The Market

I walk through the market quickly, my bare feet stirring up the dirt ground. My eyes survey the area, searching for the Reinforcers that plague this town. I smile, knowing I can fool them again, like I've done for years. I turn my attention away from the pests and peer through the crowd for someone in a rush. My eyes land on a man with his three children, trying to round them up to take them home. With three children, he must be rich. Though I could tell that by his watch and hat. Luxuries like those are only for a select few. He probably works for the government. 

I pick up my pace and turn my gaze downward. I rest my left hand in my pocket and drop my right to my side. I hear a soft jingle and remember the days Claire sew small bells in my father's old pants, hang them on a door, and try to get things from his pockets without the bells rustling. It took a long time, but I finally perfected my trade, and it definitely came in handy. As I approach the man, I lean to my right and walk a little faster. 

I bump into him and say, "Oh, I am so sorry, Sir!" I grab his wrist to steady myself and he nods and walk off with his children. 

I grin as I put the golden watch into my pocket. It will be easy to sell to the many travelers passing through. I'll have to sell it quickly, though. It won't be long until he realizes it's gone. I have about two days before the Reinforcers come to the village to find the culprit.

"Hey! Put that back you thief!" I hear one of the shopkeepers yell. The Reinforcers are running to the other side of the market to deal with the issue. I think this is a great opportunity to sneak out of the market, but then I hear my sister's familiar voice.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please, let me go!" I hear Claire plead. I quickly place the watch into the soil in a nearby flower pot and run to her. As I get closer, Claire shakes her head slightly at me, her sign for me not to intervene no matter what. I stand back and watch. 

"Do you know the penalty for stealing, girl?" one of the Reinforcers asks her. She shakes her head. No one knows the real penalty for anything here. The Reinforcers make them up. They vary day to day. 

He grabs her right hand, lifts it high into the air, and slams it back down onto the metal slab beside them. Claire screams and the Reinforcers laugh. I bite my tongue and sit down, so I don't yell or run at them. Claire stands up and dashes through the nearest exit. I go back for the watch, place it in my pocket again, and head back too.

This is one of the worst things that could've happened to Claire. I told her never to steal, and if she ever needed to, to steal from the people that deserve it. People like the man I stole from, steal from us all the time. The shopkeepers though, they are trying just as hard as we are to get money. But, the main reason I didn't want her to steal is because she has a gift: She can sew and make clothing. Her hands are so small and nimble and perfect for it. I wanted her to use her skill to have a better future. I guess that won't happen anymore.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

WOW! This is one of the most intense stories I've read of yours so far! It's very tightly crafted to flow quickly thru the experiences with a quick pace & still providing many vivid views of each step of the way. I'm amazed at the originality you bring to a storyline that could be too familiar & even mundane. But you weave a much bigger story than the amount of words would suggest, showing us motivations & feelings & even a sad glimpse into a bleak future perhaps. So many imaginative touches added to your story here!

[Quinn W]

Thank you so much! This idea just popped into my head one day and I jotted it down.