I jumped from roof to roof, hoping that I would lose them. I'm just a person that looked like a 19 year old girl that just wanted an easy heist that could, for once, run smoothly. It's was going so smoothly that you could slide of your chair, I could see the Ruby Red Shoes in it's glass cage practically calling my name but no someone just had to be the mole and tell the sanctuary. And now I'm the last one that hasn't been caught…and hopefully won't be. But that's not the worst part. The worst part is that the mole told the sanctuary and now I have their best detectives chasing me. Skullduggery Pleasant and Alex Chance, his apprentice. And they are a pair that no one would want to mess with.

I jumped onto the next roof and rolled smoothly onto my feet. The sound of the busy nightlife filled the air, with the people below unaware of what was actually happening around them. I didn't dare to look back. That was the first thing I leant in the business 'Just because you can't see then doesn't mean they aren't there'. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, as I run in the darkness of night that helped me hide that little bit better, but with the reputation they had I wouldn't underestimate them. I continued to run but they were gaining and fast. An opening for escape appeared before me. A door with bright green letters little up before me, shining the words 'Exist'. The handle didn't budge as I frantically tried to twist the handle.

'Locked, damn it of all the things to be locked right now.' I thought, 'There has got to be another way.' Footsteps echoed of the buildings. 'Not enough time.' I thought as I smashed the side of my body against the door ignoring the pain that flared in my arm.

The door broke open when I did the same a second time. Flight of stares lay before me but I didn't have enough time to use them. I launched myself over the handrails and started the jump down onto the next ones to the ground floor.

"She went through here." I heard a female voice call, most likely Alex Chance.

I didn't stop to see if they saw me. I jumped down the rest of the way. I landed and pain shot through my foot as it cracked painfully.

"Ahh, shit." I groaned, limping out of the apartment building.

I limped out of the apartment building and found myself in a lively cityscape, surrounded by crowds of people.

I stripped of my black hooded jacket and threw it to the side so that the detectives wouldn't be able to recognize me in the crowd. As I past various night stalls, I grabbed a navy blue jacket and a soft grey scarf and put the on quickly. Now I started to walk casually in my loose white shirt, black jeans and black boots and the stolen jacket and scarf. The pain in my right foot grew with every step I took but with the sanctuary's best at my tail I couldn't afford to be recognized, especially with the reputation I've yearned myself. Jean Heartless the illusive thief. Jean Heartless isn't actually my name. It's Jean Heart-net but it's a long story about the name. I have been apart of the magical community for as long as I can remember and a thief as well but I don't particularly like the sanctuary that much or anyone of that matter. My chestnut coloured hair whipped at my face as the wind blew from behind me. I looked behind and saw a not so impressed Alex Chance matching towards me. I ignored her hoping she would ignore me into turn. There was no way that she would be able to know what I looked like, know one knew what Jean Heart-net, or Heartless to them, looked like. I run my fingers through my fine long hair casually. She rushed pushed me, looking around frantically looking for me. I couldn't help but snicker to myself that one of the best couldn't find me and I was right in front of them…but I'm called the illusive thief for something. She disappeared in the crowd, at least now I could relax my guard but Skullduggery was most likely still on the prowl being the stubborn person he is and with that façade symbol magic, it would be even harder to find him. Unless you look for a very, very skinny man in a suit, wearing a fedora. I walked through the crowded streets, discreetly looking around for them in case they were following me. The booming music filled the cool summer night, but it didn't help with the migraine I was getting.

I started to head for home that wasn't to far away from the lively city, probably just a five-four minute walk but with the pace I was going at it was going to take a little longer.

The music started to fade in the distance as I walked from the city making my way in to the dark streets on the out skirts of the city. The street that I lived on was one of those places you didn't want to go near or walk in at night, like you might see someone selling crack on the side of the road. But really the street was full of really nice people and neighbors and during the day the street looked rather cute, even with the small run down apartment building that was built in the 70s. And I just happened to live in it.

The rusty gate to the old building squeaked loudly as I opened it. I walked quietly to the front door punching in four numbers to get into the three-story apartment. The sliding doors slide open smoothly without making a single sound. It was a basically the only new and quiet thing in the building. I slowly made my way up the flight of stares, carefully and slowly going up trying not to hurt my already injured foot. I lived on the second floor in apartment 3. I unlocked the door to my apartment.

