203 A.B.

(6 years before the Runner's Rebellion)

I am high above the marketplace, crouched low on the roof of an apartment building. Below me, Intacts and Fragments mill about between the stalls, selecting their goods for the week and haggling with the vendors.

A bright, red head bobs amongst the crowd, slipping fluidly between bodies, seemingly unnoticed by the horde. I keep my eyes peeled for anyone who may be taking notice, taking advantage of my vantage point and studying the scene with a practiced eye.

Kay's target is lingering by a glassblower's stall. He wanders aimlessly, picking up an item here and there, chatting amiably with the glass merchant and laughing uproariously at something the blower says. Kay takes her time in sidling up to him, lingering several steps behind for a few moments, sizing him up and taking note of where he stores his purse, just like we rehearsed.

I watch the merchant, the mark and the crowd around them, plotting my route down to the ground in case I need to step in and cause a distraction. When Kay finally strikes it is so quick that I nearly miss it. One moment she is brushing by the customer, and in the next she has disappeared back into the throng. I watch her for a few seconds longer, ensuring that no one has noticed her before moving to the side of the building and clambering down into the alley below.

Kay appears around the corner, a wide smile stretched across her pointed features. She tosses the purse over to me and I catch it deftly, grinning at the sound of tinkling coins.

"Were you watching?" She asks, fairly hopping from foot to foot.

"Of course, I was." I tell her, shaking my head at her display of childish energy. "You did great."

A shadow falls across us as Edmun enters the alley. He holds out his hand expectantly and I return the purse to him.

"Edmun, did you notice me at all?" Kay asks.

Edmun counts out the coins in the worn leather purse, casting me a suspicious look. I shove him back and he laughs, stuffing the purse into the pocket of his vest.

"No, I didn't notice you, you little thief." Edmun ruffles Kay's hair fondly and her grin widens. "Even though I knew you were coming, I never felt a thing."

"See, Frye?" Kay nudges me with the toe of her boot. "I'm ready."

I glance back and forth between my sister and my best friend. It's difficult to argue with her; a week of practice has yielded some pretty promising results. Kay has proven herself a quick study, and my climbing skills have markedly improved. By keeping a constant, eagle-eyed view on her actions, I am fairly confidant that if anything were to go wrong, I could swoop in and get her out.

My gut twists ominously. Kay is a willing participant in this half-cocked scheme, but I can't help the lingering warning of guilt I feel at introducing my little sister to a life of crime. What would Dad say if he knew what we were up to?

These days, it's difficult to imagine Dad having much of anything to say about Kay and my activities. Between the double shifts he's picked up at the quarry and Ma's worsening health, he hasn't had the time nor energy to monitor us, except to ensure that I am keeping my job at the dye factory. As far as he is concerned, his kids have managed to stay out of trouble for an entire week. A new record.

"Can we try it for real?" Kay asks, breaking through my thoughts. "I can do it."

I release a breath of air between my teeth and push a hand through my unruly hair. "I don't know, sis. Maybe we should practice on Edmun, one more time."

"Come on, Frye." She whines. "We've practiced over and over. When are we going to do this for real?"

I look to Edmun. He shrugs, a half-grin pulling at his face. "I don't know what to tell you, mate. I think she's got it."

"Fine." I say, slowly. "You know, I'm not much a fan of being the responsible one. It doesn't seem to fit quite right."

"It's all right, you're learning." Kay says, cheerfully. Then, rubbing her hands together. "So, are we going to do this, right now?"

"I guess so." I cast a furtive glance at Edmun. "You'll keep lookout for her?"

"Won't let her out of my sight." Edmun promises as Kay rolls her eyes exaggeratedly.

"Can we just go, already?" With her arms crossed and tapping her foot impatiently, she looks like a miniature version of Ma.

"Yes, all right." I take a step towards the wall. "Remember, slow and careful. Don't rush."

"I know, I remember."

"Good luck." I give her my sternest look before jumping up and grabbing hold of a protruding brick. Edmun and Kay stroll back out into the marketplace while I pick my way up to the roof, my eyes plotting out my path as I pull myself higher and higher.

My heart thuds heavily in my chest while I arrange myself behind the roof's ledge. The top of Edmun and Kay's heads come into view, pressing together for a moment before they go their separate ways. Edmun strolls casually in one direction while Kay begins to circle the crowd, searching for a target.

She takes her time, passing by several richly-dressed Intacts before settling on an older, overweight woman. I watch as she tails the woman from stall to stall, drawing close and backing off while she guages where the woman's purse is kept. I dart my eyes around the crowd surrounding her but no one seems to have taken any notice of the raggedy Fragment girl in their midst.

Finally, when I think that I will pass out from holding my breath, Kay sidles up behind the woman, jostling her and holding up her hands apologetically. The Intact woman sneers as Kay darts away and I can feel a smile tugging at my cheeks. She's done it.

