I almost got late today. I entered the class just as the bell went. The reason why I was late; I had woken up late because I reached back home at about three in the morning. Yesterday was crazy. For the first time, I entered a bar that was run by the NETWORK. A permit card is needed to enter. In this bar though, there were mostly level II and level III criminals. The ones higher up have completely hidden identities. 

  I took a seat and ordered a beer. I wasn't used to drinking. But I had to blend in and it wouldn't hurt to try. As my beer came I looked around at the crowd. Most of them were a rowdy bunch and the rest had an unapproachable aura. Even in the lively atmosphere of the bar, they tried their hardest to remain in the shadows. Their hoods drawn to their noses. I would probably fall into their category. I didn't want any of them learning about my identity. Not a soul in the world knows. And I would like to keep it that way. 

  I was supposed to be meeting someone for some kind of job. Apparently once you've gained entry you can be given a task to steal a specific thing. It pays more than stealing something and then selling it to someone. I don't know who the guy is but I got a notification on my phone so I didn't want to miss the opportunity. 

  In the background I heard a group talking. And something they said suddenly caught my interest. Now the NETWORK isn't just a place for thieves. That's probably the mildest of crimes. The greater ones are murders and arsons and stuff I don't even want to talk about. 

  "How 'bout we find 'nother way of pickin' victims? " A guy with a bit of an indecipherable accent said. 

  "Are ya getting soft or something? " Said a big burly voice. 

  "Na, I just think that 'spin the bottle' seems a bit rude. " He replied. I could almost hear the smirk in his voice. 

  "Would you two be quiet? Are you trying to reveal our plan to the whole damn world? " Said a stern voice. 

  "Come on Stone, we were just chatting. " Said the first guy. 

  "Well, then quit talking. " 

 He must be their boss. This group probably belongs to a larger group of serial killers in the NETWORK. I had heard about them on several occasions, but I never got a chance to meet them. They were people from different levels usually trying to accomplish a single goal. Most cases are assassinations. Something has been going on with them and I'm determined to find it out. There's a person I'm looking for within the NETWORK. This person definitely belongs to this group of serial killers. 

  The group proceeded to talk in hushed tones. In a moment or two a guy came and sat across from me. He had a mask on and his hair was braided. His fingers had a number of rings and his clothes were all black. There was a chain around his neck that had a symbol I didn't recognize. Something about him though, seemed oddly familiar. I just couldn't figure out what. 

  "So here's the deal. You enter this house, " He showed me a map,"and you steal the paintings on the wall as well as the money from the vault. The vault is in plain sight. It's just behind the biggest painting. You gotta be careful though. The security is tight. Go in and come out quick. Good luck. "

  He left a black pouch and left the seat. Great! That's half my pay. I take the map and the pouch, pay for my drink and get out of there. I go to my hideout first to leave the things. Before I leave I memorise the map. Once I reach home I realise it's gotten quite late and head directly to sleep. 

*****

  I now realise why I thought that guy was familiar. When I tried to find out about the house he told me to loot I knew right away. He was Delexter aka Devin Lex Terrier. He has a criminal nature. His father is quite rich and he doesn't need money. Well, now that he has run away from prison he does. When he was asked why he had looted a supermarket about a year ago, he said that it was fun. Doing criminal stuff was like his hobby or something. But he was caught obviously. He did do big things but in a lousy way. 

  Anyway, he wanted me to loot his house. And he was right about security. Ever since he was caught, his father tightened security around the house. Not that it wasn't secure before but I suppose he was afraid of his own son stealing from him. He loved his prized collection of paintings and wouldn't part with it for anything. 

  I needed a plan and I was gonna make one soon. The only problem is that basketball practices have resumed since the juniors' match got over and with my job I seem to have even less time. I first need to set a date. This job is important. If I'm unable to do it my reputation will be tarnished and Delexter will not recommend me to his friends. And he has a lot of those. Criminal friends of course! 

  "Hey! Thanks for your help. Let me treat you to lunch today. "

  "Troy, I have practice. "

  "Maybe some other time then. "

  "Fine. Bye. "

  "See ya. "

  And he walked off home. I hope he's keeping his distance. I don't wanna have to change my hideout or something. I was really lucky to have found it. Now since I won't be doing much-and when I do loot the house I'll make sure that there aren't any witnesses- he won't have any leads. He'll have to give it up. 

  After basketball practice I rush over to the Street Pans and get working. I reach home quite late but just in time for dinner. Later on, in my room I'm trying to multitask. By that I mean I'm trying to do my homework as well as come up with a plan. Deciding that I can't possibly do them both together, I finish my homework and then try to open my mind and think. 

  I dig my phone up from its hiding place and after putting it on silent, I start looking for the house through satellite view. I'll need to find a way to get in and then avoid all the cameras. I suppose I'll need to get in once and observe everything as a guest or something and then go back as the Masked Bandit. 

  As I try to dig up some information about the house and it's owner on the internet, I find that he will be having an exhibition showcasing all his paintings that he had collected over the years. This was to take place in his house and would be open to all as long as you buy a ticket. Now that is interesting. This will be taking place next week, so it gives me plenty of time to buy the ticket and clothes of course. I also have to come up with another identity. I think I'll use the money Delexter already gave me, for it. 

  I go to bed happy that I figured out half my plan. I usually don't get sleep easily but I suppose I am really tired 'cause the moment I close my eyes I fall asleep. 

*****

  The moment I reach school, Troy attacks me. Nothing unusual but he seems extremely happy and pleased with himself. 

  "I know you want me to ask you what you're smiling about, " I say with a bored expression. 

  "Fine. But you won't believe it Stephanie confessed to me. The Stephanie. " He says, overexcited. 

  Stephanie is a girl he has had a crush on for about three years. He had confessed but she had refused him and hence we never spoke of her. It's odd that she suddenly developed feelings for him. She's most definitely gonna hurt him. 

  "Didn't she just break up with Jacob? What if she just wants to make him jealous? " I asked him. 

  "Come on now don't think so much. Besides Jacob's a dick. " He says, saying the guy's name as if it were poison. 

  "Well, Stephanie's a bitch. " I murmur. 

  "You said something? "

  "Na nevermind. "

  Love has definitely made him blind. The girl's one of the worst in our school. She is a bully and acts like she owns the school. I suppose she's kinda nice to Troy only 'cause she knows that his father's a police officer. 

  Them being together is so weird. She suddenly seems to be all over him. I don't know whether this relationship is true or fake, but she's definitely making it believable. 

  She joined us during break and I almost puked. I made a mental note to myself to find a different place tomorrow. I'm gonna try to avoid them as much as possible! 

  Anyway, today I'm gonna buy a ticket to the exhibition. My new identity is Henry Garfield. I picked up a nice looking orange coloured wig, some forged identification  and some nice looking clothes from my hideout on the way home from work. I was supposed to be from Newbough, a neighbouring country and have come for a short vacation to River Valley. 

  I make the purchase of the ticket through Old Pete, whom I'm still in contact with of course and ask him if there's any dent in my plan. 

  "You've gotta be very observant. If you miss a single thing that could get you in trouble, well you will be in trouble. So do me a favour and be careful will ya? "

  "Sure. And thanks for helping me out. I'm very grateful. "

  "Na, na. Don't mention it. "

  And it's true he's been a really great help ever since I started being my alter ego. He used to observe me, in my early days of robbing people. Everything about me used to be faulty but he saw the potential in me. At least that's what he said. One day he just came up to me and asked me if I wanted in, on the NETWORK. I couldn't believe my luck that day. I had thought meeting anyone from the NETWORK was going to take time.