AN: I have started to revise and combine the chapters of this story because the old ones were painfully short. I also renamed this fic because the old name didn't fit, in my opinion. Please don't hate me.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything written by Rick Riordan.
Chapter One: Introduction
I raced up the stairs of the apartment building and into apartment 249. Home. I slammed the door shut behind me and leaned against it, breathing hard
"What did you take this time, Nikki?" my mom sighed. She knows she'd never be able to stop me from stealing. It's in my blood. A sort of family thing. From my dad, of course. Mom doesn't "engage in criminal activity". Her exact words.
"This." I held up a cigarette lighter triumphantly. "They never even saw me near it." I headed towards my room.
"You know, I never understood why thieves like you and your father had to have a collection of stolen stuff," Mom said, following me. "With him, it was pocket knives, and with you, it's cigarette lighters."
I placed the plain black lighter in an empty spot on one of my many shelves.
"The satisfaction of knowing that you got away," I replied, surveying my extensive collection. Walking over to a far shelf and picking up a pink lighter I said, "I took this when I was three years old from a gas station. No one saw me take it." I set it down and sat on my bed. "That was the beginning of my thieving career. From then on, I stole pretty much anything small enough to safely carry off without being noticed. Yes, is illegal, but there is one rule I have never broken. That rule is: Never lie to Mom."
"True, true," Mom laughed. "You've never lied to me, not once."
"Never, in all 14 years of my life, have I lied to or deceived you, my mother."
Mom laughed again. "Yes, yes. I know, Nikki. You've told me this at least once each week this month. I know you haven't lied to me."
I laughed as well. "Yeah, sorry."
"No need to be sorry."
I laughed again and sat down as Mom stood up.
"I'm gonna go get started on dinner, okay? Don't get into too much trouble."
I gave her a thumbs-up as I flopped over onto my side on my bed. She left the room and I sighed. I hate doing this to Mom. It must be so stressful for her to have a thief for a kid, but I can't help it. It's just what I do.
AN: I didn't really change the first chapter because it seemed okay. Plus, it's only the introduction. Please review!
