Altinae returned to his original encampment, where he lived and slept almost every night. In terms of its location, it was in the middle of the city, just a block away from where he had swiped the necklace and almost a dozen away from The Wizards'.
And lying there on a small sleeping bag, he peered through the surrounding buildings, looking to the beautiful starry darkness that peeked through.
A blankness persisted on his face as he thought deeply.
I really stole from the president's daughter, huh? I didn't even know when I saw her name that she was the president's daughter… I'm so out of things…
Altinae blinked a few times.
Once she realizes it's gone… I'm done… but how would she find me? She doesn't know who I am or where I sleep…
He brought himself up.
Right… it wouldn't be possible. I didn't steal it here, I stole it…
Suddenly, he remembered where he stole it from; it wasn't far, not at all. His homeless encampment was actually the closest one, and she knew that Altinae was homeless from his looks.
Shit…
He dropped his body back on the sleeping bag and gazed back at the sky, looking to the moon that stared down at him. His mind continued to wander, thinking only of the woman.
His eyes slowly began to close, and soon his mind began to fade…
"Homeless rats!"
Altinae quickly jolted up.
A woman shouted loudly, prompting all the dwellers in the encampment to wake up.
"One of you may have stolen something dear to me. And I need it back!"
The dwellers looked at each other, dead in the eyes, tired and confused.
What was this woman baffling about?
They didn't know, but Altinae, he began to shake as a cold shiver ran down his back. He knew the voice; it was familiar. He knew exactly who she was.
It was the same woman he had stolen from earlier that day, and somehow she had found him, and by her angry tone, she wanted her necklace back.
He knew, though, that she would definitely kill him if she found him; she made that clear the last time they met. So, he quickly hid inside his sleeping bag, and stayed silent, hoping she would pass without noticing him, but her steel boots only echoed nearer… she knew…
"I know it was one of you! Come out, you little thief, I know you're here somewhere!"
Suddenly, a wide dweller, fully wrapped in a warm navy blanket, spoke out, releasing his dying scratchy voice.
"Umm, ma'am, are you sure you're in the right place?"
The woman looked at the dweller with a piercing expression.
"Yes, I know it was one of you rats who stole from me, so where is that young little thief with the straight dark brown hair and that dirty pale mug?!"
The dweller thought for a second.
"Hmm… Dark brown hai-"
He suddenly silenced himself and turned his gaze outward, away from the woman.
Noticing this, she approached him and pulled out her sword, flashing its glistening sharpness to his eyes.
"So, you know who I'm talking about."
The dweller was scared.
"N-no, I don't know anyone with hair like that. I swear!"
"You're nervous. I can see it in your face, and hear it from your voice, your tells are obvious. So, if you don't want news stations all over this place, tell me who it is."
The man closed his eyes, frightened, and slowly let out his stuttering voice while pointing towards his left.
"T-there."
The woman followed his finger with her eyes and looked to a small green sleeping bag that shook rapidly on the ground. She walked over to it and stopped just before its end, looking at the outline of the curled-up Altinae that extruded through the nylon.
"So, this is how we meet again, little thief. I thought I warned you, but you didn't listen. So do us both a favor and come out. I need that necklace."
Scared, Altinae didn't come out, staying hidden.
"So, you're still not listening, even now when I am about to kill you."
Hearing this, he quickly popped out of the sleeping bag, looking at her standing over him with fear in his eyes.
"S-sorry!"
The woman snickered, then, reaching down, she grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the alley along with the sleeping bag, without a struggle in her stride.
She threw him against a wall, planting her long silver sword in front of him, then crouched and stared deeply into his soul with narrow eyes.
"Give it to me," she demanded, holding out her cupped hand.
Reluctantly, Altinae reached into his pocket and then handed over the necklace, still shaking. He knew he couldn't do anything, so it was best to just follow her orders quickly, hoping for a sliver of forgiveness.
"Seems like a little bit of threatening was needed for you to obey, little thief, just like last time."
The woman began examining the necklace, asking at the same time:
"So, why were you so desperate to steal from me? Were you that desperate for money that you were even willing to steal from a warrior?"
Altinae sat silent for a moment, then softly uttered:
"M-my mother."
The woman suddenly stopped twisting the necklace, stopping on the empty bracket where the black gem once sat.
"Hmm? What about your mother, little thief?"
"S-she's sick. Listen! I just wanted to help pay her hospital bills so I can see her again! Just don't kill me!"
Her tone changed.
"Sick with what?"
Altinae's face turned, confused. Why was she asking so many questions if she was going to kill him?
Still, he answered them, hoping that what he would say would save him.
"feast."