Paul carefully looked down the barrel of his gun. As long as he wasn't disturbed, this shot was in the bag. Paul reflected momentarily on how lucky it was that the Smuggler's Guild had a shooting range that was open to members. Not to mention a rec room and bar in addition to that. Paul also reflected on how there were better things for the Guild to be spending money on, like cutting the percentage fee, for example. Slowly, he slid his finger in the trigger. The perfect shot...
"HEY PAUL!!! What 'cha doin?" The bullet bounced off way to the side of the large red bullseye. Paul cursed, taking his head set off.
"Dammit Heck!" he yelled, "How many times have I told you not to interupt me at the shooting range?! You ruined my perfect score!!!"
Hector shrugged, "Sorry 'bout that, man, I didn't know." Paul's anger subsided into mild annoyance, which was his usual attitude towards Hector.
"Well, what do you want, Heck?" Paul mumbled impatiently, laying his gun to the side of the shooting booth. Hector stopped, thinking, a real challenge for him.
"Oh yeah!" Hector said, "I remember now! We got a job tonight, and Duke's gotta talk to us all ASAP." Paul nodded.
"All right, then let's go." he said, dragging Hector behind him. Paul had a short fuse, he was known for flipping out a lot, usually at Hector or Dak. Hector and Dak were both a great deal younger than him, not to mention completely insane. They were constantly playing pranks and goofing off, which also pissed Paul off. He was the kind of duck that was completely anal retentive (for those of you that are less literate, that mean a neat freak, among other things...). He made a very big deal about work ethics, and felt that slackers (ie- Dak and Heck) should be severely whipped. Strange to find that kind of a quality in a thief, isn't it? Nevertheless, Paul was happy with his job, and he had to admit that for a total goofball, Heck was still a pretty good thief. They walked across the carpet, headed for the door. Paul released Hector and looked up at the Smuggler's Guild's insignia, chiseled in stone into the ceiling.
"C'mon!" Hector called to him, "Let's get movin'!" Paul sighed and looked up at the insignia one last time before he followed Hector out the door.
They went through the secret back entrance of the Brotherhood known only by the inner circle of the Brotherhood. They walked into Duke's office. Dak, Chase, and Randall turned to greet them.
"Well?" asked Paul, "Anyone know what this is all about?" Randall shook his head.
"Nah, the kid's still talking with Arimus." Arimus and Duke walked out of the other room.
Duke looked at them, "Hey guys. Look I know this is short notice for a job, but the Guild just threw it at me 2 hours ago. It's a bit more rushed then I like, but I think we can manage." He explained. They all nodded.
"What's the job?" Duke sat down on top of his desk.
"Well, it's an antique jewel from the Saint Drakelyn Museum, highly guarded, priceless. The Guild wants to use it for show."
"That's it?!" Dak exclaimed, "Show?!" Duke smiled patiently at the twelve year old.
"It's a political play," Duke explained, "Keeping the Guild's status up is important. You see Dak, it's the name that inspires the fear. The Guild has to keep up it's reputation so there's less chance of outside interference." Dak nodded, understanding the concept.
"Well, why us?" Chase muttered moodily.
Duke smiled, " I had Arimus cut a deal with the Guild. If we do the job, they'll cut our percentage fee some for the next quarter. Not to mention that we'll each get our usual pay for the job." The guys all cheered enthusiastically.
"Yes! I've been meaning to do some work on the club!" Chase said happily.
"Great," Randall exclaimed, "I've been running out of cigarette cash."
Paul nodded, "I've had my eye on a gun for a while now."
"Wow, VIDEO GAMES!!" Dak and Hector yelled simultaneously.
Duke laughed, "Glad to know it won't go to waste. The BOTB's been a bit hard up lately."
"Tell me about it." said Arimus, "It's high time I ate above four times a week."
"Well then let's get movin'!" yelled Dak, beginning to get up. Duke stopped him.
"And just where do you think you're going?" he asked.
Dak paused, "On the smuggling run with you guys."
"Oh no you're not." said Duke, shaking his head, "You're not an official member of the Brotherhood yet, not until you pass the test, and I will not have you getting hurt or arrested before you turn legal age to drive."
"Awww, but Duke, Heck's going and he's not legal age to drive!" Dak whined.
"True, but he's a member, and besides, we want him to get killed."
