The Shape Shifter

With fourteen carat yellow gold links, the amethyst pendant dangled proudly from its chain. It was a cut so perfect for the purple stone that it reflected his eyes far within its depths. There could be no soul on this earth who wouldn't want this delicate work of art. Cedric was no exception, and what Cedric wanted, Cedric got.

"Excuse me, sir," he inquired of the man at the counter, "Might I see that necklace there?"

The man looked Cedric up and down, doubtful that a boy dressed in a patched cotton hoodie and holey denim jeans could possibly afford it. Reluctantly he opened the case and placed the velvet display on the counter, watching the boy's movements closer than a hawk.

"Oh," Cedric exclaimed in admiration, "What a lovely piece of work! Handcrafted is it?"

"Yes." The salesman grunted as Cedric picked up the necklace.

"Lovely." Cedric repeated.

He could feel the salesman's eyes piercing through him like daggers, and was annoyed at how hard he was making this simple lift. The damn thing was only worth a little more than one day's salary to the clerk, but he was guarding it like it was the Virgin Mary's cloak.

"Keep it simple," he could hear his brother's voice from years ago, "They'll always expect some razzle dazzle. Keep it simple, and they'll never suspect a thing 'til it's too late!"

Gently he raised the piece higher than before, holding it so it could better catch the vagrant bit of sunlight coming in from outside. For a moment, Cedric was enraptured by its beauty. He looked at it more lustfully than he had any women.

"What in the world could that be!" Cedric suddenly cried out after pointing off in another direction.

Instinctively the salesman and everyone in hearing distance looked in that direction, vainly searching for something to make their day more interesting. To their disappointment, nothing was there.

By the time the general confusion had diminished, Cedric was five feet from the front door. Running faster than an Olympian, the store's sorry excuse for a security detail had little chance of catching him. That only made it all the easier for him to escape.

Weaving delicately through the crowd on the busy street, Cedric made his way to the nearest alley to inspect his loot. In the shadows he marveled at the feel of the cold metal against his skin, and how it slowly warmed up with his touch.

"We did it again, Jake!" He cried to his brother in heaven.

"Did what now, lad?" the inspector questioned at the mouth of the alley. "Nothing against the dictates of the law I hope."

Had it been Officer Darby, Cedric would have handed back the necklace and gotten off with no more than a warning. If it were Officer Harvey, he would have gotten a slap on the wrist and no questions asked. But it was just his luck that it wasn't either of them.

"Inspector Clancy," Cedric replied hesitantly, "Whatever brings you here?"

A Billy club banged against the brick wall behind him, and Cedric turned to find three more officers blocking off his only way out. Taking a deep gulp he turned back to Clancy who wore a wide smile of malicious victory.

"Really, sir," Cedric continued, "I wasn't doin' anything worthy of mention, nothing at all in fact."

"Odd place for one to go about doing nothing." The inspector replied scratching his chin.

"Just trying to get away from the crowd, sir." Cedric stated with a nervous laugh. "You know how they can be at this hour!"

"Yes, quite." Clancy answered as his men drew in closer. "A rather perfect time to stage a crime wouldn't you say there Cedric?"

"I wouldn't know, sir." Cedric replied, immediately knowing the 'right' answer.

"Well it appears someone knows that very well." the inspector continued. "Were you aware that the quaint little jewelry boutique down the road was robbed this very afternoon?"

"No, sir!" Cedric replied, again sure of his answer. "What a horrible thing for someone to do!"

Suddenly the inspector burst out in deep laughter. Bent over with his hands on his knees, he motioned for his men to follow suit. Soon all four of them were in hysterics while Cedric stood in the middle of them like a man at the gallows.

"Get off it, lad," a man shouted from behind him. "We know it was you."

"Cum on, Ced," another cried, "Quit yar foolin'!"

"Hand it over," the inspector demanded. "You've nowhere else to go!"

Shaking his head, Cedric stayed very still as the men moved in closer. Clancy had tried to get him several times before, but something had always come between him and his fatuous dream of seeing Cedric behind bars. This time though, it looked like that dream might actually come true.

"You aren't sliming your way out of this one," the inspector said, echoing his thoughts. "Go ahead, just you try and get past me, boy."

"Well," Cedric began, "With your permission, sir."

Clancy spread out his fat body, making sure to not leave any room for Cedric to slide between his legs like he had the month before. Doing so, however, he failed to notice the crucial gap that this new maneuver of his left wide open.

Without another word, Cedric rushed through the hole between Clancy's outstretched arm and his leg, barely grazing the wall on his way past. The poor inspector stood there for several moments before he realized what happened, only to be bowled over by his three men charging down the alley.

Flying down the street, he ran into the steady afternoon crowd, parting them like Moses did the Red Sea. He could hear Clancy screaming not too far behind, his men ahead of him to clear the way. This matter was far from over, and was growing more interesting by the second.

It wasn't long before Cedric realized that he could never outrun the four men chasing him. Not with all the magic in the world on his side would they ever stop for a moment to feel pity for the poor orphaned boy with no family to support him, and no one to show him 'right' from 'wrong'.

