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Chasing the Sky Thief
By Emily Jackson 15 years
The soft light of the sunset made the city look almost dreamy. Minimal noise kept the people happy and made it seem safe. The high rise buildings towered over the streets that criss-crossed Sydney. It was peaceful enough, but some didn’t like the calmness of the streets. It was too quiet, and the lights reached every part of the city, but they had their doubts, and they had every right.
Beneath all of this, a group of young people banded together, calling themselves Sky Thieves. The city was too perfect, too simple and too quiet. It was their duty or job as they called it, to make the city more exciting, more adventurous, even if it meant for them to be hunted by the police and military. Each had a particular part to play in the City’s reconstruction, hoping to get back what had been taken from them.
The rooftops became a play ground for an in-training Sky Thief. Different rooves provided challenging ways to get about. Some were tiled, some tin, others were constantly wet and some were so damaged you had to be quick or fall to your death. Some members had succumbed to the harsh methods, leaving the training for the simpler life. Others knew it was their only chance at freedom. But for one, it was redemption for doing something wrong.
A lone Sky Thief sat on a long stretch of rooftop, staring at the horizon, wondering quietly to himself. Cars below were silent, the city’s low hum barely audible. It was annoying him. Hardly anything had happened during the day, no missions, no information; even the police had been keeping quiet. It was boring, no action at all.
“Jack, you around here?” called a voice, making him slowly turn.
“Over here Ally. By the water roof,” he called back, seeing the dark haired boy appear from the edge of the rooftops.
Climbing up onto the rooftop, the young boy, who clearly looked younger then Jack, strode across the tinned roof, barely making a sound. His appearance, though young, gave the impression he knew what he was doing. Short hair with a dark blue tint at the fringe made him seem more rebellious. With a decent frame to his body, Ally looked more athletic than adventurous, but that was just him. He sat beside Jack, who seemed disappointed for just a second.
The silence between them dragged on, making it more awkward until Ally shifted forward, head hanging down with his palms supporting it. The way he moved told Jack clearly, something had happened that kept everyone quiet most of the day. Sighing, Jack leaned back, hands laying on the hot tin.
“We lost two more today.”
“Which district?”
“Darling Harbour, you know how that place is? Usually quiet, hardly any cases reported, but now, I don’t know,” Ally said, glancing at his friend, wondering what appeared in his mind.
Jack looked out over the water, the sun glinting off it, glaring at him brightly and making his blonde hair shimmer in the light. Closing his eyes for a moment, he tried to relax, but his breathing was heavier than earlier. Ally could see his chest rise and fall fast, making him nervous.
“Who were the two, Ally? Please don’t tell me she was involved,” he whispered angrily, fists clenched.
Ally stayed silent and Jack sighed with relief.
“I don’t know who they were. Maybe veterans, experienced thieves, but to be taken that easily, in a district with hardly any reports. It isn’t right, something’s not right. The police have been silent all day, it just doesn’t work out,” Ally’s voice was hitched, he knew one of them. Jack could tell he was crying.
Jack was about to say something when instantly he turned around, blinking rapidly. He’d heard something, and he hadn’t imagined it. Ally barely noticed his actions until the sound became louder and he jerked his head up. Trying to comprehend what it was, they were suddenly spotted in a pool of light, from a helicopter overhead. Both the boys leapt to their feet and quickly raced over the rooftops, the light following them from behind.
“You two, stop in the name of the Sydney Union Police force!” someone above yelled over a loud speaker.
“SUP, jeez, lame name much. Who comes up with them? I need to assassinate them for being so lame,” Ally scoffed, “I’ll meet you there. Stay out of the lights Jack!”
Jack smirked and leapt down off the roofs, skidding across the concrete, unmark and uninjured. Looking up, he glanced out of the shadows, watching carefully, cowering back when the blades of the helicopter were close. The sound was deafening, but it soon passed over. Stepping back out, eyes darting in and out of the shadows, Jack halted when he heard a trash can tumble and crash. Stopping, he turned, fighting stance ready, when a young kid leapt from the shadows and bowled Jack over.
Shaking his head, trying his best to clear it, he staggered and groaned in pain. Lying beside him, a young girl was almost lifeless, barely moving. Her hair, a bronze colour brown splayed on the cold concrete. Startled, Jack quickly went to her side, holding her up.
“Lee, Lee! Are you alright! LEE!?” he yelled, but not so loud that he was heard.
She moved slightly and he flinched, before she leapt up and wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down. Depriving him of air, he tried to pry her off but it wasn’t working. Whining softly, she let go and smiled.
