Short stories

A theif in the night

Mark groaned lazily throwing his arm over his eyes as the alarm bell rang throughout the barracks. He rolled over in his cot and tried to sleep through the wretched sound. His efforts however were in vain as the door to his room was thrown open as his fellow guards burst in.

"Mark come on! There's pirates docked in the bay, and someone has reported a break in at the library" Ethan quickly said as lightning struck outside. Ethan was slightly jittery as he had only been on a few missions and had never encountered pirates before. Mark sighed before sitting up and eyeing Ethan who was dressed and had his pistol Ethan, make sure Tyler, Bob and Wade are ready. Meet me on the main street outside the library." Ethan nodded at the captain and quickly left.

Mark rolled out of bed and pulled on his uniform, strapping on his belt and grabbing his guns. This was the third time this week something happened during the night, and was probably another  fae attack. Once he was ready Mark jogged through the barracks and out into the stormy streets of the night. After another brief jog through certain ally shortcuts, Mark stood next to Bob who was watching the front of the library. In the doorway stood the librarian who was frantically talking with Ethan, retelling his account of the events, greatly exaggerating it no doubt.

"There! On the roof!" Wade shouted, pointing to the left side of the library where the faint outline of two cloaked figures. The two had been in the middle of running along the roof when they froze having been spotted. The figure at the front lifted a bow and notched an arrow aiming it straight at the group of guards. The second figure seemed to be holding something, cradling it to their chest and covering it with their cloak. Mark's hand reached for his gun and as he aimed, the first figure pulled back the string of their bow. Almost in sync Mark pulled the trigger as lightning struck the roof of the building where the two stood.

When Mark's eyes adjusted the two figures had vanished and the library was now on fire. Muttering out a curse he turned to his friends. "Ethan run to the harbor, see if their boat is still there. Wade alert the fire brigade, tell them we need urgent help at the library, Bob and I will do what we can here."

By dawn the fire had been extinguished and much to Mark's annoyance, the townspeople were rising and beginning to ask questions. Rumors had already circulated, blowing everything out of proportion. The most popular among the crowds was a giant armored ship had docked in the night and a vicious army of pirates had raided the library and killed the librarian. And while the librarian was fine other then being a bit shaken, he was more than happy to soak up his fifteen minutes of fame.

Mark turned his back on the crowd now surrounding the library and faced the sunrise lighting up the harbor. He sighed, another sleepless night. He was getting ready fucking tired of the fae.