"Yeah!" said Hector. He paused, "HEY!!" The ducks all laughed.
"Look Dak," Duke said calmly, "I'm sorry about this, but I'll tell you what, stay here and play video games and I'll buy you a soda at Chase's Place when we get back." Dak raised his head.
"Promise?" he asked. Duke nodded. "Deal!" yelled Dak, running into the other room.
Later that night Duke, Arimus, Chase, Paul, Randall, and Hector all walked down the back alley two blocks south of the museum they were supposed to rob. They were all in very high spirits, the heist had gone over without a hitch. Duke carried the jewel in the pouch on his belt. The back alley way was just a short cut home that Chase had known about, and they were all anxious to get back to the Brotherhood as soon as possible. A gunshot rang out through the night. They all stopped short. Duke went pale. He shook his head, as if he was trying to remember something, or perhaps forget it... Arimus looked at him, worried. Duke nodded to him, signaling that he was all right.
"That sounded close by." murmured Arimus.
Randall asked nervously, "the police couldn't have picked up on our trail already, could they?" Paul shook his head.
"Probably just some local gang causing trouble." he said.
"Well?" said Chase, "should we look into it?" Paul shook his head.
" It's probably nothing."
"Someone could be hurt." Hector said.
Randall rolled his eyes, "Do we look like the good fairies to you, Heck? Still, you've got a point..."
"What if something happens to the jewel?" Chase asked.
Arimus sighed, "Duke, you're the leader. It's your call, Kid." Duke thought a moment.
"We're checking it out." he said firmly. The others all nodded in agreement and follwed Duke to the edge of the alley. They saw a small silouetted figure lying hunched up on the ground, a small pool of blood forming on the pavement by his stomach. It was a young boy.
"Must've gotten caught in crossfire." Paul murmured quietly.
Chase shook his head, "he can't be older then 15." Hector went pale, frightened by the thought of someone so close to his age being hit so badly.
"No," Hector said firmly, "he's definitely younger than me. Can't be 15." Duke walked out and knelt beside the boy, quickly taking his pulse, then turning him over to see the wound. Duke looked up, signaling to the others. They all walked out.
"Well Kid?" asked Randall.
"He's alive," Duke said gravely, "and the wound isn't too deep. If we can get him to the BOTB in time, I think I can take the bullet out and stitch him up." Since the Guild had no hospitals, most thieves had some knowledge of medicine,especially considering that the police force's policy was "Shoot on Sight". Duke was no execption. He'd become an expert at taking out bullets.
"Well, then let's get goin'!" said Arimus carefully hoisting the boy up on his shoulder. They quickly made their way back to the Brotherhood.
Once inside, Duke turned to Hector.
"Heck, distract Dak. I don't want him seeing this." Hector nodded.
"Hey, you're talkin to an expert!"
Heck quickly ran over to Dak's room, slamming the door behind him as he entered.
"AHHHH!!!" Hector yelled, "The planet's being invaded!!! DUCKS EVERYWHERE!!!"
Dak rolled his eyes, "Heck, we ARE ducks."
Hector paused, "oh yeah."
"Well?" Dak asked eagerly, "How'd it go?"
"How'd it go?!" Hector repeated in shock, "Are YOU asking ME how'd it go?!" Dak nodded impatiently. "Oh," said Hector, "well in that case, how'd what go?"
"THE HEIST!!!" Dak yelled.
"No need to shout." said Heck, "I can hear you just fine." Dak was just about ready to kill him. Hector looked out the door and saw them take the boy into another room. He sighed with relief. "Look," he told Dak, "I got some stuff to do right now, but when I get back I'll tell you all about how it went, okay?" Dak nodded, a little confused, but happy.
Hector walked right into the other room. Duke was rolling up his sleeves. Hector stared at the boy. Heck never really got queasy around blood, but seeing the boy so close to his age lying on the table, Hector felt his stomach turn. If he ran out then the others would tease him for being a wimp, he had enough trouble with the big age gap as it was, but Hector wasn't sure that he could stay much longer. Duke looked up at him.
"Hector," he said cautiously, "Look, I'm gonna need someone to keep Dak outta here for a while, and tell him how the heist went. Would you mind doin' that for me?"
"Sure." Heck replied. He looked at Duke gratefully, who nodded back to him knowingly. As Hector walked out he made a mental note to thank Duke later.
