The Month of Collecting (October) Age 9

Week 1

The outside world never looked so good while I stared at it through my window. A breeze moved teasingly through the curtains, filled with the fragrance of flowers. The land was greener and fresher than ever before. Not only did I want to see my friends, I also wanted to check up on Charlie. And there I was, stuck inside to die of boredom.

My arm was fine, really. It wouldn't leave a real scar, maybe just one that'll last a few weeks. If I jerked it around a bit it became sore, but mostly it was alright. In time, it would fully heal. A doctor even came to see me (member of the Thieves' Guild, of course) and proclaimed that I was well enough to go to school. But my mom insisted he was wrong. "Can't you see he's in pain?"

"Er," he said awkwardly. "Yes, it should hurt just a tiny while, but he'll be able to go anywhere-"

She put her hands on her hips. "No. I'm keeping him at home."

"Perhaps you could-"

"NO!" I clutched at the guy's robes. "Please say that I can go! Please!"

He looked at me with pity. "Well, it's your mother's choice when you're allowed. But by medical prescription, I think you could go now."

"Absolutely not, young man. You're staying in your room until you're all better." I tried to pout, but Mom's like the mistress of pouting (while a salesman tried to haggle a price with her, he'd get so caught up that she'd be able to steal his merchandise with ease). So yeah, I had to stay.

But it was so tempting. I was angry at her for keeping me outside in one of the most beautiful days of the year. It was driving me crazy, until I finally decided that I'd go out for just an hour. She wouldn't even notice that I was gone- just enough to breathe in, maybe pick a few pockets, and then relax.

I made up my mind. I nearly even did it, too. The door was unlatched, so it was easy going in the hall and keeping to the shadows. I avoided the noisy floorboard, ducked under a table, dashed behind a cabinet, and was about to go until I heard the voices. It was Mom and Dad talking about me. I know it's wrong to eavesdrop, but if you're a thief, those rules go out the window. Besides, you try not listening when your parents are talking about you.

"You're overreacting," Dad told her. "He's fine."

"Fine? Fine? You call showing up with a bloody gash fine?" She screeched.

Dad held his ground. "Dr. Kent himself said that he could handle going outside for awhile. I really don't think-"

"It's not just because of that," Mom cut in. "It's about…well, yes, that dreaded fire that nearly gave me a heart-attack (I still can't believe he went in to save that rich kid). And a few months ago, when those guards ambushed him and had him trapped in Master Thief cell."

"He got out-"

"And he helped Kanrik escaped without our permission."

"That's a good thing-"

"And what about that 'act' that the guild leader himself was telling us about? How he's befriended this guard girl. Do you know how dangerous that is? One little slip-up, and he's gone." Guess Mom's been talking to Kayley. "Of course we'll let him do it, Kanrik himself has after all, and he wouldn't allow Hanso if he thought there's no hope, but still- I just want to keep him safe, for a bit."

Dad patted her shoulder. "Alright, alright. We let him sit for a few hours. But remember what happened to you, okay?" She frowned at him at first, and then nodded slowly. I wondered what he meant. "By the way, why didn't you lock the door? Hanso had probably escaped by now."

She shook her head. "He's mischievous, but he's trustworthy. He knows that I punish him for his own good- I'm positive he won't run away." Hearing her saying that- well, I know it's cheesy, but it brought a lump in my throat. I darted up to my room again, this time planning to stay there.

That didn't mean I wasn't still bored. I tried bouncing a ball around, watching television, even reading, but I soon got tired of that. I wish I had someone to talk with- maybe Brynn, my conversations with her are always interesting. After awhile, I smelled dinner being cooked.

That was a surprise, since all our meals our usually stolen or, in my case, from the Thieves' Guild lunchroom. It was rare when Mom worked in the kitchen. Soon, though, she carried a plate of mashed potatoes slathered with gravy, plus a huge muffin with some ice-cream on top for dessert. She frowned at me when I tried to start with the cupcake first, so I ate the main meal. It was delicious. "You should try and cook more, Mom," I said as I wolfed it down.

She made a face. "That took me hours to make. If I did that everyday, I wouldn't have time for work. If you want your meals homemade, do it yourself, kiddo. Today's just a little reward for being so good." I shrugged modestly. "Believe it or not, I know what it's like to get cooped up by a parent; though unlike you, I tried to get out."

