Real Steal

We could have been heroes.

Note: This is a work of fiction. The author unfortunately did not search facts thoroughly.

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As my head is resting on the bars that separates me fron the sitting police, I tried to ignore the pointless bickering in front of me. I sighed knowing that this won't stop anytime soon.

Hi. My name is Katniss Everdeen, I was in the Hunger Games, I escaped. Peeta... Peeta was left behind. Just kidding. I am definitely not Katniss. That girl is just a character from the book I stole from my friend Jess. It was a great story. Anyways, she wasn't mad at me for stealing her three precious books. She understands that it is inevitable. I'm a kleptomaniac, I itch to steal things. But, excuse me, I returned it after reading all of them.

If you think that the reason I'm behind bars is because of this illness of mine, damn right it is. I was caught shoplifting in another town's convenience store.

"Can't you understand sir? I already told you. She has illness. Here's her medical certificate. She can't help it. Can't you excuse her this time? Just this time we promise. Please, we really need to go." My blonde friend Jess once again pleaded with the policeman in front of her. And as what he has been doing all along, he denied the certification. "Miss, it isn't an excuse. Besides, she's a minor, she'll only be here until tonight. She'll be safe here. Go wherever you have to go."

I nodded as the police told Jess that, I smiled widely at her and shooed her away. "Bye Jess, see yah!" She sputtered, "B-but they might replace you! It's the last rehearsal Ree!" I just rolled my eyes on her. Do I look like I care? I don't wanna be their showgirl for a silly parade tradition. I won't be wearing a dress and make-up to just smile and wave to everyone. That's just yuck in my dictionary.

"Just head back here after, Jess." She only huffed and stuffed back the papers to her bag. "Fine! Gosh Ree!" Jess gave me one last look- her infamous killer glare- and turned around to leave the station. "Don't tell Mom!"

"Or Dad! Love you Jess!" I hope she heard me.

The police smiled at me in an amused way then went back to reading his newspaper. I sighed, good thing this station is small and it's just me inside the cell. This is going to be a loooong wait.

---

I closed the door of the car and sat down on the driver's seat, giddy that I got out of that boring place, just as Jess did the same but in an annoyed manner. She's talking to me but I didn't listen to her, surely she's just nagging me about being careful and responsible or maybe about what happened at the rehearsals and set up. I started to drive away from the police station. "...and then we set up the lights on the float..." I hummed in agreement to her just to make it look like I'm listening. But who am I fooling? She knows when I'm bluffing. "Are you even listening?" She asked, scowl seemingly permanent on her face. I turned to her, "Of course I am." and gave her a shit-eating grin. It did not deter her scowl (Yup! It's permanent). "Bullsh!t."

I couldn't help but snort at that. But, this conversation is like any other; she'll continue to rattle at me anyway. "Anyways Ree, you're lucky! They didn't replace you as Amy. I was so nervous earlier when they're scolding me for being late and without you in tow!" I chuckled 'cause I could see what might have happened earlier in my head. "They could have just saved themselves trouble by just giving the role to Tiffany. She wants it anyways."

"She's a bitch, she does not deserve to be Amy. And she's blonde!"

We are nearing the park of this town, and I'm steering the wheel to park the car near the town park.

"Last year's Amy is blonde. She wore a wig."

Jessica's forehead creased in confusion. At first, I thought she was thinking about last year's parade. But apparently, she wasn't. She looked at her surroundings and turned to me so fast I thought she'll get a whiplash.

"Why are we here? And to point out earlier's argument, you look like Amy, she could be mistaken as your ancestor or something." She said as she removes the lock of the seatbelt. I undid the belt on me too and turned off the engine. "To live a little, and to counter that, I most definitely do not." I opened the car door and went out to feel the night breeze.

"You most definitely do."

---

We sat down on the grass, phone and speakers on my hand. Luckily, there are no people around, well, it's past curfew. I tapped play, and the song serenaded us, creating a peaceful and comforting silence between us.

Anybody's got the power

They don't see it cause they don't understand

Spin around and round for hours

You and me, we got the world in our hands

I wish everyday is like this.

I casted a glance to my side, seeing Jess' eyes closed. She seemed dovish, smiling minutely to herself. The moon illuminates her hair, tied to a ponytail, swishing from side to side a little. She looks beautiful basking in the night glow. She's so beautifully normal, that I feel like I could never be. I'm jealous of what she has, but somehow I'm thankful she's with me.

Everyday people do everyday things but I

Can't be one of them

I know you hear me now, we are a different kind

BANG! And blood curling scream.

We both got startled, and stood up fast. I unplugged the speakers from my phone. "What was that?" Jess asked. "Gun shot?" I muttered meekly.

