I cautiously enter through the secret passageway. Nobody would find it. I don't use the front entrance because it's heavily locked. I check my computer for anything the cameras might have caught on video.

Huh ! Troy ?

Troy was walking right past camera four, near the warehouse twenty minutes ago. He isn't here anymore though. What was he doing here ? Uh oh ! The UCPD must suspect something. They weren't kidding when they said they wanted to widen the search. Troy's dad is in the UCPD and he helps him sometimes. I know it's strange, a police and a criminal being friends, but I get to know whatever the UCPD are onto.

I'll just keep an eye on that guy. Right now I need to look into the stolen stuff. I've got a lot of pretty cool stuff here-watches, necklaces, jackets, rings, cell phones, wallets etc. My next " Pocket Money Day " is tomorrow. It's the day I sell the stolen stuff to the level one criminals in the NETWORK. I aim to belong to the NETWORK, only then will I achieve my only goal in life. So I sort out the good from the bad. The good stuff gets sold off to the NETWORK-who are top level international criminals- the rest to anyone who would buy this stuff.

*****

...thirty minutes...fifteen minutes...five minutes...three minutes...

Why does the clock run so slowly?!

Ting ! Ting ! Ting !

The bell! Finally ! Felt like forever !

I need to get to my hideout quickly. The big goons, my dealers will be there any minute. Can't let them find out who I am underneath that mask. Luckily I don't have practice today. The juniors have the entire court since they have an upcoming match next Saturday.

I quickly walk the first half of the way and run the other half. I quickly put on my mask and cloak, and just in time too. The dealers have just arrived in a van. Hope they're happy with the stuff.

" What you got us this time, kid ? " That was Rondy, but I like calling him roundy ! The only difference between him and a ball is that he would be used by giants !

I drag the good stuff in a sack to them.

" That's good. For a kid, " says old Pete. He kinda is the boss of the level one dealers in the NETWORK. I was lucky to find him and he's going to be my ticket to get to level two. " Uh, thanks, " was all I could say. Just trying to be the ' nice thief ,' if there is any such thing !

" But if you want to sell your stuff to the second level dealers and actually get involved with the NETWORK for a real big profit you will have to steal from houses, banks, jewellery stores and rich places, not wait to attack passersby. I can see that you have potential, potential to do great things. Gather more, better weapons. Better, not in quality but better for your use. And learn to fight, not run away. Take my advice, you will be successful, " he continued. " Yes sir, " said I, proud of myself. I used to take martial arts lessons with old Pete. He was an amazing instructor and an even more amazing fighter. I'm turning out quite good, myself.

As they left, a plan began forming in my mind. I'm going to get myself into the NETWORK by next week. But right now, I need to get myself some food. Man, I'm starving !

As I open the door to the street pans, the lovely smell of sizzling hot sausages hits my sense of smell. Feels like I'm in smell heaven!

I go to the counter and order a hotdog and lemonade to go with it. Well that is all I can get with my allowance. I haven't started working part time yet, with criminal stuff and all to deal with. Hey ! And I don't use the money I get for the stolen stuff you know. Once I get enough I'm going to use it to buy things like disguises and weapons.

That was delicious. I'm actually considering taking a job here. It's the closest good place to my hideout. So, I'd better go and find out.

" Uh... hey Dan could I work part time with you here. " Now Dan's a nice guy, friend of the family and all but this shop is literally his life, so he gets pretty serious about it and I'm not so sure he'll let me work here but it's worth trying.

" Hmm... " His eyes narrow and look straight at me, like he's studying me or something. I swallow hard and look straight at him with determination. Feels weird actually, with all the noise around the shop and all the people screaming their orders. " You are a good option and I am looking for helping hands but I'll need to test you for two days before I give you the job. Now, I need to attend to the customers so you could come and start tomorrow if you like. "

" Yes, I surely will. Thank you. " Yeah ! I got the job. Kind of. I really need to be convincing enough tomorrow. I smile at him real big and leave the shop. I can't wait to tell mum and dad. Now, won't they be happy!

So, on the way home I plan what I'm going to do. Firstly no criminal stuff this week. I'm going to concentrate on my job -if I get it-and plan out the perfect robbery.