I've created the perfect thief.

Kay is all smiles when we congregate back in the alley, holding up an embroidered purse triumphantly before shaking its contents into my outstretched hand. I count out the gold coins, my eyes widening as I sort through them. I can't believe it, in just a few minutes we have managed to earn more than Dad does after an entire day's work at the quarry.

Well, perhaps the word 'earn' isn't quite accurate.

Kay beams up at me as I stuff the stolen money into my pocket and toss the empty purse into the shadows. "Well?"

"You did good, kiddo." I pull her to my side, giving her a tight squeeze. "I'm impressed."

"I told you I could do it." Her voice is muffled and she shoves me back, craning her neck to look up at me. "Can we go again?"

I laugh, shaking my head as Edmun joins us in the alley. "No way. We need to distance ourselves from the scene for a little while." I drum my fingers against my chin, trying with some effort to adopt a stern expression. "In fact, I think we should make that one of our rules."

"I shall add it to the list." Edmun mimes scribbling on a piece of paper. "Rule number one, always leave the scene of a crime immediately after pilfering."

"Good, good." I nod approvingly. "I would like to add to that. Take this down."

Kay boosts herself into a sitting position on top of a crate while Edmun pretends to wet the end of his invisible pen, standing poised while I dictate.

"Rule number two. Blend." I gesture in the direction of the marketplace. "We must always look as though we belong. No one should have any reason to question our intentions." Waggling my eyebrows. "As questionable as they may be."

Kay nods somberly, her eyes wide as she watches me with rapt attention.

"Rule number three. We will never take more than we need, and nothing so obvious that it would be missed immediately." I rub a hand over the back of my neck, thinking. "We'll be less likely to be caught if we take only small items, and don't let ourselves get greedy."

"Good one." Edmun says approvingly. "No one wants to bother frying a small fish."

I give him a strange look. "Where did you hear that expression? When in the last two hundred years has anyone eaten a fish?"

He shrugs, grinning. "It's just a turn of phrase."

"Whatever." I wave my hands dismissively. "Rule number three is don't be too large a fish, or something like that."

"You two should teach a class." Kay giggles.

"That reminds me. Rule number four. We tell no one what it is we are doing." I look back and forth between Kay and Edmun. "This stays between us. I mean it."

Edmun straightens and gives a mock-salute but Kay frowns, her brow furrowing. "How are you going to explain to Dad where we got the extra money?"

"I'm going to tell him that Huey has started to pay me for my work at the dye factory." The weight of the stolen coins in my pocket suddenly feels conspicuously heavy. "He doesn't need to know what we're really doing."

Kay bites her lip but doesn't disagree. "Anything else?"

"I think one last rule oughta do it." At this, I give my little sister a meaningful look, trying with some effort to appear as serious as possible. "Rule number five. We never act alone."

"We're a team." Kay echos.

"That's right." I place myself between her and Edmun, slinging an arm around each of their shoulders. "We look out for each other. If one of us goes down, we all go down."

"Such a vote of confidence." Edmun remarks. "Is it too late to change sides?"

"Yes." I slug him in the arm. "You're on our team now, mate."

Edmun groans, rolling his head back exaggeratedly. "Oh gods, we're doomed."

"Not to worry." I tell him, cheerfully. "No guard in this City stands a chance of catching the Knight siblings."

"I don't envy them the task." Edmun reaches past me to poke Kay in the ribs. She squeals, jumping away and laughing.

"Neither do I." I agree, shaking my head and smiling at the two of them.

"Well, I vote that we end this day on a high note." Edmun inclines his head down the alley, back towards the smithy. "Want to grab a drink?"

"Absolutely." I pat Kay on the shoulder as I stride past her. "See you at home, kid."

"Wait." She looks confused, her wide-eyed gaze darting back and forth between myself and Edmun. "Can't I come with you?"

"Not this time." I say dismissively. "Why don't you go see what some of your friends are up to?"

I feel a jolt of guilt when I see the expression on her face, but dismiss it almost immediately. It's one thing to keep my little sister around when we are pickpocketing, but another to let her tag along when I'm drinking with my friends. A guy has to have boundaries, after all.

"See you later, little Red." Edmun waves goodbye as I steer him back down the alley.

I pull one of the coins out of my pocket as we walk, holding it up and rotating it, admiring the way the sun reflects off its gold exterior.

"Shouldn't we have invited your sister to come along with us?" Edmun looks back over his shoulder.

"Nah, she'll be fine." I toss the coin into the air, spinning in place and catching it behind my back. "It's good for her to learn some boundaries. Kay can't be tagging along with her older brother her whole life."

* * * * *

"Excuse me, Miss. Would you like a hand with that?" I step out from behind Lara, taking the sack of wet fabric from her and slinging it across my back.

