'Don't let her get away!'

The shouts echoed around the empty streets like a gun shot, causing a few windows to open and shouts of dismay to join the din that was slowly taking hold in the sleepy streets that made up the Capital of the so called wonderful City that they lived in. This place was the wealthiest of all the districts, restricted only to the most wealthy and powerful of people and families. Surely this din was quite far from anything they would expect in their sleepy little world of roses and peace.

Running through the streets, a young woman moved as quickly as her legs would carry her, her arms filled with as much food as she could carry. She navigated the streets with ease and with a knowledge that suggested that this was a regular occurance for her. She made her way up on to the roof of a nearby house, using some crates that had been stacked up beside it. Jumping over the rooftops gave her a much faster chance at getting away and, eventually, the sounds of footsteps and shouts faded away into the distance.

Jumping down from her current position, she landed carefully on the ground, her long hair falling about her face before she pulled the hood of her cloak back up. Taking one last glance around, she jumped nimbly down into the underground system, which allowed those of the military police to move from district to district with much more ease than scaling the walls that separated them. It was something that she would usually scoff at, but, for the last few months, she had found it incredibly useful.

Pausing only once she knew she was passed the wall, she caught her breath, looking behind her to make sure she wasn't being followed. Once she was sure, she found her way to the left of the tunnel and found what she had been looking for. A group of young children, the oldest only being about 10 years old, cheered when they saw her and ran quickly to hug every part of her. Laughing heartily, she shushed them all and handed out the food, watching as each settled back down to eat, passing around the cannister of water that she had also managed to steal.

'It's not safe down here you know...'

The young woman froze as she heard the voice, so cold and distant in tone. Turning quickly, she faced the owner of the voice, her arms held out by her sides in a protective gesture. The children huddled behind her, all peering from around the corners of her cloak.

'So, it seems you do this a lot? They wouldn't have survived this long otherwise.'

The young woman remained silent, her eyes locked on the man in front of her. She took in his appearance, his short stature, his black hair, his ice blue eyes. She noted that he was not that much older than her in appearance, something that seemed to get her more on edge than would be usual. His voice had a slightly bored slant to it, as though he could be thinking of better things to do.

'So, either, you are unable to speak, or you simply aren't as good at speaking as you are at stealing.'

The young man moved forward and she stepped back, still holding her hands out in the same protective manner. Finding her voice finally, she spoke in a clear, confident voice.

'Someone has to look after them and, I'll be that someone if I have to. I have to show them that this world isn't as bad as it seems!'

'This world is exactly as it seems.'

'They can be shown differently, they can be given hope that humanity will improve...that this world will improve. The people inside that wall have so much, whilst the people this side have so little! They won't miss a few food rations, not when they already waste so much!'

'That's all very well, but it was my food you were stealing.'

The young woman gasped a little and stepped back. She knew who he was, she had seen him around and, seen the things he was involved with. He was one of the best known and most feared criminals of the underground scene. To everyone in Sina, he was probably a regular guy, but, those who had to make their living by other means knew differently.

She then frowned a little, looking back at the children and then at him.

'I don't care, I would do it all over again if it meant showing them that someone cared.'

The young man peered at her for a moment and then, moved to the side of the tunnel, checking the wall before leaning against it. His eyes were locked with hers for a long time and they remained in complete and utter silence. The only sound that could be heard was a distant dripping sound, and the sounds of the children eating the food they had been given, though it seemed they were highly entertained with the scene before them as well.

'You are skilled, not many people would think about using the tunnels, and I haven't seen many who can move as quickly or as skillfully as you can. Moving across the city, at that speed, with all that food, you have brains as well as motivation. I could make use of you.'

The young woman blinked, probably a little stupidly, as she heard these words. Her brown eyes focused on his icy blue ones for a moment, before she looked back at the children behind her.

'I can't leave them, they're all I have...'

'Then use your pay to make sure they have a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs and warm beds to sleep in.'

Again, she looked at him, unsure as to whether to believe what he was saying. Everything she had known and had heard about him, didn't ring true to what was happening right at this moment. Instinctively, she placed her arms around the two children nearest to her and pulled them close.

'I am not trying to trick you, nor do I wish harm on them. But, I understand, however, I will expect your answer in the morning, Ella Archer.'

Ella blinked and, in a flash he was gone, leaving her both bewildered and a little freaked out. She wasn't sure how he knew her name, barely anyone did, but some how, he had found out and it was highly unnerving. However, his words, his offer...everything he had just said to her, whilst unbelievable, she felt like she could trust them and that, finally, she would be able to give these children the life they deserved.