He opened the door to Dak's room and slammed right into Dak.
"Watch it!" yelled Dak.
"Where the hell are you going?!" asked Hector.
"Gonna find Duke." Dak muttered dusting himself off, "He said he'd buy me a soda, remember?"
Hector paused, "Uh, why don't we play video games in your room instead?"
Dak turned to face him, growing suspicious, "I usually have to beg you to play video games with me. What's going on? What are you hiding from me?"
"Nothin'." Hector replied slyly, "It's just that I know I'm gonna win. I don't blame you for not wanting to play since I'm gonna kick your ass."
Dak went ballistic, " You think that YOU can beat ME?! That's it! You're on! I'm gonna beat your ass in!" Heck smiled, reflecting on how well that worked. They marched into Dak's room.
Two hours later, Dak emerged, victorious.
"Ha!" he said proudly, "I beat you again!"
"I let you win." Hector pouted. He hated losing to Dak. Chase, Randall, Arimus, and Paul walked into Dak's room.
"So," asked Randall, "You two been amusing yourselves for the past two hours?"
Dak nodded, "I beat Heck at Phishman."
"What?" asked Chase, "Again?"
"Shut up!" Hector yelled. They all laughed. Duke walked in, wiping blood off his arms with a rag.
"Hey guys." he said wearily, "what's goin on?" Hector couldn't blame Duke for being tired. Having to take out a bullet must've been pretty hard work. It required a lot of concentration.
"Oh, not much, Kid" said Paul, "Teasing the minors." Dak normally would've bristled at a comment like that, but he was too busy staring at Duke, who was still busy wiping the blood from his hands.
"Duke," Dak said, frightened, "that looks like blood..."
Duke nodded, "It is, Dak. Come here, I've got something to show you." Dak stood up and followed Duke into the other room. He saw a young boy, probably just about his age, lying on the cot.
"What happened?" asked Dak.
"He was shot." Duke replied, leaning on the counter drowsily. "Found him by an alley, just got the bullet out. He should be fine, but I'm gonna keep him here til he's fully recovered." Dak nodded. No wonder Hector had been acting like even more of a nutcase than usual...
"What's gonna happen when he recovers?" Dak asked, turning to Duke.
"Don't know." said Duke, half asleep, "We'll see. He's definitely a thief though, a pickpocket. Probably lives on the streets." Dak turned to look at the boy. He looked older than he really was. Dak hoped that he woke up. He was pretty eager to have someone that was actually his own age to talk to. Dak turned back to look at Duke, who was dozing on the counter.
"Duke?" he said gently.
Duke woke up, "huh?" Dak frowned at him.
"You've been up for three days straight, haven't you? I know that you're the leader of the Brotherhood and I'm just a kid, but I really think you should get some sleep." Duke smiled at him. Dak mentally relaxed. If he'd said something like that to anyone else on the team they probably would've bitten his head off, but not Duke. For some reason, he was very sympathetic towards Dak's situation as the youngest. After all, Duke was the youngest leader they had ever had. What puzzled Dak was the fact that no one teased Duke about it, besides the fact that they all called him 'Kid'. It wasn't like Duke couldn't take it. He was always very mellow about being teased; it never bothered him.
"Appreciate the concern, but I'm afraid I can't." Duke replied. That was another reason Dak liked him, Duke actually took Dak seriously.
"Why not?" asked Dak.
"I've gotta make sure he doesn't run off. I wanna be here to interrogate him when he wakes up." Duke explained.
Dak sighed, "Can't one of the others do that?"
Duke shook his head patiently, "Gotta make sure that the questions that I want asked get asked. Don't worry, Dak, I promise you, after he wakes up, and I ask him a few questions, I'll go right to bed. Okay?" Dak smiled, nodding.
" Fine, but I'm gonna hold you to your word this time."
Duke laughed, " I'll be sure to remember that. Now get outta here."
It was about two in the morning when the boy regained consciousness. Duke was dozing in a chair beside the bed. He woke up as soon as he heard the boy move. The boy first opened one eye, then the other.
"I'm such a fucking idiot! I shoulda known he was goin for the gun!" the boy muttered angrily. he tried to sit up, but Duke stopped him.
"I wouldn't if I were you." he warned the boy. The boy looked at him suspiciously, noticing for the first time that there was someone else in the room.
