Lunam Natis: Prolouge

Prologue: The Chicanery

I’m just drawing in the last street on my map when a knock comes at the door.

“Who is it?” Hayden, my simia brother, calls.

“Officer Carolls,” a deep voice calls.

“It’s the fuzz, run,” Jaden, the younger catus twin, says in his British accent. We laugh and Jasper, his older twin goes to the door.

“Whaddya want?” he asks in his British accent, deeper and slightly more refined.

“We’ve had reports of stolen items turning up in your pawn shop, various items that were reported stolen, then bought from here. I’m here to inspect the shop.”

“I assure you Officer, nothing in this shop has been stolen. We have receipts for everything sold or bought in this shop. Do you want to see them?” Jasper opens the door a little more, as if to invite him in.

“No, no, I’m sure that you’re right. Just be watchful for thieves in the future. If you catch any, be sure to call us at the station.”

“Of course,” Jasper shuts the door after the burly officer,  and we all struggle to contain our laughter. Derek Jason, my other brother, my canis brother, swivels his ears, listening.

“Is he gone?” I ask. He shakes his head.

“He’s gone around back to look in the windows. Isn’t that illegal?”

“Yes,” I tell him. “He said that he had permission to search the shop, not the grounds.” We go outside and find him poking around in our backyard.

“Officer Carolls?” I ask. He turns towards us, surprised to see us.

“I was- I was just- just- umm... How can I help you?” he stutters.

“I found a law breaker.”

“Can you show me to him?” I hold up a mirror so that he can see himself.

“It’s you, you fake officer.”

Presenting

Lunam Natis

Author's Note

The extra large letters at the end make slamming noises as they slide in from the right. Just so that you're aware.