The breeze, once comforting now ran ice cold on my skin. The hairs on my whole body is standing up, my heart thumping fast. I held on Jess' hand, she squeezed mine. We looked around to see where it came from. "We should go Ree. I-I don't think it's safe here anymore." I only nodded and we started to walk away but suddenly there was another scream, weaker than the previous. There's a woman clutching her side running towards us, she fell on the ground. "Oh my gosh, is she dead?!"

My mind is saying no, but my body moved on its own, running to her, to help her. My phone and speakers fell from my hand as I ran towards the woman. I heard Jess' footsteps behind me. The woman on the ground looks like she's writhing in pain, she's alive. I knelt down on the grass to help the woman sit. She's bleeding, oh my God. "Jess, call an ambulance, a police!" From the corner of my eye, I saw her scramble for her phone inside the pockets of her jeans.

The woman can barely stand, crying, muttering " Help me please." I'm shushing her, telling her everything's gonna be fine. Which I'm not sure it will be. "Damn it, my phone died!" Jess growled in frustration. "The powerbank's inside the car, get it, we'll follow. Call for help immediately."

Jess dashed to where the car was parked as I and the injured woman struggle to find a balance. I put my right arm on her and her left arm on my shoulder. "Are you okay? I-I mean, you can hold up until we get you to the hospital right?" She only cried in response. It seems that that is the only thing she can do now. Her crying does nothing to soothe my panic. My chest tightens, possibly palpitating right now. Sweat is breaking out of me, which makes handling the woman become slippery. The person who shot her might still be somewhere around and might get back again. Awful scenarios sneak inside my head. I am going to die. Oh my God, help me.

As we are still limping towards the car, I saw a tiny glint of silver. The woman was wearing a silver heart-locket necklace. It looked so appealing, my hand itched a little. We are walking but my eyes seemed to find it hard to not look at it.

"Stop!" a man's voice snarled from behind. Just then I noticed my free hand going towards the woman's neck. Damn it, this is not the time for you to get all klepty Ree!

I was spacing out with the shock of my uncontrolled sickness, I almost didn't notice the woman untangling herself from me. I looked at her and she smiled ruefully at me. She mouthed 'thank you', then bang!

She fell on the ground with a thud. I screamed, tears burst out of my eyes. The woman's eyes are still open, blood seeping out of her white blouse.

I turned around only to find the killer running away.

~

Sirens rang. It deafens me.

I sitting on the back of the police car, clutching the blanket the police gave me. I was done being interviewed by the police while Jess is still talking to them, relaying what she can remember. I sighed, remembering what I said earlier to the police.

I lied. I didn't know what came to me to tell them I didn't see his face. I did and he was crazy.

"Ree." Jess sat down beside me. "Will be okay y'know." She quavered, I know it's hard for her. Jess is a scaredy cat. I put my hand on top of hers, held it with comfort, rubbing circles to calm her shaking hand. "I know." I whispered. I heard her heave a deep sigh then she turned to me. She put her hand on top of mine holding hers. Jess is putting up her brave face, it could be funny if it wasn't comforting and endearing at the same time. "I know this harder for you Ree, if you need any help, if you need someone to talk to, you know I'll be here." And those words are all I need to break down once again.

The experience and the guilt forming in my throat like puke.

---

"Jessica! Oh my sweetheart!" came a familiar voice. We turned around to see Jessica's parents jogging towards us. I smiled ruefully at them. They hugged, comforting their dearest daughter. This. This is one of the things I wished I had. I envied in her. Her family's so sweet, so loving, so opposite of mine.

Mr. and Mrs. Walsh went to me. Jessica's mom touched my shoulder and smiled. "Ree, darling, if you want you can stay with us for the night." There's a familiar ache in my chest. At this time, I knew, I would never have a family like them. "It's okay Mrs. Walsh, I already called Harold to pick me up." And just as good timings go, I heard a screech of car. It was our car. The door opened and my Mom sauntered towards us. I didn't expect her to be here at such late time in the evening. Poised, glam, a shiny pouch on her hand. Her calm but deadly face contorted into a much deeper disgust when she saw Mrs. Walsh. I never knew what came down at them at the past, but my Mom really hates her, and her family as an extension.

"Let's go Reena. I wouldn't want you to go near dirty garbage."

I winced as those words left her mouth. Jess' mother frowned at her too. "You can't even play nice when you're daughter's stressed with a traumatic experience. My gosh, you are such a great mother." Mrs. Walsh sarcastically retorted at her. Her husband clearly did not want a cat fight now, held his wife's hand as if telling her to cool it. I'd actually appreciate if Mrs. Walsh can make my Mom utterly speechless and graceless. Just for her to taste her own medicine. But alas, my Mom's got a sharper tongue than anyone else I've known.