"Good thing you're not me." the boy replied, sitting up. The world began to spin out of control. The boy fell back onto the pillow, feverishly wishing that the world would hold still.
Duke shook his head, "I tried to warn you. You've been shot. You're lucky you're alive, the bullet was in deeper than I thought. You won't be walking for a few days."
The boy looked at him, "Where am I?" he demanded. "Well, it ain't heaven." Duke replied, sitting back in his chair.
"Who are you?" the boy asked curiously.
"That depends. Who are you?"
The boy glared at him, "Why do you care?"
"Because I like to know who I operate on. Why do YOU care?" Duke asked back.
"Cause I wanna know where I am, and who I've got to thank for saving my life." The boy replied.
Duke smiled, "What's your name?" The boy folded his arms across his bandaged chest, remaining silent. "Jake DeCharmante." Duke said. The boy looked up, pissed.
"Dammit!" he yelled, "How the fuck did you know that?!"
"Watch your mouth." Duke replied sharply, "It was written on the tag of your shirt." Duke held up the flannel that Jake had been wearing.
"I thought I threw that one out." Jake muttered. Duke laughed.
"You're a pickpocket, aren't you?" Duke asked.
Jake nodded proudly, "The best there is."
Duke rolled his eyes, "I'm sure," he said sarcastically. "Well, what exactly did you do to get shot?" Duke asked.
"Oh," said Jake casually, "I got into a fight with some guy and I though he was goin for a knife so I pulled out my knife and he shot me, that's all."
Duke shook his head, " 'That's all'...another 3 centimeters and you'd be dead. You don't place much value on your life, do you?"
Jake snapped at him, "and why should I? Not like it's worth anything."
"That's where your wrong," Duke said calmly, "I wouldn't have saved your life if I thought it wasn't worth anything. Every life is precious, even yours, and it would keep you a lot healthier if you kept that in mind once and a while." Jake looked up, confused. He wasn't used to being spoken to that way, especially by a thief, which this guy obviously was.
"Who are you?" Jake asked again. Duke studied him a moment. "A friend." He responded softly, leaning back in his chair as his gaze wandered. "Looks like you could use a few more of those." he finally replied. Jake frowned, dissatisfied with the response.
"Well, could you get me a drink?" he asked.
Duke shook his head, "I assume you mean whiskey. Found a bottle of the stuff on ya. Well, I hate to disappoint, but I got rid of it, and what's more you're not gonna touch a drop of liquor while your here."
"What?!" Jake exclaimed.
"You're under age and it's a vile habit. No alcohol." Duke said firmly.
"Then I'm leaving!" Jake said.
Duke laughed, "Oh really? You couldn't sit up without catching your breath." Jake glared at the man again. He had a quick wit, but Jake wasn't too happy that it was directed towards him. "You're not leaving until I deem you healthy enough to do so." Duke told him, calmly.
"And who are you that you think you can order me about?"
Duke shrugged, "You don't know that I'm issuing the order, my superior may have told me to tell you that."
"Who is your superior?" asked Jake.
"You don't know if I really have one, do you?" Duke replied. Jake glared at him again. The man was obviously trying to confuse and annoy him, and, much to Jake's distress, he seemed to be accomplishing both. "I promise I'll fill you in later. For now, I'm gonna get you something to eat and drink, don't get your hopes up, it's only water." Duke paused, looking at the door.
"Hector, Dak, how long have you been hiding behind that door?"
"Uh, about two hours." a voice called back. Duke shook his head. Jake looked at the man, amazed, wondering how he had known someone was behind the door. Jake realized that he must be a better thief than he thought. Duke opened the door and Heck and Dak fell in.
"I thought I told you two never to spy on me." Duke said calmly.
"Uh, we forgot?" Dak said, trying to make an excuse.
"You two watch him while I get food, all right?" They both nodded enthusiastically.
Dak paused, "But Duke, you promised you'd get some sleep right after you..."
Duke nodded, cutting him off, "I know, right after I get some food, it's part of the interrogation." Dak nodded his approval and Duke disappeared out the doorway. Jake thought carefully. Duke...where had he heard that name before?? His thoughts were interupted by the two boys who were staring at him.
"What the hell are you looking at?!" Jake snapped. Heck and Dak looked at each other.
