Sound asleep, Oliver laid down in his corner, having a dream much more pleasant than normal. His bird, James, had remained silent that morning, as if respecting the boy's slumber. Noah and Olivia were playing a basic 'game' drawing in the sand, and Ainsley watched over the only 'hermit' who was not awake. Oliver's profile while sleeping was so graceful, like an angel. That description would be considered very ironic since he's a thief with a not-so-great reputation.
Finally after losing all her patience, the girl had started shaking him. He groaned; James began to chirp, leading the boy to say "Five more minutes…I'm tired…" He surely didn't play that hard yesterday, nor was his effort to find Olivia that exhausting…so what's his problem? "HEY WAKE UP!" Ainsley yelled while kicking him, a 'strategy' she learned from Olivia. He grunted and got up reluctantly. "Good morning" he said peeved. "Morning? Try late afternoon, kid!" she retorted despite being a younger age. A ration of bread was thrown at Oliver, who took a bite immediately after catching it. "Why are you all dressed, and where are Olivia and Noah?" he brushed some hair from his face with his fingers and took another bite.
"We were invited by the kids to play again!" she answered, purposely leaving out that the main reason was Oliver that they got invited. "Lily and Kyo seemed especially excited to see us again!" she added in that fact's stead. He shot up at the thought of being 'a normal kid' again. "Really? Then what are we waiting for?" He swiftly finished his breakfast and looked under his sheet for the clothes he wore. Ainsley walked outside, blushing at the mental images she had of him changing. Noah, after losing the umpteenth round, asked where 'Ollie' was.
"I'm right here!" he wiped the bread crumbs off his face. "If you're ready, then let's go!"
"Nah, I don't wanna go now~!" Noah said, as if determined to win this game against Olivia, who invented the game. "Good luck Noah…" Ainsley followed Oliver up the rocks, and both went back to the park.
Earlier in the morning, the scent of meat had woken up Henry Lou like a dog. He opened his eyes and realized he was in a dullish green room. He rubs his eyes and got out of the bed, scurrying downstairs to satisfy his hunger. Peaking into the kitchen, he saw Ms. Greene cooking some sausage, and eggs already appeared cooked.
"You could've stayed in bed longer if you wanted to…" She smiled putting down his plate.
"Yeah…! Sure!" Henry Lou ran to the plate. "Thanks for the food!" shouted happily before he shoveled up his breakfast. By the time Vienna had set down her own plate, he was already finished.
"What are you, a black hole?" She stared at the plate that didn't even have a single drop of sauce, nor grease; she was simply happy there were no scratches or teeth marks on the plate.
"Can I have some more please?" He stared at her eagerly, after all, who doesn't like free food? In response, she nudged her plate toward him with a nervous smile, showing signs that she lost her appetite. As he kept chewing on the first piece of sausage, Vienna offered:
"Would you like a bath? I can look for more spare clothes" I guess that's her nice way of saying 'you stink' he thought, realizing his own foul scent. He ate slower than the first plate, this time enjoying the delicious cooking she had given him…No wonder Heinrick mooches on her… he muttered quietly, his mouth full with the last 'bite'. "I'll be upstairs…fixing up the bath" walking up the said stairs, Vienna carried the expression proving her complete loss of any craving for food.
So after the bath…I'll ask to go outside and get more acquainted with the local area. Damn it, I don't feel like working! Sadly, those idiots rented me, so I don't have a choice.He stroked his hair. Did they even mention the name of my target? No!
"Hey, Kid, your bath's ready! I set clothes next to it as well! If you excuse me…I'll be attending my garden now!"
"Oh! Before you go, may I go outside and play?" he beamed with innocence beyond phony, yet she didn't notice.
"After you take a bath, yes" She smiled, and then exited the premises.
Henry Lou went up the stairs, to the bath, took it, and then changed into his clothes, in a matter of minutes. Vienna had questioned whether or not he actually bathed, but the mediocre scent proved he did.
Now…for work.
"Hey Ollie!" Many kids had waved at him once he was in sight. "What am I, chopped liver?" Ainsley was clearly miffed at her unpopularity. "I'm sure they'll greet you too Ainsley…" he whispered back.
"Nice too meet you again Ainsley!" Kyo had said, with almost perfect timing; she smiled in return. Lily walked up to Oliver, cracking her knuckles (out of habit, not malice), so he asked what's wrong.
"Nothing…I was just gonna ask what you want to play, since the others want to do what you wanna do…"
"What I wanna do?" He thought. "Uh… I thought you would have a game prepared... if it's not dodge ball, then I'm okay with it."
"Aww! Why'd ya have to be a bummer?" Kids were cheering with relief in the background. She glanced at them all with an anger that sent chills.
"The only thing I can think of besides that is 'hide and seek…!' " whined the rejected blonde.
"That's far too boring! Ollie, can't you think of something?" Ainsley asked.
"Ummm…" He snapped his fingers, signaling a new idea "Why don't we play pirates?"
"That sounds like a cool idea!" many said unanimously. Kids started to gather 'swords', 'eye patches', and 'cannons'. Oliver was the Captain on the side everyone wanted to join, and Lily was the other. Some 'pirate talk' and threats took place before their play battle. Rock flew and swordfights took place throughout the park. Some parents came due out to concern. Five minutes into the 'battle', and three people remained: Lily, Oliver, and Kyo (Ainsley was also standing, but gave up playing). Kyo and Lily faced Oliver ready to attack; Oliver put up a stance in preparation. In less then a minute, Kyo laid on the ground, the puncture mark on his shirt showing the easy target he ended up being. Finally: A showdown between the two captains would take place. Lily lunged herself at Oliver, who blocked her sword . The weapons scraped against one another constantly as the quarrel continued. Ainsley watched eagerly, cheering for Oliver (to herself).
