Chapter 5 - Doomed

The sun had completely set, the surroundings were gloomy, and the atmosphere was really tense. Despite the fact that there was no one else in the area, it did not feel safe. It's as if, despite our solitude, someone has been keeping an eye on us. I just wanted to take a step back and go back to where I was to avoid further difficulty and to entice Laura away from my way of life. But, when I looked at Marcus and Laura, I knew I had to do something in order to survive. After all, I'm the one with the greatest requirements, and they're the ones who are assisting me. I shook my head and hurried towards the store. I dashed into the business as quickly as lightning after breaking all of the cameras; I couldn't shake my anxiousness, especially because I was unfamiliar with the location.

"Be careful," Laura cautioned as I approached towards the shop. I simply nodded and strolled in and out of the store with ease. The interior was massively lavish and elegant, and I couldn't have asked for anything more. My eyes are glittering with wonder, yet my heart is pounding with anxiety. Everything is pricey, from the glass containers to the drawers; there were jewels, excellent marbles, golds and silvers, abnormally healthy pearls, and other luxuries. I couldn't help but drool over the merchandise because I'm so pulled to it. This is my first experience with fine aristocratic items and taking them. I've stolen things before, but not such high-end items.

I immediately gathered everything I could and stuffed it into the large bag Marcus had provided. When it was full, I quickly tossed it to Marcus, who handed me another bag. He glances around from time to time to make sure no one would recognize us if anyone happened to look at what we were doing. I used about five bags before realizing I couldn't obtain any more.

"Done."

"Then let's go, quick!" Marcus signed.

I quickly exited the location, but my left knee was wounded as a result of my haste when I stumbled. What a nuisance life, I fell first before ultimately getting out. Is that why I was so jittery earlier? I've never been hurt before, and I never trip when we do operations like this. Because of my haste and anxiousness I lost balance and fell, this is my first time tumbling down.

Laura yanked me up and said, "Say, be cautious." 

I just nodded and acted fast as if nothing had happened. We jumped into Marcus' car and sped away from the shop as soon as we could. Inside the car, the tension was too high, and I could sense Laura's anxiety. However, as we went away from the location, the wind increased stronger.

I let out a sigh. I could feel my sweat streaming down my face and back. I was afraid I wouldn't make it out of that place alive, I'm still sweating profusely.

"Dawn has arrived."

Laura's statement astonished me. I didn't notice the time because I was preoccupied with my task.

Marcus cursed, "Shoot!"

My heart suddenly raced in response to Marcus's whisper, and Laura was perplexed.

"Why?" I inquired cautiously, knowing that Marcus would not respond in that manner if there was no problem.

Laura inquired as well, "Is there a problem with what we stole?"

Marcus's baffling promise while driving: "No issue." He was troubled, he couldn't just say it, there's something wrong.

Laura inquired, "Eh, why do you look like that?" 

I simply remained silent while listening to them.

"Another official is expected to arrive from the palace today, and I'm sure this district will be informed right away that the shop was looted earlier."

I, too, was taken aback. Everything seemed wonderful to me, and I thought everything would be fine, but it was all in my head. The three of us have a terrible vibe going on, and we're starting to become nervous. Nothing is a problem while we're in this tangle. We've seen something similar previously, but this time it's different. I'm feeling a lot different now, as if something isn't right—something bad is about to happen. What will happen if that happens?

"W—what?" Laura became agitated, and I had to tell her to calm down since I could sense her chill. "What are our options, Marcus? What's up, Verulia?"

"Hush, calm down. Just calm down okay?" I said quietly as I reached for Laura's cold hand. "Trust me, I won't abandon you."

Even though I couldn't think of anything, I started to consider what we should do. When it was required, I felt my mind fly at that time.

"Shoot!" Marcus cursed again, making my heart race. "The officials are here!" He whispered.

A number of aristocratic carriages and cars began to linger around the district as the sun rose. Early in the morning, the sound of people rushing began to dominate the neighborhood, and we had to compose ourselves as the rustles to the town center became louder. I looked to the front and noticed that we would be meeting the Palace officials' expensive vehicles.

OH CRAP!

"What's up, Verulia?" Laura asked making me more anxious. She's sweating profusely despite the coldness of the dawn. I was even more concerned for Laura, who couldn't possibly be implicated in anything.

"Just relax, okay? Everything will be OK," I said with a smile, and the terrified Laura began to relax as a result.

I called, "Marcus?"

"Verulia..." Marcus replied as soon as he turned to me.

"Stop the car," I declared. "Let's not meet them; we need to hide."

"When the sun rises, they will notice us more, and there will be more people in the center, especially now that the Officers have arrived!" Marcus argued.

"Just let them pass, then we'll escape swiftly; we have no idea what will happen to us if we meet even one of them; we're dummies for them," I said, "but if we halt, Marcus, we can conceal first and leave soon after them."

Marcus sighed in defeat as Laura remained silent. Marcus came to a full halt in his car. He appears to be paying attention to what I'm trying to say. Except for Marcus, who stayed in his car, we exited. He hid the car on the side of a major mall we passed, and we all ran down to hide. Laura and I exited the vehicle and hid at the back of a large garbage can. Because the palace officials were approaching, Marcus signaled for us to remain in our hide. And I was remorseful as the crowd erupted from the center to embrace the officers. When the palace comes to visit, District 2 is ecstatic; the place becomes busy as they pull an event to welcome them. I had an uneasy feeling that if we keep hiding, they would find us.

"Get out," I yelled at Laura.

"What?" she exclaimed, perplexed.

"We will be joining the people of this district. We'll act as if we're residents from here. If we hide here they will think of us as suspicious, let's join and pretend to be one of them." I said and immediately come out of our hiding place.

