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Alley Thief

Patiently, Aravi Arora waited for Asha to return. The young apprentice's older sister was busy with more jobs involving werewolves, something that she had working on for a long time. Although Asha had only recently become hunter for the mission, she had helped that project ever since she was an apprentice. And that was her choice. Aravi didn't understand her sister sometimes (Wouldn't she get bored of the same mission for years on end?).

Honestly, Aravi didn't understand why it was such a big deal to get Matchitehew, one of the first werewolves, under lock and key; but it had to be done, at least according to Asha.

Shifting restlessly, the girl continued to wait for Asha to come pick her up. She had tucked herself into a small, snug cubby of her cramped Headquarters room. It was a strange spot to be, but to Aravi, it was comfortable and the soundproof material helped block out unnecessary noise.

Aravi was waiting because she had received a message from her sister that informed her that she had a job that Aravi could help her with. And since the younger girl was still an apprentice, every mission she took part in brought her one step closer to completion of her apprenticeship.

For what must have been the hundredth time, Aravi checked the message.

Ari, I have a job that you can help me with (it's more of a retrieving job, I'll explain later). I'll be at the apprentice quarters at 11.

It was twenty past eleven when Asha finally arrived.

***

Luma woke up at midnight with a strange feeling of dread.

She rose up in her bed, tight with nerves, trying to adjust to the smothering darkness.

Unknown to Luma, she was not the only one in the old and crumbling room in the shadows of Lalaland's Underneath.

Asha and Aravi were there as well, and they were here to take Luma back to Headquarters for questioning.

Kinglyn had glimpsed something suspicious while able to briefly view Mark's memories, and the best way to investigate this would be to meet Luma herself.

And perhaps interrogate her. Like I have said, there are ways to get information from someone. Indeed, one of the more powerful ways was used on Mark.

But nevermind that. There are far more interesting things to narrate than methods of retrieving information, most important being Luma's situation.

Just as Luma brushed away her suspicious thoughts, the two sisters decided to strike.

Aravi, with her careful aim, shot the arrow. It was small, just a dart really, but it was tipped with a concoction of mushrooms that resulted in heavy sleep. Even so, Luma mumbled something, and rolled over in her sleep.

Asha, quick and light, leaped over to Luma with a thin silver chain in her hand. It resembled the chains Luma and Mark had seen back in the alleyways of Lalaland, but thinner and shinier in color.

After Asha had bound the sleeping girl up, using the combined strength of the two sisters, Luma was picked up and transported to outside of the house. There, Asha had parked the Portacar, a black car-like contraption that allows for both normal driving and teleportation. The shining paint, large sun-roof and bonus of weaponry made the car both Asha and Aravi's favorite.

They loaded into the car, Asha at the wheel, and the other two in back, and began driving until- BOOM! Asha activated the teleportation, and the Portacar and it's contents swirled into a void similar to the one Luma and Mark experienced when they when entered Lalaland.

Back to Headquarters, Luma, Aravi, and Asha, the alley thief.

***

When Luma woke up, she had a strange sensation of déjà vu. Even though she was absolutely certain that she had never woken to find herself in a cramped little room with gray walls and a metallic door, looking around, she could have sworn that she recognized the place. Even the intricate sensor and locks on the door were familiar.

However, although Luma felt as though she'd been to this place before, she had absolutely no idea what was going on.

"How in the world did I get here?" she muttered to herself.

Standing up, Luma gathered her russet hair out of her face and brushed down her filthy emerald dress.

Despite being a fairly impatient and demanding girl, Luma was surprising calm as she inspected the room. Her already pale skin had paled further, and she seemed to be in a state of shock or fear. Since she wasn't conscious when Asha and Aravi had 'removed' her, so she had little to no idea what was happening. But if she had to guess, it probably would have something to do with Mark, or 'Matchitehew', as the strange note had said.

Checking her pockets, Luma realized that the notes and wallet were still in there. She seemed untouched, except for the fact that she was in a completely different place.

Or not... Luma dared to hope that it was just a dream. She knew she was lying to herself, but she was scared.

Oh, who am I kidding! Of course it's real. Sighing, Luma turned her thoughts back to En and Marge.

What will En and Marge think, for me to go and disappear just like that? I must find a way to tell them that I didn't mean to. I didn't mean any of this. Meeting Mark, exploring Lalaland, and now here!

Swallowing back tears, Luma tried not to think about it. About any of it, because in all honesty, Luma had seen it all as a game. Real but safe. And at the end she'd be back home safe with her parents and sister. Unable to hold back anymore, she began crying at the thought of her family.

All along her journey, she had tried to ignore it: the creeping pain of homesickness. Her parents, Lynx and Ema. Her sister, Cassidie.

She had distracted herself with what was in front of her, the people, the magic, and the adventure. And it had worked until now, until all she had was the thoughts in her head. And the memories. The shard storm. Cassidie. How Luma been swept away from her sister by the vicious storm-filled waves.

She stood there, tears dripping down her face in the small confinement, hoping it was just a dream like she had thought just minutes ago.

But deep inside, Luma knew that every single moment was real. Even the strange dream she had experienced back on the mountain that seemed so very long ago.

So what if it's not a dream? Luma thought to herself, trying to be brave. I've managed until now, surely I can continue to manage.

Wiping the tears from her face, Luma mentally prepared herself, knowing that the reasons as to why she was in the cold cell would most likely shock her.

But with all her preparation, she still wasn't ready for the mental blow that would hit her.

A/N: Well, that's over with. It's been a while, huh? I got into a writing slump, and I think I've thoroughly confused any potential readers. But it'll all make sense eventually, I promise. Any feedback or just general comments would be highly appreciated!