{NOVELETTE} A Heist To Remember - Part 07

“What’s going on?” She heard Marco yelping.

The thief jumped heading for the basement exit, Violetta followed. They crashed through the door, hearing muffled shouts behind them as they climbed the stairs leading out of the basement. The thief suddenly stopped before the exit door, Violetta having to side step to avoid crashing into him.

He put a finger to his lips, shushing her. What was he doing? They needed to go!

He pushed her into a corner before he disappeared again. The door slammed suddenly, hitting the wall next to her. Because the stairway hall was so narrow, she had a small pocket behind the door to hide in. She heard the loud clanking footsteps going down the stairs, that had to be the guards. They went straight for the basement; why would they check behind the door?

Violetta pushed the heavy door, not looking down behind as she exited into the bright hallway. She saw the naked thief crouched before the end of the hallway. For some reason she could barely make him out, he was… obscured by the shadows. Right. Have to remember that.

“Thank you.” He mouthed as she approached him.

The poor simpleton did not realize that she was the one that got him into this mess. There would be time to explain everything later. “How do we get out of this?” Violetta whispered.

“With great difficulty.” He said frowning. Before pointedly sniffing the air.

“What is it?” Violetta asked.

“Those pricks got me naked; they could have at least cleaned me up as well.”

“There is no time for you to use the washroom.” Violetta hissed.

He smiled his disgusting smile, she had seen Outsider’s teeth that were better kept, it did somehow ease her a little though. “Guess not.” He said. “Why are you risking your life for a thief though? Was it because he hit you?”

The awful bastard that hit her was Gile’s son. She had almost forgotten that he was the instigator for all of this. He always treated the staff like they were nobodies, like they weren’t even human. “Yes.” Violetta said, a half-truth. Her decision was a combination of things, and she marveled at the fact that her gut was correct.

“Well you saved my life, and forfeited your own. If we get out of this mess, head for the Northern gate. There is an abandoned building near the western side of the gate, you can’t miss it as its roof is collapsed. Inside the building’s basement there is a passage way out of the city. Once you’re outside the walls, follow a small stream until you reach thee nearly identical trees. From there head north until you see a ramshackle cottage, it’s supposed to be a bar. Tell the barkeep you are shadowblessed, he’ll take care of you.”

“Outside the walls?!” Violetta gasped, heart thumping. Also how did he know about her shadows?

“Yes. Do not worry, it has received Arcanadel’s protection, you’ll be safe from the chaos.”

“Okay, we need to move, now.”

“Those bastards, those blasted bastards were going to sacrifice me. Theo was right, they – “

“Thief! Escape, now!” Violetta snapped.

His eyes refocused, he shook his head. “We need to split up, someone has to get this information out there. The Aldermen, what they are doing, people must know.” Violetta nodded hesitantly. “You go through the kitchens” he said “and I’ll go through the study. I will circle back around and find you. Go.”

They split up, each running in a different direction. The manor was in a state of unrest, clamor from each side. The world was so calm mere seconds before. She felt like she was in some distant land at some dead nobleman’s manor during the Upheaval. As she fled, her breaths came fast. Chaos slowly erupted all around her as Violetta ran past some of her friends. She heard them calling her name and she prayed Gile wouldn’t harm them.

Violetta entered the kitchens and slammed the door behind her, the sound of chaos subsided if only just briefly. Her feet were killing her, she reached down and took off her shoes. Then she ran barefoot towards the door that led outside. She heard the kitchen door slam open. Violetta glanced back and saw guards rushing for her. She ran without hesitation.

The chaos from the manor gave way to the silent night, the fresh air and the smell of scented flowers. Violetta ran as if running was all she was made for. She sensed the guards, right behind her, not letting up. With her brisk pace she jumped over the small wall and through the hedges in a manner of seconds – her feet protested as she dashed barefoot through the ornaments.

At the fence, Violetta looked back and saw she had made some distance between her and the guards, but not much. The Shadows made her silent and fast, but she had to hurry and somehow get to the North Gate. Violetta jumped the fence and the stark realization of what she was doing finally hit her. There was no going back. She had sealed her fate in this sacred city. Violetta now relied on the words of a thief to save her. But knowing what she did now, was this city still sacred?

She ran through the lavish streets, feet silent, fast – enhanced.