1 Sidus

"Brat, get back here," a shrill, male voice screamed.

I run, a silly grin on my face. The coins jingle in the pouch in my hands with a shrill tone. I laugh at the round man trying to chase me and flip him an obscene gesture as I turn the corner and "crash" bump into the city patrol. Rubbing my forehead, I look up, my vision bleary. I see the disapproving stare of a familiar face.

"Roland, how are you," I ask, all the while trying to hide the pouch underneath my clothes.

Roland, the Chief Guard, sighs and says," I can see that, you know? Not just anyone can become the Chief."

"See what?" I ask innocently.

"There are two ways this can go, either you plead guilty or I search you and sentence you guilty. You know which one will be better for you," Roland replies.

Through the corner of my vision, I can see the pale and sweaty face of a man. "Arrest him. He stole my money," the man complains.

"Yours?" I say sarcastically, "I distinctly remember you threatening and forcefully taking the money from old man Khan."

The man huffs angrily," Keep quiet, little boy, and keep your nose where it belongs or should I teach it a lesson?"

"Enough Jasper," Roland commands.

Jasper looks at me indignantly and then angrily says," I expect that the boy will be punished."

"He will be dealt with accordingly," Roland replies, as he snatches the pouch from my fist and hands it over to Jasper.

Jasper, content at the proceedings, walks away, his flabby stomach jiggling as he moves. I let out a low snort and resist the urge to laugh, Roland stares at me disappointed. Frustrated as I am at getting caught, I am thankful it is Roland who caught me. I might be let off with an easier sentence.

I feel a hand hooking on to the collar of my shirt and dragging me along with it, I look to see Rolands somewhat muscular arm tugging at my shirt.

"This is your last and final warning, if I or anyone else catch you next time, then we will not be letting you go scot-free," Roland commands.

I give my best impression of innocence and respond," Never again." Under my breath, I whisper "will I let you catch me."

Roland pretends to have not heard my snide comment and says threateningly," I understand how hard it is for you but don't resort to illegal activities. Sidus, your mom would not approve."

Anger boils within me, again with the mom thing, I never knew my mom so why would I care for what she would approve. Maybe if she didn't abandon me, I would mind what she thought.

Without responding I turn around and walk away, ignoring what Roland says. I hear a low sigh from behind me, a sigh of utter defeat.

I roam the city for the next hour, slowly taking in the sights while not actually paying attention. My thoughts are on an entirely different subject, a couple of days ago, I was approached by a man in long, dark, flowing robes. He offered me a deal, one of absolute secrecy, he said that he had found a rock and explained that he did not know what was present under the layers of mud on the rock. He would sell it to me, while he himself was unsure of the fact of what was present in the rock. It was a gamble, one that was seriously tilted in his favour. All facts pointed toward him being a scammer, but somehow, I felt something that told me to take the deal. A feeling that cannot be explained using words, a feeling so instinctive that it was almost primal.

To complete the deal, I needed money, money that I had successfully obtained until it was cruelly snatched from me mere hours ago. The only other alternative, something that I had vowed I would not do, was to gamble. Most, if not all, gambling dens were scams, they were designed to get ahold of all the gamblers money. Yet, it was not a complete scam, as they still had to draw in customers. As opposed to legal ones, the illegal gambling dens had a much higher chance of losing money, but, I was not allowed in the legal ones, what with my criminal record, leaving me with the only option which was to visit the Lions Gambit.

The Lions Gambit was a popular enough place for the scum of society. It was founded by a woman with a ferocious reputation and an equally ferocious personality, so dangerous that most people would not even dare to think of causing trouble there. If someone did cause trouble, it was generally accepted that he would either be a madman or someone equally capable as the owner of the Lions Gambit which was frightening in its own regard.

Once decided on my course of action, I head to my hideout. Not stupid enough to lead the way to whoever is following, I take a series of loops and hide in alleyways until I am confident that I have lost anyone who might be following me. Pushing through a cluster of waste cartons and boxes, I am greeted by the familiar sight of my hideout. It is decorated very minimalistic and stores only the bare essentials. My eyes are drawn to a small crevice in the wall where my meagre savings are kept. Pushing my hand inside the crevice, I draw out a few coins. I sigh in resignation at my paltry wealth, barely enough for a few rounds at the Lions Gambit.

Firmly, I wish that I will never suffer from poverty again. I will live my life to its zenith, always chasing the next highest peak, never stopping, never giving up, to give up is to let go of who I am. It is still late evening, the sun has not fully set yet, the dying light bathes the horizon in a luminous red glow. The Lions Gambit only accepts its customers at night, I still have a few hours to spare. I decide to take a nap, I smile as I think of a fond memory, one of an old man preaching, I still remember that one line. 'Never let go of the chance to learn new knowledge or to sleep'

My carefree smile sticks to my face even as my mind falls into its sleep-induced stupor.