Long Live the King {Den of Thieves}

McKinley Graybuck

And we remain quite strangers.

You open a bottle of your finest wine, for tonight, you have every reason to celebrate. You weren't sure you could pull it off, since, apart from one small exception, you've always worked alone. And now you've let three people - two of them strangers - come into your plans. You've given them your trust when you had no reason to. But for some reason, you trusted them. More importantly, for your plan to work, you needed them. The funny thing is, they're all of the female persuasion.

First of them is Markana Harris, the young woman whose job it is to break into the homes and disable anyone who gets in your way. From the first time you met her, you knew she would live up to your expectations. Next is Aurora Tazz, who, at the moment, is off selling the spoils of tonight's adventure. She's young, but you know that means nothing where thieving is involved. Finally, there's Innocence, the avox that has been at you side for..well, how long has it been now? You know it doesn't matter, so you don't bother trying to remember. She's the best thing that's happened to you since you bought this mansion.

You know avoxes are supposed to servants, but after living that life for over sixteen years, you don't want to force it on someone else. From the start, Innocence was meant only to be your companion. She cooks for you, but only because she wants to. You're grateful, though, because honestly, your own cooking tastes like the insides of a garbage can. It's a wonder you never gave yourself food poisoning.

This little Den of Thieves you've organized has worked out better than you could have dreamed. Of course, this was only your first robbery as a group. There's still plenty of time for things to go wrong. The three of you performing the robbery congregated in an alley just outside the Garrison residence. You'd been gathering information on them for weeks, and it was finally time to act on it. Markana quickly disabled the security system, and you crept through the back door. Markana was to make sure no one discovered as you and Innocence stole the priceless necklaces in a room on the third floor. You went up the stairs together, and down the hall to a small room filled with the family's valuables. Jewels glittered in glass cases, ruby dresses hung neatly, unwrinkled, in a vast armoire. You stood watch by the door as Innocence procured the four necklaces you'd come for.

At one point, you could hear a scuffle two floors below. You wondered if you should check if Markana was alright, but you had faith in her. Whatever was going on, she could handle it. Just as you were about to leave the room, that inexplicable urge came to you again. Innocence was supposed to be the thief this time, not you. You let her go out the door before you, and you followed, but not before slipping a diamond ring into your pocket. When you rejoined Markana, there was no sign of the fight you'd heard earlier, not even an unconscious body. You decided to ask her about it later, when all of this was done. After you left the way you came, Markana turned the security system back on.

The three of you went to another alley, where you met Aurora. Innocence gave her the necklaces, but you withheld your ring, not wanting anyone to know about it. It wasn't supposed to be stolen after all. You gave Aurora instructions to meet back at your mansion when she had exchanged the necklaces for money. Then you returned there yourself.

You pour glasses of wine and pass them to Innocence and Markana. You don't know if either of them even like wine, but it's a good celebratory drink. They can let you know if they don't want it, or simply find something else. You won't be offended.The ring you stole earlier burns a hole in your pocket. You silently berate yourself for taking it. You weren't supposed to steal tonight, weren't even aware you wanted to. But stealing is a part of you now.

That familiar voice creeps its way into your head. There is no way to cover up the sudden startled expression on your face. You thought you had chased the voice away. You hoped it wouldn't make an appearance tonight. Hoping no one has noticed, you excuse yourself and head to your bedroom. In the bottom drawer of your dresser is a bottle of pills. You open it and shake one out into your hand, swallow it dry. You think it will make the voice go away. Deep in your heart, you know it is just a desperate hope. Because I am what's real, not the mask you wear every day. You've done such a good job hiding him, you've even convinced yourself that he's just a copy of the original. You've got it into your head that McKinley is who you truly are, that as you travel deeper into your soul, all you will find is him. But I'm still here. I'm the one that's real, not McKinley. We both know that, but you insist on hiding.

You rejoin the other two, taking a seat at the kitchen table, which is just big enough for four. You smile at them and sip your wine, sure Aurora will be along shortly. The necklaces haven't been reported stolen yet, so she shouldn't have any trouble selling them. "The two of you were excellent," you say. Have your fun, McKinley. Try your hand at normalcy. I'm patient. I'll have my turn soon.

When I woke up staring at the world.