"Wait, what?" I asked.

"You need us to steal for you?" Theo said.

"Essentially."

Theo's jaw tightened. "What exactly did you have in mind?"

"Oh, just some gold."

"Theo, are you really considering stealing from someone?"

Flynn turned to me, "Oh don't worry hun, this someone's a real jackass, he deserves it."

"And why's that?" Theo asked.

"Cares about nothing but money. Doesn't matter who gets in the way. I just wanna give him a taste of his own medicine."

"Why do you need our help?" Theo said.

"Lives in the inner circle, robbing from anyone in their is seemingly impossible for a small group. But I might be able to pull it off with a couple of Arikans."

Theo sat in silence for a moment, then said, "What's the plan?"

"Theo!"

"What?"

"Aren't we going to talk about this first?"

"There's nothing to talk about."

"So we're just gonna go off and steal for him?!"

"If that's what it takes to get him to help us, than yes. Besides we'd already agreed on it."

"That doesn't make it right."

"Yes, but it makes it necessary."

I tightened my lips. I knew he was right, but it still seemed wrong.

Theo signaled for Flynn to begin talking, and he explained the plan to us in full detail.

Afterwards, I did a mental recap. We would be at the inner circle of the city by the evening, and he has some note to get us into the gate with a cart of hay. Discarding the cart in the street, we make our move at night fall. We'll enter over the wall at a blind spot, and Flynn will take out any of the guards that might be on patrol on the wall. Then we would split up, Theo and I inside stealing the gold, while Flynn went and created a distraction.

Flynn had made a sketch of mine and Theo's route through the house, including some hiding spots.

"How do you know so much about the inside of the house?" I asked.

"And why is it that you want to rob this particular man?" Theo added.

"It doesn't matter. All that matters is that you two get the gold from the basement and up to the back door."

"What happened to the money from there? " I asked.

"Don't worry about it, all you need to focus on is getting it to the door. I've got the rest covered. Now, Skyler, I'll show you how to tie the bags together."

He picked up two bags that were filled. Weighing them a bit, he began cutting some slits into the fabric of the bags, and looped a rope through them. After tying off a couple knots, he created a sling on his shoulder with a bag at either end. He took it off his shoulder, and slung it over Theo's.

"How many of these do you think you could carry?" Flynn asked.

Theo held the rope, estimating the weight of the two bags. "About eight or nine bags." Flynn nodded to himself in thought.

"You two need to memorize this map, and Sky, you practice making the bag slings. There's some more bags and rope by that chest. I have some business to attend to, in the mean time, memorize that map." And then he was gone.

The quick air Flynn held cascaded down into a solemn silence, a transition that would make anyone uncomfortable. It all made me restless and uncertain as to where tonight would lead.

I looked up at Theo examining my still standing disapproval for his decision, in my face. He was frowning slightly before looking down to the map with a calm face, ignoring me and my opinion. I walked over and put my hand over the scribbled map he was leaned over. Lifting his head slowly, he said, "Yes?" Even hunched over a desk, he still stood taller than me. I found myself straightening my back to a board.

"You know what."

He moved my hand from the map, and continued examining it.

"Theo." When he went on with ignoring me, my lips tightened. "There's probably another option you aren't looking at. It doesn't feel right to steal for him."

"If you would like to add something to the table go for it, but if you don't, we stick with this. It's a way to get him to come willingly."

"You forced me."

"You seemed easier to persuade. Him, on the other hand, just seems stubborn."

"What do you mean I seemed easier to persuade?"

"I don't know... I just had a feeling, and it turned out to be true. You trust too easy. But back to the point, Flynn seems more cautious than you."

I sighed. There wasn't much I could think of that involved Flynn coming at his own will. Well, Flynn did say the man we are robbing isn't a good man. But then again, it was said by a thief.

"You say I trust too easy? How do you know we can trust him?"

He finally looked up at me. "I don't."

"So your going to blindly do what he says?"

"No, I'm staying cautious, but remember that we need him. We need to help him before he'll help us."

I sat down on the rickety chair and propped my chin on my fist, staring off in thought.

How would tonight be? What if something went wrong? Will Flynn hold to his word? My mind continued to explore questions, when I decided to, for the moment, stop worrying about the future, and focused on the present.

