"Thank you again for the bread Mrs. Pearce."
A 2-bar note was drawn from his back pocket and placed on the counter where a beautiful woman sat.
Lovell spoke this as he made his way out of the old and worn-out shop. Since it was located in the slum area, it normally only catered to those who resided in it.
Having said his farewells to the surprisingly attractive older woman, he turned his face away from her as the smile he was wearing to improve her impression of him slowly crumbles.
He stretches out his right hand towards the door handle while the other carries the bread. He was stopped right before he could turn the door handle by the attractive middle-aged woman.
"You boys are not going to be doing anything stupid again are you?"
Lovell briefly stops in his tracks but quickly made his way out of the shop without turning back to face her or answering her question.
We started coming by often because we heard a beauty had opened a shop down on bottle street but now she is always asking questions. Last week one of the boys said she was asking about were exactly we all hang out.
....Troublesome
Lovell thought this to himself as he made his way through the market area that was built around the old fish fountain in the outskirts of town. All kinds of mundane items painted the streets and the crowds only seemed to be growing. Most of the rows were littered with second hand clothing and food that seemed to barely meet an acceptable standard.
"COME ALL TO JEFFREY'S STALL!! BUY TWO GET ONE FREE!!"
" NINA'S STALL IS WHERE YOU GO TO FIND THE BEST CLOTHES FOR YOUR KIDS!!"
All sorts of voices shouted at the top of their lungs in an attempt at attracting more customers and drumming up their business.
Lovell had long since grown accustomed to what could only be considered the norm in this part of town. He would occasionally throw glances at the various items that were being paraded but there was never truly anything that caught his eye. He continued to move out of the crowds but was increasingly met with resistance in his attempts.
Now that it has come to this...
He considered taking a shortcut that he would only take under such circumstances. A group of thugs would occasionally make it their extortion outpost and he had met them a few times while evading the crowds.
Whether it was luck or misfortune, he would usually have nothing on his person worth extorting and would be allowed through after a few insults. He made his way towards an alley east of the market and headed towards his groups hideout. As he made his way east, he saw that his concerns were unwarranted.
Thankfully I do not have to waste my breath this time.
The thugs that could be found there we're not there this time. Lovell thought how nice it was to not have to deal with idiots on one of the few days he gets to just unwind.
He made his way through the alley when he noticed that it was now home to the vagabond preacher who usually made noises in the market place with his preaching of prophecy that spelled the end of days and other such nonsense. People usually let his words flow from one ear and out the other.
I was beginning to wonder if he had gone to another part of town to trouble the other people who reside at this area of the wall but he just decided to make his nest here.
Lovell quickly threw a glance at the old vagrant and proceeded past him without much care.
As he walked right beside him, the vagrants bony arm quickly jumped from the heap of rags he was under and then he wrapped his fingers around Lovell's ankle and gripped it tightly. It was already surprising that he could move, let alone having a grip that refused to let go of the boy.
With his face clearly showing displeasure, Lovell spoke with a cold tone towards the person whose head was by his feet as if insinuating he would stomp on him should he not comply.
"Let go."
His voice wasn't loud but could be heard clearly through the alley. The vagrant started to mumble to himself while holding Lovell's ankle, his voice grew quite and then turned silent. His hand suddenly having lost its strength released its hold till Lovell was free from his hold.
Not wanting anything to do with the old man anymore, Lovell decided to put as much distance between the two of them as quickly as he could. He proceed through the alley without turning back to entertain the vagrant any longer. He then heard the sounds of laughter coming from his back where the old man was.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
What a wonderful color you have boy. Who would have dared to think this?
Your way home will be an interesting one for sure.
I really would have loved to have seen it, truly.
But I suppose fate has written a story neither of them could have predicted.
I have nothing to offer other than my inconsequential help."
Lovell listened to all of the vagrants ranting and dismissed it as the ravings of a madman.
Just my luck, this alley must be cursed for sure. I always find myself in the most annoying situations.
Lovell then continued on his way more determined than ever to no longer be involved with the misfortune he met that day.
" No thanks old man. Worry about yourself instead."
After the vagrant preacher's voice become nothing but a faint sound in the distance, Lovell finally allowed himself to relax. He had intended to not take too long on his quest to buy bread.
He had to make a report of his findings at the hideout with the others. Unbeknown to him, the corners of thevagrant's mouth were still curved upwards and a mark had been imprinted on the ankle that had been touched by the old man.
After exiting the alley, He made his way up a man-made path that led into the heart of a dying forest.
His thoughts were racing as he was trying to recall the information he had collected from the street rats he had tasked with observing certain people. Before he realized it, he was already In front of the shed their group had decided would be their base of operations.
From the structure and compartments inside, he had surmised that it once serve as a storage unit during the war. Then again his assumption could have been wrong but that didn't change the fact that it was abandoned when they had found it and thus their occupation was completely justified. Well, at least to them it was.
He made his way inside and was greeted by a few hostile glares accompanied by looks of indifference and others completely failed to register him.
Still the same loving looks they always greet me with huh?
Well at least they are consistent.
Although he was among the weakest members of their little brigade, he had managed to become their vice-leader. A little hostility was to be expected so he had never been bothered by it. Although he was among the weakest, that did not directly mean he was useless. He main job was to collect information and now he was about to demonstrate why exactly they couldn't do anything without him.
Lovell made his way towards the leader of their group who was seated on a log in the centre of the room. The young man was surprisingly healthy looking despite him being in his situation. His expression was aloof and every one of his actions radiated the aura of a hero. He was a little tall for a teenager but that only served to make him stand out more.
Lovell then offered him some bread but was met with a swift refusal.
"Give it to the others, I am a lot more interested in what you learned."
Lovell then gave the bread in his arms to another member and proceeded to sit down next to Derek. Derek was not that bothered by this but it only served to fuel the hatred and jealousy of the other members more.
"I don't know how you got your information but you were right, the mansion is definitely owned by a Dreadborn. However I have learned that the servants don't often come to the market for supplies. This leads me to believe that the Dreadborn does not live there currently and is somewhere else. This is probably the best chance we have of striking and taking what we can without having to face one of those monsters."
Derek was happy to be hearing such good news, he had been eyeing that mansion for the better part of four months and his hunger had only grown since. Now was without a doubt the best chance to strike without meeting any resistance.
"You always bring good news with you Lovell. Ever since we ran from the orphanage, you have made sure every job was carefully planned beforehand and have always brought us success. When do we strike?"
Derek was asking just as a formality. Although he was the leader, Lovell was always responsible for the plans since his style of direct confrontation always carried huge risk. The two had already discussed it the night before and had agreed to strike that very day.
"Of course we strike tonight."
Lovell said this just for the benefit of the other members since they were always more assured of success if the plan came from him rather than their leader. Although they didn't like him much, they still respected his ability to plot against others and dreaded the unlucky souls that were the subject of his schemes.
They instantly became excited at the proclamation and started shouting in joy and anticipation for the night they were about to have.
Lovell rose from his sit and made another proclamation that only added fuel to the fire of desire in their hearts.
"Tonight, Sleight of hand takes to the streets."