This wasn't going to be the first time I do a mission like this. I've stolen many things before; Food, clothes, valuable possessions, even money. The next thing on my list is to steal something that's worth a lot of money. I currently live alone because my parents died a long time ago and I don't have any siblings. Since I don't have a job on my own, it's always been difficult to buy food for myself and other necessity's. I know that stealing is wrong and I can get into huge trouble for it, but I can't help it. Every time I see something that's worth stealing, I just take it. It's like, my hands are itching to take something that isn't mine.
Right now, I'm currently standing outside a local shop that is owned by a shopkeeper. I've only went inside the shop once a few months ago and I saw that the shopkeeper had so many valuable stuff on display. I just knew that I had to take them the best way I can. Now, here I am, ready to steal what's definitely not mine. I don't know much about the shopkeeper or all what he sells. All I know is that he's some kind of magic seller. Like he sells different things to magic users and he has a lot of valuable items that you can't get anywhere else in this small town.
Once I made sure the shopkeeper wasn't in the store, I knelt down and quickly crawled into the shop then I hid in front of the counter. I briefly stood up and looked around the place to make sure that he wasn't coming back anytime soon before I started to quietly move around the shop. I took out my soft brown bag and I started to fill it with valuable stuff like knick knacks and statuettes. I quietly giggled to myself as I filled the bag up then I held it close to my heart and started to make my way back over to the door. I quickly looked around once more before I opened up the door and stepped foot out of the shop.
I stood right up and sighed in relief that I didn't get caught then I quickly started to walk away from the shop before anybody sees me when I accidently ran into someone and fell to the ground. I let out a soft oof and rubbed my sore butt a bit as I looked up to see who I bumped into. Then, my eyes widen once I realized that I ran into two police officers. I looked away from them and quickly tried to put the items back into the bag when the two men grabbed both of my arms and stood me up.
"Ow! Hey! Let go!" I shouted, trying to wiggle free.
"What do we have here? It looks like we've caught ourselves a thief today." One of them said.
"Looks like it." The second one said.
"Hey, what's going on here?" A voice suddenly said.
I looked up to see that it was none other than the shopkeeper. Suddenly, I felt myself growing nervous. It's one thing to get caught by the police, but it's another to get caught by the shopkeeper himself.
"Afternoon, Mr. Underwood. Are these yours?" One of the officers said, pointing to the bag with the possessions in it.
The shop keeper nodded and crossed his arms. "Indeed they are."
"Well, it just so happens that we caught this boy red-handed with your possessions."
I continued to try to wiggle myself free from the two officers, but it was difficult because they were both holding onto my arms tightly. Then, I stared up at the shopkeeper while I listened to him talk back and forth between the two officers.
"What are you going to do with him?" He asked.
"He's going to sit in jail for awhile until his parents come to pick him up." The first officer said.
At the mention of 'parents', I quickly frowned.
"I don't have any parents..." I mumbled under my breath.
"What? Say that again, son." The second officer said.
"I SAID I DON'T HAVE ANY PARENTS!!!!" I shouted then glared.
I watched as the shopkeeper stared at me for a minute before looking back at the two officers.
"I'll take him off your hands, gentlemen." He said.
"Are you sure?" The first officer asked.
The shopkeeper nodded then he bent down and put the items back into the brown bag before standing back up, holding the bag in his hand.
"Yes. I know exactly what punishment to give him." He said.
I looked at the two officers and watched as they both exchanged looks before letting me go then they sighed.
"Alright. If he brings you anymore trouble, don't hesitate to call us." The first officer said.
"Of course. Have a good day, gentlemen." He said to them then looked at me.
"Come along." The shopkeeper said to me before turning and walking back into his shop.
I quickly followed after him, wanting to get away from the two officers. When I walked back into the shop, I watched as the shopkeeper started putting his items back where they were then he turned to me.
"You should be thankful I let you off the hook." He said then sighed.