The moment I reach home, I know something's not right. There's a really expensive van right in front of our gate, literally blocking the entrance for anyone else. The person must have been in quite a hurry to get inside. Who can it be ? Not many people come here. Only one way to find out. Sigh! The car is blocking my only way to find out. And no I won't climb the fence. I'm quite sure it's going to break the moment I even try to climb it. It's not that I can't. Right now I'm Shane and not the Masked Bandit and I don't want to give my parents even a hint about that whole deal.

Right then a man who I've never seen before comes out of the house with a black suitcase and he's talking to my mum. He must be the doctor she was talking about. They both come walking to the gate still talking.

"...to the hospital...some tests...give her the red pills and she'll be fine for now, " says the doctor.

" Thank you doctor, I really appreciate your visit, " says my mum in reply. " Oh and who's this ? " asks the doctor looking in my direction.

" This is my second son Shane."

" Hi, nice to meet you doctor, " I say and shake his hand. He then gets in his car and drives down the street, probably back to the hospital.

" What was that all about ? " I ask mum. It's not every day that we have doctors coming to our house.

" It's Bella. She's sick again. "

" But she was fine in the morning... Is it bad ? "

" The doctor says to continue the pills but she'll be completely alright only after treatment. "

I feared it would be something like this. But she was quite okay for the last three months. She didn't even catch a cold. I just hope it doesn't get any worse.

" Come on in, I think she'll like it if you go to her room for a visit, " says mum and that's exactly what I do. She shares the room with Emilia, who looks after her for most of the day. I go in and have a chat with her. We talk about going to the park. That's one place she's been dreaming to go to. "...I'll go on the swing and the slide and then we can have ice cream together... " She was smiling and going on and on about what she would do at the park. We all try to make her smile. It's a difficult task but I do it the best. A long time ago I had taken her to the park and then we never had a chance to go there again. I leave the room with a sigh and go upstairs to do my homework.

After about an hour or so later, mum calls up the stairs for dinner. She isn't yelling like always. She always gets quieter when there's someone sick in the house. I shut my history book and get back to present day. As I enter the kitchen I find that mum and Emilia are still setting the dinner table and dad and the twins haven't come yet, so I go help them in silence. Just as we finish setting the table dad comes in with the twins right behind.

" Many people came today to the shop you know mum, " says Tony. " We had to do everything so fast. It was awesome, " finished Adam. They seemed really excited. " Lower your voices boys, Bella is not well. You're going to wake her up. And go wash up and come for dinner. " This seemed to shut them up.

In five minutes we were all seated at the table having dinner. Having had her dinner long before, Bella was already sleeping in bed. Mum and dad were discussing Bella's condition in a whisper. I waited for them to finish talking. And when it seemed as though they were finished, I said, " Uh... I need to tell you guys something. " All eyes turn to me.

" It's not bad news, is it ? " asks Adam.

" No it's not. In fact it's good news. I asked Dan for a job at his shop. He said he'd test me for two days. I'm determined to get the job. " My parents managed a smile.

" It's good to know you finally decided to take a job, " says mum.

" I'm proud of you son, " says dad.

I just hope I don't let them down.

The next morning I wake up, dress up, have breakfast and quickly leave the house to go to Troy's. I haven't contacted Troy at all these few days. He must be upset.

As I walk past an alley, I hear voices. I stop and quietly peek from behind the corner. I couldn't see anything. The alley was darker where the voices came from. I know another route to get to the other side of the alley. So I take that route and can listen with a great view of them without them even knowing I am here.

The voices belonged to seven boys who were a little older than me. They are all discussing a theft they will be carrying out on Tuesday. They are going to rob the Central Museum located in the next city.

" ... but boss won't there be heavy security ? " said one of them.

" We'll be in and out of there in no time. If there is any problem just grab the diamond studded vase and run as fast as you can we'll meet at my house later. "

Now that interested me. The rest of the conversation was just directions the 'boss' was giving. I was thinking of doing something like this. Their plan got me thinking about my plan. I crept out of there and continued on my way to Troy's house. I need to get some weapons as old Pete said, and I need training too. On the way back home I'll make a phone call to old Pete and see if he can help me with the training I require.

I go up to the door and ring the bell. I hear someone running down the stairs, must be Troy.

" Took you long enough to come. I have some exciting news to tell you, come on in. "

Yup, I was right. It was him. " I've got something to tell you too, actually, " I say, remembering I have to tell him about the job.

" Okay then you go first, "says he.

