Thieves Among Us

Chapter Three

-Chapter Three-

6 random teenagers

6 sleeping bags

One very very awkward 'party'

Watch out for the Thieves Among Us

TARA VAYLE: TORONTO CANADA 7PM. UNNAMED HEADQUARTERS.

I spent 2 hours with the brown headed boy who I'd come to know as Ryan. 2 hours! That's got to be some kind of record. He was quite smart actually; well smart would be an understatement. He was brilliant! To actually have an engaging conversation with someone that wasn't filled with 'likes' and 'ums' was liberating! Enthralling even.

He is extremely cute too. I mean that messy hair, those dorky-ish glasses he wore when he was working, and his perfectly set jawline with just a hint of stubble all screamed handsome. Not that I was staring or anything. I wasn't staring. It's just I'm surprised that he didn't just walk out of a story. Book character guys are so my type. Easier to talk to, too.

But I digress. I was thinking this too myself as I packed for a 'fun' slumber party with the crew. Yay. Note the sarcasm. I was clearly not cut out for having human friends. No, I was much better with animals and book characters. Of course if they were all going to be like Ryan maybe it was worth it...

Then again it required effort...

Nevermind.

Finally, I was done packing. I may be living super close to the main building where they were having this thing, but I was too lazy to come back and get anything. Besides Christie said to pack. And whatever Christie says, you do.

Not that Christie scares me or anything because she doesn't. She wasn't scary, just commanding. You knew she was in charge. Still she was human. I could see myself being friends with her. More than Bree anyways.

Bree did scare me. Remember all those Barbies at your school who always made sure you weren't as pretty as they were? Take all of them combined and multiply them by about a bazillion beautiful points. Now you have Bree on a bad day. On a BAD day! How was I supposed to ever compete with that? She could probably get Ryan to be her slave just by talking to him! Talking to him! But she actually didn't seem like she really cared about looking good. Maybe it was something she just did? I wouldn't know.

I was finally ready for this party thing. This was a bad idea. I mean I'm going to walk in, and BAM! Cue the awkward. Party... Woohoo. Note the sarcasm.

BREE: TORONTO CANADA 730PM. UNNAMED HEADQUARTERS.

My sugar high finally died down about 30 minutes ago. I feel bad for bothering that poor Carter kid. He is intriguing. Mysterious, you know? Guarded was the word. Yeah guarded. Anyway we trained together for about 2 hours.

He was good looking I guess. I don't know, I mean I'm kinda over good looking. So many good looking guys came over to good looking me, and they were just that. Good looking. That's it. No substance. But this Carter guy had something. I was going to figure out what.

Sometimes I got the feeling that Christie already knew whatever it was. But I got the feeling she knew everything. Not that she made me feel dumb or anything because she didn't. No she managed to just know without making other people feel terrible. I liked that. I liked her. I think we could be friends.

That other girl, Tara, though. I'm not sure about her. She does make me feel dumb like anyone who doesn't match up to her level of genius is about as smart as a bag of rocks. I'm not actually dumb or anything contrary to popular belief. My knowledge was just more focused on safes and security systems than equations and grammar. That stuff was pretty useless in my field anyway unless it's to confuse security guards or find valuables. But I'm trying to stick to stealing from people who deserve it anyways. You know the whole Robin Hood bit; steal from the rich give to the poor and all. I was hoping this little team here would help me clean up my act. That's why I was here: To get myself together. And hey, teams were new! Being a solo act has it's advantages, but when you're only human interaction are people you're ripping off... You get what I mean.

At least I got packing out of the way. I wasn't going to do it, packing for the 'party' I mean, but I figured I might as well follow instructions for once. Still there was a super easy path through the air ducts that got me to my house thing really quickly if it came to that. Or I suppose I could just walk back to my room. But honestly where's the fun in that? Plus it would probably take longer.

We were supposed to meet Christie at 8PM sharp. It was almost 8 now. I had about 15 minutes so I decided to finish mapping out the estates hidden passageways and ducts and such. I pushed into the passage from my room, and hit something surprisingly hard. No not hard muscular.

"Um excuse you", the mysterious voice said.

"Well you don't have to be rude about it. This is my room."

"It is isn't it. Well then I'm leaving. No need to be rude about it." the voice mocked. "But I'll be back to talk to you Bree." And then it left.

I realized I had no clue who it was; no face for my mysterious voice. I ran down the passage hoping to get a glimpse of whoever. But there was nothing. Not even a footprint in the dust. It's like they never existed, like it never even happened. "I'll be back to talk to you Bree." Yeah I hope so.

CHRISTIE LEONARD: TORONTO CANADA 8PM. UNNAMED HEADQUARTERS.

I was not happy about this arrangement. Not happy at all. But according to D I had to "prove myself worthy" or something like that. Like what is this Hercules? Whatever. I did what he said. I got them all to do the little "bonding party" and frankly I think that's an accomplishment. God only knows how this will play out though. How do you get a bunch of anti-social reclusive teen geniuses with dangerous pasts and secrets to bond? Now you see my impossible task. At least everybody showed up on time.

"Well. You all showed up. That's great." I decide to break the ice since they all are just silently glaring at the walls and such. I have to do everything.

Carter looks up and glares at me. Bree seems to be enjoying bouncing up and down on the couch. Ryan looks like he's trying to sink into the chair, and Tara opens her mouth like she's going to say something but then closes it. Brian just stares at me. Like really intense uncomfortable staring. Huh, this must be what other people feel like when I stare at them. I've gotta stop doing that.

"Alright so you all already know each other from early introductions right. Still remember that?" I try to start up conversation again.

"Well yeah duh", Bree finally speaks up, "It's not exactly rocket science. And if it is I'm sure the freaky twins could figure it out." Carter nods in agreement.

Wait did she say freaky twins?

Ryan and Tara aren't gonna like that...

I sit by Brian, and watch the argument unfold. They're shouting (quite intelligent) insults at each other, and it would appear that 2 sides have formed. Carter and Bree v. Tara and Ryan. I don't know when they move on to physically fighting, with pillows of course, but it certainly is amusing. This just about ruins the whole "team bonding" deal. Or maybe not I mean a good fight has been known to bring people together right?

Hey, at least they're talking. My job's done.

Beside me Brian chuckles.

I guess I said that aloud.

A/N: This seems kinda short and kinda late. So I'm going to ask anyone who's reading: would you rather I do shorter fast chapters or longer slow chapters? I can start doing shorter ones with just one POV per chapter if you want me to get them out faster. Also the sleepover is pretty much over. There might be an overview in the next chapter but other than that the mission is about to start. Thanks for reading! And please comment, vote, etc. I really love getting feedback good or bad to improve my writing.