Afraid

Chapter 12

The three of them walked along a deserted street, headed to Central Park. The shops around them were full of expensive jewelry and Rayla couldn't help but examine the gems.

She leaned against the window to get a closer look at a necklace. It's intricate design drew her to it. The chain was short and the multiple small diamonds rested along the chain, causing them to twist and sparkle in an enchanting way.

Newt laughed softly at her actions.

"Rayla, are you coming?"

She looked over at the two men, waiting for her, then back at the necklace longingly.

"Yeah, I am."

She tore herself away from the necklace and jogged over to join them. The three of them continued on. Newt scanned the cases for any small movements as they walked in an awkward silence before he decided to fill it.

"I was watching you at dinner. People like you, don't they, Mr. Kowalski?"

Jacob, clearly surprised, slightly stumbled over his words.

"Oh, well, I'm- I'm sure people like you too, huh?

Casually Newt replied, "No, not really. I annoy people."

Rayla lightly bumped him. "Not true. I like you. You don't annoy me, either."

A light blush grew on his cheeks as he smiled slightly. "Oh."

Jacob smiled at the banter between the two. They clearly liked each other, but neither would admit it. Newt cleared his throat, "So, why did you decide to be a baker?"

"Well, because I'm dying in that canning factory. Everyone there's dying. It just crushed the life outta you. You like canned food?"

"No."

Rayla gagged in disgust, making her companions laugh.

"Anyway, me neither. That's why I want to make pastries, you know. It makes people happy," he looks to the right, "We're going this way."

They all head to the right.

"So did you get your loan?"

"Er, no. I ain't got no collateral. Stayed in the army too long apparently. I don't know."

"You fought in the war?"

"Of course I fought in the war, everyone fought in the war. You didn't fight in the war?"

"I worked mostly with dragon, Ukrainian Ironbellies, Eastern Front."

Rayla gasped, "Dragons? I've always wanted to see one in person."

Newt suddenly stopped, looking at an earring on a car. He looked downward, diamonds littering the ground, leaving a trail to a particular shop.

Crouching slightly, Newt slowly moves to the shop. He creeped past some windows, when something catches his eye. He takes a step back and looked into the window. There he saw the Niffler with jewels on his little arm, trying to pass off as a jewelry stand.

Panting, the Niffler looks at Newt, who is staring at the creature in disbelief. The two of them make eye contact. The Niffler suddenly takes off, rushing further back into the shop, away from Newt.

Newt whips out his wand and points it at the window.

"Finestra."

The window shattered, allowing Newt to jump inside and start chasing after the furry thief.

Jacob and Rayla watch from the street. Jacob, nervous, because to someone who didn't know what was really happening, it appeared that Newt was robbing the store. Rayla was greatly amused by the whole scene.

Newt and the Niffler were hanging onto opposite sides of a chandelier as it swung wildly.

"This is not going to end well."

Jacob nodded in agreement.

A latch on Newt's case flicks open and a roar came from the depths of the case. Jacob looked at it fearfully as Newt and the Niffler climb a case that falls, landing on the window. The two of them freeze, watching as a crack crawled across the window.

Jacob took a deep breath and closed the latch. At the same moment, the window burst open, the jewelry case, Newt and the Niffler tumbled to the ground.

The Niffler immediately took off. Thinking fast, Rayla drew her wand and pointed it at the Niffler.

"Accio!"

Seemingly in slow motion, and the Niffler flew back to them, jewelry flying out of its pouch. The three of them move through the flying jewelry to grab the Niffler.

Having seen the shiniest display yet, the Niffler grabbed a lamppost while passing and flung himself to the magnificent display.

Newt cast a spell to the window, turning the class to a sticky jelly and finally catching the adorable trouble maker.

"All right, happy?"

He pulled the Niffler from the window.

"One down, two to go."

He starts to shake jewelry from the Niffler's pocket. Rayla turned her head slightly. "What's that sound?"

Police cars pull up and aimed their guns at the three of them.

Jacob threw his hands up in surrender and pointed down the street.

"They went that way officer."

"Do you really think they're going to believe that? We're covered in jewelry for heaven's sake!"

"Hands up!"

The Niffler poked his head out from the confinement of Newt's coat and squeaked. An officer noticed him. "What the hell is that?"

Jacob looked to the left, his face contorted in terror.

"Lion."

In unison the officers looked over and aimed their guns down the street.

Perplexed, Newt and Rayla turned to look also and saw a lion stalking toward them.

"You know, New York is considerably more interesting that I'd expected."

"Agreed."

Before the cops could look back, Rayla grabbed the two men and Disapparated.