saw everything, can you show me?" I say with genuine hope in my voice. 

     "Hmm... seems like we got ourselves a fan, Taylor," the bearded man says, with an intrigued smile on his face.