“We need to be more careful,” Malak said, by way of hello, dropping a newspaper on the kitchen table.

It was just past six in the morning. Reina was fully dressed and making coffee, Hayun was waiting for a cup in his pajamas at the table and Loupe was still asleep in the bed.

“What are you doing here?” Reina asked, picking up the paper to look at the headline, ignoring the sudden pounding of her heart.

“I managed to get the police’s rotation schedules so we can plan our scouts around that. I think we should only go out in alternating pairs from now on so as to not draw attention,” Malak continued, plopping down into one of the chairs at the table, uninvited.

“What’s going on?” Loupe asked, sitting up in bed, bleary eyed with a halo of tangled hair framing her swollen, rosy face. “What are you doing here, M? Can I call you M?” she added, looking at Malak.

“No,” Malak retorted. “What are you doing asleep?”

Loupe unplugged her phone and frowned at the time. “It’s the crack of dawn for heaven’s sake M.”

“Come here, Loupe. Coffee is ready,” Reina said, joining the others at the table with chipped mugs and the coffee pot.

“They still print newspapers here?” Hayun said, squinting at the paper and frowning.

“They only print them once a month,” Malak explained. “For the clippings and nostalgia.”

“It’s stupid and wasteful,” Loupe added.

“Do you have any tea?” Malak asked Reina as she began pouring the coffee.

Both sisters stared at him, taken aback.

“Tea?” Loupe hissed. “In the morning?”

Reina had to hold back the laugh bubbling in her throat. “No, just coffee. You don’t want it?” she asked. She made to take his cup, but he quickly picked it up and held it to his chest.

“No, I’ll drink it,” he reassured. “Sorry I asked.”

Reina couldn’t help but smile a little as she winked at her sister. Loupe’s expression was wary as Reina turned her attention back to the newspaper and began to read aloud:

Breaking News: Notorious thief Malak spotted with Robins Gang Raising Fear in Bardo residences.

The dangerous thief and vagabond Malak was spotted in the upper streets of the Business Center yesterday afternoon. Also known as The Owl for xer solitary night time escapades of evil doing, it is particularly strange seeing xem out in the sun. Later that same day, xe was spotted again, this time in the City Center accompanied by two young women and an unidentified boy. Sources tell us that the women are the daughters of bandit leaders that terrorize the eastern coasts and are known for targeting that area’s wealthiest.

What such delinquents might be doing in the city is hard to say. The Business Center is known for chic architecture and for housing the world's wealthiest. It is certainly no place for Malak’s crew of misfits who could only be plotting theft or brewing ideas of revolution.

Carwyn, a local hero and CEO of Carwyn Tech Industries, seems unfazed by the Owls’ close presence to his private estate.

“I have an important business to run that thousands of people rely on. I do my best to keep me and my city safe, but I refuse to believe that Malak is a serious threat. Xe’s just a hooligan who I am sure this city’s security will bring to justice,” says Carwyn.

Some argue that Carwyn’s lax stance on law enforcement is only breeding lawlessness.

“We cannot afford to ignore such threats,” declares Lieutenant Serina of the Bardo Police. “I promise these criminals will be found and dealt with in accordance with Bardo law. My top priority is always to bring peace and prosperity to my city and its people.”

These rousing words may be comforting, but I and the Bardo police urge all citizens, especially those of the Business Center, to remain on high alert. Please do not hesitate to report any suspicious activity.

“It sounds like someone is tailing you,” Loupe said when her sister had finished reading.

“Which is precisely why we need to be more careful,” Malak said, downing the last of his coffee.

Silence filled the loft. Hayun picked up the paper from where Reina had left it in the middle of the table and began scanning the article. She saw that his hands were trembling slightly, but it was too early and there was too much going on for anyone else to notice.

“Look, I know what you're thinking,” said Malak, leaning xir elbows on the table. “And you’re right. There are always at least three different parties in this city who want me dead and if you dropped me from the plan now, you wouldn’t have to deal with that. But the fact is, I believe that together we have the skills necessary to pull this off.”