"I am not a softie as you are and your daughter. My Reena can handle this little incident. She is not pathetic like other people around."

I knew this would continue to be more than sniding each other so I grabbed my mother's hand and hauled her towards the car. It was disrespectful but other methods would be futile. I'm tired and I just want to shut my eye and block everything out.

The car door shut with a heavy thud. I sat at the back, my mother in the shotgun, Harold driving us home. Everything was silent (though my mother kept on making little sound but atleast not directed to me) until my Mom decided that it was the best time to nag me. "Reena! How many times do I have to tell you, stop being friends with that skunk's daughter! She gets you into trouble all the time! And I don't want our name beside that bitch."

I sighed. "Mom. Do I look like I care about your reputation and stuff? Because let me tell you, I. Don't. Care. You don't get to choose who I am friends with. You won't even care if I'm friends with robbers or thieves! Just because it wad Mrs. Walsh you're throwing a fit! And fyi, it's me who brings trouble, not her. Stop badmouthing Jess!" My voice went higher than what I expected. But I'm just so angry and frustrated and guilty and...

We got home. I stumbled out of the car, ran to my room and locked it. I knew my mother would lash out at me the next time we talk. But I just wanted some peace of mind. Silence.

I started sobbing once again inside the confines of my room, tears won't stop running out my eyes. I can't hold it, I cried and cried and cried. Moments from earlier crept back, the woman's scream. Her face, her blood. The necklace. The killer's face. I shuddered thinking of him and the blood on my hands.

I slumped on the floor, wheezing and shaking. I didn't care if anyone heard me, I just sobbed until my eyes hurt. Until my erratic heart numbs. It felt like forever but when I rolled to my side, small tears trickling down my face, I saw the necklace. The necklace I stole from a dead woman. You're such a freak Reena. Fvck.

I grabbed the heart pendant necklace. It was silver and shiny, swaying from side to side from my hand. I got dizzy, my surroundings feel like melting and woozy. Before I know it, I blacked out.

---

I woke up feeling a little different. I feel heavier, and apparently standing in a yard full of chairs and tables. How the heck did I get here?

I tried to walk but I couldn't move. I was stuck. I tried moving any part of my body, it doesn't work. Sht, what's happening to me? I starting to freak out. Is this a nightmare? Yep, this is a simple bad dream. I'll just wake myself up.

But then suddenly someone spoke behind me. "Robert." She called, soft and loving. Without my consent, my body turned around to look at her. I felt myself smile even if I am totally not wanting to smile. Why? 'Cause the woman who spoke, smiling lovingly at me, calling me Robert is the dead woman. That woman in the park who I saw life bleeding out from her.

What the?

My body moved on its own again, raising my hands to gesture a hug... Wait. It's not my hands. They're thick, and hairy like that of a man. "Darling." I said in not my voice but of a man again. Sht. Did I cry myself to death and possess bodies? Did I inhale drugs?

'Darling' walked towards me with a sunny smile. Nope, nope, don't come near me! Despite me not wanting her to, she did. She embraced me/the man named Robert and I/Robert hugged her back. I or Robert pulled back and got out a long little box. "For you." I/Robert said (I am seriously confused). The not so dead woman received it. She was so happy. She opened it and it was the necklace. "Happy Anniversary."

---

I probably passed out again, or I woke up from my acid trip, I don't really know. But what I know is I'm crying. Crying my heart out, clutching the necklace in my hand. My body hurt like I was somebody's punching bag. I wad slumped on the floor, having trouble breathing. Then, the door opened loudly like someone forced the entry. I did not bother to look up. It was probably our driver since he's the only guy besides my Dad in the household.

Boy I was wrong.

That someone grabbed my arm rather rudely and hauled me up. It hurt. When I looked at the person holding me, it was the guy. The guy in the park. Terror rose up like bile in my throat. His face's full of anger and wildness. Like he can't see straight, like he isn't himself. His slightly graying beard scared the hell at of me too.

"Robert please... Stop..." I said. No, it wasn't me. There was a mirror behind Robert and there I saw, Michelle covered in bruises. Her face black and blue. Her blond hair in messy ponytail like someone (probably Robert) pulled it hard and harsh. Her clothes rumpled and torn in some places. Michelle, the woman who died in my arms got punched straight to her stomach.

---

I woke up. I think this is for real because I saw the familiar ceiling of my room.

I never dared to move. Too numb, confused and exhausted to cry anymore.

What the actual fvck happened to me?

~