" Well, I finally decided to take a job and I might be getting a job at the Street Pans if I work well today and tomorrow. "

" Wow that's great, but you know the Street Pans is open on all days of the week right ? "

" Yeah, that's alright. I'll work it out. What's your news ? Seems like you're bursting to tell me. "

" Well, I'm actually not supposed to tell you this but anyway my dad needed some help in the Masked Bandit case and I volunteered. I thought he'd not allow me this time but since they suspect the guy's about my age they think they might be able to crack the case with my help. Can you believe it ? I'm a secret agent. Well, not so secret since I told you. "

He was over excited about this. " Wow ! just wow. This is amazing. It's like you're a spy kid or something. So did you find out anything yet ? " I inquired.

" No, not really. But I believe he has some kind of hideout somewhere in town. "

" Aren't you afraid of the guy or something ? "

" Not really. I've had combat lessons, so I can fight him and I don't think he'll try to kill me. If he wanted to kill I think he would have already done it to someone. So I'm not too afraid. "

I'm quite surprised he came to that conclusion. Most of it is true. He sure is smart. I'm pretty sure I'll beat him in any hand to hand combat.

The rest of the day just passed with the things we usually do-watching movies on Troy's computer. His father is at work, so we can put the volume as loud as we want; his mother doesn't mind it.

On the way home I drop in at my hideout to make the phone call. My phone was a gift from old Pete. I use it only to call people as the Masked Bandit.

" Hey old Pete I got a job. I'm gonna need your help. Let's meet today, at night. Yeah same place. " He said he would contact someone from level two and we must start training today. We also would go looking for weapons later. It was going to be a long night.

Right after the call I go home for lunch. Mum is at home on Saturday as well as on Sunday, while dad is home only on Sunday. I'm not really very hungry at lunch so I normally eat very little.

As soon as lunch is over I dress to leave for the Street Pans. The afternoon rush is about to start. The shop opens at about now. I have to work hard.

As I reach the shop I see Dan opening the door. I guess I'm early. Sam and Jess are unloading the jeep, getting out all the things that are needed to be fresh.

" Looks like you're on time. I like that quality in people. I suppose you passed the first test, " says Dan with a broad smile. I smile back and say, " thanks, " and then go and help Sam and Jess do the unloading.

I reached back home quite late. Dinner was already done so I had to warm it up. After dinner and a refreshing bath I announced that I was going to bed. I'm lucky I have the room all to myself or else I would surely get into trouble. I lock the door and get into bed for some rest and leave as soon as everyone goes to bed. I creep out of the window and quietly close it behind me.

Old Pete was already there waiting. I go up to him and then explain my plan. " It's quite brilliant, but it needs timing. If one thing goes wrong you risk the possibility of being caught, " he says.

" Yes, I know. That's why I need your help. I need to sharpen up my skills, " I told him.

" I thought so, kid. I brought you something. " He opened a bag full of weapons. " We're gonna try all and see what's best for ya, okay ? "

After a lot of trying we found that I was best with the whip. So I was armed with darts, knives, smoke bombs and my whip of course.

I spent the few days I had before the big day by practicing with the whip, studying, working and playing basketball. I got the job at the Street Pans and mum and dad were really pleased with me. I really can't afford to get caught. I can't even imagine their disappointment in me.

*****

It's Tuesday.

The big day has finally come. And at present I'm in school. I'm totally bored. Still twenty minutes for the class to end. I can't stop thinking about the job. I've been restless since morning.

Ten minutes left.

The clock seems to have slowed down.

" ...and when you add this answer to this you get this, the sum of... " Our math professor is going on about something I totally don't understand.

Ting ! Ting ! The bell. Finally ! The moment the bell rings I dash out of the classroom. We have basketball practice for about an hour today and later I run to the Street Pans.

I'm actually quite tired but the best part of the day is yet to come. The moment I reach home I have dinner and rush to bed. After lights out I go out the window and go to the hideout. I arm myself and go to the museum. Tonight is going to be one dangerous night. What happens next will decide my fate.

As I reach the museum I notice it is dark, closed for the night. The two security guards were roaming the grounds, guarding the gates. Then suddenly the silence is broken by the sound of a jeep. It's them. Five of them at least. They're creating a diversion for the other two who had somehow reached behind the two security guards and were preparing to tackle them. The guards must have realised this because they were turning to face their attackers. I hope this night will turn out fine.

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A/N

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