"Thank you." Lara flashes me her winning smile, allowing me to fall into step next to her while we make our way across the factory floor.

"Any excuse to display my manly strength." I make a show of hiking the sack further up my shoulder. "Is it working? Are you impressed?"

"I'm sorry to tell you this, Frye, but it's going to take a bit more than hefting some heavy bag to impress me."

Gods, she's so dismissive. I love it.

"All right, then. What does it take?" I press, moving closer so that my arm brushes against hers. "You don't seem like the type for flowers."

She laughs at that. "No, I suppose I'm not."

"Shall I recite you a poem, then perhaps? Or maybe I should compose an opus to your beauty." Having reached the far end of the factory, I dump the sack of fabric unceremoniously on the cart while Lara begins to fill a new sack with the undyed material.

"An opus would hardly be necessary. I think a ballad would suffice." She says lightly, her tone teasing.

I grin at her, leaning up against the cart as I wipe my forehead with my kerchief. "All right, you caught me. I'm no musician."

"No? What are you, then?" She straightens, pushing her golden-blonde hair back behind her ears. "Besides a public menace?"

"I like to think of myself as a curator." I lean in closer. "A purveyor of finery, if you will."

She quirks one perfectly-arched eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"My talents for acquiring the rare and beautiful cannot be matched." I keep my eyes locked with hers so that she won't miss the meaning of my words. "Maybe there is some bauble you desire?"

"Really?" She fingers the smooth skin at her throat, her blue eyes practically dancing.

My grin widens. "I'm not promising you anything, mind. I just thought you might be interested to know that you are dealing with a very talented individual."

She chews fetchingly on her bottom look, considering me. "Well, Frye. I have to admit, you are full of surprises."

"You haven't seen anything, yet." I wink.

At that moment a whistle sounds, signalling the end of our shift.

I straighten, pushing my hair off of my forehead. "That's my cue. I'll talk to you tomorrow?"

"Sure."

I take care to look unhurried as I stroll back across the factory floor, hanging my heavy leather apron on its peg by the door and stepping out into the cool night air. As I break into a light jog I smile to myself, replaying the interaction with Lara over and over in my mind. I could not have asked for that to go better.

I make it home in record time. Pushing open the door of our dillapated flat, I am immediately greeted by a flurry of activity and a dark, choking cloud of smoke.

"What the-?" I prop the door open and dart inside, snatching a cushion off the couch and helping my sister and father to wave the smoke through the open windows.

"Sorry! Sorry!" My father's face is bright red behind his bushy beard. "I muddied up supper, a bit."

Between the three of us, we finally manage to clear the room of smoke, but the scent of burnt food still hangs heavy in the air. My father disappears back into the kitchen, mumbling a stream of curses under his breath while Kay and I take our places around the small table, exchanging nervous looks.

Dad emerges a moment later, carrying a platter of some unidentifiable substance covered in black char. I fight the urge to wrinkle my nose as he places it down between us, poking the side of the mass experimentally.

While Dad goes to fetch Ma, I lean across the table towards Kay, whispering. "Quick, chuck it out the window before he comes back."

She snorts with laughter, but manages to pull a straight face by the time our parents reappear, Dad helping Ma to her seat and making a show of laying a cloth across her lap. She shoos him away, swatting him playfully on the arm.

I watch them out of the corner of my eye. Ma has grown noticeably paler over the past month, her warm eyes slightly sunken and ringed with shadows. Despite being relatively healthy, Dad doesn't look much better.

"All right." Dad picks up his knife. "I think we are all fully aware of what we are in for. So, if anyone has a smart comment to make, now is the time to say it." He looks at each of us in turn, raising his brows in challenge.

"Were you feeling a bit chilly, dear?" Ma asks.

"It can't taste any worse than it looks." Kay chimes in.

Dad gives an exaggerated sigh, looking over at me expectantly.

"I wasn't going to say anything." I shrug, not bothering to hide my grin. "I knew already that you liked your meat well done."

He hits me lightly on the back of my head, laughing. We eat our meal amongst the usual riotous chatter, with Kay and Dad arguing good-naturedly over some book, and Ma chucking fondly. I notice her suppressing a cough a couple of times and I finger the coin purse at my waist subconsciously.

When we've finished supper, Kay moves to help Ma back to her room while I give Dad a hand with the dishes, expertly stacking the plates in one hand and wiping the table clear of crumbs.

"You all right, Dad?" I ask.

He hands me a towel, indicating that I should dry while he scrubs the dishes in the basin of water.

"Yeah, I'm all right. A bit tired, but fine."

"I have good news." I blurt, unable to contain myself any longer.

He pauses in his washing, looking over at me.

"Huey's decided that my debt's been repaid and he's started paying me." I tug the coin purse free of my belt, holding it out to him.

Dad takes the purse from me, tipping the coins into his hand, frowning as he counts them.

"Huey gave you all this?" He says, slowly.

