The noise came from a tree nearby. I soon realise that it's only a bird. My nerves are definitely wreaking havoc. I look round the corner and see the way in being guarded by two guards. I need to find the perfect timing. In about a minute or two I made my move. In one swift move I hit both of them upside the head, making them both unconscious. I wait for a while, to make sure that no one comes to disturb me.

  As I enter the house, I check my watch. I have to make it out in twenty minutes. I start taking the paintings down and wrapping them in paper and putting them into the big bag I had brought. I lift the final painting and I see the vault behind it. I quickly put the painting away and started opening the vault. Just as I did that, an alarm suddenly went off. Shit! That was something I wasn't expecting. Luckily I had already set the decoy that was a smoke bomb, so I set it off and another alarm went off somewhere, a little distance away. That should be enough to keep them distracted for a while.

  I was able to gather everything and jump over the wall. Most of the security guards must have gone in the direction of the second alarm thinking I was getting away. The police had just arrived as I climbed over the wall and made a run for it.

  Just as I turned the corner, I caught a glimpse of Troy. What was he doing here so late? I ran like my life depended on it, 'cause let's face it, it kinda did. I did not look back even once but I was sure that I had lost them. I was running through the alleyways looking for the shortest way back to my hideout. I made it a point to memorise all the possible paths in this town and around it so I could easily escape if needed.

*****

  I am lying on my bed, heart still pounding like crazy but I am satisfied and have this feeling of achievement. I just hope Troy didn't get a proper glimpse of me. Anyway the stuff is safely hidden in my hideout and all I need to do now is give Delexter a call to tell him the job's done. I don't think I'll have to though, he'll probably hear it on the news tomorrow. I just need to tell him where to meet me so I can get the rest of the money.

  I'll most probably have to give stealing a rest, because my exams are coming up soon and my parents will not be happy if I don't do well. I also need to finish my assignments which are due soon.

  But what I need the most now is a good night's sleep.

*****

 
   "... and there seems to be no trace of the thief. Some people suspect the Masked Bandit, but we cannot be sure, since he has not done something like this before. The authorities are also not ruling out Mr. Terrier's son, Devin, who has been involved in criminal activity and has recently escaped from prison. "

  "Fel, would you switch that thing off? I think I've heard enough. "

  "Just a moment dear, I want to watch it to the end. "

  I walk downstairs and sit besides Emilia, who has her scrutinizing gaze locked on the television screen, just like dad. I shake my head. These are the only two in the family who like watching news on television. Unlike Adam and Tony who grab the newspaper and hear gossip. They apparently believe what they hear. Anyway, I'm not exactly interested in it since I'm the one usually making the news but If there's anything really important, I hear it from Troy the moment I reach school.
 
  "Em, your food's getting cold. " I told her.

  "Shush! I'm trying to listen. "

  "Emilia! Eat your breakfast! "

  "Fine, mum. I'm just…. Nevermind. "

  "So, how's school?" I asked, trying to start a conversation.

  She looked at me, the same way she looked at the TV.

  "Do I know you? " She asked, faking confusion.

  "Seriously? " I gave her a bored look.

  "Where have you been? I can't even remember the last time we talked. It's like you don't have time for your lil sis. "

  "Come on now, no need to be dramatic."

  "Whatever. School's the same. And I'm the captain of the girl's volleyball team and you never come for any of my matches, so thanks for being the best brother of the year. " She ended her little speech with a fake smile, grabbed her school bag and left. Guess she's mad at me then.

  Just as she left, Adam and Tony entered. They seemed excited and I could already guess why.

  "Hey Shane, did you see the news? " Asked Adam.

  I looked at the television, where they were still going on about the robbery, and then looked back at them, answering Adam's question.

  "Right. So isn't it cool? " Said Tony.

  I sighed. "Why do the two of you always get excited with these things? "

"Dunno." Said both, at the same time.

  And they continue telling me things about the robbery.

****

 
  The moment I reach school, as usual, Troy seems super excited. This is how he is whenever he is eager to tell me about top secret stuff.

  "We just experienced a ghost thief! "He said, unable to control his excitement.

  I raised my eyebrows at him. "So there seriously isn't any evidence at all? I thought the police were keeping something from the public. "

  "Nope. There's absolutely no trace. It's like he never came and the items just disappeared. His style is awesome. I can't wait to catch him."

