Chapter 4

It had been two years now. My sister and I lived in the back of an alley surrounded by the walls of various shops which formed a natural barrier. It was dark and murky with a horrible stench that helped keep others away; further helping to keep us both hidden. Unfortunately, this was the perfect environment to carry disease. My sister Phoebe was sick for the third day straight now and she didn't seem to be getting better.

"I'm gonna go get some medicine for you just wait here and stay warm." I handed her a blanket I had recently stolen from a nearby store. I know it sounds bad but, due to my lack of affinity I couldn't get a job as I was deemed worse than trash. Stealing had been my form of income for the past two years and also the only way to feed both my sister and I.

While I was always careful not to steal from anyone powerful, I was still often caught and beat to a pulp stealing what was needed. After all, I was a malnourished 17 year old boy with no magic at all.

"Alaric, I know i can't convince you not to go; but, please just be careful." Phoebe looked at me while wheezing.

"I'll be careful, but of coarse I'll do everything I can to make sure you're safe."

I walked out of the alley and began surveilling the buildings in an attempt to find someone with money to steal. The downside of living in an alley as I had done was, due to my major stench people kept their distance from me making it nearly impossible to pickpocket. Many stalls were positioned on the side of the street filled with people. The smell of freshly cooked bread permeated the air, leaving my stomach growling.

Overtime I had grown accustomed to the stares from others and I had become more and more observant. At the corner of my vision a man dressed in black looked around suspiciously before walking down an alley alone. Of coarse I took this as an opportunity as I followed from a distance to see what he was up to.

"Did you bring it?" A man waiting in the dark casually asked the man I had followed.

"This was much harder to get then you led me to believe, the terms have changed. I want double or you'll never get your hands on it". I couldn't help holding my breath wandering what they were talking about. 'What is it? Do they have a lot of money?' They look strong but, of coarse with risk comes a higher reward. And right now I need quite a bit of money, to buy medicine for my sister.

"Fine… but I want to see it first." the man in the dark answered back.

"Here... now give me my money and I'll be on my way. You really lucked out this time, I could have used this myself." Just as the man was waiting for the money with some kind of scroll in his hand, he was struck by lightning through the chest as he collapsed on the ground.

'Holy shit! He's at least a B rank mage! And he's not scared to kill!' This was a way more dangerous situation then I was used to. But… if i could take whatever scroll that is I could sell it for a lot of money. Greed was always a powerful driving force behind many peoples actions.

I quickly left the alley and crossed the street waiting for the man in the dark to emerge. If I could follow him and take the scroll without him noticing my sister and I would be set for life. Now I just had to ensure I didn't mess up.

Slowly, a tall slender man with a curved nose and long boney fingers emerged from the alley and began walking towards the high end district. While usually I wouldn't go into this area highly patrolled by guards greed was a blinding force. I followed from across the street keeping the man just at the corner of my vision, waiting for my chance while my nerves acted sporadically.

The man slowly came up to a hotel and entered inside. I counted in my head to 10 and rushed inside to see where the man was going. I stood in the corner just near the door trying to spot this lengthy man, who appeared near the elevators on the far side of the building.

I just need to figure out what floor he was on and I could figure out how to find him after that. I watched as he stepped in the elevator and I waited for the light above the doors to stop on the floor he got off.

The numbers began to climb, 1…2…3…

"Excuse me. What are you doing in here?" One of the attendants had noticed me and began walking over.

I just need to see where he gets off and I can go outside. 4…5…

"Hey are you trying to steal from us?! Don't you go anywhere! Ben call the police." The lady continued walking towards me as she yelled to one of the men behind the counter

'Five… the light stopped their for a while longer than the rest telling me he got off there. Now to leave before this girl grabs me.'

I quickly ran out the building towards the alley on the side where the fire escape was. I peaked around the corner towards the entrance where the attendant was looking around clearly unable to find me.

'Now to steal that scroll!'