I nod, lying smoothly. "Some of it is back-pay. He isn't really such a bad guy, you know."

When Dad glances up, suspicion is written clearly across his ruddy features. I suppress the urge to gulp, meeting his gaze head-on.

"I know you've been working yourself ragged at the quarry, Dad." I choose my words carefully. "I want to help pay for Ma's medicine." I look down at his gold-filled palm and back up. "That's enough, isn't it?"

His fingers furl around the coins and he lowers his hand to his side. "For now, this is enough. Yes."

"Good." I give him a small smile, reaching into the washbasin and withdrawing the forgotten plate. I dry it efficiently, stacking it on the counter as I wait for him to say something else.

"Frye." My father's voice is low.

I look up, waiting.

He still appears tired, but I notice the hint of the old spark in his green eyes. "You're being careful, I take it?"

I nod. "Yes, sir."

"And your sister?" He glances out into the hallway, checking that the coast is clear before turning his attention back to me. "You're looking out for her?"

"Yes, sir."

He pauses another moment before releasing a shaky sigh, clapping a heavy hand down on my shoulder. "Thank you, son."

I pat him awkwardly on his beefy wrist. "It's nothing, Dad. Just family."

He returns his gaze to the dishes, rubbing absently at a particularly stubborn bit of char. We work together in companionable silence, each adrift in our own thoughts. I find myself standing up a little straighter and notice for the first time that I am nearly the same height as Dad. He always seemed larger-than-life to me, it is strange to find myself shoulder-to-shoulder with him.

"It isn't always going to be like this." When he speaks again, his voice is so low that I barely hear him. "I am going to find a way to make things better for us."

My brow furrows. "What do you mean?"

"I think that we can change things." He puts down the plate he was scrubbing and turns to look at me fully. "You were right when you said that it could be done. If I can get together enough people that feel the same way, we can make our voices heard."

I find myself nodding along with him, a slow smile creeping its way across my face. "You think so?"

His expression is solemn but his eyes twinkle with that familiar fire. "It isn't fair, what they do to us, Frye. Our lot shouldn't be punished so severely for making the choices we were forced into. If I do one thing with my life, it's going to be making sure that you and your sister aren't limited by this world."

I feel a sudden swell of pride and respect for my father. I never should have doubted that he would want anything less than the very best for this family. Seeing the way he runs himself ragged, working double shifts while caring for Ma, Kay and I, hardens my resolve. The coins we stole today were a pittance, just the tip of the iceberg. Dad's right, it isn't fair; this world we live in. By liberating the Intacts of their riches, we are essentially evening the playing field. We are freeing up Dad to organize a rebellion and restoring balance to our City.

For the first time in my life, I feel certain of my direction, dishonourable as it may be.

"Let's just you and me both keep our heads down, all right?" Dad shoots me one of his trademark glares, the one that ensures I understand the precise meaning behind his words.

I tilt my head. "Yes, sir."

* * * * *

I guess Ma was right all along; if I channel my energy into one thing, I can be quite successful at it.

Unfortunately for my dear old Ma, the thing I have decided to focus on is thievery.

Over the next several weeks, Kay and I have become uncannily skilled in our marketplace pickpocketing scheme. Dad accepts our earnings without question and Ma seems to be on the mend. Still though, I can't escape this nagging feeling that we could be doing better, scoring bigger.

I convince Huey, the dye mill owner, to switch my shifts to the night, so that Kay and I can spend more time loitering in the streets, picking targets and refining our craft. The new schedule means that I barely see Lara, but one less distraction means that my tentative plan to kick the game up a notch, to raise the stakes, begins to solidify itself in my mind.

Gradually, I gain the pieces I need to carry through a plan to relieve someone of their jewels. I trawl the darkest corners of the Fragment sector and locate Mo, a pawnshop owner who agrees to deal without questions and is all-too-eager to receive some Intact goods. I also make my first foray into an Intact house, entering by climbing up the side of the building and swinging in through an upper-storey window.

I remember the way my heart hammered heavily in my chest, the combination of fear and adrenaline coursing through me and spearing me onwards. I located the bedchamber fairly quickly and darted over to the wardrobe, snatching up a pair of trousers, vest and shirt. The clothes don't fit perfectly and I realized later that I neglected to lift a pair of boots, so for now I'll just have to hope that no one looks too closely.

Today is the day that I finally decide to enact the plan. I wake bright and early, dressing in my finery and carefully setting my hair before crossing the narrow hallway and rousing Kay.

"Get lost, Frye. It's barely light out." She grumbles into her pillow.

"Sure, I'll get out of here." I sink down onto the edge of her cot. "But that means I won't get to show you a surprise."

One green eye blinks sleepily up at me. "A surprise?"

"A new trick." I wag my eyebrows at her playfully and she sits up, suddenly alert.

"What are you wearing?"

