The Puppeteer's Assistant

Chapter 14: Bread Thief

Vanessa and Sammy had finally arrived in the small town they were hoping to find.  People were walking out and about, and there was few stands here and there, but it was not the same as the town Vanessa was in before with Lolli- which had lots more busy streets and people than this town. 

"Well, I think this is where we part ways.." Sammy says sadly. Vanessa nods and they give each other one last hug. "Will I be able to see you again..?" She asks. "Yeah.. Definitely." Sammy replies, breaking the hug.  

"Alright, well.. I wish you good luck." "I wish the same to you too, miss Vanessa." And with that, Sammy pulled up his cloak hood over his head, disappearing into the large crowds of people.

"It's sad to see him go.. But now, it's time to focus again." Vanessa thought to herself, scanning around the new area she was in. She took a quick moment to take in all the sounds of people busy on the streets, smells of fresh goods being made, and the light breeze that drifted through the area. This town made Vanessa feel a little warm inside, which was a feeling she hadn't felt in a while.

Then out of nowhere, a young boy raced past from under her dress skirt- finding herself being trampled over a group of guards. "Sorry, miss!!" The little boy yelled back, as he continued to run as fast as he could. 

Vanessa gets up and dusts herself off, watching the guards holler and blow their whistles. "GET BACK HERE, YOU THIEF!!" The captain boomed, as him and his crew went on a rampant chase after the young child. 

"Thief..?"  Vanessa thought. "Maybe I should follow them to see what's up." She began to follow after them, memories flooding her mind about when she was a small little girl. Life for her was tough as a kid, for her family and her had to pick up coins off the ground, in sewers, and sometimes in garbage cans. And once they've gotten enough coins to pay for some food, they managed to get enough for her and her family- but then they'd have to go and go scavenging all over again. Sometimes, if someone saw them, they'd feel sorry and offer their dollar bills and any loose change they had for them.

But now, that past was behind Vanessa. She can now earn her own money, and afford whatever she desired. Her parents work a hard paying job, have a roof over their head, clothes on their backs, and food on their plates. 

The boy stops to take a quick breath before fleeing away once again- and turns back towards the guards. "Can't someone get something to eat..?!" He asks. The guards were trying their best to keep up with him "Well, definitely not someone who thieves from others!" The leader responded. The kid groans and keeps on running, making turns through alley ways and through crowds of people. Vanessa on the other hand, was following after.

Finally after the massive chase, the child's legs gave out- and the guards caught him. The one guard had a hold of him by the wrist, holding him up and giving him a good scolding as the boy tried to wriggle free out of the guards grip. "Let go of me..!!" He began to cry out.

"HEY!"

The guards turned around to see Vanessa standing right in front of them, and to their dismay she did not look very happy..

"What do you have against this child, huh?" She asks. The leader straightened out his back and came up to Vanessa. "Why miss, he's been stealing other peoples food. This kid has been thieving from stands for weeks! I simply can't stand this child!" Vanessa gave him a confused look. "What's wrong with getting something to eat??"

"What's wrong, is that he has been taking food without paying for it!!" He argued. "It's just a piece of bread, relax! Plus, he didn't even get a good loaf! Why, it's burnt to a crisp!!" Vanessa points out. "What baker would have a poor loaf of bread out for they're customers to take anyways..??"

The baker took notice of this and his cheeks flushed with a rosey hue. He quietly had ducked behind the stand he was at.

"You, young child." Vanessa began, going up to the guard holding the boy who stole the bread.

"Do you happen to be.. Homeless..?"

The boy had looked down and nodded sadly, and Vanessa looks back at the guards angrily "So you mean to tell me, that you all are tormenting a homeless boy over a loaf of bread he stole- that wasn't even a good loaf of bread?!!"

The guards were flushed over by embarrassment, and the leader began to stutter, his face red as a tomato "I uh, um well.. Eh..-"

"Since you all can't be mature enough to allow this poor little boy to get food, I guess I'll have to buy it myself!" Vanessa began.

"But miss! Y-you really don't have to do that-" "Well obviously I do. Now, put him down!" She demanded.

The one guard dropped the boy down quickly, and the leader along with his troops scurried away as fast as they could, trying to avoid even more further humiliation.

"Ow.." the boy grimaces, sitting up. He took quite a drop from the guard holding him by his wrist. Then he looks up to see a hand held out to him.

"Are you alright..?" Vanessa asked.

"Y-yeah.." The kid mutters, taking her hand. Vanessa helps him up to his feet and smiles. "I'll get you some food, okay?" "Um.. Okay.."

"By the way, I'm Vanessa. What's your name?" The little boy looked down shyly and answers "I'm.. Claus.."

"Well.. It's very nice to meet you, Claus."