EVERYDAY FOR THE THIEF (CAUGHT IN DEATH'S GRIP)

ARIANNA'S POV

I paced in the dressing room, worrying about how I will be getting money from now on.

The hospital is calling me again.

Grandma was not looking good yesterday when I saw her.

She is all I have, I don't want to lose my only relative.

I sighed, rubbing my head in frustration.

I had been successfully stealing some money from the safe room, to the glory of God.

However, things fell apart three days ago when Rex visited.

He looked pissed off.

I carefully avoided him.

He locked up the door and whenever the cash was unloaded, it was immediately secured.

How else am I going to get money?

There's no guarantee that they have not installed a new spy camera since they have noticed that two hundred thousand dollars disappeared before the final transit.

But I have been careful enough though.

Taking just a few thousands of dollars each time, I didn't know they would still catch on. There was a lot of money, I was hoping they wouldn't miss a few.

The only option I have now seems to be going deeper into crime.

An organization contacted me while I was on the run, and it seems like I will join them.

Their pay for a successful mission is very high. 

Some missions go as high as one million dollars.

The nightwalkers deal majorly in assasination of targets and spy mission.

I don't know if I can be a successful assassin, but I can try spy missions.

I'm in a strategic place where the créme de la créme of society gathers.

I will definitely be a good informant and trade the information for huge amounts of money.

Or maybe they will be sending me on drug delivery missions.

I sighed and took a deep breath.

I brought out my phone and logged into their website to apply, praying for God's protection in this crazy path I found myself treading.

"The boss is calling us. He is in his office" Joanna shouted, looking frightened.

My heart skipped a beat.

"The both of us?" I whispered.

"No, the whole club workers. I wonder what we did wrong. I'm not ready to die yet. I'm the only child of my parents. I hope he wouldn't put us through mass torture" she wailed, wiping tears and snot away from her face.

I shivered.

She wiped her face and began to walk towards Rex's office.

I managed to stand properly on my shaky legs.

I saw the others waiting in fear before his office. The automatic doors slid open and without waiting for further instructions, we quickly filed in.

We came before Rex who was sitting on what looked like a throne while ten of his men stood behind him.

His well manicured fingers rested on his strong thigh while he swirled a glass of red wine, exactly the color of blood.

"He wants to kill someone. The wine" someone whispered in fear.

Rex had a habit of drinking this particular wine before each torture session.

"A silly little idiot has been stealing the money stacked in the store, each day before transit. I wonder if you are already bored of your life. Do you want to die?" He roared, looking straight at me.

I shivered and bit my lips, trying my best to keep a straight face.

I bravely met his eyes, ensuring to wipe out any trace of guilt from my face.

He suddenly chuckled and took a sip of the wine.

"Try it again, I will devour you in unimaginable ways. The one I'm talking to knows. You can leave" he ordered and we immediately ran out of the office, the twenty of us all trying to leave before the others.

I heaved a sigh of relief. 

He doesn't know that I'm the one. 

I'm still safe.

I won't touch his money again.

Stealing it again is impossible.

The store is now locked immediately after stacking.

I went to my duty post, grudgingly thinking of where to get some money to foot the bills.

What do I sell?

I gave grandma all the jewelry and money I came with to keep.

Ever since she entered a coma, I have been unable to communicate with her.

I have searched the entire house to no avail.

How the fuck will I get three hundred thousand for the second surgery within two days?

I checked my watch.

I still had two hours before the place got busy.

"Sam, can you cover my spot? I will be back in thirty minutes" I whispered.

He frowned and stared at me.

I looked at him with a pleading gaze till he nodded.

I quickly ran off towards the hospital, trying to see if I could hail a taxi.

****

I sat depressed as I shoved my dinner down my throat.

My efforts to appeal to the hospital management were futile.

They wouldn't go through with the second operation unless I provide a deposit.

"Tonight's drug deal is a very big thing. Baron Rex will supply it to the Japanese group, there are rumors that this trade will bring in fifty million dollars. However, it seems like it will be a bank transaction because of the recent issue of stealing. I wonder which fool is stealing from the cruel devil? They are gambling with their lives. It won't just stop with them. It will extend to their families too," a man said among Rex's men.

However, that was the least of my problems. That's a lot of drugs. Just two wraps will be enough to solve my problems.

And selling it will not be difficult at all.

Is this the solution I have been looking for?

****

I carefully monitored the place, guessing the time Rex's men would return to ship it to the exchange point.

My mouth felt dry, so I went back to my duty post and drank some water.

I would have appreciated some soda, but cheap drinks are not allowed in here.

The so-called soda available here is worth hundreds of dollars.

Not the normal soda I'm craving for.

Everyone was busy bathing or getting ready for the evening.

I said a short prayer for God's protection and went for tonight's target.

I went to the corner and wore my hoodie, trying my best to give myself a pep talk.

I always got away with my crimes, thanks to God's guidance.

God will help me steal successfully this time too.

I moved sneakily, avoiding the central cameras.

I met two guards on patrol and quickly hid in a corner while they passed.

I soon got to the room and looked around, my eyes darting like a hawk's.

I let myself into the room and closed the door soundlessly.

I had previously monitored this room when I helped to stack some cracks of heroine, so I knew there was no camera.

I went to the side where I had identified cocaine and opened a crate.

I smiled at the sheer quantity of drugs.

However, I'm not greedy.

I took two wraps and smiled, putting them in my shorts.

I turned around with a smile and immediately staggered.

Rex was leaning on the wall, watching me while sipping a glass of whiskey.

His guards were manning the door.

My heart beat wildly.

How did they get in?

I didn't hear the door open.

"Are you sure two wraps will be enough?" He asked with a chuckle before looking at me with dark, cold eyes filled with anger and cruelty.

"You must have eaten the heart of ten lions to get the audacity to steal from me. I forgave you for pilfering my money and you decided it will be my precious drug this time? How do you want me to eat your corpse? Cooked and properly spiced, or grilled like barbecue?" He asked cruelly, walking towards me.

Hot urine ran down my legs and I immediately fainted.