Theft of Thine Heart
Chapter Eight
Soon enough night must have fallen as the bonfire dimmed and people moved into their tents or slept amongst crates and sleeping bags. Some of them looked quite ragged; both the equipment and people, that was. Abel mimed for Esther to be quiet as he got to work picking the lock.
"I wouldn't if I were you, priest."
Abel stumbled back, startled at the sudden appearance of Marcus. Said thief chuckled as he pulled a stool from the side and sat down before their cage, scratching his beard and toying with a cigarette.
"I figured you'd try and break out at night, so I had my beauty sleep earlier."
Esther glared at him, barely biting back her childish retort, 'then why are you so ugly?' Even if she had to admit he wasn't that bad looking. He was tall, muscular and oddly reminded her of Leon, one of his eyes hidden behind an eye patch, the other a shining emerald. Marcus lit up his cigarette as he settled back. Abel sighed seeing they wouldn't be going anywhere tonight.
"You and Rain seem close," he pointed out, at least wishing to learn something about the pair.
Despite knowing Rain for a week now, there was still so much they didn't know about her.
"I saved her off the streets," he smiled, a distant look on his face, "small and stubborn."
"Sounds like her," Esther couldn't help but huff.
Marcus peered in at her, "But she was terrified. Her parents were gone and there was no one to care for her, she was left wandering the streets. She told me that someone was supposed to meet her but no one had turned up. Rain was only eight and dangerously thin when I found her in a back alley. It turned out a man had offered to give her money however he beat the crap out of her instead," he ignored Esther's gasp of shock, "Rain's been distrustful of people ever since. It took her two years before she finally told me her name! So you could say I adopted her, taught her how to survive and how to steal, and the rest is how you see."
A silence fell over the three, Marcus simply staring out across the settlement as smoke rose from his cigarette. Both priest and nun had learnt something very valuable in that moment that explained quite a bit about Rain. She was distrustful, obviously not keen to get close to people, because what she had done to them, had been done to her.
"Why are you really doing this?" Abel suddenly asked quietly, his blue eyes firmly on the back of Marcus' head, "you seem like a fair man yet you made Rain betray us, didn't you?"
A sigh passed the thief's lips as he took a final drag on the cigarette before putting it out, "this place you see here has been built by our own sweat and blood. Not just thieves but those who don't have homes or anywhere to go come here, we are the outcasts of humanity. It's true that it was me who gave Rain the order to betray you but we all make sacrifices to keep this place going. With the money the Orden promised we will be able to feed everyone here, give them new clothes and treat the sick and wounded. And while I lead here, I will protect everyone in this haven of ours," he glanced back at them with his one eye, "it's nothing personal, but I won't see my people starve and die."
Abel took his words to heart. He really wasn't a bad man, he was simply looking out to protect his people, something anyone would do. And it was because of this, Abel couldn't bring himself to hate him or Rain for doing this.
Marcus took a long drag of his cigarette, blowing soft smoke up towards the ceiling, a distant look in his visible eye.
"This Orden…I know they're not a good bunch, you can see that a mile away," he admitted to them quietly, "but they said they could return something that was lost for the simple price of you two," his eye shot back to them with a knowing look, "it's not just for my people I do this, but also for her. She deserves to have something given back to her for a change."
The quiet sigh from within the cell made Marcus turn away once again. He didn't want to see the sad look in those eyes of the priest who was looking at him sympathetically.
"If you believe that the Orden will release Rain's father then I am sorry."
Another soft cloud of smoke rose from the thief's lips, "yeah, so am I priest."
The next morning Abel stirred to the sound of giggling. Someone poked him in the forehead making him jump awake, glasses askew as more giggles followed. Looking past the bars stood a small boy with messy blonde hair, bright blue eyes shining as he giggled again. He held up a tray bearing two bowls of porridge and some bread.
"I brought breakfast! But you have to promise not to try and run away," he pouted slightly, "I'm not supposed to be here but I wanted to see you two!"
The silver haired priest blinked, this could very well be there chance to escape however being Abel Nightroad, he nodded with an almost childish smile.
"I promise."
The boy beamed at him making his heart warm comfortably just as he unlocked the cage, sneaking inside and setting the tray in front of Abel just as Esther stirred. She looked surprised at the open door and the boy sat smiling at them, however seeing that the Father wasn't making a break for it, decided not to try herself.
As Abel stuffed his face, quite famished which was no surprise, he looked down at the boy that still sat with them.
"Thank you for the meal! What is your name little one?"