"You?" I asked indecorously.

"Don't look so shocked." She rolled her eyes. "Yes, I did. It's what made me become a thief at first, you know. Getting locked in by your own mother is a hundred times worse than by any guard, because you always feel guilty when you escape. But she was just so controlling. Eventually I snapped, and ran away for good."

My jaw dropped open. "So that's why I never see my grandma…"

She smiled. "I eventually found the Guild, which was just setting up their main headquarters in Brightvale. They were trying to make a new hideout after they abandoned their old one from Terror Mountain, and after they made a few rough starts in other kingdoms. They finally settled here, and though they were just beginning Kanrik managed to find me a home. Then I married your father."

"Cool story," I commented.

"Though I hear you have a few of your own. You never did tell me about how you broke Kanrik out, and the ambush, and this Brynneth…" So I filled her in, maybe exaggerating just a tiny bit. Moms can be good listeners after their done ranting. "Wow. You must have had a lot of fun, though I don't like the idea of you messing with this Harry person. If he comes near you again-"

"I can handle it," I assured her.

She sighed. "Okay. Perhaps it's wrong to let you stay here. You know I do it to help you, right?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"But again, it's wrong. So…" She hesitated, and then pushed open the door. "You can go, as long as you're back at sunset."

"Really?" Not waiting for her answer, I ran out the door. Then I came back and gave her a hug. I was free!

Week 2

Another field trip today, though it's a 'free' one, so we could basically do whatever we want. I was going to see Charlie, when I realized that I had no idea where he was. He was definitely not in the charred remains of his old mansion; that was for sure. I found myself wandering over to the fruit stall, where Brynn was. At first I paused, since that annoying friend of hers was there, but she soon became distracted when she chased after a Skeith that stole a purse.

I crept over the merchandise in plain sight. If I was really stealing, then this would just be sloppy, though the owner didn't notice. Brynn did, though, and raised an eyebrow while she crossed her arms. I looked up and grinned. "Um…Hi?"

"I know what you're thinking," she said. Right. "And you can be sure that if you so much as touch that fruit I will drag you back to the dungeons."

"Stressy!" I replied.

"Hanso!"

I smiled cheekily. "Yes?"

She glared at me, so I stood up. Then the shopkeeper spotted me and automatically reached for her broom; yes, I've stolen from her that many times. I covered my head- but Brynn grabbed the stick before it hit me.

"He hasn't done anything," she pointed out. I judged that it wasn't the time to say that I'd taken stuff there before. She looked back at me. "And he knows what will happen to him if he does."

"Only too well," I agreed, putting my arms back by my sides. Then I glanced at her friend coming over.

"You should go," she warned me.

"Yeah," I said. "You know, I don't think Violet likes me."

"I don't think she likes you either. So it would be a good idea to run before she gets here." I was a bit disappointed at that, but she was right.

"Okay." I began to jog to a safe point, but I stopped and turned back, again remembering what Mrs. Daley told me. "Thanks. For letting me help those kids out. You know it wasn't them, don't you?" I also remembered that it was her birthday coming up, though I couldn't really greet her. She would ask how I knew.

She nodded. I dashed then, bumping right into the rest of my class. They were watching the exchange, and were chatting excitedly about it. "She actually stopped the store owner from hitting you!" Razor crowed.

"And she told you when she saw her friend was coming!" Julius asserted.

"I think she appreciated you thanking her," Juliet remarked. "That was very polite."

"Yeah, thanks," I said awkwardly. "Um, do you guys mind if you stop spying on me?"

"We weren't spying," they protested.

"Actually, I think he's right," Kayley butted in. "It's a bad idea, and us looking on would just distract him and stuff. We better leave him alone from now on- if we must, we'll hear about it from him boasting about it at break."

"Hey, I don't boast-" But she put a hand over my mouth. The rest of them just shrugged and reluctantly accepted it. When they were out of earshot, I mumbled a small thanks. "No need to," she told me. "I did it so none of them would get anymore…ideas. It's bad enough already."

"Gee, no need to sugar-coat it, Kayley," I grumbled.

"I don't plan to." From the look on her face, she meant it.