The fight that went a little too far for 'play' had exhausted both players. After a series of panting, the two went for the 'final strike'. Sadly, the battle was ended before they could even lay a finger on each other, for both had collapsed on the floor. "What...just happened?" Ainsley stared at the two collapsed players, now walking toward them. Two rocks lay next to them answering her question. Ainsley looked in almost every direction, but did not see anyone else standing. Who threw these? She thought to herself. A few seconds later, all the kids started to get up, wanting to play another round. Meanwhile,the two captains remained on the floor, showing signs of headaches. Wow these two are hopeless.Ainsley helped Oliver up, and then Lily. "Ever heard of 'ladies first'?" she muttered. "So Oliver, want to play another round?"
"You're so getting your butt kicked this time!" He declared as if it were truth.
"Right after I kick yours!" Lily laughed.
As they joked, Ainsley looked past the trees into a spot she had overlooked. In that shaded spot stood a young boy dressed in very plain clothes. She immediately suspected he was the one that threw those rocks, glancing back the heads of the two blondes, which had no noticeable boy was gone when she looked back at the spot.
So the kid's name is Oliver! The sketch was slightly off, but I can still pull off as him…what's with that girl looking at me? Anyway…I should somehow find a way to get closer to him. The details on his face are important too…along with the patterns of his body movement, the way he talks…Henry Lou continued to go through his mental checklist. I will have to meet with Heinrick again sometime soon before I go further than this, maybe during dinner. For now, I'll just blend in and examine this Oliver kid's behavior.
"Down to you two again?" Ainsley giggled at her peers who continued their interrupted duel. "Can't…talk…while…fighting!" the two said in nearly perfect unison. Drops of sweat dripped from Lily's face and neck. She was finally reaching her limit. I guess it's only natural, since Oliver has more experience with being a thief. Ainsley sat in the grass, feeling tired. She looked up at the sky with her half-opened eyes. Huh? Is it already near evening? How man rounds have they played? I want to take a nap sooner or later…preferably sooner.
She felt a slight kick on one of her sides, and then blinked a few times to see Oliver's face hovering over hers. A drop of his sweat fell on her face. EW, well someone had fun. Ainsley rubbed the drop off her face and told him she was ready to leave. He responded saying that she should go back on her own, but be careful.
"I'll see if I can bring some food from Miss Vienna home" was whispered into her ear before Oliver began to walk away, taking his time due to the used up energy. Ainsley put up no argument, for she would have left herself regardless. Some of the kids were taken home against their will by their parents. Sucks for them, he smirked. I don't have to worry about parents forcing me home… The mischievous mood he was in became a depressed one. How many years had it been since his parents abandoned him, along with his sister Olivia? Was it on accident? Did they not care for their own children? Of all days to be abandoned…why were they left on their birthday? Though he showed no care when it came to such subjects, his feelings brought him down inside, creating a slightly bigger hole in his heart than before. He shook his head vigorously.
"I can't be thinking about such a stupid thing now!" he shouted to snap out of it, earning the odd glances of adults.
Ignoring them, Oliver started to increase his pace. Maybe he could catch up with Ainsley, if he walked fast enough. The gray street felt cold and rough on his feet, which were wet with some dirt and grass. How careless he was. As he reached the end of the street, a woman with short green hair stepped outside. "Oh, hello, are you Miss Vienna?" H asked waving. The door behind her was open; it would be her fault if intruders went in. "Now who are you, young child?" She asked casually. "Are you here for food? Many seem to take advantage of my surplus lately" A slight annoyance was detected in her tone. Well someone's terse.He smiled nervously at her. "Is that rude?" he asked, ready to back away. "Oh no, you free to take a helping home with you! So what's your name kid?"
"My name's Oliver…you don't mind giving me food?" he said as if surprised. "Of course not! Here, I'll get you a bowl of stew."
"Umm…not to sound selfish, but do you have something slightly more portable?"
"Well, I do have some muffins and scones, if you would like that"
"I would love that!" His standards clearly were not that high when it came to foodstuffs. Vienna walked in for a few minutes, and then came back out with a small pot that had scones in it. Putting on the cover, she told him to return it when done.
"It's the least I could do! Thanks so much!" They both smiled.
"Well, I'll be going!" He went his way back to the pier.
Well aren't those three gonna be happy when they see this!Oliver opened the container, releasing a sweet scent. He held back his temptation to eat one, knowing that his sister would find out by simply glancing at the 'greasy look' of the pot. Will they even be hungry? Down the street, he continued walking.
Clack kli-klick!The sound of a rock skidding was instantly caught in his ears. Oliver sharply turned to the right, only seeing the shadows cast by homes. Not even a moment later, the sound of someone charging was heard. Oliver turned around, only to receive a brutal blow to his gut. He let out a gagging cough; some traces of blood came out with the saliva. Without so much as a chance to know what—or who hit him, he landed on the ground; the pot clattered against the hard ground, relinquishing its scones, which were now scattered on the floor. His sight, becoming blurry as he lost consciousness, would only let him see two figures hovering on top of him.
After much time had passed, Oliver managed to wake up. He felt the cold floor before anything else, shivering before showing attempts to get up. The shivering made Oliver realize that his arms and legs were bound to one another, also…he was naked? He thought to himself about who would possibly do this. The room he was trapped in was very dark. The windows were sealed, barely letting any light in it. Oliver looked for any broken glass that could be a ticket to freedom, but this place must have 'tided up' just for him. Ending his confusion, and adding to his frustration, Heinrick opened the door, his smug grin too obnoxious for Oliver to stand.
"Who the hell are you, and why did take me here?"
Thanks for making it this far...is my story boring? I don't seem to be getting any reviews...
Just one or two will, do...if anyone's reading this.
*goes to take a nap*