The Silent Thief

XXIV

XXIV

       “Um, I’m going to my room,” Jake said quietly. “Hey,” he grabbed my shoulder, “Why are you wearing my coat?”

“I…” I looked to my father then back to Jake. “I went out, simple as that.”

Jake fumed, not at all like the calm Jake just now but rather like his usual self when he was confused. “What happened to my hood?” He touched the torn part where the hood used to be. He then frantically turned me around and reached inside the pocket. “And where is the gun? Never mind that, where is my diamond?!”

I chuckled nervously, “It’s a long story?”

“Really, Grace? Well then, why don’t you tell it to me!”

I looked to my father seeing he had sat down with a sly grin on his face. Sighing, I sat back down on the bed. I told them the whole story, all the time knowing Jake was scowling above me.

When I finished I looked to my father and said, “I knew you would somewhat know about my mother, but you couldn’t know everything including what happened when you were not with her. Please don’t worry; I know God is with me.”

“I will go with you,” he answered. Before I could stop him he said, “You don’t need to tell me all the reasons why I don’t need to go with you. I wish to go not because I don’t trust you but because I wish to be with my daughter.”

I smiled before my father and I’s moment was destroyed by Jake.

“That doesn’t give me my diamond back! I worked two whole nights finding an employer to pay you that,” he complained even more.

“Jake, you sure did work hard! Now I on the other hand, had to risk my life stealing for that employer, while you sat at home waiting for me to bring you your pay check, but after all, what I did wasn’t not near as difficult as what you did.” I was mad now and Jake could tell. The whole time I spoke, I had risen from my spot and glared at Jake getting closer and closer to him. We were now glaring into each other’s eyes with our noses almost touching. I felt a hand on my arm yanking me back. It was my father.

“Calm down both of you. Do you realize how childish you are acting? First of all Jake, how do expect to rightfully keep money that was stolen. There are always consequences for your actions and it shouldn’t surprise you that what you stole would be taken from you one way or another. Second of all Grace, how stupid it is to risk your life being a thief. Both of you are very selfish. I expect that to change,” my father finished with us hanging our heads in humility.

My father handed me my mask and I thanked him.

Jake stood up. “Goodnight, Grace. And…the gun was yours anyway.”

I looked up. “Goodnight. Jake, I’m sorry.”

He walked out of the room leaving me with my father.

I hugged him tightly. He seemed surprised at first but soon returned the hug. I looked at the mask and saw it was silver.

“It’s beautiful, Father. Thank you.” I tried on the coat too and decided to leave it on. I now had a mask, a key, a coat, and a gun. I was set.

“Get some sleep, Grace. We’ll be going on an adventure tomorrow,” he teased leaving the room.

I laid on the bed thinking about everything that had happened.

*******

It must’ve been my own excitement that woke me up. It was still dark outside but I knew the sun would rise soon. I got ready and stepped out of my room to see my father, Jake, and Sir William talking to each other. They all looked up at me. I felt like the Ace I usually was, with my mask over my face, my key around my neck, and my hood over my head.