Week 3

We had the little kids, so I guess that means I won't have to worry about Kanrik thinking that the responsibility is too big. Timmy wanted to go to the park, for some reason. I didn't argue- he was probably traumatized by last month, and I thought it'd be better to let him have his way. I regretted it, though, when I saw the ruin of Charlie's house. It was a black, empty shell of its former glory. Splinters of glass stood out in the garden, as if mocking me. I rubbed my arm and moved on.

I didn't expect anyone to be at the park. But there, swinging carefully as if she was scared that it would go too high, was a brown-eyed Usul. Hazel. She was a lot more composed than when Charlie's house was aflame (I guess that makes sense). Wearing a neat, pretty dress with not a speck of dirt in them and her hair arranged like a veil, she looked like a scared little girl about to be tossed in the wind.

"Is she a pwincess?" Timmy asked. Before I could answer, he ran up to her and said, "I wanna go on the swing!"

He'd done this twice before, and had two different reactions. Ebony had pushed him to the ground. Charlie had carried him up. I figured that the girl would do either one, since you can't get an answer that much different. She totally surprised me, though. Instead she yelped, toppled to the ground, and hid behind the tree.

Timmy stared at her, openmouthed. "Did I do anythwing wong?" I shrugged. "Pwincess, I'm sowwy! You can have it bwack if you want."

The brown little eyes peeked from behind the trunk. "I'm not a princess. And it's okay, you can have it." Her voice was soft and sweet.

Timmy frowned, trying to digest this piece of information. "You look like a pwincess."

"Thank you," she said, still refusing to come out.

"What are you doing there, anyway?" I asked.

"Usuls are prone to trees, usually if they don't want to be seen," she answered cautiously. "You're- you're a thief, right?"

"Yeah." She squealed and immersed herself among the leaves again. "But I won't steal from you or your family, if that's what you're worried about," I hastily added. "Though no offense, your brother sure deserves it."

Her eyes appeared again. "You won't- you won't filch anything?"

"No," I promised.

She relaxed and stepped out of the brambles, trying to clean herself up. "I guess you're searching for Charlie, right?" I nodded. She gave me a sad smile and took a little envelope from her dress pocket. "This is his address- he neomailed me. He always sends me several letters each day, even before the- the fiasco, in case I can take one before Ebony throws it in the fireplace. My brother does so like burning things." Then she gasped and put her hands over her mouth, as if she'd said too much.

"Your brother," I told her, "Is a jerk."

"Oh no, don't say that!" She trembled, as if she was going to be beaten any moment.

"He's not around here, is he?" I frowned.

"Well, no. But he has ways of knowing."

"He doesn't scare me. But I'll shut up about it if it makes you so nervous."

She nodded a bit, and then handed me the envelope. "Thank you. Tell Charlie that I hope he's alright, please." She began to walk away.

"I have a better idea. Why don't you come with us?" I offered.

Her eyes widened. "Oh no, I couldn't!"

"If it's safety that you're worried about, then you'll be fine with us. Me and Timmy will protect you, won't we?"

"Yeah!" Timmy cried, hopping up and down. "Come on, pwincess!"

"I…" She faltered and looked back to her house. She took a deep breath. "I'd love to."

The walk wasn't that long, though Hazel jumped whenever she saw a stranger went by (it delayed us a lot longer than you would think). She was in such a bad state when we left her neighborhood that I held her hand. She squeezed it, looking grateful. Soon, we were in a humble cottage. It wasn't that big and grand, but a quaint, cozy feeling pervaded it, and I instantly felt at home.

"Hullo, Hanso!" Someone chirped.

"Charlie!" I exclaimed. It was nice to see him healthy and well-rested.

"I'm glad to see you," he said happily. "Mum and Dad keep going to the bank and stuff, and they keep ignoring me. I haven't someone to talk to in ages!" Then his jaw slackened. "Is….is…that...? HAZEL!"

The little girl was standing near the fence, at first unsure what to do. But when she saw Charlie, her tense features tranquilized, and she was suddenly running to him. They nearly strangled each other while hugging. "Charlie!"

"What a touching scene," somebody murmured. A Kougra lady with electric-blue eyes was there. I nearly gasped. Brynn's mom? "Hello dear," she welcomed as she saw me. Then she frowned. "Haven't I seen you before?"

"Uh…uh…Aren't you supposed to be going to Brynn's birthday?" I blurted out. I cursed in my head.

Recognition registered in her features. "You're that little boy that found my necklace for me last year! And it seems you know my daughter. So that's why you returned it," she thought aloud.

