The security guards were pretty old and didn't put up much of a fight. Two punches in the gut by their attackers and they were down. Who the hell makes old guys guard a museum? It’s like they’re actually inviting someone to rob them!

  "Hey! They'll gain consciousness soon. Let's hurry up and get this over with," said one of them and the two attackers and four others from the jeep ran into the museum. The last one must be their getaway driver, for their easy escape.

  I had managed to get an exact copy of the vase. I planned on replacing it with the real one. I stayed in the shadows. I had already checked the layout of the cameras. I easily dodged them and walked through the door, the group that previously entered  left open. 

  We had a school picnic last year that had taken us to this museum. I had already memorised where all the things were kept. The darkness didn’t seem to bother me but I think it confused them. I could hear them swearing and running about the place. 

  I don't waste any time and walk into the room where the vase has been kept and exchange it with the one I have. Just at that moment I hear footsteps coming my way. I quickly hide. One of the security guards guarding the hallways must have heard the group come in. Amateurs! The security guard entered the room and flashed his flashlight around the room. Not seeing anything out of place he switched off his flashlight. Just as he was about to leave the room his walkie-talkie crackled and then a voice spoke or more like yelled.

“Hey Denver I need backup. Some thieves are on the second floor, they’re heading your way. Stop them!”

  “You got it.”

  Saying that , he left without closing the door. Better for me! So I quietly sneak out of there while the security guards are running after them. They haven’t even stolen anything yet. That’s why I say ‘too many thieves spoil the plan’!

  Once I left the building and got to a safe spot, I saw their jeep speeding away followed by a number of UCPD cars. I felt bad for them. It wasn’t even like it was my fault. My being there or not wouldn’t have affected their plan in any way. Sigh!

  I keep the vase in a safe place after wrapping it up in paper and some bubble wrap. It’s not like this place is completely safe. The town’s entire rodent population knows about it and so do many bats. Sometimes I find some of their leftover meals. Once that is done I go home and try to get a good night’s sleep. I’ve got to talk to old Pete and ask him about what is to be done next. 

*****

  Today I’m a little jumpy. I suppose it’s because it’s finally the day. It’s Saturday and I’m supposed to be getting my level II permit and meeting a level II dealer. The only unfortunate thing is that it’s coinciding with the juniors’ basketball match. My parents as well as my siblings will be there and I’m not sure how to get away. I can’t even change the date ‘cause the dealers are apparently busy people, though they’re probably just drinking all day. 

  Once again, the clock and I are having a staring contest. Just two minutes left. The match is a pretty big deal. It’s between our school and the one in the city. They’ve been our rivals for ages and always seem to think that they’re better than us. But let’s face it, we always win basketball matches. We not only have the best coach but also the best players. 

  The moment the bell rings, I’m the first one out of the class and before I could draw any attention and get out the door I hear Troy calling out to me. 

  “Hey Shane, could you please help me with my homework again. I need to go to do...you know what,” he says the last few words in a whisper and starts making weird gestures with his eyes. I understood what he was trying to say but act like I don't and raise an eyebrow. 

  “Seriously? I know you understand.” 

  He definitely knows me too well. 

  “Well then would you quit making weird faces?” 

  I had not stopped walking but had definitely slowed down.

  “Oh come on, they’re not weird,” he mumbled as he hurried behind me.

  “I can help you with Zara,” he says.

  “ You’re doing it again.” I say in an attempt to change the topic.

  “Doing what again?”

  “Those weird faces.”

  “Really?”

  And then he tried to choke me.To death. The headlines would be something like ‘A River Valley High student Shane Bolton choked to death by best friend Troy Andrews also marking the disappearance of the Masked bandit. Are these two cases related in any way ?’

  I’d better not make these kinda jokes. Don’t wanna get jinxed or something.

  “I’m serious though,” Troy continues, “That girl is really into you.”

  “I’m not interested.”

  “You can’t not be interested. She’s one of the hottest girls in school. You’ve gotta say yes.”

  “Okay first off,  my parents will be angry. Secondly, I think I have enough to deal with and I don’t need any girl problems to add to them.”

  “Fine, then don’t come crying to me when you’re older saying you don’t have any kids to take care of you.”

  He went off after saying that. The guy probably forgot the actual reason why he came up to me in the first place. He always thinks of the extremes. How did me not having a girlfriend end up in me being lonely and with no children in the future?

  Besides those aren’t the only reasons why I won’t go out with her. Maybe what Troy said might actually come true. I’m actually attracted to guys. Yes, I’m gay. But it’s not accepted around here so I’m not open about it. I actually used to like someone. He used to be my best friend way back when I was ten and we were living somewhere else. When I realised that I truly loved him, it was too late, he was already gone...

  Anyway, better not think about that. It makes me really sad. I’m supposed to be working for an hour at the Street Pans and then come back to school to watch the match which will begin at six. Mum called me back home after my shift, so I can’t go to my hideout. I’ll have to sneak out of the stadium later on. 

*****

  The match started ten minutes ago and our school already has the lead. Adam was responsible for most of their points. My family is acting like a cheerleading squad. Well… accept for Jeff, who is busy on his phone. I’ve had a couple of ideas pop into my head but most of them will probably lead me into deeper trouble. Like if I ‘went to the washroom’, depending on the amount of time I would take, my mum would probably think that I was sick. If I went ‘to buy snacks’, she would ask me why I took so long. So, after a lot of thinking I told my parents that I’m going to the washroom and looking for Troy. He’s not that difficult to find but they don’t know that.

  I leave the stadium and the school grounds and head over to my hideout. I quickly change into my costume on the way and notice that there is a van on the grounds. I hurry over to it. I had already kept the vase ready, so I immediately give it to them. 

  “You’re late,” said some guy I didn’t know.

  “Uh...I’m sorry.”

  “Are you sure we should let him in.” 

  “Oh yes, I wouldn’t have called you otherwise,” said old Pete while Roundy rolled his eyes. I never really liked that guy. 

  He then looked me up and down and took the wrapped up vase. 

  “Good packing.”

  “Thanks.”

  He then got into the van. So did Roundy. Old Pete stayed back and gave me a card. It was no bigger than a playing card and was black and gold in colour. Whatever was written was in code. I smiled at him and he smiled back.

  “From now on, you’re on your own kid,” he said.

  I nodded. “Thanks for everything.”

   “No problem. But remember one thing, in this game there are no friends. If you want to survive, trust no one.”

  I nodded. As they left I looked at the card and realised that I was one step closer to accomplishing my goal.

******

  When I returned, the match had almost gotten over and as expected my mum began questioning me. 

  “Where were you?” she asked in a stern voice.

  “Mum, calm down. I was looking for Troy. I couldn’t find him anywhere.”

  “Fine.” She mumbled something inaudible after that. She has the habit of getting overly worried. I’m not really sure why though.

  In the end our school won the match. It was kinda obvious from the beginning. Adam and Tony were over excited by their victory. This being their first major game and all. To celebrate, mum decided to make pudding for dessert after dinner. As we were going out we met Troy, who congratulated the twins. We then headed home. 

  This was one hell of a day! But clashes like this are bound to happen. I'll just have to deal with it.