"I liked him better when he was unconcious." Heck said to Dak. Jake glared at them, he hated kids even though technically, he was one. Since he'd been living on the streets for so long, Jake had become accustomed to talking with adults...he didn't know how to talk to people his age.
Jake turned to the boy who he thought was older, and demanded, "Where am I?"
"Here." the boy replied.
"Where's here?" Jake asked him impatiently.
"Well, it's not there." Hector answered, not understanding why Jake wasn't getting the picture. Jake looked at him angrily.
"You're in a building somewhere near at hand to the Thieve's Market in the city of Baconus. It's about a mile down east if that's any help." Dak offered. Jake nodded and turned back to Hector, still ignoring Dak.
"Could you get me some booze?"
"No." said Dak, annoyed with the fact that Jake was ignoring him.
Jake still looked at Heck, "How bout a cigarette?"
"No." Dak replied again, "and don't try asking for drugs either!" Jake finally turned to glare at him.
"I wasn't talking to you, Kid." he said angrily. Dak stood speechless.
"KID?!" he finally yelled, "I'm the same age as you! What the hell are you then?!"
"I'm not the same age as you." Jake replied with disgust, "I'm 35."
Dak rolled his eyes, "No you're not, dumbass, you're 13 like me, I saw you're wallet, or one of them, I should say." Jake ignored him again.
"No alcohol," he moaned, "I might as well just die now!"
"With a little bit of luck..." Dak muttered angrily.
Jake shook his head, "That's it. I'm outta this nut house!" Dak and Heck looked at each other, confused. Jake slid off the bed and onto the floor, clawing his way towards the door.
"Betcha he makes it to the door." Hector said to Dak.
"Ten cents says he doesn't." Dak challenged him. They shook on the bet and watched Jake with intrest. Jake was trying to turn the door knob. His fingertips brushed against it time and time again. The knob finally turned, and Jake continued to slide out of the room. 2 inches later, Jake collapsed, exhausted.
"Damn." mumbled Dak, "I owe you ten cents." Hector and Dak dragged Jake back onto the bed, ignoring the various curses and death threats that he called out between gasps for air. Falcone appeared in the doorway, glaring at Jake.
"What's this?" he asked smugly, "Now L'Orange is picking strays off the street? Pretty soon the Brotherhood will be nothing more than a day care center." Jake gasped, realizing where he was. He'd been picked up and taken in by the Brotherhood of the Blade, one of the greatest gangs the Smuggler's Guild had. Jake felt sick as he realized that he had snapped at the greatest thief on Puckworld, Duke L'Orange.
Dak glared at Falcone coldly, "He was shot. We're just keeping him here until he recovers, so back off."
Falcone shrugged mockingly, "So sorry, I didn't realize that you'd missed nap time today. I'll come back when you're a little less cranky." Falcone crept off, probably to go get drunk again. Dak sighed and turned back to look at Jake. He was very pale, and actually looked a little frightened. Dak wondered what was wrong with him, but stopped, realizing that Falcone had given their location away.
He cursed fiercely, " Shit! Dammit, that idiot Falcone!" Hector looked up at him, suprised.
"What? What's wrong?" he asked Dak.
"What's wrong?!" Dak yelled, " I'll tell you what's wrong! Falcone just gave up our location, THAT'S what's wrong!"
Dak continued to curse out Falcone until Heck said calmly, "Come on, Dak, Falcone didn't know that Duke didn't want the kid finding out where he was."
Jake finally looked up angrily, "And why not? Why didn't you want me knowing where I was?" he demanded.
"Because I didn't want to frighten you." Duke replied calmly, appearing out of nowhere. Jake looked at him, shaking. " I'm not going to hurt you, so you can stop trying to strangle the blanket." Blushing slightly, Jake released the blanket that he had been clutching. Dak and Heck burst out laughing. Duke stopped them. "Cut it out you two. I've got half a mind to ground you until you turn twenty for spying on me like that." Dak and Hector went pale, and got down on their knees.
"No! Duke, you can't WE'RE SORRY!!!" they yelled. Jake smiled, feeling not quite as embarassed as before.
Duke rolled his eyes, "Get off the floor you babies! You know I wouldn't do that."
Heck nodded, "Wouldn't be fair since you're not twenty yet either." he said, relieved. Jake looked back up towards the infamous Duke L'Orange. It was kinda weird, but Jake didn't find him that frightening anymore. Beyond the total smart-ass that he seemed to be and the tough-guy image, he could see hints of emotion. Jake studied his face with curiosity. It seemed so lonely, so old, so much like...