"All you need," his brother Jake answered in his mind, "Is for them to lose sight of yah! You don't need to outrun them, more likely than not you won't be able to anyhow. Just turn a corner, hide yourself well, and Bob's your uncle!"

Dodging into the nearest alley, he shot to the fire escape and immediately started to climb. Clancy followed not missing a single beat, his well rounded body barely fitting into the cage around the ladder, his other officers were soon to follow.

As he reached the rooftop, Clancy could see Cedric's ashy blonde head flying down the side of the opposite ladder. Panting he and his men raced across as they weaved around vents and water towers.

By the time they had all reached the bottom of the ladder, the alley below was mostly vacant. A single elderly gentleman occupied the area as he stood by the towering dumpster, his face almost entirely covered by the hood of his worn coat. Hunched over he muttered to himself quietly, a steady incomprehensible babble to Clancy and his men.

"Where did he go?!" Clancy growled at the old man.

The gentleman feebly pointed to the sky with a high pitch squeal as he muttered more about a devil that had fallen on his head. An angelic demon cast from heaven to be forever bound to this earth.

Clancy raised his eyebrows in disbelief, and then relaxed them back again as a new understanding took root. The same malicious smile graced his face as he slowly approached the old man, intent in one thing only.

"Mighty clever of you lad," he addressed the old man, "Very original indeed."

The old man turned his head under the hood in confusion, muttering more unintelligible words as to the character of Inspector Clancy and his men. Clancy himself was not amused, and showed this well as he tore the hood off the man's head in frustration.

"Got yo..." The inspector began, until he saw the stringy white hair and wrinkled face of the old man.

The poor gentleman fell back against the dumpster, making the sign of the cross with his fingers to ward off Clancy and his men. All four apologized profusely before they ran quickly down the other side of the alley, desperate to catch up to the thief.

The old man laughed deeply once the four men had left. Looking at his reflection in the puddle he watched the withered strands fill themselves again with their normal ashy blonde pigments. His sagging skin and deep set wrinkles tightened and smoothed to reveal his true face.

Pulling off the coat he had cleverly hidden behind the dumpster beforehand, Cedric smiled warmly towards the reflection. Seeing much of his father's and brother's face in his own, it was a comfort knowing that he could always see them there whenever he wished.

A pair of clapping hands drew his attention from his thoughts as a delicate red-headed figure stepped from the shadows to meet him. Her deep green eyes smiling in admiration as she lessened the space between them.

"Bravo," Asha applauded, "You have made quite an art out of your work."

Cedric wasted no time in running far from her. When he looked behind him to make sure she wasn't following, he found the alley to be empty. With a sigh of relief he smiled and turned back to his front.

"Pity you don't want to stay and play, young master Galen," she said as he found himself face to face with her, "I've been told that you are quite the comedian."

"Stay away you immortal b***h!" Cedric screamed as he pulled out his trusty lighter to threaten her. "I have more men at my command than you could ever conquer. If you let loose a single drop of blood from my veins, you will spend your eternal life running from them!"

"Oh dear," Asha replied with a laugh, "I believe you have misjudged me Mr. Galen."

"Have I?" Cedric said. "You who has the mark of the demon who murdered my family!"

Asha pulled back the collar of her cotton shirt to feel the puncture wounds that had never healed. They were twisted in Jonas's own design, marking her as his property. They once served to warn any who might wish to bring any harm to her of the wrath he would wreak upon them.

"That, my lad, is a long story," Asha began to explain, "Hardly one suited for this lovely afternoon."

"What is your purpose then?" Cedric asked, keeping the lighter in front of him.

"I was sent by Louie, the great and almighty." she admitted. "An errand of sorts really, nothing more."

Cedric relaxed at the sound of that familiar name and thought of the ancient man who once sat in his father's chair, offering anything the younger Cedric and his elder brother might need after the death of their father. The first in their line to lead the clan.

"He has a request to make of you," Asha continued as he lowered his lighter, "And of those who follow you."

"What does he need us for?" Cedric asked.

"There will be a meeting in two months." She continued. "Louie is hoping to mobilize all kinds against..."

"Against who?" Cedric interrupted. "I have no quarrel with any, and I don't see fit to waste time starting one either."

"The rewards could be great," Asha coaxed. "As your recent acquiring shows, you are a man with a taste for the riches in life. The monetary gain I speak of is nothing to shake a stick at."

Cedric firmly shook his head. No amount of money or jewels would make him put his men against an enemy that wasn't his own. Neither would his father or his brother. To make an enemy powerful enough to force old Louie to mobilize was too much of a risk.

"I can respect your decision." Asha said as he walked away from her. "I just thought this could bring you and your family some peace."

Cedric turned back and faced Asha in the alley. She stood straight in her black trench coat while holding out a tiny folder to him as he walked back. Inside was a single sheet of paper, with only a time and an address.

"Two months, lad," Asha said in farewell, "I hope for your sake that you come."