I glance down at my vest and trousers. "A suit. Suits me, doesn't it?"

"You look like an Intact."

"Good." I stand up. "That's the idea. Get dressed, we're going out."

While I wait in the main room, I make a vain effort to rub the dirt stains off my old boots. Kay appears a few moments later, her hair sticking up at all angles in her hurry to get ready. I incline my head and we head out, circling down the spiral staircase and emerging on the street.

We jog towards the market, finally pausing in one of our familiar alleyways. I adjust my vest and hair, wiping my trousers free of the dust I picked up while running.

"Well? What's the surprise?" Kay asks, fairly brimming with agitation. "Are you going to tell me why you're dressed like that?"

"Today, you're not going to take people's purses." I say, patiently. "We're going to look for something else."

"What?"

"Jewelry." I wave my fingers exaggeratedly as I say the word and her face lights up. I can practically see the visions of shining stones and metals reflected in her wide-eyed stare.

"Good." She crosses her arms. "I was starting to get bored."

I laugh, shaking my head as I reach into my pocket and withdraw the tool Edmun leant me, handing it over to Kay.

"What's this?" She asks, turning the instrument in her hands, furrowing her brow while she examines it.

"You use it to cut through metal. It's like a very strong pair of scissors. Look." I show her how to use the pliers. "You just need to make sure you catch anything you cut through. Drop a necklace or a bracelet and they'll notice it's gone right away."

"Got it." She says, her pinched face serious as she tucks the pliers into her belt. "So, why the ugly outfit?"

"You told me it was the young Intact ladies who wear the gaudiest jewelry." I straighten, pulling the vest more tightly across my chest. "And young ladies just so happen to be my specialty."

She rolls her eyes. "So, you're my distraction."

"I prefer gentleman charmer, but call it what you will." I throw her a haughty wink. "You ready to go out there?"

"Of course, I am. The question is, are you?" She quirks one eyebrow before taking a step back, signalling that I should step out first.

The cheek with this one, honestly. I brush past her, drawing my shoulders back and pasting a boredlook on my face as I enter the throng. I glance about casually, adjusting the style of my gait to the confidant amble I've seen so many of those stuckup Intacts use. As I walk I sweep my eyes over the crowd, sizing up the attributes of each potential candidate before I make my final selection.

The lucky lady is a dark-haired waif. She lingers by a bookmakers stall, picking up a discarding the frayed copies, seemingly at random. I sidle up, selecting a thick volume and pretending to examine it, watching her out of the corner of my eye.

She glances up and I lower the book, shooting her my most charming smile. The girl immediately colours, her eyes darting away. I take advantage of the opportunity to admire the thin gold bangle circling her wrist. Expensive green stones sparkle under the early sun and I allow my grin to widen, leaning in towards her.

"What are you reading?" I ask.

"Oh." She stammers. "I wasn't, I was just...looking."

"Looking for something, but you aren't sure what." I turn back to the stall, thumbing through the titles. "I'm sure there's a certain genre that you're interested in."

Looking back at her, I can see that I've captured her full attention. Perfect.

My fingers find a particular book and I pull it free, spinning back to face her. "Perhaps, a romance?"

Her pale cheeks redden further and she laughs, an awkward, high-pitched trill. I suppress a shudder, laughing along with her. Past her, I can make out a glimpse of a familiar red head bobbing from the fringes of the crowd. I deliberately tear my eyes away, bringing my full attention to the girl.

She brings her hand up to brush a lock of hair behind her ear. Her bracelet catches the light of the sun conspicuously as she bats her eyelashes at me. "I'm not much of a reader, really. I think they're a bit of a waste of time." She pushes her hair back again but this time, her wrist is conspicuously unadorned.

Hmm. Dad would probably not approve of this one. I'd better cut her loose.

"That's just as well. Someone as pretty as you doesn't need to be troubling herself with some silly old words." I draw the conversation out, giving Kay ample time to create some distance between herself and the girl.

The dark-haired girl releases that shrill laugh again and I barely manage to keep from cringing.

"Well, gorgeous. I'd love to stay and continue this conversation, but unfortunately I have a prior commitment." I press the romance novel into her hand, keeping her eyes locked with mine. I can practically feel her trembling as she takes the book from me and I allow myself a small grin. It's almost too easy. "I'll be seeing you around."

Without another word I stride away, heading in the opposite direction of Kay. I keep my steps slow and deliberate, feeling myself become absorbed by the swelling crowd. As soon as I am able I slip into an alley, doubling back and winding my way through the side streets, eventually emerging back in the narrow passage where my sister is waiting for me.

The pleased expression on her face tells me everything I need to know. I laugh, pulling her to me in a tight hug, ruffling her messy hair. The bracelet changes everything, and not only because of the handsome price it will fetch once I pawn it. The successful theft of this bracelet opens up another world of possibility, another thorn stuck into the elitist Intact agenda as well as another opportunity for Dad to push his rebellion forward.