I looked at Theo who was watching me with a softness in his eyes. With that look, my heart quickened as his eyes held mine in a still, brief moment. He cleared his throat, and quickly focused on the map again. It all suddenly turned quiet, even the birds were silent in the moment. I drummed my fingers against the table, then looked over at the bags and rope. I need to move.

***

The next hours were spent becoming a master at tying bags together, and memorizing the map inside and out. Flynn eventually showed up again late afternoon, and instantly got started run through of the plan. When evening came, I was ready for the day to be over with, but pushed forward into the final stage; the heist.

Ready with everything we needed, Flynn blindfolded us for the second time. After a stumbled walk through the woods, our eyes were unveiled to a large stone wall at the edge of the woods. It appeared to be the outer wall of the city, but the problem was, there wasn't a gate.

"Um... Flynn, how are we going to get past the wall?" I asked while he was tying a black band around his head, hiding his ears. He pointed down to a hole in the wall that had been dug away at. "There's no way we could fit through that!"

"Don't worry, we'll get past." Flynn said tying a long thick stick to some rope.

"Why didn't we go to the front gate?" Theo asked.

"Let's just say, I have a bit of a rocky relationship with guards there." Chucking the stick over the wall, and handed off the rope to Theo. A gleam of crimson light appeared as Flynn transformed into a fiery Fox with black at the end of his ears and tail. He climbed through the hole and then shouted over the wall, "Climb the rope over."

"You first," Theo said then handed the rope to me. I reached the top of the wall and stared off into shimmering blue water. We were near the shore of the lake, which lays at the base of a large hill crowned with buildings. Theo got up beside me, taking in the view.

"Com'on, lets go." Flynn called up. I climbed down, then Theo jumped down after.

With the proper coverage, we headed into town at the shore of the small lake, which was built on docks clawing at the water. Though the scene from the wall was beautiful, the people looked broken down, hanging on to the scraps they had. Unfinished houses lined narrow streets, where toothpick children scavenged for food. Women cleaned up what they could, as if brushing away the clouds from the bit of sun light they had. My eyes focused on the path ahead, afraid to catch anyone's eyes knowing the overwhelming guilt of having that would come rushing through. I'd seen small bits of poverty, but nothing to this extent.

I looked up at Theo, who's face was hard. It was emotionless, trying to focus on the task at hand. My gaze then switch to Flynn, and I was taken aback. In the short time I'd known Flynn, his face has been soft with playful gleam. But this was rock, and not empty like Theo's, burning with fire. I wondered if he had lived here once.

We continued along side a river that flew into the lake. The river ran down the hill, and as we ascended the hill into a second ring of the city, we had reach the middle class. Unlike the lower ring, the streets were lively with the hum of everyday life. Though the streets were cluttered with people, it was still apparent this ring was smaller then the other.

Flynn led us away from the bustling main street, to a fairly vacant road. On the cobbled path lay a wagon full of straw. A man leaned casually against the wagon with a large straw hat blocking the bright afternoon sun. His bored gaze shifted to Flynn and brightened up.

He tipped his hat to Flynn, "Good afternoon, sir. It's here, as promised," The man patted his hand against the wagon. "Now, as you promised." He held out his hand expectantly, then Flynn trickled a few coins into the mans hand. The man inspected the coins greedily before giving Flynn a nod and a smile, "Good doing business with you, sir." He shuffled out of the street.

"Now get in the stack."

"Excuse me?" Theo asked

"I said, get in the hay. It's part of the plan"

"What purpose does it serve?"

"It's part of getting into the into the inner circle." Flynn pulled out a paper and held it in front of Theo. "This will get us through the gate, but its a one man entry. So, get in the stack." Flynn finished with a small grin. Theo ran his eyes over the paper then narrowed his eyes doe on Flynn.

"Fine."

Theo and I climbed into the pile, and found it difficult to not jump right back out with the scratch. The cart began to move around the city, then I heard Flynn whisper back to us. "Make sure to hold still. We're approaching the gate." Soon the cart came to a halt, and I could here a man voice.

"Isn't it a little late be doing businesses?"

"It's been a rough day, just finishing my final delivery."

"Better be quick, the suns almost down."

