Too Equal For My Taste
Chapter 6: A Reluctant Thief
Meanwhile…
While Sarah was talking to her mom about what she felt and her worries about Elliot, Mark and Kenneth were across the block at the Murtaugh's new backyard. Mark did not exactly like Kenneth, but he still hung out with him. Kenny was too good at getting Mark involved, and Mark was too scared to ignore Kenny and stay away from him.
Mark had to admit though; Kenny did know how to get away from trouble, even when caught. The Murtaugh backyard was large, and perfect for spying. Kenny bent down behind the bushes, and peered through. It was perfect. He could see everything from the end of the street to the Baker's house itself. He could spy everything.
Mark looked questioningly at Kenneth. Kenny got up, and pointed Mark to the bushes. Mark shrugged a whatever, and peered through too. Then he saw what Ken could see. Everything was visible. It was perfect. On one side of the backyard were all bushes. The other side had a built fence from the previous owners. Being able to see everything did indeed mean that they would be able to achieve a lot, and with Ken, possibly get away with it. Was it possible life was that easy?
"What now?" Mark asked Kenny. He knew Ken was planning something good this time, and if he could get involved, he might have a little fun.
Ken knew Mark was referring to what big scheme he could've possibly cooked up this time. Ken was hungry for some big stuff this time. He was willing to take things further, and he was going to do it. "Tell me, Mark," Ken smirked. "What do you want from your parents?"
"A raise in my allowance," Mark answered, knowing what Ken's reaction would be.
"Why am I not surprised?" Ken said sarcastically. "For three years now, I'm living off the same allowance. It's just enough to get lunch at school. But it's none for the summer. It's like they don't trust me. So, we'll take what we're owed."
"Just for fun," Ken breathed. "Just for the sake of it, do you think we could sneak Elliot's skateboard away?"
"What for?"
"Just to test things out," Ken said quietly. "We're not gonna sell it or anything like that. We're just gonna take it, and put it here. Elliot would think he left it here."
"But I don't see the point," Mark protested.
"Who's planning things here?" Ken asked testily. "Just do what I tell you."
Mark listened to Ken's plan, and how to carry it out. It was actually quite simple, though probably painful on Mark's part.
Pain or no pain, it was a great act on Mark's part. He ran across the grassy field behind Jake, Mike and Elliot. In Mark's way was the skateboard, and he jumped on the skateboard, and let it roll back as he tripped off it and fell facedown onto the grass.
Jake and Mike wheeled around with Elliot, and spotted Mark, lying and bruised.
The skateboard rolled away into Jake's. The two stopped rolling at Kenneth's feet. Ken picked Elliot's up, and ran away, leaving Jake's and Mike's.
"Are you ok?" Elliot laughed, as he helped Mark up.
"Yeah, I was looking for Kenneth," Mark said painfully. The bruises really hardly hurt him, but he thought he'd put the act up since it was believable enough. They helped Mark up, and looked around. "Sorry I tripped over your skateboard," Mark said lowly.
"It's ok, it's fine, it's- wait"- Elliot stopped. "Where is it?"
"It went back into Jake's," Mark said.
Jake ran over to his own skate board, and looked around. "Elliot's must be around here somewhere. I know it rolled into mine."
"What about mine?" Mike asked.
"It's over there," Jake pointed over to their home.
Mark left the three, with a promise to keep an eye out. While the three were wondering in vain where the skateboard was, Mark retreated back to Ken, hoping he did a good enough job. When he got back to Ken's backyard, there Ken genially smiling. Ken shook his head happily, "That was awesome, Baker. Great act. You know what we can pull off with that act?"
Mark stared. He liked it? He actually liked it? He stared at Ken in a surprised way, and repeated his thoughts, "You liked it. You actually liked it?"
"Do you prefer I didn't?" Ken tested incredulously. "It was awesome."
Mark enjoyed the praise Ken gave him. He very rarely got praise like that. Still, what did Ken want with a skateboard? Plus, why did he have a lingering feeling of guilt? He truly enjoyed the act and the trip. Heck, he thought he'd just ignore it. It wasn't like it would kill him if he left it.