"Me?" The ducks all looked at him with odd expressions. It wasn't good when people talked to themselves.
"Great, AND he's a freak!" Dak muttered, beginning to lose patience with Jake. Jake shook his head, and turned back to Duke, remembering the wallets.
"How much did you take?"
"Nothing."
"Bullshit. You expect me to believe that if the best thief on Puckworld pulls me outta the gutter and finds dough, he don't take none of dat?" Duke laughed and shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't talk like that, you sound like an idiot, and go check if ya don't believe me." The boy pulled out his wallet and leafed through his money. Hector and Dak stared at the wads of bills he had. They had never seen that much money before, and now someone who was their own age was handling it like nothing.
"Five's missing."
"I didn't take any of your money." Duke said firmly.
"And the little pixie's did?" Dak and Hector looked at each other. "Dude, I think he dissed us!" Hector proclaimed. Suprisingly, Duke started to laugh. He shook his head and jerked his thumb over to the counter, on which rested not five dollars, but five ten dollar bills. Jake smiled triumphantly.
"They were soaked with blood, I left them out to dry. You're a very quick counter. How old are you again?" Duke asked.
"23." replied Jake proudly.
"Hey, but I thought you said you were 35!" Hector said, looking confused as Dak and Duke laughed.
Jake sighed and thought, "Maybe this place isn't so bad after all..." His thoughts were interupted by the entrance of four more ducks. The eldest turned to look at Duke.
"Well?" How's he doing, Kid?" Jake looked at the duck like he was insane.
"Not bad." Duke replied, pretending to take no notice of Jake's shock, "A little cranky, though." Jake's thoughts quickly turned to anger as he faced Duke.
"I'M NOT CRANKY!" he yelled, pouting.
"My mistake." said Duke, smiling. The four new ducks all laughed, one of them approaching the bed.
"How long do you think we have to keep him here?" The duck asked. Duke shrugged.
"Dunno Chase, I'm pretty sure that Dak's of the opinion that the sooner he recovers the better." Dak nodded enthusiastically. Jake glared at him venomously, prompting Dak to glare right back at him. Jake looked a little startled, not expecting Dak to actually react.
"Break it up you two." Duke commanded.
Jake yelled back, "You can't tell me what to do!"
"As long as your under this roof I can and I will." Duke snapped back with a hint of anger. Jake recoiled slightly, remaining silent.
Duke looked at him and his tone softened, "Don't you worry. Since you're so eager to leave, we'll all make sure you have a speedy recovery." Duke yawned. "Now if you'll all excuse me, I've got a promise to keep." He walked out of the room, calling behind him, "And try not to bother 'his Highness' too much, we wouldn't want to ruin his sunny disposition, would we?" The ducks quickly left the room. Dak cast a look behind him towards Jake, expecting a menacing glare, but froze in shock right outside of the door. The duck was taking out the wallets he had and removing the pictures. He wiped a hand over his face wincing. Dak adjusted his thoughts again back to how rude the boy was.
"I can't wait until he's outta here."
"Hey Dak, we're going to Chase's place, c'mon! And they got this new chick there!" Hector yelled down the hall. Dak quickly ran towards his friend, relieved to be away from Jake.
Three hours later, the BOTB were sitting down at Chase's place and discussing their new arrival.
"So, what are we gonna do? He knows our location! A dime and nickel gutter snipe like him would likely sell it off to the highest bidder." Chase said gravely. They all shook their heads, this wasn't good.
"We can't do anything, he's wounded." Randall said with a sigh.
"Well, Duke will know," said Hector optimistically, "He always knows what to do."
Duke paced around his room, not having the slightest idea what to do about Jake. He couldn't sleep because it had been bothering him so much. Duke sighed wearily, sitting on his bed. The others hated Jake, he knew their location, and he carried hundreds in cash on him. Duke would have a hard time convincing the others not to kill him, even though 'no murder' was a set law in the BOTB.
Duke was tempted to throttle the nasty little guy himself, "It'd do us all good, and we need the extra cash..." Duke shook his head, worried and sickened. He had become so tired that he had actually contemplated murder. "I've gotta get some sleep." Duke said aloud to thin air, laying back on his bed.