“Hey Jack, I heard you were out here so I came to see. But then the police started to arrive because of the raid, so I ran and now I found you!” she said, swaying from side to side.
Panting, either from shock or anger, Jack suddenly picked her up and put her onto his back. She held on tight, making sure to watch out behind them. The sirens wailed nearby and Jack was careful not to be seen. They had dodged enough police for the day, but something was making Lee fidget.
“Careful Jack, the police have new things with them. They call them detectors I think. They tested it on someone that looks like a Sky Thief and it attacked them. Poor Sky Thief,” she whispered and Jack quickly turned.
Stopping in another area, void of light, he looked back and simply made note of the area. Lee shifted awkwardly and dug her nose into his back as he ran off again.
Making it back safely, Jack had immediately gone to his room, rest all that was on his mind. Opening the door, he found something had literally decimated it. Looking around, he tried to figure out what had the brains, let alone the mind frame, to destroy a Veteran Sky Thief’s room, and basically leave it in this state. Kicking through papers and clothes, he couldn’t stop staring in wonder. Jack growled and turned to leave, bumping into another Sky Thief, a younger one but clearly experienced. Her brown hair was tied back and she held an innocent look in her eyes.
Smiling weakly, she entered his room and began to clean up the papers. Jack watched her closely, before asking a question out of curiosity.
“What are you doing?” he asked, the angry tone leaving his voice for the moment.
“Cleaning up the police’s mess. They managed to come here when we were all away. Everyone’s room is like this, except for Lee’s and Ally’s. They must have wanted to look in the Veteran rooms specifically.”
“What?! The police were here? When, how, why?” he asked before darting out of his room, heading for the Master’s room.
Sprinting past people and leaping over railings, he skidded to a halt, seeing the other Veterans, protesting in anger. Trying to overhear their words, he managed to enter the fray and get to the front. As he pushed someone, he was suddenly dragged forward and brought before the old man. Stunned by why he was brought forward, his Master leaned towards him, scratching his head. His age clearly apparent by his grey, almost white hair showing the baldness of his head. Wrinkles, which were from smiling too much, seemed to sag on his face, making him look like the backside of an elephant. But his sharp eyes watched them all closely, knowing all their talents in a blink and weaknesses in a second.
Jack stood got to his feet, dusting off his clothes. Looking up, he heard whispers around him and saw Ally in the crowd. His look was making Jack nervous. Ally was the one who was always smiling, but he’d been upset by something.
“Ah Jack. Like you have seen, your room has been pulled apart by the Police. They were here earlier but for a reason we do not know. Now, most rooms were in a bad state, but yours was the worst. Have you been hiding anything?” he asked. Voices could be heard mumbling, others whispering angrily.
Shaking his head, Jack didn’t feel like speaking.
“You have to speak this time Jacky boy!” someone roared in the crowd.
“Stop hiding things from us!”
“It’s your fault we have to hide again!”
Jack didn’t know what to do. Did he have something? What could the police have wanted to find here, destroying the rooms like it was a natural disaster? It made no sense, what could he have done. They all went silent when the Master raised his hand. The Veterans dispersed, leaving Ally to stare in confusion. He was about to walk away, when he stopped and walked up to Jack. His eyes showed respect, but anger. Loyalty but shame. He then clenched his fist and upper-cut Jack, sending him back and sprawling. Panting, unable to understand what had happened, Ally left him, shaking his head in response.
“Sorry Jack,” he whispered and darted off.
“Poor Ally, so much has happened to him. And now this, Jack, come with me,” the old man said, getting up shakily and walking away, Jack staggering to follow, twisting his jaw, feeling the pain in it burn.
It all happened so sudden. He knew things were quiet, but this was so sudden. Lee spotting the police with a new, seemingly powerful weapon. Ally betraying him and the police raiding the place. Looking at the sky, Jack didn’t know anymore. The colour had long since faded and night was playing. The streets weren’t as busy as they used to be, it was really bugging him now.
“I hate this place,” he growled, finally catching up to the old man.
“I know Jack. But everybody prefers the peace, the silence, the un-doubtful nature of everyone. It’s perfect for them. Even a few Sky Thieves have left us for that type of life. Age, no matter what, is something we can’t escape,” he said, sighing into the night, walking slower.
“Some can,” Jack replied angrily, kicking a can at a wall, watching it crumble at the force.
“Some aren’t you. Your ability is nothing to be proud of.”
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