Kay and I spend the afternoon jogging through the back alleys and pulling our distraction stunt in the far corners of the Intact sectors. We are careful to stick to the five rules set out when we first began.

Distance yourself. Blend. Don't get greedy. Tell no one. Look out for one another.

With a foolproof system and the unbeatable combination of Kay and my skills, there's no way we can fail.

When we finally call it quits for the day, the pouch at my waist is full to bursting. My heart lifts with the anticipation of visiting Mo at the pawnshop first thing tomorrow morning. I can just imagine how pleased he'll be with our haul.

"Crap, it's getting late." I frown as I glance up, noticing the position of the sun. "I promised Edmun I'd meet him at the pub."

I don't miss the look crossing Kay's face. "Can't you stay out a bit longer?"

"And do what?" I ask.

"Well..." Her sharp gaze darts up the side of the building next to us. "I was hoping you could show me how to climb, the way you do."

I smirk. "You were, were you?"

"The way I figure it, it's in your best interest to teach me." She widens her eyes, the picture of innocence. "Either that, or I do it myself, without supervision."

I release an exaggerated sigh but dutifully slip the fine vest off of my shoulders, making a show of rolling up my sleeves to my elbows. "Where did you learn to pull such dirty tactics?"

"Where do you think?" She rubs her hands together in anticipation, all traces of disappointment forgotten. "Go on, big brother. Show me what to do."

* * * * *

Our jewlery scheme turns out to be immensely profitable and Kay and I fall into a routine of frequenting the Intact sector, moving quickly and stealthily amongst our unsuspecting victims and liberating whatever we can get our grubby hands on.

The roofs become our personal domain. Kay proves herself as quick a study at climbing as she did at pickpocketing and together we learn to retreat high above the City, invisible to everyone on the ground. We grow bold, leaping from roof to roof across the narrow alleyways, disappearing and reappearing at will.

Whatever questions Ma and Dad have about our activities, they keep to themselves. Dad is able to pay for Ma's medicine and cut back on his shifts at the quarry, instead using the time to host small, hushed meetings with various Fragments around our rickety kitchen table. There is a new spring in Dad's step, a kind of youthful determination that I haven't seen in him for awhile.

For the first time, things are beginning to look up for the Knight family.

I am wandering aimlessly through the market, hands thrust into my pockets while I keep one eye on the swarms of people milling around me. Dressed in my Intact finest, I fit right in. An easy smile is pasted on my face as I skirt around the fringes, taking stock of the assortment of young ladies and considering their glittering adornments.

No display of precious metal or rare gem, however, can compare to the beauty of the sight before me.

Lara is up ahead, a shopping bag slung over one arm as she peruses a fruit stall. I quicken my pace, weaving my way between the throng and making my way towards her.

She turns at my approach, tilting her head and placing one hand on her hip as I draw up next to her.

"Well, hello there." She says. "Don't you look nice."

"Thank you." I grin, making a show of buffing my nails on my vest. "And it hardly needs to be said, but so do you."

Her pillowy lips pull into a slow smile. "I haven't seen you in awhile. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me."

"Impossible." I tell her. "I've just been a bit busy, lately. You know, family stuff."

"Sure, sure."

"Speaking of which..." I reach past her, snatching Kay's wrist and pulling her to my side.

Kay stiffens with shock, allowing herself to be dragged past Lara and staring up at her with wide green eyes. She recovers her wits a second later, hiding the pair of pliers behind her back and pasting a smile on her face.

"Kay, this is my friend, Lara. Lara, this is Kay."

"Your sister, clearly." Lara reaches her hand forward, grasping Kay's small palm and shaking it warmly. "Pleased to meet you, Kay."

"Yeah, likewise." Kay withdraws her hand, studying Lara with an unbridled curiosity.

"Kay and I were just out running some errands." I tell Lara by way of conversation, slinging my arm around my sister's shoulder and ruffling her hair. Kay pushes me away in annoyance.

"Curating, right?" Lara arches one eyebrow knowingly.

My grin widens. "That's right. You remembered."

"So, Kay." Lara ignores me, turning her attention to my sister. "Has Frye always been so full of himself?"

Kay snorts with laughter, nodding eagerly. "Always. Dad says that he rivals the desert for abundance of hot air."

"All right, all right." I raise my hands in surrender. "No need to gang up on the handsome guy with impeccable taste. He has it hard enough, as it is."

"Of course, you do." Lara rolls her eyes at Kay, prompting another fit of giggles from my sister.

"Hey, what are you doing, right now?" I ask.

Lara tilts her head and a lock of blonde hair brushes her tanned shoulder. "I'm shopping."

"Come out with me."

"Is that a request, or a demand?"