"I'm Samuel, but everyone calls me Sam," he beamed "you're Mister Nightroad and Miss Blanchett right? My sister told me about you."
Abel almost spit his porridge out, "Rain is your sister?!"
Sam giggled once again, "you're funny. My dad is the leader here."
It clicked in the priest's mind and he felt thoroughly stupid after wards, "oh, you are Marcus' son, so Rain is an adopted sister to you."
He nodded brightly while Esther giggled and ruffled his short hair.
"Where is Rain?" asked the nun curiously.
"At home," he pointed off to the largest tent before an innocently confused look fell onto his face, "I don't know why but sister's been really upset. She wouldn't even eat dinner last night..."
Both of them could see the boy was worried about the woman he cared for as a sister, his hands clasped together in front of him as he chewed on his lip sadly. Abel patted his head lightly with a smile.
"I'm sure she will be back to herself soon enough."
"Samuel," said boy cringed, "what did your father tell you not to do?"
Rain was now stood in the entrance of the cell with her arms crossed, eyes on the small blonde boy who was shuffling in his spot.
"To not visit the prisoners," he grumbled out.
Sighing, the blue haired woman ruffled his hair lightly, "go on and I won't tell him."
Immediately Sam beamed up at her, hugging her round her waist before running out, waving back at the two captives They were left in silence as Abel and Esther looked at Rain, the latter still looking annoyed at the betrayal. Rain looked like she wanted to say something however her hands gripped her arms as she shut her mouth, turning to leave as she shook her head lightly.
"Wait Rain," Abel called to her, "Marcus told us about how he found you, how you were lied to, but not everyone is like that. Trust me, you don't want to make the world your enemy."
Still she said nothing, before she shut the cell door and clicked the lock back in place, eyes not even daring to meet his as she turned and walked away. However the seeds of thought had already been planted.
Above in the city of Rome, a tall, dark haired Methuselah stood at one of the many entrances to the catacombs below. A lightly smoking cigarette resided between his lips for a moment before his dark eyes fell on the entrance just as Marcus appeared from the darkness.
"I take it you are Marcus," the Methuselah spoke silkily, "You have what I want?"
The thief nodded, one of his hands in his pockets, "I'll take you there but I need your word that you will leave my people alone."
"But of course," Isaak smiled, slightly showing his fangs, "the Orden reward those that help them most greatly. We would never go back on our word."
The thief observed him warily for a moment before turning and motioning for him to follow. Isaak put out his cigarette before looking backwards to the brunette haired terran who was idly toying with a fallen leaf.
"Time to go, Marionettenspieler."
Rain almost threw herself onto her bed, careful of her injured arm, feeling like a lost child once more. Why was this difficult? She should be rejoicing that this could possibly return her father to her, even if it meant helping the Orden, Rain could carry that burden. But she couldn't at the cost of the lives of the two people currently held prisoner.
Abel's words had struck a chord in her. So Marcus had told them about how he had found her, so what? She didn't need telling that not everyone was the same. It was just her experience that most people were the same. But he hadn't been. Her first encounter with Abel Nightroad had been completely different. He had offered her his own coins in exchange for those she had stolen, in fact he had offered her everything he had. Why was he so selfless? Sighing heavily, she rolled onto her back and stared up at the tent ceiling with its many patches before slowly closing her eyes. Sleep would not come easily, she had been awake all night with her thoughts, but weariness was finally winning.
The day passed quickly and a hush settled across the settlement as Marcus returned with his guests from the Orden. Most had chosen to stay in their tents or out of sight, knowing that at least one of them was a Methuselah, and the two cloaked soldiers wearing what looked like gas masks across their faces only fuelled to the fear of those around the place. Sam peaked out from the family tent as they passed however quickly scurried back inside at the sight of those from the Orden. He huddled close to Rain who stood watching the newcomers with narrowed eyes, her hand turning white as she gripped the edge of the tent tightly.
She recognised that long haired man garbed in black and the dark feeling that surrounded him.
"I don't like them, sister," Sam muttered against her stomach as he hugged her, his voice snapping her attention back to him, "they scare me."
"I won't let them hurt you," she soothed with a small smile, "now stay here, I have something to do."
Sam looked down for a moment, worry creasing his young forehead before his bright green eyes looked up at her, shining with childish innocence, "good luck sister!"
She didn't want such kind words from him, not for what she was about to do. Kissing the top of his head before ruffling the mess of blonde hair, Rain slipped out of the tent.