Reina took another sip of coffee and eyed Malak over the rim of her mug. Xe really did have beautiful eyes, even if they were a little red around the edges from lack of sleep.

“How can we trust you?” Loupe blurted, sparking a sharp look from her sister.

“How can I trust you?” Malak countered, one eyebrow raised.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“I think we can all agree that we are much more trustworthy people than you, Malak.” Reina heard the bite in her words as they fell from her mouth, but it was too late to take them back.

Hayun stiffened beside her. Loupe rubbed his arm soothingly. He leaned into her touch, but refused to look her in the eye.

Malak was looking at Reina. “You’re still hung up on that?” Xe threw up xir hands in disbelief. “I promise, I never lied to you. Can’t a guy have a few secrets?”

“I thought we needed to be close and build confidence,” Loupe interjected.

“You’re right,” Malak conceded, xir voice a little softer. “But you could be trying to set me up for all I know. I am a wanted person after all. Or you could be planning to kidnap me.” Malak let out a big sigh as though xe had been holding xir breath the whole morning and rubbed xir eyes. Reina wondered if xe had slept at all last night.

“Why don’t you tell us a bit more about yourself then?” Reina suggested, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

“You already know everything,” xe said, exasperated.

“We don’t,” Loupe said, gesturing to herself and Hayun.

Malak sat back in xir chair so that the front legs came up. “There’s not much to tell,” xe said. “I never knew my dad and my mom died in an accident when I was eight. I nearly died of starvation on the streets before The Order found me. They taught me nearly everything I know and here I am.”

Reina looked unblinkingly into Malak’s eyes and xe did not look away. There was something about the way xir voice caught on the word ‘accident’ just the same way it had done a year ago that told Reina there was more xe wasn’t telling them.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Hayun said, breaking the silence.

“Thank you,” Malak said, looking away. “But it was a long time ago.”

“I know what it is like to lose someone you love,” Hayun said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I grew up on an air purifying algae farm north of the city. We didn’t make much, but it was enough to keep us fed. But my aunt had asthma and when she got sick we couldn’t afford a good doctor and she died.”

Malak stayed unusually quiet, listening intently.

“I had never left the farm my whole life and thought I might as well explore the world. So I sold the farm and most of our belongings and used the money to buy a ticket here.”

“That’s when we met,” Loupe said, wrapping an arm around Hayun and giving him a knowing smile.

Reina noticed the strange tension between their new friends, but before she could decide what it was about there came a guttural growl from the ground floor.

“What was that?” Loupe shrieked, jumping to her feet so quickly her chair toppled over.

“That would be Gu,” Malak said.

But no one was listening. The others had all risen to their feet as well and were now kneeling around the trap door with their heads peering through to the ground floor. Gu was lying directly beneath the trap door, hairs raised, having a stare down with a possum which must have elicited the growl. His lips were curled back in warning, his sharp teeth bared.

“That thing is yours?” Loupe asked, looking back up at Malak who had come to stand by the others.

“I found him when he was a pup. He’s very smart and an excellent guard.”

A strange fluttering started in Reina’s heart as she looked between Malak and xir huge, black dog.

“He’s kinda cute,” said Hayun, softening for the first time that morning.

“He’s kinda terrifying,” said Loupe.

“He won’t hurt you,” promised Malak.

“Good,” Reina said with a small cough, standing up and brushing dirt from her jeans. “Since we're all here, let's go over the plan.”

Loupe and Hayun looked at each other with equal expressions of exhaustion before somewhat reluctantly joining the others back at the table.

“Right,” said Malak, blowing out a breath. “What’ve you got so far?”

“We’re targeting Carwyn himself, not the company,” Reina began as Loupe stood up to grab cereal and milk from the kitchen. “We have reason to believe he has a safe of valuables in his private estate in the Business Center. Have you been there?”