"A bit of both." I shrug, noncommittally. "If you can think of a reason why two, good-looking, hard-working people shouldn't shirk their responsibilities and have a bit of fun, I'm happy to hear it."

That gets a sincere laugh from her. "You don't give up, do you?"

"One of the byproducts of being full of hot air, I'm afraid."

"All right."

My brows shoot up in surprise. "Really?"

"But, Frye." Someone tugs on my sleeve and I look down at Kay. "I thought we were going to visit the Intact district today?" She asks, pointedly.

"We can do that another time." I ignore her, flashing Lara another smile. "I'll see you back at the flat."

I extend my elbow to Lara and she slips her arm through, falling into step next to me.

"Run on home, Kay." I call over my shoulder. "Stay out of trouble."

"Your little sister is really cute." Lara remarks as we stroll back through the market.

"Don't let that fool you." I glance once over my shoulder, but Kay has already disappeared back into the crowd. "She's got more cheek than anyone I've ever met, and a temper that would rival a King."

"Well, I don't know about the rest of it, but she certainly gets her cheek from you."

I buy us each a sweet roll from the baker's cart, flipping a coin to my mate, Harry. He eyes Lara's figure approvingly, giving me a thumbs-up when her back is turned.

As we walk she tells me about her job in the dye factory.

"So, do you like working there?" I ask.

"I do, actually." She tears off a bit of her roll, popping the morsel in her mouth. "I enjoy the artistry of it. Taking those plain fabrics and making them into something beautiful."

"I never thought about it like that." I say, considering.

She releases that easy smile. "Sometimes, Huey lets me mix up my own batch of colours."

"Really? I'd like to see them."

Lara starts, looking up at me. "See what? My colours?"

"Yeah." I laugh at the expression on her face. "Is that so strange? I think it's interesting, what you do."

She studies me for a moment longer, before giving a small shake of her head and returning her attention to her meal. "You continue to surprise me, Frye."

"Right back at you."

Our conversation continues aimlessly and before I know it, the sun has sunk low in the sky and the shadows are cast long across the narrow streets. I glance up the side of the building next to us, my eyes reflexively picking out a route to the roof. An idea suddenly comes to mind and I glance over at Lara. Something must have shown on my face because her eyebrows raise in question.

"What is it?" She asks, apprehension clear in her tone.

"You're not scared of heights, are you?"

She shakes her head, slowly.

"Good." I grin. "Follow me."

I lead her down a side street, selecting a building with a rickety wooden staircase grafted onto its exterior. I place one foot on the lowest step, looking back at Lara.

She pauses for only a moment, before gamely slinging the skirt of her dress over one arm and dropping her shopping bag on the ground. I offer my hand and she takes it, allowing me to escort her up the narrow staircase.

We emerge in the glare of late afternoon sunlight. I incline my head and she follows me to the ledge, sinking down next to me. After a moment of hesitation, she sets her chin and swings her legs out so that they're dangling over the side of the building.

I don't have to feign being impressed. She shoots me that haughty smile, turning her gaze the admire the view.

"Not bad, eh?" I ask.

"It's beautiful."

It is. The sun is hovering directly behind the Palace's highest spear, sending a spray of golden rays out in every direction. The marketplace hums below us, gradually winding down after a long day of activity. This is my favourite hour, and there is no one I would rather share it with.

"So, do you bring all the girls up here?" Lara asks.

"Nope, you're the first." I look over at her. "But if you like it, I will definitely be trying this again."

She laughs. "Yes, I'd say that any girl would melt over this."

"The thing of it is, I'm not interested in just any girl." I scoot closer.

A slow smile spreads across her face. "I have to admit, Frye. You really pulled out all the stops."

"Not all." I reach into the pouch at my waist, making a careful selection and withdrawing a delicate silver necklace.

Lara gasps, a high colour rising to her cheeks as I hold it out to her. "Oh my gods, Frye."

"I told you that I had a talent for acquiring beautiful things." I tell her. "I want you to have this."

Her dark blue eyes flick from the necklace and back up to me. Without a word she reaches forward, tucking the chain pack into the palm of my hand and curling my fingers around it.

I look down at my clenched fist, confused.

"You don't like it?" I ask.

"It's beautiful, but I don't want you to think that you need to give me gifts in order to impress me." She gives me that coy smile, again. "I just like the fact that you're full of surprises."

And since the sun was hitting the Palace just right, and because Lara looked so beautiful in the late afternoon glow, I leaned forward and kissed her.

A commotion sounds from below and we draw apart. Her brow furrow as she leans down to look further over the ledge. "What's going on?"

I follow her gaze. A crowd has gathered near one of the stalls and angry voices are shouting over one another. I can see several guards pushing their way through the throng and my heart begins to hammer heavily in my chest. I straighten, straining to see through the throng.

Then, I see it. That flash of our trademark auburn hair.

"It's Kay." I hear myself saying. "It's my sister."

