Thief-A Short Story

    It’s about time you guys get to know one of my main POV characters. So, may I introduce Elias Atara, the older brother of R (my other main POV character). Here is the short story I wrote to develop his character for you guys to read! 

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    Stealing was wrong. Elias knew that…but was it completely wrong if you live in a city that is in captivity and if you don’t steal your younger sister will die?

    Maybe. 

    Maybe not. 

    But nothing else was working anymore. Being a thief was the only solution.

    Elias squared his shoulders and grasped the hilt of his knife. He stepped forward. His heart pounded in his chest as it always did when he broke into someone’s house. 

    Hands shaking, he fished a metal wire out of his satchel. It was bent and twisted, but it was one of the most useful tools Elias had. 

    He grasped the lock on the front door. Gingerly, he stuck the wire into the hole and began twisting his wrist to move the wire where he wanted. 

    A small click filled the silenced air. The lock fell into Elias’ open palm. He set it on the ground beside the door, making a mental note to put it back on the door after he had gotten the goods. 

    He pushed the door open slowly, careful not to let the hinges squeal. 

    The house was dark and it took a moment for his eyes to adjust. He stepped inside, shoving the wire into the depths of his pocket. 

    Once he could see in the darkness, he took in as many details as he could, knowing every single one could be important for a quick escape. 

    But before he could take in much, his eyes caught on a stack of books across the room. He walked forward and ran his hand along the spine of the top book. 

    He fought the urge to grab one of the precious novels. These had to have been hard to get. Or cost a small fortune. 

    It wouldn’t be fair, taking one of them. No matter how much he wanted to shove one into his satchel to read later. 

    Years had passed since he had gotten to hold a book in his hands. The longing never faded. He wanted books to read. 

    But it was impossible, and he knew that by now. He withdrew his hand, pushing it in his pocket. 

    Then, reluctantly, he turned on his heel and stalked toward the pantry. He had to be quick. Whoever lived in this house could be back any moment. If they caught him…

    Elias shuddered. He couldn’t even think about it. Every outcome was terrible. 

    Did that mean he shouldn’t be doing this? Should he find an honest way to get what he needed, instead of going as low as some of the scum who lived in Regnum City? 

    No. Elias had tried the honest way. It didn’t work. The only way was the dishonest one. The one where he crept into peoples’ houses and stole their food. He had become a part of the scum who lived on the streets. It bothered him, but he knew he had to do it. 

    His sister’s life was at stake. 

    What would she say about him stealing? She didn’t know. R could get very emotional and passionate about things like this. Would she agree with his logic? Or would she get angry if she found out what he was doing? 

    Elias tightened his fists. She would understand. She would probably do the same for him. Or maybe…she would find the honest way. Maybe she would have stayed away from stealing at all costs. 

    There was a reason he had kept it a secret from her. He shook his head. It didn’t matter. Right now he had a mission. And if he failed, things could get a lot worse. 

    He tugged open the closet door. He reached in and pulled two small loaves of bread and a piece of cheese off the shelf. 

    They had plenty of food, they wouldn’t miss a little bread and cheese. 

    Then again…his definition of ‘plenty of food’ was off. He shrugged and stuffed the food into his weather-beaten satchel. He closed the door then slipped back to the entrance of the building. 

    Elias glanced back to make sure he had left everything back in its place then he darted out the door, shutting it behind him. 

    He fiddled with the lock for a moment until he heard the unmistakable click. He gave a sharp tug on the lock to make sure it was secure. He gave a nod. 

    He began to turn, but someone grasped his wrist. 

    Elias almost gave a shout, but he kept himself silent. His heart leapt into his throat. 

    Before his racing mind could think of something to do, whoever had grabbed him dragged him off the street into a dark alley beside the building he had just robbed. 

    Elias thought of kicking his captor or swinging his fist and hoping he gave the person a good blow to the stomach or something. Then he decided against it. That never ended well for anyone. He should know. Perhaps he could just talk his way out of it. 

    He was still thinking of ways to get out when his wrist was released and the person shoved him forward. 

    “What do you think you are doing?” A masculine voice growled. 

    Elias opened his mouth, but he was hit in the face…hard. He stumbled back and fell, grasping at his bloody nose.

    He gritted his teeth. That man was going to get it. That punch was totally unfair. 

    “You realize being a thief is a crime right?” The man asked again, his voice not as harsh as before. He stepped into the light of the moon. 

    He was more of a boy and less of a man. He was only slightly older than Elias himself, and barely a few inches taller.

    “Yes, I realize it is a crime,” Elias replied, narrowing his eyes and getting to his feet. 

    The boy raised his eyebrows. “Then why are you doing it?” 

    “Why should you care? Is it your house?” Elias snapped. Then he paused. He wasn’t usually like this. Was being a thief affecting him more than he thought? 

    The boy sighed. “I-” 

    “Sorry,” Elias muttered, looking down at his battered boots. “I…You’re right. I shouldn’t be stealing…It’s just me and my sister need food…” 

    “No…you are right.” 

    Elias’ head snapped up. “What?”

    The boy shrugged. “The city…this is the way we live now…I won’t stand in your way…I just…keep wishing it was different. Keep finding thieves…keep trying…trying to make a change. But…you are right. You need the food…” He chewed his lip. 

    Elias felt a pang of guilt in his heart. Maybe he really shouldn’t be stealing if he wanted to make Regnum City better. 

    “Maybe I should…” Elias trailed off his thoughts. He couldn’t stop stealing. Their meager portions of food wasn’t enough. 

    He tightened his fists. Why was this so hard? 

    Was he just trying to defend something that was clearly wrong? Trying to justify it? 

    He lifted his eyes to look at the boy, but quickly looked back down. Why was he feeling this way?

    Guilt. 

    He felt guilty. It was hard to look at the boy. He was everything Elias wanted to be. A hero. Someone who defended the helpless, caught thieves, and tried to make the city better no matter the cost. 

    Elias was just someone who hurt the helpless, a thief, and someone who made the city worse. The opposite of what he wanted to be. 

    He had finally broken, giving up on hope. He had become something worse than he ever dreamed of as a kid. 

    All he defended it with was ‘it’s the only way’. 

    Elias felt hot tears in his eyes. He shook his head, his nose beginning to hurt worse. 

    “I gotta go,” He muttered, then he turned and ran out of the alley. 

    His mind rang. 

    Thief. 

    That’s all he was. And nothing would change that. Either he would allow his sister to die, or choose to be guilt-free. 

***

    I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading!

    Until next time, 

    ~A.J. Syngraféas