"Lira, he is a deadly mix, boss," Jain murmured. "One seen, the other unseen. One takes the shot, the other gets checked. And does not one brother look a bit retarded?" He grinned, not unkindly.
"Bit less than you," Lira shot back.
Toren, who had been listening quietly, cleared his throat and offered a small, dry smile.
"Let me handle that retard," Jain said, nudging Toren and glancing at Lira. "You two go after kael."
"Meaning?" Lira asked.
"Meaning the case is as transparent as Lonavla waterfall," jain said, spreading his hands in a mock-grand gesture. "We know their secret now. We just walk in and handcuff them both."
"Now?" Lira asked.
"Umm," Jian hedged.
"On what charge?" Lira pressed.
"You have seen them. They are twins. Two-in-one." Jain flicked his fingers to mimic a twin act and offered an exaggerated grin.
"Being twins is not a crime, Jain," Lira said evenly. "If we arrest them now, we will not get a single stolen dime back. Kael is too clever for that."
"Slide over," Jain told Toren, stepping aside. He turned back to Lira, impatience under his humor. "So how will we catch them? They will not call us before they rob again, will they?"
Lira folded her arms and watched the city for a long beat. "Kael's strength is his brother," she said finally. "And his weakness is his brother, too."
"Ha! Now you are going to say something that is way above my head. Just say it plainly. What do we do?" Jain demanded.
Lita did not answer at once. She kept her silence, a small smile forming as if she already held the plan in her hand.
Toren watched Lira's face, then shifted his weight, ready to follow wherever she led.
-----
The next morning sunlight spilled across the city. Kieran sat at the edge of his bed, whispering to himself as he laced up his shoes. His clothes were brighter than usual, his face lit with quiet excitement.
Kael, still half-asleep, cracked one eye open. "You look like some Street bard," he muttered.
Kieran grinned. "S-six days a week, I look like you. One day, I-i look like me."
Every Sunday was the same. Kael always tried to find a reason to stop him, to keep him inside. Kieran understood why. His brother was afraid of what might happen if he went alone. But kieran did not share that fear. He could take care of himself. And besides,he loved it.
For six days he was hidden, tucked away in the shadows. But on Sundays, the world belonged to him. Those few hours were his escape, his secret joy. The air touched his face like ice, and he breathed it in until his chest filled with joy. He loved leaving his mark, even if only for two minutes, his own name, written bold and secret. His secret. Then, like him, it vanished.
The quiet streets gave way to the festival square, a burst of noise and colour that made his spirit lift. Vendors skewers and sweet cakes under banners bearing the symbols of major clans. At the centre, a great Whirling Phoenix ride, powered by soul tools, spun children laughing into the air. He stepped into the crowd, the energy of a thousand souls buzzing around him.
Kieran moved through it wide-eyed, soaking in every sound and smell. Fried dough, grilled meat, sweet sugar in the air. He stopped at a stall and leaned in with a smile.
"Two meat b-buns and one sweet fizzy drink, please."
"Yes, sir," the owner replied, dropping the buns onto a plate. "That will be eight copper coins."
Kieran counted the coins carefully and laid them on the counter.
"Thank you," the man said as he handed over the food.
Kieran took the plate in both hands, grinning as if the small meal was a treasure.
Kieran left the stall with his food and found an empty bench near the rides. He set the meal plate on his lap and was about to take a bite when a shout broke through the festival noise.
"Thief! Thief! Stop that thief!"
A shop owner was chasing a lanky man who clutched stolen utensils and food. The thief stumbled, falling right in front of Samar. His loot scattered across the ground. For a moment, their eyes met. Then the man snatched up the food and ducked behind the bushes just behind Kieran 's bench.
"Come back, you thief! I will kill you!" the owner roared, waving a ladle as he puffed his way forward. He stopped beside Kieran, panting hard.
"Excuse me, sir. You saw him? Tall fellow? Which way?" He lifted the ladle as if it were a weapon.
Kieran pointed in the opposite direction.
"Thank you!" the man barked and lumbered off, shouting, "I will kill you! Come back!" until his voice faded into the crowd.
The bushes rustled, and the thief crept out again. In truth, it was Lira in disguise. Jian had played the furious shopkeeper. The plan was simple: trick Kieran, get close to him, and wait for an opening.
Kieran frowned at the stolen food lying beside the bench. He snatched it up and tossed it into a bin. "S-stealing? Very bad."
"Hey!" Lira protested, eyes flashing. "I am not a thief. Try not eating for a week. Then tell me about morality." Her voice carried an edge of desperation.
Without looking at her, Kieran pushed his meal playe closer. "H-happy meat bun. Makes you h-happy if you eat."
Lira hesitated, then sat on the bench and tore into the food hungrily. Lira sipped his fizzy drink, smiling.
"You know who the real thieves are?" Lira said between bites. "The nobles."
At the word, Kieran's 's chewing slowed. He listened.
"In two days, they ruined a man who had worked thirty years." Lira's tone hardened.
Kieran tilted his head, thoughtful. "Everyone steals. But y-you must find something w-worth stealing."
Lira looked at him. "And what do you steal?"
"Ah! Fun." Kieran grinned, eyes bright.
They spent the next hour on rides and games, laughing and shouting like children. Kieran was glowing.
"There is one even better," he said after stepping off a spinning ride.
"Which one?" Lira asked.
"Raging Bull. Let us go."
But before they could, Kieran's bracelet chimed. He froze, then turned sharply toward the exit.
"Where are you going?" Lira i asked.
"I come here every S-sunday. From 11:45 to 3. Must not be late for home." Kieran began walking.
"Then see you next Sunday? Same time? We will steal some fun."
Kieran handed him a small card. "The Great Starlight Circus. G-great fun."
Lira accepted it with a smile. "Thanks, my friend."
Kieran stopped. The word "friend" echoed in his head. He turned back.
"I-i never had any f-friends," Kieran added quietly.
"And I can never make any" Lira replied, almost to himself.
They parted ways. Kieran walked away, holding his secret close. He immediately wanted to tell kael . His first friend. But Kael would not understand. Keal had no room for friendship.
Some secrets were best kept hidden.
And now, Kieran had two of his own.
His friend and .....,
Sylia.
To be continued.....