Without another word I vault myself over the ledge, somewhere in the recesses of my mind registering Lara's shriek. I ignore her, clambering down the side of the building faster than I ever have before.

I hit the ground hard and take off for the mob, pushing my way through the tightly-packed crowd, shouting and shoving my way up to Kay.

I find her surrounded by the pulsing masses, one skinny arm held firmly by a Palace guard while a handful more shout orders at the angry crowd, yelling at them to keep back. An elderly Intact woman is screeching at the top of her lungs, waving what appears to be a broken bracelet in the face of the captain.

Cursing, I shove my way to the front of the crowd, placing myself between the Intact woman and the captain.

"That's my sister." I tell him. "Let her go."

He barely gives me a cursory glance. "Sorry, mate. She's been caught red-handed."

"Little thief tried to take my bracelet!" The old woman screeches over the captain's shoulder at Kay. "Think you're above the law, do you? Take her hands!"

The crowd, mostly Fragments, surges forward and the guards withdraw their swords. I exchange a look with Kay. She is white as a sheet, fairly shaking in the guard's grasp. She tugs once and he squeezes tighter, eliciting an angry whimper from her.

"Stop!" I shout, but can barely hear myself over the barrage of protestations and allegations. "She's just a kid!"

The captain shoves me back and I fall hard, barely managing to roll out of the way before I am trampled. I spring up again, once more shoving myself forward, at the same time reaching for the pouch at my waist.

"You don't want her." I shoulder my way back in front of the captain, thrusting out a fistful of stolen jewelry.

His eyes widen and I hear Kay shouting from behind him. I ignore her, standing my ground and tipping the rest of the pouch over the dusty ground, defiantly spilling the precious gems. I watch the captain carefully, waiting.

He glances up, the expression on his face changing at once from bewilderment to a malicious glare.

"Let her go." I tell him. "It's me you want."

"No, Frye!" Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Kay kicking out at the guard holding her. He stands stock-still, also waiting for the order.

"All right." The captain says, eventually, his eyes never leaving my face. "Take this one, instead."

At once, my arms are seized and forced behind my back. I grimace as my wrists are lashed securely, straining to see through the surging bodies.

Kay appears in front of me, her green eyes brimming with tears as she hugs me around the neck.

"I'm sorry, Frye." Her voice is strangled, muffled by my shoulder. "I thought I was quicker. I wanted to prove it to you."

"It's all right, I'm not angry." I tell her, leaning my head on top of hers. "I'm sorry, too."

"What's going to happen to you?" She sniffles.

"They'll send me to the Wastelands." I sense our time is running short and speak quickly, nudging her so that she'll look up at me. "It'll be fine. I'll toughen up out there and be back before you know it."

"You don't need to toughen up." She runs a hand across her eyes. "You're already tough."

"So are you." I tell her.

Someone makes to pull Kay back but she shakes them off, throwing her arms around me again.

"Listen to me, Kay. This isn't your fault, all right?" I tell her, forcefully. "I got you into this. You've been nothing but amazing, and I'm proud of you."

She chokes again and we are finally torn apart. I feel myself being heaved backwards and nearly stumble, righting myself for long enough to glance back towards my sister.

Kay shakes off the guard again and darts to the side. A minute later I look to the roofs, unable to stop my lips from twitching when I see the small shadow running and jumping across the narrow alleys.

She follows us nearly all the way to the Palace, perching on the last roof and watching from a distance. We exchange one last look, a promise to always do right by each other. Any fear I may feel is at once replaced by a steely resolve.

I meant it, when I told Kay that I wasn't mad. In many ways, this turnout felt somewhat inevitable. Perhaps I should be upset, but despite all of my mistakes and the unfortunate combination of my greed and selfishness, I can be unquestionably certain of one thing.

I took care of my family.

=====

Author's Note:

Hello, my lovelies! I hope that you've been enjoying The Burn, so far! I've really been loving writing from the perspectives of some other characters :) This one was a bit long, it's difficult to contain our Kay's backstory, and I really wanted to give you an idea of who Frye is (was).

Just a quick note, The Wastelands has only two chapters left! I can't believe how quickly it's gone by...the ending has been so hard to write, but I am really excited to share it with you guys. Once The Wastelands is over, I will continue to do weekly updates of The Burn, so feel free to leave your requests for who you'd like to learn more about!

Finally, there will be a book 3 of The Runner Series! Stick around, I'll post more details on my Twitter account (twitter.com/RunnerSeries) and in my Author's Notes on The Burn.

As always, thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to read my stories! I know I gush about it all the time, but I feel as though I could never say enough to properly thank you for all of the support you guys have shown me :) Writing the Runner Series has been an absolute blast, and it's all thanks to you, beautiful, wonderful readers.

Enough mushy stuff. I hope you enjoy the ending of The Wastelands!

xx

Kate