  "And how exactly are you gonna do that without any clues? "

  "I have my ways. " He said, putting on a cunning expression.

  "Fine. All the best to you then. "

  Just then Stephanie appears and he runs to her smiling like a lovesick puppy. The thing was I didn't doubt him when he said he would catch the thief. He may be stupid at times but when it comes to detective work, he's a pro at it. If he does catch me, I wonder what's gonna happen to our friendship.

  The bell rings for the first lecture and I gather my stuff and head towards my class. As the teacher kept saying something about organisms, my mind wandered to the stuff at my hideout. I have been feeling a little uneasy, since the day I saw Troy on that camera. It feels like someone is continuously watching me. My foot is tapping on the ground and my eyes keep going back to the clock on the wall. I know that exams are approaching soon but I just can't concentrate.
 
  Today I will be going over to my hideout and keeping the stuff ready. Delexter called me and told me he would come to collect it somewhere near that bar we had gone to. Now I am just waiting for class to end. I have practice and then will be heading over to the Street Pans. The match is just around the corner and the coach has been driving us crazy. If it wasn't one of my favorite things in the world, I would have already dropped out of the team.
 
  The moment the bell rang, I went for my next lecture. After the last lecture, I head to the basketball court and change into my jersey and shorts. The other guys were yet to come and that gave me some alone time with the ball. Until they arrived I kept bouncing it about and putting it into the basket. This helps me clear my head and I like doing it whenever I can.

*****

  After my shift at the Street Pans, I walk to my hideout and I am completely drained of all my energy. Once all the things are ready, I pack them up the best I could and take them to a field near the bar.

  As I approach the bar, I notice that it's packed and the usual noise is filling the cold night air. I slowly find my way down into the field and wait near a shed. A few minutes later Delexter appears.

  "Good job. I'm glad you weren't caught. " I nodded at him and took the rest of the money.

  " I'll give you a call if I need something else. "

  "Sure."

  "You're actually one of the best I've contacted. "

  "Thanks." I gave him a half smile.

  "Anyway, see ya. "

  "See ya. "

  And he left with the goods.

  After climbing out of the field, I start my walk back home. Just then I see my brother Jeff, near a club with a couple of his friends. I'm still in my costume but I can't risk being seen by any of them, so I take an alleyway. This way is definitely longer but I can avoid being caught, 'cause hardly anyone uses these paths. Once I reach home I have dinner and go straight to bed.

*****

  I wake up late 'cause it's a holiday. I was planning on catching more sleep but mum came and woke me up to do some chores, saying that I'm always out and that Emilia, Adam and Tony have to do everything. Jeff and Bella are off the hook by the way. So I spent the morning cleaning my room and doing dishes etc.

  In the evening I went over to Troy's house to do a bit of studying. I feel like I'm forgetting something or that something's missing, but I just can't remember what. I try to shake that uncomfortable feeling off when I knock on Troy's door. In about a minute the door opens and Troy drags me to his room and we decide to do some math first.

  "I just don't understand why you have to substitute this here. It just doesn't make sense. "

  " To you, the whole of math doesn't make sense. "

  "I know right. That's why I need a tutor. Can you please explain again? Please, please. "

  "Sure. But could you listen properly this time instead of staring at your phone waiting for Stephanie to text back? We're supposed to be doing some serious studying here. "

  "Yes sir. " Even though he said that he still kept staring at the screen of his phone. So I took it away and put it in my pocket.

  "You'll get it after we're done. "

  "You can't do that. That's not fair. It's pure torture. " And he started whining.

  "If you don't stop, I'll tell Stephanie you don't actually own a signed copy of… " He didn't even let me finish.

"Okay okay. I'll stop. You're really harsh, you know. "

  "I do. "

  He just shook his head and we went back to studying. I spent most of the evening at his place and then went to the Street Pans for my shift. With the match and the exams coming up soon I don't think I'll have time to do anything criminal. Anyway it's better if I stay low or better yet, do something that's typical of the Masked Bandit to avoid people connecting the recent incident to me.

  As I'm thinking all of this, I suddenly remember why I felt so uncomfortable. I stopped dead in my tracks. How could I forget it. One of the most important things in my life…