Jake sifted through the remainder of his wallets, checking to make sure no pictures were left. His job became much harder when Jake was actually confronted with puting faces to wallets. Taking the pictures out made it feel less like stealing, which helped clear Jake's conscience...to a certain point. The entire BOTB hated him, he was carrying tons of money, and he couldn't escape with his injury. Jake was convinced that he wouldn't live through the night.
Dak leaned back in his chair and yawned. It was getting pretty late, or rather early as the case may be. He looked out the window. Dawn. Dak got up and stretched, said his goodbyes, and walked back to the Brotherhood. As he passed Jake's room in the hall, Dak was hit in the head with a wallet. He angrily stuck his head in the room, expecting Jake to laugh. Much to his suprise, Jake cringed back in fear.
"I'm really sorry 'bout that, I should watch my aim. I promise it won't happen again, really." He said quickly. Dak walked into the room, amazed.
"You look like you haven't slept all night." he said quietly.
Jake looked at him without emotion, "If I'm going to be killed then I want to be awake for it." Dak was dumbfounded. He sat down on the bed.
"No one's going to kill you. True, you're an asshole and a major crackhead, but we'd never kill you for that, or your money. It's called thieve's honor." Dak explained. Jake nodded, looking almost grateful.
"Overheard the weird one say you were good at video games." Jake said. Dak nodded.
"Best there is. Why? You tryin' ta challenge me?" Jake shook his head.
"Nah, never played." Dak fell off the bed.
"WHAT KIND OF A FUCKED UP KID ARE YOU?!" he yelled. Jake laughed, but stopped quickly, moaning in pain.
Dak thought for a moment, "I'll be back in a minute. Don't go anywhere." Dak stopped and laughed at his own joke, running out of the room. Jake smiled to himself. This place was turning out not to be so bad after all, and that kid wasn't a TOTAL psycho like the one he hung around with. Jake realized that talking to kids wasn't as hard as he thought it was. He nearly fell out of his bed as he saw a small T.V rolling towards him.
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"Making you a normal teenage boy," Dak replied. Jake cautiously watched as Dak turned a knob on the T.V. The television set lit up to a deep shade of blue with black and white static running across the screen.
"That's...amazing. How'd they make all those little snowy things?" Jake asked mystified. Dak looked up suprised.
"Jake, that's static."
"Oh. Uh, then, what makes it a video game?" Dak looked to see if the boy was joking.
"You know, you aren't that smart for some one claiming to be 23."
"35." Jake muttered, pouting.
"This is electronic." Dak began to explain.
"So, is this like caused by the Theory of Endocrastic Relations?" Dak paused, looking confused.
"The what?"
"Look who's stupid now." Jake said smugly. The two looked at each other for a moment.
"Enough talk," Dak demanded, "c'mon, time for you to get your ass kicked by a pro."
An hour later...
"Fuck." Dak let the joystick fall from his hands as he looked in amazement at Jake. "You CHEATED BASTARD!" He yelled, unwilling to believe that he had been beaten by a boy that probably didn't know what a microwave oven was. "I was beaten by a kid from the STONE AGE!"
Jake grinned slyly, "What were you saying about me being stupid?" he asked mockingly.
Dak glared at him, "I just let you win because I pitied you."
"Oh really? Then why the fuck are you bitching so damn much?" Jake challenged.
"I AM NOT BITCHING!!!" Dak bitched angrily. Jake laughed but quickly grabbed his stomach in pain; the wound still throbbed. They both looked up as Heck came diving head first into the room followed by several rounds of gunshots.
"Oh my God! Are we being invaded?!?!" Jake panicked.
"Nah," Heck said cheerfully, "Just the guys getting pissed at me...as usual." Dak laughed as Jake stared in horror, trying to think of an escape route.
"Oh don't worry," Dak said calmly, "They probably wouldn't hurt him even if they did shoot him."
"As long as they aim for my head, I'll be fine!" Heck exclaimed optimistically. Jake sighed with relief; by the way these two were acting, he couldn't be in too much danger... Falcone walked past the room...or could he?
Let's see what other goodies I can find...
Back to The Mighty Duck's ALL ACCESS ZONE
Back to Theive's Tales
On to the Second Part of Thieve's Apprentice
Email: alias_bones@angelfire.com