I heard the rumble of the gates opening, and Flynn said a quick thank you before driving on. We had made it in. "You can come out now." Flynn said coming to a stop. Theo and I popped up out of the hay. Jumping down, we began brushing ourselves off.

"Am I good?" I asked Theo. He brushed one out of my hair. "Perfect," He smiled.

"Thanks." I turned, attempting to calm my heart. I looked at Flynn who just rolled his eyes and walked off.

"Come here you two." I readjusted my cloak and walked over to Flynn who was leaning against the corner of a building. "See down the street there, that's our target. We'll climb the wall down there in a moment when the suns down."

"You sure this is gonna work?" I said surveying the guards stationed near the entrance.

"Everything will go as planned. No need to be nervous."

"Yeah 'cause I go around preforming heists in other worlds all the time. No need to be nervous."

Theo put his hand on my shoulder, "We'll be fine."

"If you say so."

"Really?" Flynn said, "Okay lets head out."

We snuck around the buildings to the wall. I noticed a hole similar to the one on the outer wall. Flynn held his finger to his mouth, as the sound of foot prints nearing the wall. Flynn listened for the right timing, transformed into a fox, and squeezed through the hole.

"Aye!" A couple of grunts were heard until silence. Flynn tossed the rope over again.

"Hurry over!"

I climbed over, and landed in a small garden that was nourished by the rain. Flynn pulled me down behind bush that was hiding two unconscious men as well as us. Theo joined us rolling up the rope, and handed it to Flynn who tucked it in a bag quickly.

"Here's where I leave you. Wait here for the signal before going in, and use that entrance there. A friend will be there to help you with the gold Theo. And, last of all, what ever you do, don't get caught." He plopped his bag in front of me, and finished with, "Good luck," before dashing off towards the stables.

***

After leaving Theo and Sky, I had no problem reaching my destination. In the stables, I knelt beside the hay, and pulled out my flint. Scraping and scraping, no spark would come. "Come on," I urged on. "Just spark." I was taking too long. Those two will be caught if I don't get this distraction started. "Work already!" Sparks jumped, well more like flames bursting from the stone. Jumping back, I threw the flint. The fire danced with the hay, and the horses frightened shadows loomed on the wall. I stared in awe at the flames, wondering how the flames could've lept from the flint like that. Shaking my head, I focused on the task.

Opening the stalls, I released the restless horses who where etching their hoof prints in the ground. I watched as the horses ran rampant, and I smiled. Guards and servants rushed from their post towards the commotion. Shock lit up in their eyes as the stables began to go down in flames. A few drew closer to the barn to inspect it, while others ran for water. Just a little closer. Once the guards where in range, I dashed from the burning barn.

"Hey, stop!" A guard shouted. The three bulky men chased me, until I hit dead end at a wall. "Surrender, you've got no where to run."

I whipped out two knives. "Guess I'll just have to fight my way out."

The largest of the three's mouth twisted up into a malicious grin, his eyes darkening. "Suit yourself," his voice as rough as his calloused hands. I was going to go down easy for them, but his expression was beating at my mercy for him.

The first one to charge came at my side, sword drawn. I deflected his swing with one of my daggers, and hitched the other under the guard of the sword, guiding the blade out of the mans hands. The second soldier took his turn at me. Bringing my blade to meet his, I used my free hand to drive the hilt of my second knife at his head. He dropped his sword stumbling against the wall. The guard I had turned from gave me a hard hit in the back, causing me to stagger forward. Finally joining the fight, the largest came on with a sturdy kick at my gut. I collapsed to my knees, dropping my daggers, and hugging my stomach, then the kick was followed with another one under my jaw. Sharp pain traveled through me as I heard a bone crack Now that was unnecessary. That one'll cost ya. As he bent down to grab me, my hand slid over the hilt of one of my knives, and drove the blade in his forearm.

"Damn it!" His yell came with another kick at me, making me go completely limp in the dirt. The guard yanked the knife, and threw it to the ground, mingling speckles of red with the brown dirt. I was hauled to my feet by the other two men, my feet still lagging from the pain. I knew this was just the beginning. The next couple weeks will be hell, but it will all have been worth it. "I hope you're little stunt was worth it, because, tonight, you're going to regret living, boy." No. This will be a night I will never regret!

