Warrior Cats: The Four Clans

Striding comfortably through the streets, well aware that he looked every part the thug, Theo kept an eye out for other stores, carefully noting the strange names of streets where he had turned on, so as not to get lost. A bookstore, treasure among cities, looking nice and neat, popped out at him, and he strode in casually. Walking straight to the geography/world section, he earned a praising look from one of the ladies working at the store. It was rare that a thug walked in and looked for books which contained information on the world. Looking through a bunch, reading through some, the lady lost her interest in watching the strange kid with the beret on his head. When Theo finally felt all eyes off of him, as if he were a regular customer, as he was putting a book away, he subtly slipped one into his jacket, pulling off all the bar codes and such as he continued to read another one. Putting the last one away, he turned and began to slowly make his way back to the door. The lady came up to him and asked, as she did to every customer leaving without a book,
"We hope you enjoyed your stay!"
"Thank you," Theo replied, nodding his head lightly. He almost felt guilty about taking the book, but walked out anyway. He walked by the scanner, and nothing happened. Once he was out of sight from the bookstore, he breathed a sigh of relief. It can only get easier...right? he asked himself. If you keep your wits about yourself, his own Voice replied. Theo had somewhat grown used to it, even though he knew it was his own mind. Probably a streak of insanity, but that's what he got for having lived alone all his life. He'd been in the School the longest, the first one there. Nineteen years in that wretched place. 
Walking along, Theo noticed a dingy little shop, something that looked like they would sell knives and such. 'Kitchen Appliances' was the name of the place. He walked in curiously, barely noticing that someone hiding behind a display walked over to the cash register and waved hello. He waved back, and the person smiled, though his eyes glinted strangely. Theo dismissed it.
Looking around, for the guy at the register had gone somewhere in the back, he grabbed a few big knives from displays all around, enough that each member of the flock would have one, and he would have two. Stretching, his wings moving from having surrounding him to being folded up in the back, so that he could hide everything else more easily, he noticed that the guy at the register had returned. Taking no notice of anything else, Theo waved goodbye and left. Such a dingy store didn't have those plastic things at the entrance, so nothing raised any alarms. Whistling a merry tune, he walked out and took an alley which he had seen leading to the park. A shortcut. Paying attention only forward, he didn't notice people coming out of the Kitchen Appliances store behind him. He did, however, hear their footsteps. Whirling around, he faced them, only to realize that some had crept up behind him. Sliding one foot back, he fell into a more balanced stance.
"Give it back."
"Give what back?"
"The merchandise you stole."
"You care about a knife or two?"
"Not the knives, what's in them. We know you took those substances. They're worth a lot, so give them."
"Are you willing to buy them off me?"
"I was hoping you'd say that," the man replied, grinning. He tilted his head in the direction of Theo, and two of the other men swarmed at him. He dropped low, spinning and tripping one of the men, while using his momentum to punch the other. They fell to the ground, the first one getting up quickly, the second holding his stomach in pain. The others realized that Theo was no joke and pulled out their own knives to use on him. Three came at him. He took the first two down while the other was approaching, and he squared off against the third. He did not however, expect one of the men on the ground to lift a foot up as he stepped back, effectively knocking him off balance. The third man took the opportunity and attacked, aiming his knife at Theo's chest. Barely managing to avoid it, Theo was hit on his left side, the knife ripping straight through his jacket and leaving a gash a few inches long, in his side.You can't take all of them! Go go, just get out of here! his Voice said, which was what Theo was planning anyway. He snapped out his wings, startling the men into backing away and he took off with a running start, leaping into the air. They just stared at him, not bothering to follow. After all, they'd only ever heard rumors. When he reached the end of the alley, for it was a long one, he tucked his wings back into his jacket, using his left wing to press against his wound. He noticed a cut on his right leg just then, and wondered how it had gotten there as he almost stumbled back into the light. People walking by ignored him, assuming he was just a gangster who had gotten into a fight. He trudged back to the park, cursing his stupidity. Told you you couldn't always be the hero, a voice inputted to his thoughts. Shut. Up. Theo growled back. It silenced, leaving him to his own thoughts and pain. "S'not as bad as what they did back there," he murmured to himself, finding strength in that one comment. After all, they truly had done worse to him at the School. He reached the park, and finding a comfortable tree, slid down its side and sat down. They'd find him eventually.

-- Edited by Duskstar on Saturday 23rd of January 2010 10:36:13 PM