'Finally home after an eventful evening.' I thought as I threw my keys onto the kitchen bench and flicked on the lights.

The apartment was small with one bedroom, one bathroom/laundry, small kitchen, lounge room and the balcony that looked over the lively city, and the ocean. It was small but it was comfortable and it's been my home for five years. I used to help the landlady clean on the weekend to pay of the rent and sometimes I still do.

I limped toward the bathroom, stripping of the stolen jacket, scarf and my trusty boots. The bathroom door creaked open as I pushed it open and the lights flickered on. I opened the cabinet, under the bathroom sink, taking out the aid kit. The first aid kit seemed to be one of the most used things I have. I sat on the edge of the bathtub, putting my injured foot on the edge. I slowly rolled up the pants legs, revealing my foot that looked inflamed and bruised. I touched my foot and hissed in pain but had to make sure it wasn't broken. I continued to massage my foot checking for broken bones. Tears threatened to fall but I refused to let them.

"Not broken. Well guess that's good." I muttered to myself, as I started to wrap my foot up tightly in a bandage and then started to wrap my arm, which was covered in scratches and bruises from banging the door down.

I got up limping toward the sink and turning towards sink. The cool water felt nice on my face as I washed it. I looked up at my reflection in the mirror and saw a girl with chestnut coloured hair, tied in a loose ponytail, dripping with water and electric blue coloured eyes staring back at me. The relfection in the mirror didn't show it's real age. She looked 19 but really was 356 years old.

"Jean Heartless, huh" I said looking at my reflection.

Jean heartless, I earned that name on my 16th heist all those years ago it was the first time I meet Mr Skullduggery Pleasant. It was the day I stole The Midnight Lost Child, for the necromancers. The sanctuary took the Midnight Lost Child, which was one of the first necromancer objects. And it was the first time they had any hint as to whom the thief was. They asked from my name that day and I told them 'Jean Heart-net'. But they heard me wrong and thought I said 'Jean Heartless'. The sanctuary knows me by that name. But only a few people know what my chosen name is and that would be the landlady, Mrs Cher, Anton Shudder and that's about it…yeah I know two people isn't much but it enough for me.

I limped out of the bathroom, pulling my hair out of the loose ponytail letting it fall to my waist flowing freely, and limped into the lounge room going towards to the balcony. I slipped my black jacket on that had a fur trim around the hood. Fresh air flowed it the room as the widows opened. I leaned on the balcony looking at the city; my hair flowed slightly in the cool breeze that tasted slightly like salt.

"Great. Another day without pay." I sighed, closing my eyes.

Something creaked inside my house; it sound distinctly like the front door was opening. I stayed there, pretending not to hear them sneaking into my apartment. The floorboards creaked under the invaders feet as they sneaked into my lounge room towards me.

"What do you want?" I said calling out to strangers in my house, not bothering to turn around.

"Ah…" It was no other then Skullduggery Pleasant in my house, there as no mistaking it. "We wanted to sell you Girl Scout cookies." He said.

' "We", his apprentice, Alex Chance must be here with him too.' I thought.

"Girl scouts usually knock and it's the middle of the night." I said flatly.

"We wanted to personally give it too you." A girl said, most likely Alex, as she stepped forward towards me.

"Are they the fireball variety?" I asked.

"Ah…maybe." Alex said.

"What do you really want?" I asked again.

"We are sanctuary officers." Skulduggery began, "We know that your Jean Heartless, but we aren't going to hand you in we just want to ask you a few questions." He said, stepping towards me.

If there was one thing that was obvious, it was that they alter motives and I didn't want to find out what they were. I looked for an escape route and jumping off a two-story building wasn't an option. Small orange flash caught the corner of my eye, the garbage truck.

'Of course, the garbage truck goes right under my balcony at night. I just need to buy myself at least a minute or two.' I thought looking down at the truck.

"I might answer your questions, but that really depends on what they are." I said slowly.

"We need to know who hired you to steal the Ruby Red Shoes." Alex stepped forwards.

