Chapter 6
The sound of people yelling, yapping and running was loud enough to be feeling like a typical day at Bruen Verle as it already was. The scorches rays of sun were slapping directly on my face. It has been 3 days since I met that guy, Kallian, for some reasons he kept spanning in my mind, probably because of his unknown background.
The sweet fragrance of different types of sweets filled the air, making my mouth full of saliva, but unluckily I am in no place to steal it. I roamed around the street, scanning people around me to hopefully choose today's unlucky contestant. But for some reasons, it didn't feel like a normal day, maybe because today, I have something I can gladly die for.
Money.
I almost forgot today is an exception, today, I am not a thief of ruins but a person with money instead, even though I am not its rightful owner as it's stolen yesterday. But, why trouble myself by making judgement of a person as a competitor? So, what can I do with the money? Let's see, what if I bring a candy for everyone – no, it would be awkward to ask it with the look of a beggar I am having at the point with an old, teared shorts and a black top that is too big for me, including the fact that they are so expensive nowadays, how about buying a gift for Anna, it will probably be perfect. A smile tugs my face. Let's see, what can I buy that will make her enchant just by seeing it? I completely forgot about a thing she loves.
An apple pie.
An apple pie is a perfect thing I can gift her.
I kept roaming in the street trying to find a street vendor selling apple pie. I wonder how she will react when she will see the-
Thud—air rushed out of my chest as something slammed into me, sending the world spinning sideways - no, I am falling, I quickly put my body weight towards my left leg, trying to balance and then I feel it
Why is my pocket so light? It stole it – no, probably a he.
My eyes opened wide in anger because how in the world can anyone steal the money, I am going to use for buying apple pie for my sister?
My hand reached towards the figure that dared to steal my money. My hands grabbed its forearms – now I am pretty sure it's a he. He stopped. I was not able to see his face or features while falling.
And suddenly, something strong, had grabbed the hold of my waist. My vision became a little better but blurry, I saw a man with brown hairs holding me in his arms.
"Chill, it's me", he said in a surprised tone.
My vision became clear just to see a man with brown hairs, delicate features and green eyes that felt way too familiar - but it was not the time to notice someone's features, I left the embracement of his hold and stand into a fighting position and throwed a punch that will undoubtedly break his nose, after all, this is what happens when you rob from a robber-
What the-
"Relax, don't you recognize me?", he said while casually catching my punch that was supposed to break his nose. I was shocked. He is strong. Too strong. Too much strong. I paused for a second, thinking about what just happened. How can he just catch my punch? And he seems to be not much older than me. Whoever he is, but he dared to steal my money, and I am not going to leave him for the crime.
"Who the hell are you?", I said in an irritated tune that didn't seem to level the irritation I am feeling inside. My hands were twitching badly, insisting to grab his collar and ask him the same question at the very least if not sending my knee to his tank.
He smirked revealing his right dimple that seemed familiar, "So my assumption was right, wasn't it, Eli?", I froze as I heard that name coming out of his lips.
Eli
How can a stranger know my name? How is it possible?
It's probably an incident. There's no way a stranger will know my name, is there?
"Hey you-" The words barely left my mouth when a voice interrupts it.
"I will forget that I have a name if you keep calling me 'hey you'", he says with a smile revealing both his dimples.
"Oh sorry, but I don't have any interest in knowing name of a stupid stranger who just stole from me and is not even willing to apologize.", I couldn't resist it longer, I grabbed his collar while a smile tugs his lips and soon, his hands were in air telling the fact that he had given up, I wonder why people even steal when they know they cannot handle the outcome, no, he can probably handle the outcome. Why is he not fighting back? Who is he? "And what it may be", I said with an irritated tune.
"Arnold" he says simply
Arnold.
My jaw drops open as I hear him say his name. How does he know his name following the fact that he cannot be here and what does he want? Arnold was a thief just like me, he told me that he had no one left in this world, so he cannot be his relative, so, how does he know his name? Don't tell me he was executed, no, he cannot be, maybe I should just play along for now.
"No, it can't be", I acted the best I could.
"But it is, my darling queen of the thieves", it is conformed that he knows him well because these lame names can only be used by him.
"Huh, there's no way someone as thin and ugly as Arnold can turn into such a fine man, is there?" I almost choke on laugh on my own drama.
"Like this you are breaking and flattering my heart at the same time", he sure knows how to act like someone but I fear it's so cringe that it is hard to believe that he is claiming himself as Arnold. Well, there's no way Arnold can be here, he should be in cells right now as he was accused of murdering a merchant he didn't even knew. All because of me. We would have escaped if it wasn't for me. I was the problem. Yet he took my blame. I am so pathetic. I-
Wait, the accusation took place two years back and Arnold was around 13 by the time, so if Arnold is this man by any chance than this man should be 15, that seems to be a perfect suit to his figure but-
"But there's no way you can be Arnold; he should be-"
"Rotting in the cells, right", how can I forget he knows him well whoever he is. I dropped my jaw to act like I am shocked.
I have played long enough, so let's just take the money and get on going.
"There's no way to deceive me, you see? Just return me the money and leave"
"The money, it was just a prank, you see, my darling queen." He said while offering me a hand with money toward me, I take the money back, looking as confused as ever, "…but I cannot leave, at least not until I make you believe it.", he says.
"Making me believe what?", I questioned.
"The fact that that ugly, thin Arnold can grow into a fine man" he says, while a smirk landed on his face.
"Give me a proof that you are Arnold", I questioned, while knowing there will be nothing other than dissatisfaction in the end.
"Are you sure about that?" he says.
"Of course."
"The proof can be anything right?"
"Huh, trying to act smartass"
"There's no need for me to act because- I am." He smiled, making his dimples fully visible.
"Don't try to change the topic"
"I am not" he said and added "As you said, I can do anything to proof, so, here it is, my lucky charm", he says while taking something out of his pockets-
It's him.
My jaw dropped at the sight of it, it's Starwar's bookmark, the bookmark I gave to Arnold. But anyone can buy it.
I sighed, "Can I take a look?", I asked.
"Sure", a smile tugs his face.
He hands me the bookmark; I turn it over to check if it's the same one-
What the-
How in the world does he have the words that Anna wrote in that bookmark saying 'To Arnold'.
Well, he can steal it too, I don't trust him.
I laughed, "Do you really expect me to believe you-
"Ask me anything if you don't believe me", he cuts through me.
A crooked grin covers my face, "What I am scared of", I ask.
He smirks, "Cockroaches".
He. Is. Arnold.
My vision goes blank in surprise. I cannot understand anything. How did he escaped? Can we be once again a happy family, like we used to? Will-
"Why are you hugging me all of the sudden? Did you miss me that much?" His voice cuts off me through my thoughts only to find myself sticking to his oddly strong figure, I could feel him smiling through his voice. I couldn't resist the odd feeling in my neck any longer, so-
I let it go.
Tears made their way through my face like a flowing river, it felt unexpectedly good to let my feeling go.
As he saw my tears, I thought he will probably make fun of me saying I am so weak butthen, I felt strong hands brushing off my waist, "No need to cry. I missed you too.", he said with a soft smile, and I just noticed that we have gathered some crowd in here probably enjoying the drama.