They led me towards the house, through the commotion. I received a few glances from those who weren't to focused on putting out the fire to notice. The looks I got from the soldiers were cold yet slid off me, but the ones I got from the slaves left them paralyzed. It stung for them to see me like this, beaten and captive once again.

"Hey," a girl turned around, and froze when her eyes fell on me. It was Lilian, she'd grown from the twelve year old girl I remembered. "Tell you're master we caught the rat that started the fire, and that he's down in holding room." She was shaking, and her lips had trouble forming words. I gave her a weak smile. Squeezing her long brown braid, she gave a small bow, "Yes, sir." Her words stiff as the crisp turn she made away from the guards and I, hurrying off to complete the task she was given. There was a moment of hesitation in her walk. She turned back to look at me, I could see the tears building up in her blue eyes. Then she walked on and was gone. I really did miss her.

I was pushed into the house and down a set of stairs and deep into the basement, till we came in front of a thick door. I knew what was on the other side, I had seen it more than anyone, other than the Master himself. It was the combination of holding room, and torture chamber. The Master would send disobedient slaves there to spend a few days in, periodically coming in to beat them, whip them, etc. Once inside the room, I saw that nothing had changed. The wall still decorated with instruments of pain. A wood poll was there, stained with old blood, stood at the other end of the room. There was a chamber pot sitting beside the poll, and rope and chains were strewn across the floor.

The guards patted me down, finding any of the knives I had on me, then tied my hands behind my back. While they did this, I could hear light foot steps on the other side of the door. It must be Theo and Sky, good.

There was still moment of silence, where the only sound was of the guard wrapping his bloody arm with some bandages he'd sent a slave for. Seeing me watch him wrap his arm, he chuckled, "You'll be the one needing bandaged up next, when I'm done with you. I'll give you a little taste of payback." When the room stayed silent, his sick grin returned. "What? Scared dumb?" I narrowed my eyes. Or you broke my jaw, numb skull.

My eyes darted from him at the sound of the door opening. Rytrick stood in the opening. I took a slow deep breath as this anticipated moment finally arrived. The Master is here.

***

Skyler and I watched Flynn run off.

"So," Sky said, "What's the signal?"

"Good question."

"Well that's nice."

I laughed. "I guess we just sit back and watch."

"He said he's going to create some kind of distraction. My guess we head out when it goes off. Ran off to the stables? I wonder what he's got planned there."

"Bet you anything he does something like light it on fire."

"That's a little reckless, don't you think?"

"This whole plan is reckless. Besides he'll need something pretty big to buy us the time we need."

The stable doors burst open and horses began stampeding through.

"So he released the horses, that must be our cue."

"Wait, look at the stable entrance." Orange light bloomed from it, and I could even see a few flames dancing their way outside. "Guessed it."

"Come on!" She tugged on my arm.

Coming through the door, the hall was empty. I did a mental recap of the map Flynn drew up, and captured the path in my mind. "We follow this hall." Not more than three steps into the building, I could here people rushing around at the end of the hall. I pulled Sky into the the nearest room Flynn marked as 'empty' on the map, and kept the door cracked to watch down the hall.

"Umm Theo?" Skyler was suddenly gone from my side, and muffled screams followed.

"Skyler?!" I whipped around to find Skyler's hand over the mouth of a decrepit, frantic, old woman. Damn it, Flynn!

"What should we do?!" Skyler said, while holding the woman down. "Maybe you could knock her out, or something." The woman's screams increased.

"I'm not gonna knock her out, I'd probably kill her doing so." Tears then began to pore from the frightened woman. "Lets just tie her up, and gag her."

"Oh, good idea." The withered old lady than went motionless. Skyler slowly moved away from the lifeless woman. "Please say she isn't dead."

I moved over, and checked the woman's pulse. "No, she's fine." Skyler's tense shoulders dropped. I checked the hall, finding that it was empty. "Let's move."

We moved through the hall without disturbances, but were stopped at the sound of foot steps. "Over here." I pulled Skyler into a closet. Peeking out the door, I saw some guards pushing Flynn down the stairs. He got caught?!

"What is it?"

"They got Flynn."

"So... What do we do now?"

"Let's continue as planned." Flynn's gonna have to find his way out of this. "There's another problem though, they went down stairs, right where we're headed. I don't know what to expect."

