Lies and Half Truths

Chapter 2: The Thief Lord

Nikita's heart jumped to her throat, her whole body tensed as it decided between a flight or fight response. She almost fell to her knees in relief when the men at the back turned to a woman trying to sneak a shirt into her bag. Seizing the moment when they were completely distracted, Nikita flew down the street, her feet slamming hard into the ground. Her breathing came in rapid bursts as she ran. Panic plus running? Not a good combination. She forced herself to slow to a walk, she would raise suspicion by running. She tried to catch her breath as she walked, at least she got a coat for Harmony, she could take the say off and spend time with her. Her body immediately relaxed when she saw the alley, again with nobody around. She slipped in, and went to the trapdoor.

* * * * *

Her senses immediately tingled as she walked through the narrow hallway. Nothing moved. She took the right into the kitchen and looked around, no sign of Harmony. "Harmony?" She called, scaring a pair of rats off in the process. Again, silence. Nikita grabbed at the shelf to steady herself as her vision got hazy. "Harmony, Harmony, Harmony." She mumbled desperately, her eyes searched the kitchen, and landed on the note. With shaking hands she picked it up.

Niki,

A stranger who claims to be The Thief Lord, and takes in orphaned children, he says he is 16 but I'm not sure, is taking me to a place that he says is safe. I am only going with him because if he found this place, who else will? He claims to be taking me to The Stella where he has orphaned children stay. If he's not a good guy, I know you'll find me and protect me. See you when you come!

Love, Harm

The Stella: if you have seen a brick movie theater with peeling paint and a worn sign, go there, that would be The Stella. If not, travel along your road until you reach a fountain, turn right onto Esol Rd. and go down a thin alleyway, when you reach a door with a bell, ring the bell exactly 3 times. I will be waiting. I will protect your sister, don't worry, she is safe with me.

The Thief Lord

Nikita's breath caught in her throat. Someone had taken her sister! Who cares if it was someone who claimed to be a kid who cares if he left directions! The asshole had kidnapped her sister! Nikita crumbled the piece of paper in her fist and threw it against the wall. It fell harmlessly to the ground. She closed her eyes and tried to recall the place he called The Stella. Without even thinking, she started running back the way she had come, she knew where it was. She had passed it multiple times when she escaped cops. Her feet walked without her telling them to, she was on autopilot. She had quite a few words for this Thief Lord and a fist to. The tip of her ears burned with rage inside of her, her blood boiled within her. Nobody took her sister, no one, ever. She broke into a run when she got out of the alleyway, fury burned inside her, she didn't care who saw her. This boy was going to get his ass kicked. When she reached the small doorway she had been told about she banged the door as hard as she could with her fist, then when no one answered, she rang the bell as hard as she could. She jumped back when the door opened. A dark haired boy stood before her, dressed in all black. His dark hair fell into his chocolate brown eyes. A smile danced in his eyes. Nikita crossed her arms and stared him down.

* * * * *

"Where the hell is my sister?" Nikita hissed, her voice dripping venom. The boy just watched her. Nikita waited, then bursted forward, she shoved the boy to the ground and ran inside the room. "Harmony!" She shouted. Her body relaxed when she saw her. "Niki!" Harmony squealed running over and throwing her arms around her. "Oh my god! Are you okay hon?" Nikita asked, her voice breaking slightly on her words, as she smoothed Harmony's hair out if her face. "I'm okay, there not mean. They gave me food. But I was scared because I didn't know who I was with." Harmony said, her eyes welling up with tears. Nikita stood up in one fluid moment, pushing her sister behind her she swept towards the boy, vengeance flooding through her. "You asshole!" She yelled, shoving him up against the wall, her arm at his neck. "Easy, easy, I was just trying to help." He choked out. "Scip!" Nikita heard a small boy yell. "Just take it easy okay, we can talk about this. I'll explain." The boy tried again, trying, without much difference, to push the girl away. "Niki! It's okay, just wait, let him talk, even though I was scared he didn't try to scare me." Harmony said trying to take a step towards her. Nikita looked at her sister. "Fine."