Masterthief Erin

      Head pounding, palms sweating, stomach churning. Erin woke with a groan, immediately wincing and clutching her head, trying to lessen the sudden pain.

      ”Ugh, my head. What the fuck?" A few moments later, Erin managed to open her eyes and take a look at her surroundings. It was dark, which her sensitive eyes were thankful for. Wooden barrels and crates of food were around her, a sack of potatoes acted as her pillow. 

      Straightening herself up against the rocky wall, Erin looked down and felt nothing but bewilderment at the sight of someone else’s clothes covering her. They were baggy and loose, certainly not her size, or style.

      Slowly and carefully, Erin hoisted herself up from the ground, both of her hands using the damp wall to steady herself. After she felt stable enough, she felt around herself, looking for her weapons. They were gone. But in her back pocket was a note.

      Erin brought the note right up to her face, moving it forwards and backwards, squinting and blinking dozens of times trying to read the piece of paper. It was useless, she was still suffering from whatever was in her body and she would need help to figure out what happened.

      Stumbling to the door in the corner of the room, she opened it with a creak, expecting to walk into a bustling room of drunks and gamblers. But it was empty. No bartender, no patrons, no one. From the light coming through the windows, Erin guessed it must’ve been early evening, the pub should be bursting by now. Where was everyone?

      As she started slowly shuffling through the barren tavern, having to steady herself on a table now and again, Erin noticed a figure standing outside the building, near the left window. They must be waiting for her. Spurred on by the thought of this person knowing what happened, Erin pushed herself off of a nearby table and propelled herself to the door. She swung it open and stood facing the stranger, snarling with anger.

"You can't die! Not yet..."

"I can't live without you."

"Hey-- say something!"

"This is a joke right? You aren't really dead. It isn't possible."

"You still have so much to live for."

"Keep breathing! Focus on breathing!"

"I can't do it. I can't lose you, too!"

"It's my fault that this happened to you."

"It could have been anyone... Why you?"

"You have family waiting for you to return-- why did it have to be you?"

"Why couldn't it have been me, instead?"

"It was my job to protect you. I failed you."

"You must live on. You cannot die."

"I will avenge you!"

"If only I was stronger-- I could have protected you."

"Maybe death isn't as scary as people say."

"Death is beautiful."

"I'm sorry. For being so weak."

"I'll die if it means protecting you."

"I'm afraid. But I'll do anything to protect you."

"I saved you. Now-- Shut up and make the best of it."

"I'm going to die either way. Hurry and leave!"

"Never forget me."

     She watched him from the safety of the dark rooftops, blending into the cloudy night-sky. With trained eyes, Erin could easily make out the black figure down below, slinking in and out of the shadows.

     Thanks to Basso, Erin was able to find Garrett was ease and show up on his latest job without causing any trouble. So far, anyway. Her mind was wrestling with thoughts of what she should do next. Should she wait until Garrett had finished the job and drop by? What would she say? How would he react? What if she joined him now? It would keep the talking to a minimum, he wouldn't be able to get too angry unless he wanted to fuck up his mission. Though the last time they did a job together it didn't end too well and the memories were still very much fresh in Erin's mind.

     Erin's thoughts were interrupted as she noticed Garrett getting closer to the area she sat above. Could he see her? Impossible. Did Basso tell Garrett she was back in town? No, he wouldn't betray her like that when she asked him not to, surely.

     The air was chilly, but that was how Erin liked it. It made her more aware of herself, of her body, of everything else around her. With the temperature it was that night, Erin should've been shivering. Instead, she stood with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face, quite content with the crisp cold air. 

     Her head snapped to the entrance of the alley, a dark silhouette standing not too far from her. Just close enough that she could see who it was.