But a Shadow: Chiana Vasylyk
The Thief
"Quickly and quietly, we don't have long," Chiana whispered
"Remind me again why are doing this? And how did you convince me to come along?" Klein replied, as he nervously crouched behind Chiana
"Answer to question one: Because Yugo assigned this job to us. Answer to question two: you convinced yourself." Lexi responded in a mischievous tone
Klein rolled his eyes. "I do this because I have to not because I want to."
"And you don't think either me or Lexi has to?"
"I never said that you didn't. The thing I don't get is why you always have to take, and drag me out on, the most dangerous and high-risk jobs"
"Because they reap the highest reward."
"We didn't drag you remember, you convinced yourself"
"Enough talking we have work to do," Chiana said. Chiana placed her lock pick into the keyhole, twisted in a pattern such that the lock clicked open. "Our way in is now available to us," Chiana said, indicating at the open door.
Chiana, Klein, and Lexi snuck through a doorway into the dimly lit, run-down and cluttered room. Chiana soon separated from the others and started to explore the room, looking at various boxes for useful supplies that could be sold at District Six's black markets. A loud crash suddenly echoed through the room. A large stack of crates tumbled down to the floor, their contents scattering everywhere.
"So much for the stealthy approach," Lexi said sarcastically
"Don't believe anyone's heard us yet, so technically we are still undetected" Chiana replied
Sounds of footsteps, clattering down the stairs began resonating through the room. Sounds of voices shouting pierced through the roof and the walls.
Chiana sighed. "Or perhaps not."
"Think we should be leaving now," whispered Klein
Dashing behind a tall stack of crates to hide Chiana was joined by Klein and Lexi, who was crouched just to her left. Chiana indicated to them to find their hiding spots. Lexi responded quickly squatting behind a large box that lay just behind Chiana. Klein took more convincing, though in the end he reluctantly crossed other to the other side of the room. Somehow things always managed to awry. It was frustrating, but Chiana had come to expect it as she always liked to make dangerous and audacious plans. To a certain extent, she enjoyed the risk but that didn't mean she wanted to barely get away with her life every other time. She sought out thrills, not death. A quick thrill wasn't the only reason she had entangled herself with Yugo's Guild. It was a matter of survival for her and Nerri. She would earn more stealing for Yugo than she would be working in the factories. Chiana found herself interrupted from her thoughts by the door, from across the room being flung open.
"Hell, might as rip it off its hinges," Chiana muttered to herself
A group of six Peacekeepers charged their way into the room. Chiana began frantically gesturing at Klein and Lexi to escape, which Klein was all too happy to oblige. They all dashed out of the room, not caring to pay attention to the noise they were making. Chiana threw a couple of stacks of crates and boxes to the floor, buying them precious seconds.
The trio frantically ran through the streets hoping to lose the Peacekeepers that were perusing them. They soon came to an area of the district as The Nest, a twisting network of narrow alleyways that someone unfamiliar with could easily get lost in. The trio speedily made their way deep into The Nest's network.
"Well, we've lost them at least for a bit. Hopefully long enough to catch our breaths for a bit." Chiana panted
"Remind me to never go along with one of your schemes again," Klein said
"You always say that. And you always find yourself tagging along next time." Lexi responded
"Because you somehow manage to convince us that you have a plan that will keep us undetected and you never do remind me." Klein retorted
"All right, dears, you have conservation later. Preferably when we're not on the run from Peacekeepers." Chiana interjected
"Must've really gotten themselves lost the fools" replied Lexi
"Well, it can't hurt to lie low for a while."
"Keep talking sense and you'll have me worried"
"Very funny. Now, where'd Jett when you need him?"
"You call and I shall answer" Jett announced
"And they say you don't have some sort of sixth sense" Chiana replied
"You don't need a sixth sense to find out what you've been up to"
"Stop being a smartass and take us to your little hidey-hole."
"Why don't you do the same and follow me"
"Honestly Jett, I think you could have somewhere nicer," Chiana said
"Should I arrange for room service, m'lady" Jett quipped
"I think there's more press matter, like fixing bleeding lights" she replied, indicating the flickering lights
The two chuckled. "You can't keep this up forever Chiana, being so reckless, treating everything like it's a game," Jett said histone suddenly serious.
"Who are you and what have you done with Jett?"
"I'm being serious, Chiana"
"You are? That's new, are you ok?
"You're doing that thing that you always do"
"Having the sharpest wit in all of Six?"
"Acting dismissively someone tries to get all….serious with you… you know not that well versed in this"
Chiana sighed. "I know, I know. But I suppose it a refuge of sorts, my way of dealing with the shit hand we've handed."
"Just stop being so reckless, your luck will run out eventually"
"You mean eventually you'll decide you're done with dealing with bullshit," Chiana replied returning to a usual playful and dismissive tone
"Just when I thought you were starting actually genuine with someone," Jett said, half-serious and half-joking
"C'mon you must know, that I don't do that sort of thing," Chiana said. She paused for a brief moment "It's a mask you could say, my stopping this shithole from swallowing up. We all put on this façade to those that we do all this dangerous shit for. You have Vespa and I have Nerri. We have to be… Chania hesitated
"I see that the serious Chiana has returned"
"In your dreams, you cheeky little shit"
"Guess, I was too hopeful then"
"Now, I'm afraid I must leave you as think some excuse to tell you as to why I fucked the job and you're awfully distracting."
Chiana departed her current room for another, which was equally small and dingy but at least the light didn't flicker. Without Jett to take her mind off things, she was left with her thoughts. She knew that Yugo was right. She knew that a thief should be but a shadow. She knew that it was what she had to be if she was to survive.