1 Prologue

Virdjana's POV

I was walking through a dark alley with my guardian and companion Reggie, a dagger behind my back hidden under my cape. The streets of the city were as busy as ever. I made my way into a particular famous grocery store. People usually just mind their own business, and by people I meant the rich and the wealthy. They probably thought that I am a beggar that would desperately beg for their money.

They looked at me with disgust. It doesn't matter, I'm not here for them.

I sighed as I glance at Reggie who was floating beside me, and was wearing his trademark grin. Sometimes, I forget that normal people cannot see him. However, I can, because we are wearing matching enchanted necklaces.

I acted normal, I believe it is like second nature to me. Easy as a pie. I calmly walked to the counter where a cashier looked preoccupied by a call. I prepared my dagger as a means to threaten the lady.

"Magandang umaga." pagbati ko, habang nakangisi at hinihintay lamang na lumingon ang tindera.

I was ignored. That's alright, I'm just going to greet her again, and when I was about to do just that someone tapped my shoulder.

"Nakapila ka ba?" he was asking me if I was queueing.

Hindi ako umimik, but I did shake my head.

"May I?" he smilingly asked.

I spun my blade and hid it under my sleeves. I took a step back and nodded at him. After all that advertisement, I neared the counter again. This time I wore my demon cat mask, and greets the cashier slowly. "Ma-gan-dang U-ma-ga."

"Sa iyo rin munting binibin-" she stopped mid-sentenced when what I believe was the moment she recognized who I was.

"Oho?" ito ang mga tanging-katagang lumabas sa bibig ko. Hinatak ko ang braso niya at inilapit ko siya sa akin. "Umakto ka ng normal kung ayaw mong saksakin ko ang lalamunan mo."

I smirked. Hindi siya umimik at ngayon ay nararamdaman kong na-aalarma na siya.

"A-alam mo bata deli-likado ang p-patalim na i-iyan?" she struggled to deliver a sentence as I fixate my eyes to her neck.

"Oh, glad you informed me about something I don't know." I spoke sarcastically. "Quiet now, bring me to food isle."

Meanwhile Reggie was watching out of amusement, so I nodded at him.

"Sinong tinatanguan mo ha? May kasama ka pa sigurong magnanakaw. Malamang isa kang Restovakian." dagdag pa nitong tindera.

Natahimik ako, hindi dahil sa tama ang ginang na ito, kung hindi dahil sa sandaling binitawan niya ang mga salitang iyon nabatid kong isa siya sa mga naniniwalang may mga superyor na angkan siya lamang dapat irespeto.

"Tumahimik ka. Kaya kong putulin ang ulo mo gamit ang patalim na ito." babala ko, ngunit sa katotohanan ay nais ko lamang na tumigil na siya sa kadadada niya.

After I got what I wanted, she escorted me to the door with a fake smile. "Restovakian trash." I heard her harshly whisper on my right ear.

I took a stepped outside the store, but not without saying something back, "Salamat, sa uulitin."

Her face turned red out of anger.

A few seconds later, the stores' alarms blared. I glanced at Reggie. It seems like someone reported this case. This is the part I hate the most.

"Vi!" Reggie exclaimed with concern.

"Kumalma ka nga, hindi nila ako mahuhuli" sabi ko.

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay bago nagsalita." Talaga lang ha? Kailan nga iyong huling beses na kailangan kitang iligtas mula sa pagkaka-trap sa mga dead-end alleys, sa kamay ng City Guard Chief Officer?"

I glared at him.

Someone chuckled behind me. I froze...oh..sh*t. Hindi na sana ako lilingon pero mukhang hinahatak ako ng presensya upang lumingon.

"Found you~" It was none other than my 'closest friend', mark the sarcasm.

"Hello, miss Chief Officer" pagbati ko kasabay ng pag-ayos ko sa aking maskara.

"Miss me?" tanong niya sabay kuha ng mga Enchanted Handcuffs sa kanyang bulsa.

"Do you really have to appear behind me and scare the hell out of me?" tanong ko, saka nagsimulang humakbang paatras.

"Why of course. You said it yourself, we are best of friends. Silent Thief." she spoke sardonically.

"Uhh, oh what's that? Casters?!" I shouted as I point to the skies.

The fools fell for it.

"Get that thief!" shouted the Chief Officer.

"Time to play" I stated.

Binagalan ko lang ang takbo ko para makita pa rin nila ako. Ang babagal kasi, palibahasa mga lokal na kapulisan. Patuloy lamang ako sa pagpihit sa mga kanto upang malito ang mga bumubuntot sa akin.

Hindi ko na rin mapawi ang ngiti sa aking mga labi na dulot ng excitement sa nangyayaring habulan. Mayamaya ay na trap nila ako sa isang dead end mataas ang pader kaya halos imposible nang makatakas.

Bakit ba kasi palagi na lang dead-end ang napatutunguhan ko?!

"There she is." sabi ng Chief Officer.

"Huli ka! Pinagod mo pa kami!" sigaw ng isa sa subordinate ng chief.

"Having fun?" tanong ko.

"Oo, kaya humanda ka." sabi naman ng isa saka naglabas na siya ng posas bago lumapit sa akin.

When he was about to lock the handcuffs, I swayed my arms to the right. I glared at him.

"Hoy!" sigaw niya.

"You think it's that easy to make me surrender?!" sigaw ko sabay bitaw ng sipa ko, sapat para tumilapon siya sa hanay ng mga tindahan sa kabilang kalsada. Wow, tulog talaga? Dapat pala medyo hininaan ko lang.

"Huwag ninyo siyang patatakasin!" utos ni Chief Officer.

"Yes chief!" sagot naman ng mga City Guards, tatlo lang naman sila.

"Kung makalapit kayo" sabi ko. Nagtapon ako ng ilang spikes sa lupa siya namang naapakan ng tatlo. Stupid people.

"Aray~"

"Ang paa ko!"

"Ang sakit!"

Natawa ako sa mga sinapit nila, kinindatan ko ang Chief Officer na namumula na sa galit, saka ako tumalon at umapak sa mga dingding ng dead-end, kaliwa, kanan hanggang marating ko ang tuktok at saka naman ako lumundag paibaba sa kabilang bahagi.

"Perfect landing" sabi ko at saka tinanggal ang maskara at nagsuot ng scarf. Naglakad ako papalayo, naglaho sa gitna ng madla na animong ihip ng hangin na nawala ng parang bula.