"Anyways, your punishment is that I'll allow you to live with me in exchange for being my magic apprentice." He said.
Suddenly, my body froze and my eyes widen as I stared at him. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did I even hear right? Did he actually say he's going to let me live with him in exchange for being his apprentice? What kind of punishment is that? Noticing the disbelief look on my face, he smiled softly and crossed his arms.
"Unless...you would rather go to jail? And since you said you don't have any family, you'll probably be there for a long time." He noted.
At the sound of jail, I quickly shook my head.
"N-no sir. I would rather not go to jail..."
He smiled then nodded. "Then it's settled. What's your name?"
"Gail. Gail Whitehurst." I said.
"Nice to meet you, Gail. My name is Jericho Underwood in case you already don't know me. Feel free to call me Jericho and please refrain from calling me Mr., Sir and Master." He said.
I nodded. "Okay, Jericho." I said, trying out his name.
"Now, why don't I show you around my place? Follow me." He said then started to make his way up the stairs.
I quickly followed after him. What I didn't know about his shop is that he has a little apartment attached to it so you're able to go right up to it from the shop. Jericho started to show me the different rooms in his apartment before we came to a single bedroom.
"This will be your room. My room is down the hall. If you ever need me, feel free to knock and I'll answer. Now, I'll show you the most important room in this whole apartment." He said then made his way down the hall to the dead end.
I watched as Jericho lifted up the head of the bust that was sitting on a small table. He pressed the small red button inside the bust and set the head back down before standing back. Then, I watched as the wall started moving right in front of my eyes. The wall completely transformed into stairs. I started to watch Jericho walk down the stairs before following after him.
When we reached the bottom of the steps, he flipped the light switch and turned on the lights in the room. I watched as the room was revealed to be some sort of magic room where there were a bunch of potions sitting on shelves, a large book sitting on a podium and a large caldron was sitting beside the book. The lights were hanging on the ceiling in a way that made the room look unique and mysterious.
"This is my most precious room," Jericho started as he began to walk around the room.
"The potions and other items that I sell upstairs is all crafted by me." He continued.
"Woooow. That's amazing." I said, amazed.
Jericho nodded. "Indeed. Now you see why nobody can get my stuff anywhere else."
I nodded then looked over at him.
"But...I don't understand. If your things are this valuable to you, why didn't you just let me face prison? How do you know I won't steal from you again and just run away?" I asked.
Not that I plan on stealing from him again of course, but I was just curious of his intentions of making me his apprentice.
Jericho sighed then pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"Because I believe in giving people second chances. Besides, you're a little too young to be sitting in jail. How old are you by the way?" He asked.
"I'm Fifteen." I replied.
Jericho nodded. "Anyways, that's mainly the reason why I decided to keep you around. Plus, I see potential in you. Now, come along." He said, walking back upstairs.
I blinked my eyes, confused.
Potential? He sees potential in me?
Not knowing what he means, I simply shrug and follow him back upstairs. Jericho turned the lights off in the room and the wall went back to its original place once we left the room then I followed him back downstairs to the shop.
"So, what's my first assignment as your apprentice?" I asked.
"Your first assignment is this." Jericho said, handing me a broom and a dust pan.
I hesitantly take them from his hands then looked at him in confusion.
"Is this a test?" I asked.
Jericho chuckled softly and shook his head.
"No. The shop is dirty so I would like it if you cleaned it up a bit for me. Will you please?" He asked.
I sighed then nodded before getting to work.
"Thank you. I'll be upstairs if you need me." He said then disappeared upstairs, leaving me downstairs in the shop to clean up.
To be honest, even though Jericho said he's giving me a second chance, I'm still a bit surprised that he has enough trust in me to leave me alone in his shop. I honestly can just take his stuff again and run out, but I guess deep down, he knows that I won't steal from him again. I sighed softly then pouted. I'm starting to dislike the fact that he's able to read my mind so easily, but hey. Living with him and being his apprentice is better than being on my own and living as a thief.
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