Although the sun had not yet fully risen, Laura and I were quickly becoming engulfed in the crowd. We came to a halt in the middle of the officers' meeting, which appeared to have something big to announce in the second district, given how crowded the area was.

"Just calm down," I told Laura, who was becoming agitated once more. "Let's get out and go straight to Marcus' car, okay?"

She simply responded with a nod. She isn't deserving of this kind of environment. If I had to pick right now, I would always put Laura's safety ahead of my own. I changed my appearance, as did Laura, and shook off the dust that had accumulated on my clothing. I was already aware of the nagging discomfort in my knee, but I chose to ignore it. We walked up to Marcus' car and began strolling carefully. Laura's presence suddenly vanished inside my radius as I was ready to step into his car.

"L—laura?" I asked as I turned around.

Shoot! It was tough for her to get to where I was because she was surrounded by people.

Marcus' note reads, "When you bring her back, we won't have time."

I returned my gaze to Laura. All I know is that I can't leave her alone.

"Leave me, but don't leave her," I said to Marcus as I pulled Laura over in his car. I reached out and grabbed her hands. I tried to drag her away from the mob, but I was as crowded, so we just kept trying to get out of there. The crowd gone wilder, and it was too late for me to realize that the officials have officially arrived.

"District two's loving people!" When a Palace official spoke, the crowd erupted in applause. This was Duke Leo's voice, and it was clear that he was at the pinnacle of his authority. I know it's difficult to battle him, just hearing of his voice tells the difference between us, his authority and my place, even though I haven't seen his position yet.

"Verulia!" Laura exclaimed as she approached me. "Wait, Verulia!" she exclaimed.

I opened my eyes and blinked. I need to concentrate on what we're doing, or we'll be doomed. "Let's go..." I whispered, tightening my grip on her.

We took another step closer to Marcus' car, but Duke Leo's revelation seemed to have piqued my curiosity.

"At the Eclipse, the search for the twelve stones will begin."

Eclipse? The Search? What? The eclipse will occur the day after tomorrow, which means the search for the Twelve Stones will begin the next day.

"I'm warning everyone: the search will be perilous and risky, but everyone who wants to fulfill their hopes and desires should simply find the stones, and their request will be accomplished." When the Duke said this, the people in the second district screamed again and again jovially.

"Verulia, come on."

I sighed as I returned my attention to Laura, who was now dragging me towards Marcus' car. The more individuals there are, the more difficult it is for everyone to communicate so I couldn't hear Laura properly anymore as I am preoccupied by the Duke's announcement as well.

"Sorry..." Laura almost let me go when a guard stopped me. My heartbeat had sped up and I was almost out of breath when I returned the guard's stare. I've been surrounded. If I leave my post, Laura and I will both be apprehended at the same moment. Our antics seemed to pique the guard's interest.

"But we just need specific people for the search. We need to bring your young people to the Palace. Whether you like it or not, we will bring your young people to the palace. Anyone who passes the challenge will be joining the team for the search. " The Duke said meaningfully that changed other people’s decision including mine.

"Someone got in!" We all turned to the man running while shouting.

I swallowed, "W-what?"

"The shop! The jewelry shop is looted! Someone has barged in to steal! We're in danger, someone has barged in! Thieves! Thieves!"

Everyone became terrified and panicked. I turned to Laura, who had turned pale as well. Marcus beckoned for us to hurry up the travel in his car, and I turned to him. I waited for the guard to release me and took advantage of the opportunity to get to Laura. The environment grew hectic, and we were nearly trampled by parents shielding their children. Others were escaping, but there were enough guards to keep everyone, including us, from fleeing. Despite the hubbub, the guards did not allow the people to escape and become stranded due to the important message.

"Thieves! There are thieves in this district! They may be lingering among us now. Thieves! The shop was thoroughly wrecked!"

What?

My nervousness went up to my head. They usually blame the inhabitants of the first district when something unpleasant happens in the second district. Worse, everyone in the second district believes we're horrible and that we're deserving to die. So, aside from the fact that they don't want us, they are terrified by the news that we are criminals. And they always point the finger at us first when something bad happens in the second district. Which is a complete and utter abomination.

"A cadaver!"

That announcement was like a bomb dropped right before my eyes, right in front of us. Laura almost collapsed but she managed to compose herself. I began shaking as well but I managed to retain my composure. What did the man just said? A cadaver?

"A cadaver has been found! Someone is dead! Someone is dead!"

Fudge? Many people became even more perplexed. I became engrossed in my senses as I attempted to calm myself down. We're robbers, not killers. I know we're awful people because we're thieves, but we can't do anything more than stealing. We will never be able to kill, however. We are not assassins. I am not a serial killer.

Laura exclaimed, "V-Verulia!" as I let go of her hands for a little second.

She was apprehended by a guard!

"Leave me alone! Verulia! Marcus! Please assist me!" Laura screamed.

Marcus waited outside his mobile, unsure of what he would do to assist Laura. He's far away so he couldn't reach our position immediately. People would be calling me stupid for going back when I could just escape, but I'm Laura's best friend, and she's in desperate need of my assistance right now, so I dashed towards the guard to liberate Laura without hesitation. Even so, I had to force my way through the mob to reclaim Laura's hand. 

I yelled at the guard, "Let off of her!" and hit him in the face. When I saw his nose bleed, I let out a sigh of relief, and I took advantage of the opportunity to take Laura's hand and urge her into the car.

When the guard I had punched grabbed me, I exclaimed, "Shoot!"

"You son of a b*tch!" it yelled cheaply as he snatched me from Laura's grip. For this freaking sentry, do I appear like a he?

"Verulia!" Laura said as I struggled to my feet after being yanked by the guard.

The environment is in shambles. And crap, a palace sentry apprehended me. I'm doomed.