When the coast was clear, we made our way down the stairs with no trouble. Down a little ways from us, a large sturdy door stood. I could make out voices coming from behind it. Flynn must be in there. We moved on. At the end of the hall I slowed, and signaled for Skyler to stay low. We'd made it to our destination once we turn the corner, just a couple guards to take out first.

"We need to act quick, or others might hear. Go left." I whispered to Skyler before popping around the corner. Two men jolted up straight at the sight of me. One attempted to speak, but I didn't give them time. With a jab to the throat, he was left with a sputtered cough. Next, I went for the arm, eliminating the danger of the his spear. He made a swing at my right, but catching his arm, I pulled him down hard on my knee. His body crumbled to the ground. I turned to Skyler who had the second guard pinned to the wall with her arm to his throat, but this stance was quickly broken when the man kneed Skyler in the stomach. Damn it. I punched him hard in the face before he could fully recover. He slid down the wall unconscious.

"You good?" I put my hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah, let's just get this over with. I wanna be out of here quick."

Pulling a key from the slumped mans waist, I opened the door to a small room full of sacks. "I'm not sure quick is possible."

Skylers shoulders dropped, "Best get started." Skyler got to work while pulled the bodies into the room. Her process moved fast, and went on my way with the first batch of gold. It was difficult to be stealthy with jingling coins strung across my arms and shoulder, but I proved successful in my task. I opened the outside door, where a man stood nervously peering around the bend. Shock froze my feet in place, till I remembered Flynn saying someone would meet me here.

"You must be Flynn's friend." I said. The man spun to face me, and sighed when he saw the gold.

"Yeah, and seems you're the delivery boy," he said while partially reliving me from the burden of the bags. "Name's Jay." I took the hand he offered, "Theo."

"Come load it up over here." Jay lead me over to a wagon up against the side of the house. He pulled out a brown blanket full of straw, and set it beside the wagon. "Put 'em in here, and keep 'em level."

"So how does Flynn plan on spending all this money?" I asked while loading in the bags.

Jay huffed a laugh, "Oh, I doubt he'll spend a coin."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm sure he'll give it to the people who it truly belongs to, goodness knows they need it."

"Hmm... Well, I'll be back soon."

"Hurry," he combed a hand through his feathery brown hair, brows furrowed as he stared out at the stables light dimming. "Not sure how much longer we have."

I continued on with no trouble. Second batch, third, fourth, with each trip, Jay and Skyler got more and more nervous, it felt like I was being attacked by anxiety on both sides. I left Jay with the fourth batch, and left back down to Skyler, but going down a hall, someone suddenly came barreling through.

***

Rytrick strode into the room with a bear like presence. His eyes lit up with a threatening joy as they fell upon me, and a dark chuckle to accompany. "Well, well, well, of all the dirty rats to be scurrying around my stables, it's you, Flynn Arc. Stupid enough to come running back here, I see, but I wouldn't get my hopes up on escaping if I were you, or even living, for that matter. I don't tolerate runaway's, and that's only one of the many crimes you're guilty of. But don't count on death to save you any time soon, wouldn't want to get your hopes up." He examined the wall of instruments with a patient smile. The small grin dropped from his face, as he spared me a curious glance.

"You're quieter than I remember. I guess you finally learned some sense in keeping your mouth shut. But soon I'll have you speaking," he leaned into me close enough for me to smell wine distant on his breath. "I'll have you crying out so hard, till there's nothing left to cry out with."

I guess he was trying to intimidate me, but my face was unchanging from harsh contempt.

"Hmm..." he backed away, "I have a question though. Why? Why risk coming back to start a fire?" He narrowed his eyes. "What's there for you to gain?"

"I came back to take some long over due revenge." The words stung as they left my mouth, but I wasn't about to let a broken jaw get in the way of this moment.

"What, planned to burn down my mansion?" He chuckled, "Couldn't even get past the stables, what a miserable attempt. It's been what, two years? Guess freedom didn't satisfy enough to keep you from running back."

"You kept count? Didn't think I left that great of an impression."

