I run down the alley towards the chain link fence. Pop! My foot hits the top of the fence. I underestimated how high it was. OWW! My toes throb through the brand-new tennis-shoes I stole last week. I look back toward the opening of the alley. Were they still chasing me?
A policeman comes into view and I take off toward a brick wall. It's going to hurt a lot more I hit that brick wall than the chain link did. Ok, 5 feet until I get to the wall 3 feet until I need to launch. The wall's about 7 feet tall. 1, 2, 3…LAUNCH! I go airborne and I realize I'm not going to make it. I snap my wings open and push down. Up and over the wall and then dive. My feet skid on the other side of the wall. I come to a complete stop and grin. Boy are they going to have a hard time finding me. Police Officers: 0. Shadow: 1. I take off again towards and abandoned office building.
Plastered on the side of the building is a giant eagle just like the one on my arm. This is Eagle territory. I hoof it five stories up taking two stairs at a time. I had a deadline to meet. The fifth story was where the gang leader, Hydra, stayed. I knocked on the door.
“Enter”
I twist the knob and step into the raspberry scented room.
“Name?”
“Shadow.”
He sifts through a pile of papers. “Ahh, the newbie. Whatcha got for me? “ He inches his face closer to mine until we're only an inch apart. His voice reeks of cigarette, making him seem older than his 18 years.
I throw the backpack up onto the desk. “Fifty bucks, a video camera, and groceries for a week.”
He gives me a lopsided smile. “Very good. Keep the fifty, just in case you're caught. Go get yourself some new clothes. Tomorrow you’re going on that museum robbery.” He smiles at my astonished face- a robbery this big could get me to the top! “Oh and one more thing-“ he grabs me by my sides and kisses me- actually kissing is a word to good for this, what he actually does is smashes his face into mine and sticks his tongue inside my mouth , leaving me motionless under his weight-, “get some make-up for yourself. Make yourself a little prettier.”
I grab the fifty bucks, mutter a thank-you and walk out of the room.
Hydra opens the door “Find Sparrow for a makeup lesson. And that's an order, Shadow.”
Gosh. Why was life so difficult? I walk down to the 3rd story to find my friend, Tigress.
“So he kissed you?!” Tigress exclaimed.
“No kissing is too good for the way he did it. It was a little scary. He told me to grab some clothes and makeup for myself.”
“God, I hope that happens to me someday.” She tosses her blond hair over her shoulder. Her hair had lowlights that made it look, very appropriately, like a tiger's stripes. “Things for myself.” She says to herself, dreamily.
“Anyway I was hoping you could come with me on my run for some clothes and makeup.”
“Sure. It'll be fun. Plus I gotta grab some things of my own as well if you don't mind. “
“Nah, I don't mind. Just as long as you don't get caught.” I half-jokingly say.
I walk into Melissa's Emporium with Tigress and my eyes went wide. Everything in the store had Magnet Tags on them. This obviously was NOT the store to steal from.
“Yowsa!” Tigress whispers, “Shoplifters hell.”
“Yeah, tell me about it. Let's go to another store.”
After ten stores I finally had a new pair of jeans, a shirt, and some makeup to show for all of my trouble.
Tigress runs off to a couple other stores and I head back to camp. When I get there I head back up to where Hydra's office is.
I knock.
“Enter”
I walk in. “I got a shirt and jeans. Some make-up too. The Bullets are prowling the streets. I think they're trying to get some more ground.”
“Very nice. Thank you. Ready for the robbery?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good. Do you think you have the skill to do it?”
“Of course! Why wouldn't I?”
“Even better, because… you'll be going alone.”
I stand there stunned, unable to speak. Suddenly there is a great weight on my chest making it harder to breathe.
“Wa…wa…wa…what?” I stutter out.
“Valgar and Alec have dropped out. You’re the only one going. I am depending on you. A trip this size could bring lots of glory to your name. Will you do it? Or will you drop out of the gang all together? That is what it would take for you to drop out. Will you?”
“N…n…n…no sir. I mean yes sir. I mean… I'll do the robbery.”
“Very good. Tomorrow we will be in my office again, celebrating your promotion.”
“Thank you sir.” I walk out of the suddenly stuffy office and breathe again. Alone? I had never done anything of such great value before. Let alone, alone!
