Neverland's Shadow

Faith And Trust

      ~About one hundred years earlier~
"No no no, I told you one pound, no less" I haggled with the man. The small shop we were in seemed to be getting hotter the more we argued, and my cloak covering my face made it worse. 

"I won't say it again, two pence or nothing!" He snapped. I really could take such a low amount, it was the necklace my mother gave me, it held more sentimental value than gold, but worth at most a pound.

"If your not selling or buying, get out of my shop!" He said finally. 

"Fine, I'll just take my priceless jewel and go," I lied, stealing a few things I could get my hands on. I turned around, and began walking away, as something slipped from my pocket, and fell to the floor! 

"Hey!" The man yelled, as he reached and snatched the cloak from me, revealing my face! 

"I know you! I can fetch a pretty penny from you... Princess" He said. I tried to run, but he had a tight grip and wasn't letting go until he got his gold. 

"No please!" I begged as he pulled me out into the streets. 

"Oh, and I'll take the necklace too!" He said snatching it from me. The street was occupied with people from the markets, little shops around town had been set up for the occasion, it's also where kids like me get a free meal ticket. The man grabbed me from the back of my shirt and pushed me through the mob of people. I kept trying to run but it was no use, this was my good shirt and it wouldn't rip, although now, I wish it would. I quickly bit him! He threw me down an alleyway! I fell to the ground and cut my hand on a shard of glass! My captor stood in the entrance to the alley looking down at his hand with teeth marks.

"You damn girl!" He yelled at me before he swung his arm back to hit me. I kicked with all my force, sending him backwards, knocking him out! I searched the man and took whatever was valuable or nice. I headed back to my rooftop.

"Another productive day," I said to myself, feeling accomplished, this wasn't the first time I had done this, and not nearly the last, I think it should be a business. I could see it now . The sun started to go down and the wind began to cool, unfortunately, the man still had my cloak. My roof top was far from here and it was a long day. I found my way to the bad part of town, but it was the fastest way home. The proper class called these streets 'unholy', the kids of the proper called it 'the bad part of town', and few kids like me called it 'home'. The streets were dirty, unsafe, and unwatched.

      Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed onto me and started pulling me away! I fought the man blind, kicking him away from me sending me backwards. I fell into some garbage, the man walked forward and stood over me. I looked away for a second, grabbing the thing closest to me. Then I heard a loud thick sounding noise before I turned around to see a boy my age holding a large stick over his head.

"Are you alright?" He asked. 

"Yeah, just fine, now run along kid," I said starting to walk toward home again.

"But you're hurt, let me help' he offered. I looked down at myself, the man had swiped me with a blade.

"You've done enough, thank you," I said. I walked away from him. I made it back to my rooftop and fell asleep. The next morning I felt a bit Ill, but I moved on quickly I had money to make. I walked back to the marketplace. I looked through my options, jewelry, clothes, and food. I could sell the jewelry for money to buy clothes and food or have them now. The streets were crowded, cart after cart of merchants aligned the streets, rich people poor people lined up to see what was to offer. I pushed through the crowd to a Jewry cart that had had diamonds and gold on display. I went into stealth mode, the shop man was extremely busy with the ten customers who could afford him. I snatched a few watches, a couple necklaces, and a diamond ring. I began to walk away with my loot. Suddenly, a was grabbed by my collar. I squirmed and looked to the man holding me. A guard... My heart sank in my chest, I began to flail. More guards came to help. 

"What's this?!" One man said holding up a watch that fell from my pocket. The men began to search me, taking everything I had. I kicked upward, getting a guard in the face. The man's lip began to bleed and the others sent him off. They dragged me down the street, I cooperated as I began to feel weak. Moments later, we heard a whistle come from above. The men dropped me and I stayed down. They drew their weapons. Suddenly I heard a thud! Then another! The men were out cold!? I saw the boy from last night, he stood over me with a regretful face, but when he looked at me he smiled. He tried to help me up but the strength in my arms was little to none existent. All sound began to fade...
~~One Month Later~~
     I woke up... A happy smile on the boys face. 

"Who are you?" He asked. I laughed.

"I should be asking the same question," I said. He chuckled.

"I'm Riley," I introduced.

"It's nice to meet you, Riley, I'm baelfire," he introduced...

"Okay Baelfire, how would you like to go into business together together?" I asked.

"What kind of business?" He asked.

"One that gets us off the street forever. It will start off to be a simple group of thieves that will grow to be our way out"

"Yeah! And, what will this group be called?" He asked.

"Street Rats" I answered...