The gates of the house, that cannot be called a house but a mansion, had been kept wide open in view of the exhibition. Malcolm Terrier had made sure to hire enough security to fight another country in a war. The moment I neared the place it dawned on me that this was the only chance I would get to enter the house. I had to act as if I belonged there.

  Right at the gate, two burly security guards were collecting tickets and patting people down. I didn't bring anything with me, I didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to myself.

  I had somehow come up with an excuse, leaving Shane behind and becoming Henry. I have a perfect alibi. I feigned illness so I wouldn't have to go to work and mum knows I don't like being in the presence of someone when I'm sick, so she won't make an effort to go to my room. Well.. It's not perfect but I'm confident no one will figure out it's me.

  So anyway, I walk right in like everyone else and start looking at the paintings. I must say, this guy's definitely got an eye for the good stuff. Walking into this house really feels like walking into a museum. Well, no time to waste. I walk around the room examining the paintings while at the same time my eyes dart around the room. There were cameras of course but I noticed that they were focused on only particular paintings. These must be his personal favourites. Probably cost more than the rest.

  Time for the next room. As I enter the next room I notice Troy and his dad. Shoot! He might recognize me. This guy knows almost everything about me. If he finds out…

  I walk into the room, my heart beating fast. I plan to skip this room for now and come back later when they leave. Just as I was about to leave the room, I caught Troy's eye. I slow my pace a little, give  him a smile that I hope is totally different from my actual one and pretend to look around. I breathe a sigh of relief andI enter the next room. I will surely keep an eye out for them.

****

 
  Luckily for me, Troy and his dad left about a few minutes after I encountered them. The rest of the night went smoothly. I had memorised the placements of all the cameras, including those on the outside and had also made note of the security positioning. I had reached back quite late but was glad to find that no one had entered my room. Not that I had left it open or anything.

  Currently I'm enjoying a meal at one of Troy's favourite restaurants. He's treating me of course. While he's babbling about how awesome his time with Stephanie is I'm going through the events of yesterday night in my head.

  "... I know you're jealous and all but come on, you yourself declined a perfectly gorgeous girl. You don't have to ignore me. "

  He was being cocky and all high and mighty. It was really ticking me off. I gave him a nonchalant look with a raised eyebrow.

  "Anyway, our food's coming any minute so I'm just gonna go to the washroom. Be back in a few. "

"Sure."

  Gives me more time to think. I had gotten a pretty good look at the house yesterday. It had about thirty-nine rooms or so. Some were of course not open to the public nor did I have any business with them, so it didn't matter. All I needed were things in the first three rooms. That meant I had to get past twenty-one cameras and about six to eight guards.

  This was going to be fun!

  The food tasted great. It was a pretty expensive restaurant at least for me. When I commented on the taste he was like, 'why don't I call Stephanie next time? ' and I gave him a blank look. If he wants to take her on a date I don't want to be the third wheel.

  I was free that day 'cause my mum said that it would be too much for me to go back to work after feeling ill. So I told her I'd hang out with Troy. In truth though, we were just having lunch and then I was going off to my hideout to make plans. I just can't resist the adrenaline rush this whole deal gives me. I just might get addicted to it.

  In my hideout, I keep all the info I got on the desk. I was able to make sketches of the entire house courtesy of my brilliant drawing skill and photographic memory. I was unsure of the date but I had found out that Mr. Terrier was going to be attending a meeting that was to be held for about three days, meaning he wouldn't be at home but in a hotel. That gave me an opportunity to strike.

  My costume covers every part of my body, therefore leaving no fingerprints. My mask of course will be covering my face. I finally decided that the best day to do it should be the second day. My entry should be through the garden. I had found a good opening. The only thing was, there was a pool just below that part of the garden wall. Probably the reason why there are no cameras. The splash would definitely alert the nearest security guard.

  I will need to trample like a ninja. I set a path for myself to successfully avoid the cameras, now the only thing that was left to deal with was the guards.

The people at the museum had yet to notice the replaced vase. They thought that they had got their thieves. That whole deal actually gave me an idea. I can plan a decoy. Some kind of disruption away from the place I need to enter. All I needed to do was alert a guard at the other end of the estate, which was obviously huge. But that plan might not work. They obviously won't ask all the guards to come to one spot. And if they don't find anyone they'll probably know that someone's trying to get in. And even if I succeed in entering, I won't have a chance to get out. So I'd better save that idea for a later date.

  What should I do? I suppose making a few of the guards unconscious wouldn't be so bad. I just needed to go in and come out quick. So then it's settled. A little knock on the head should suffice. And they needed to be gagged of course.

*****

 
  Today the diamond studded vase was on the news. And I was just thinking about it yesterday. They finally found out it was a fake. They've apparently been questioning the group they caught, but of course they can't tell them anything 'cause they're innocent. It will be some time till they believe them. The police probably think that they were the decoy and someone else was sent to steal the vase while they were being chased. Well, they're not entirely wrong.

  Lately, school work is also piling up and I try to do whatever I can whenever there is time. Everything seems to be stressing out.
Exams are also fast approaching, then there are assignments to think about and the list goes on and on. One good thing is that assignments need to be worked on, in a group of two or more. Since the more the better, my group is usually made up of five people. Troy is in it of course, though he rarely does anything.

  Anyway, I will be carrying out my plan in a few days time. I finally found out the date that Mr.Terrier will be leaving. Until then I've got to wait patiently and perfect my plan to the tiniest detail. I'm on my way to work and I'm completely exhausted with basketball practice. One of our matches is coming up, so practice hours will increase. The only day that I will be free is Sunday. That's the day I will be looting the Terrier estate. I'm really getting excited!

*****

  The night is quiet, except for a few insect noises. The sky is bright with moonlight. I'm fully equipped and on my way to the Terrier estate. I have to admit, I am a little-okay a lot - nervous about this. After all, it is the first time I'm doing it. The atmosphere somehow feels right. Though there is this nasty feeling in the pit of my stomach that something may go wrong. I just can't seem to shake it off.

  As the estate comes in sight I take a deep breath and jog to the wall. The wall is not very high and luckily does not have any on it that prevents anyone from going over it. I suppose Mr. Terrier thought all the security would be enough. Well not for this thief. I put my hands over it and heave myself upwards, while climbing it and in a flash I'm on the other side. I make sure to be careful about the pool and tip-toe along the side until I'm on the lawn. Now it's time to meet some guards. Just as I think that I hear a noise.