He looked darkly down on me, fingering a scar that pierced through one of his bushy black sideburns. "Oh, you left your mark, and unfortunately for you, I remember it clearly." He removed a beating stick from the wall, looking at it thoughtfully. "I remember your disobedience." A heavy blow bloomed with pain on my arm. "I remember your back mouthing." A blow came opposite of the other. "Your stubbornness," the blow came again. "Your sneaking through my house," again. "Your violent outbreaks," again, again, again. Two guards held me sagging by the arms. "Most of all," he gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his frosted eyes. "I remember how you killed her, you diseased rat." He slammed the stick against my head.

"Your wrong, you selfish bastard."

"What?"

"I didn't kill her,"a river of raging adrenaline ran through me. "You let her die ." I released the eager flow in my arms, ripping apart the rope that bound my hands.

"You-" He swung the stick once again, but I pulled away from the guards, and caught his wrist. I grabbed the stick from him, and began my attack on the three guards in the room. With no need, to hold back, I brought them down with ease.

I turned to the crack of Rytrick's whip. His eyes were fear masked with courage. With a mighty lash, he put his hope in the razor tipped whip. I extinguished the hope he held onto, draining his courage with it as I caught the whip around my arm, and drove him to the wall by the neck. My arm was dripping with blood, small rubies trickling down the whip still coiled around it. My body was rich with bruises that decorated my skin. My jaw burning with each word, my payment for tonight fortunes. And within my grasp, a poor man, a coward in the corner of his mansion.

"You let your daughter die. Always too damn focused with your reputation, and your money to shed a glance for her. Her death could've been prevented, but you..." I released my grasp. Rytrick coughed, as I paced the room.

"She died from the sickness you gave her!"

"No... I didn't die from the sickness she gave me." I furrowed my brow, and looked over at him. "She was sick before me." I looked away. "I don't know why I survived. I should have died, I should have died right after her, but I didn't."

"You lie! You killed-" He charged me, but I pinned him back against the wall.

"No! She tried to tell you in the early stages she felt unwell, but you brushed her off, scorning her for disturbing you in your profession of hording money! You didn't love her like I did. The only thing you truly care about is your money, but soon... you wont even have that." His eyes lit up with panic. Keeping him pinned to the wall, I tied one of his wrists to a ring on the wall, and walked away.

"What are you planing? Damn it, Flynn! What is it!" He had worry on his voice.

I flashed him a dark smile, "You'll find out soon enough."

Fleeing the room, I knew I didn't have much time, especially not enough to be stealthy. I ran through the hall and caught a glimpse of someone. It was Theo. They'll be alright. Flashing him an apologetic smile, I flew out the door. Stumbling out the door, I found Jay with his usual paranoid look, and greeted him.

"Jay, nice to see you fulfilled your half, I was beginning to get a little worried there."

"Honestly Flynn, have I ever given reason for doubt?"

"Thankfully not, now we need to get moving."

"There's a blanket full of straw there, It should work as cover for the gold in lighting like this."

I looked up at the sliver moon, the dark night was perfect. While I arranged the cover of the blanket on the gold, Jay disappeared and reemerged with a horse. Jay lead the horse and cart while I went ahead and took out the guards remaining at the gate. Just before leaving, I brought back up a topic the was persistent in bothering me.

"Jay, why don't you let me help you escape?"

"Is this really the time?" I looked down to him to make it clear his response was more important. "You know I can't leave my sisters."

"They'll come too, you can all finally leave!"

"No... we can't, especially with Sierra being so young. At least here, we have food, cloths, a roof. At least here we can live."

"But it's hell here!"

"To be honest, you made it hell for yourself. I know you don't understand," he sighed, "But for right now we're okay. Trust me, you don't have to worry." He passed his eyes over the darkness around us. "But you need to be free, Flynn. Now hurry up and leave already!"

"Alright, alright, no need to get so pushy."

"Goodbye, Flynn."

"Goodbye, Jay." I road off while Jay sunk back into the black night.

The gate keeper at the inner circle gave me a stern look, but I passed through without trouble. Eventually, I made it down to the bottom ring, the people supporting on their backs the giants of the inner circle. Well, tonight they will finally reap their reward. I silently dispersed the bags at the foot of the rickety doors, and as I came to the final bag, I stared down at it. The thought of giving it to Jay came into my mind, and demanded to be heard. But, no, Jay would never accept it. I flung the bag on another door step. I'll be back, Jay. One day.

A/N: Please remember to vote, and thanks for reading!