"No…I mean yes….I mean…can you please not tell her I'm here?" I pleaded.

"Why not?" She asked. I tried to make up an excuse, but she shook her head. "Never mind, I won't poke into your business. But please, make yourself at home."

Charlie and Hazel were chatting like magpies when I came back to them. They were all grins and hugs. "So, how come you've never tried to visit me before?"

"You know why." There was something glum about the way she said that.

"She's a pwincess!" Timmy declared. "Maybe a witch captwured her."

"Actually," Charlie said, "It's probably because of the evil king father, the dark knight brother, the poor, weak queen mother, the usurper servant…It's surprising that she got out at all. I bet the gallant thief saved her." He rubbed Timmy's head.

"Yes!" Timmy agreed happily, though he quickly fixed his hair.

"So how did you get out?" He questioned.

She smiled. "Today was very lucky. Mum had a migraine and took a nap. My servant wanted a day off. And Ebony…" She bit her lip. "Well, this Draik man came and said that he had a tip that a group of rich kids started the fire."

"How?" I interrogated.

"Um…" she wavered. "I think he mentioned that one of his students told him." Brynn. So she had trusted my advice, putting even her job in line. Wow. Good thing what I said to her was true. "Anyway, since my brother's gang is the only 'rich kid group' in the borough, it didn't take long to figure out that it was him, especially after they spotted him hiding a matchbox under his bed. If Dad was here (he's in one of his business trips again), he would probably just get a telling off. But it was just Mum, and since the Draik was evidently waiting for some kind of punishment, she grounded him for a month."

"Brilliant!" Charlie ejaculated. "Positively wicked!"

"I um…I also thought you didn't want to see me," Hazel said.

"Not want to see you? You nit!" He tickled her, and she giggled. "You're my best mate! Why wouldn't I?"

She beamed. "It's been an awfully long time."

"So it has. I missed you, Brownie."

"The same, Sir Charles," she replied. He laughed. Then she glimpsed at the sun in dismay. It was sinking below the hills. "I should be getting back."

"But you'll come again tomorrow, right? You just said that your brother's grounded all month."

"I think I can convince my mum, but not my nanny. She'll tell my father, or…do something."

He shrugged. "I usually don't like to use this card, but why don't you just order her to allow you?"

She shook her head. "You haven't met her. She's…." She bit her lip. "I'll come when I can." She turned to me. "Could you please take me home?"

"No, I plan to leave you stranded here forever." I guffawed at her shocked face. "I was kidding! Come on, let's get you to your big, fancy mansion."

As we strolled, I talked with her. She was a lot more open before, a little smile still lingering on her face. "You like Charlie a lot, don't you?"

"Oh yes! He's my best friend, though I didn't know I was his until today. He's one of the two people who I could really depend on."

"Who's the other?" I asked.

Her steps wavered. "My sister, though she left. Ebony…he tried to convince me that she abandoned me, left me to my misery. But she didn't. She'd never do that."

We reached her house. Before she could enter, though, a green Xweetok appeared out of nowhere and angrily wrenched her arm. "There you are, lazy girl!" Hazel started to quiver. "Stop that stupid shuddering; it sickens me. No wonder no one wants you."

"Hey-" Timmy and I protested, but Hazel shook her head rapidly.

The Xweetok peered at me with her blood-red eyes. She didn't look that much older, but there was an air of authority around her. "Get off my garden, filthy thief."

"You better go," Hazel whispered. "Bye Hanso, Timmy."

I didn't have any choice but to return to the Thieves' Guild, and hope that she was okay.

Week 4

Everyday after lessons, I would go to Brynn's house and help Charlie move their things to his relatives' house. "My parents are being so ungrateful," he told me. "They said that it was much better to go there than stay another day in this shack- though not to the lady's face, of course." I still didn't tell him that she was Brynn's mom yet.

We couldn't visit Hazel, but we saw her. Once, she opened the curtains and waved hello to us before she was shooed back inside. Noticing Charlie's depressed expression, I said, "We'll help her one day."

"I hope so," he replied, still staring at the window. "I really hope so."

The first part was inspired by a chapter (Huckleberries) of "Little Men" by Louisa May Alcott. I was recently rereading it when I suddenly thought that it would be a perfect scene for Hanso, though I changed it a bit.