"Oh, you mean the shoes that have the ability take you anywhere you want to go. Much like Dorothy's red shoes from The Wizard of Oz."

"Yes."

"Now tell us who hired you." Skullduggery said almost in a threatening way.

The garbage truck was almost at my balcony just another stop.

"How about…" I said pretending to think about it, "No."

"Well you don't have a choice." The sound of metal clicked against each other. It sounded much like the sound of handcuffs and there was no way I was going to be left powerless.

"Actually I do~" I sang, as the truck stopped under my balcony.

I launched myself over just as Alex went to grab me. I hit the truck with a thud and rolled to me feet. I jumped of the truck and ran. Ran as fast as I could. There was no way I was going to get caught today. I ignored the cuts that started to from in my foot and the pain of the sprained ankle. It seemed like forever running in the darkness. I was going to miss the small apartment but now that they knew where i lived, I couldn't return. I slowed to a walking pace and found myself walking on soft grass that felt nice on my feet.

An orangey-yellow light suddenly lighted the whole oval. I ducked felling the intense heat of the fireball. Alex Chance stood there not too far behind me, with the red flames dancing around her fingers, and Skulduggery floated down to join her.

"It would be wise if you told us." Alex said.

"I don't tell others about my clients. It's apart of the contract." I replied. "But I can tell you that if you follow the trail of goods then you shall find a client."

"We don't have time for puzzles. Just tell us."

"No~"

"Fine be like that."

She threw another at me. I rolled out of the way quickly getting to my feet. The successions of fire came quickly, making me light on my feet not allowing me to stop. But I wasn't quick enough. The fire singed my jacket as I moved quickly.

"You just singed my jacket." I said faking to be outraged, whilst dodging the balls of fire

"Oh, woops, I didn't mean to honestly." Alex said sarcastically

"You should be more careful then." I dodged another.

"Oh, I will try."

A sudden wind blew me of my feet, sending me flying into a tree. I quickly recovered ignoring the pain in my back and run behind the tree taking cover from the gunfire.

'Looks like I'm going to have to fight back.' I thought.

The power with in me gathered at my fingertips, burning for release. I stood deadly still as the two detectives slowly walked towards the tree. I quickly stepped out from behind the tree, sending the bolts of electricity at them. They didn't have time to move out of the way. The stream of blue electricity followed out of my hands. The feeling was oddly nice. I stopped. They fell to ground, unconscious. They would be like that for the next hour, giving me to get my things and flea town before they got me. It was the first time that others had seen my ability. It was the one thing that I need to get the job done but of course that wasn't the only trick up my sleeve. I left the two sanctuary officers on the ground, running back to my apartment.

…

I ran back to the apartment and gently pushed open the door that was unlocked. I didn't bother wasting time. I rushed to my room, replacing the clothing I was wearing with an electric blue flannelette shirt, ripped jeans and my trusty boots. I dug through my setts a draws pulling out clothing and stuffing them into my forest green duffel bag, not bothering to fold them. I put my BlackBerry phone into the bag, a long with the stash of money I kept under the floorboards. But money wasn't the only thing I kept under the floorboards. I pulled out a little black book, which served as a logbook that kept the names of all my clients, who they are, every thing about them (quite literally) and what they wanted stolen. I pulled out my trusty dagger that was wrapped in a dark purple material. The material slipped off as I held it my hands. The daggers blade is as long as my forearm and was encased in a black sheath. The handle of the blade was wrapped in leather but I could still feel the cold metal against my skin. I unsheathed the dagger and looked at the small writing on the blade. 'alveo lux et tenebrae.' It read in Latin, English translation would be 'the channel of light and darkness'. The dagger was rather special. It absorbed the electricity and would electrocute people with skin contact. It would flicker blue with the raw electric energy. The last thing that remained was a photo of two mortals that I called my parents. They died when I was fourteen when the remnants were set loose. They smiled back at me as if they didn't have a care in the world. I put the photo carefully into the book and placed them into the duffel bag. I slipped my, now singed, black jacket on. I stepped out of the apartment, throwing the bag onto my shoulder and started my long trip to one of the few places that were safe…for now. The Midnight Hotel.