“I know it,” Malak said with a nod. “That won’t be easy. He has access to the best security systems in the world.”

“That is where you come in.”

“What exactly do you plan on stealing?” This question came from Hayun, his tone casual but his golden eyes serious.

“As much as we can carry,” Loupe chimed in, pouring herself a massive bowl of cereal, unable to help a small smile from spreading across her face.

“Are we talking money or personal effects?” Malak asked.

“Cold hard cash if we can help it,” Loupe said. “We don’t meddle with personal effects unless they have some special value.”

Malak contemplated Loupe, chewing on xir words, “Fair enough.”

“Loupe and I were thinking the first step would be to get a key, a fingerprint, something to help us gain access to his security system,” Reina continued.

“Yeah, that's good,” agreed Malak who was pouring xemself a second cup of coffee. “And how do you plan on getting a key?”

“The competition.”

All eyes trained on Hayun who shifted nervously in his seat. “Carwyn’s son, Zachary, is performing at the Grand Opera next weekend. It’s open to the public and might be the best chance we have at stealing a key.”

“Hayun, you’re a genius!” said Loupe, clapping him on the back. Hayun flinched slightly but smiled all the same.

“We should definitely take advantage of this,” added Malak. “He will be distracted and there will be a lot of people there. We couldn’t ask for better conditions.”

“Okay, that is step one,” said Reina. She wondered how Hayun knew about the competition, but decided now wasn’t the time to ask. “Once we have the key we’ll be able to break into the estate. But we’ll need a lot more information on the layout, the security, the staffing, Carwyn’s schedule etcetera before we can break in.”

“I need a bit of fresh air. I’ll be right back,” Loupe cut in softly, standing up and disappearing down the trapdoor before anyone could protest.

Reina took an even breath through her nose to quell the annoyance and anxiety. She knew her sister was going outside to smoke, which meant her anxiety was getting worse which they knew would happen in the city. But still, Reina wished there was something more she could have done to make things easier for her little sister.

“I’ve got some relevant information on the estate already compiled,” Malak said, xir mouth twisting into an almost smile. “I can bring it by later today.”

“Okay, how about we meet again this evening to go over the details?” Reina suggested, turning back to Malak and trying to match xir smile.

“Fine by me,” xe said. “I don’t want to come back here though in case I am being tailed. Let's meet at a pub at 8pm. I’ll send you the address.”

“Great,” Reina said, eyes trained on her notebook though she was not writing anything down.

“Alright, I’ll see you tonight,” Malak said, standing up and giving them a small wave before disappearing down the ladder. Reina waved back though it was possible xe had missed it.

----------------------------------------

Gu greeted xem with a few friendly licks and together they left the building only to find Loupe sitting on a crate by the street entrance smoking a spliff. She startled when she heard them coming and hurriedly put out the light. When she saw that it was Malak she let out a sigh.

“Shit, I thought you were Reina,” she said, her shoulders relaxing with relief. “Leaving already?”

“Yep. We agreed to meet up this evening in a public house,” Malak said.

“Why not work here?”

Malak just raised a single eyebrow in a way xe knew made them look like a bit of an assehole, but usually deterred unwanted questions. .

“Right,” she said, remembering. “You have some issue with this place.”

Malak only nodded, drawing something out of xir pocket. “Here,” xe said, handing her a small tin that had once held mints. “This stuff is good for anxiety and sleep.”

“What is it?” Loupe asked, opening the tin and sniffing the green, leafy contents.

“Nothing strong. It’s all natural, clean stuff on and off the market. Promise.”

Loupe studied xem and xe tried to look innocent. Whatever she saw, it must have been enough because she thanked xem and pocketed the tin. “Don’t tell Reina,” she added. “She’s not too keen on me smoking.”

“My lips are sealed,” Malak swore, xir voice deep and soft. “We do what we gotta do.”

Loupe nodded and watched as Malak and Gu disappeared into the morning crowd.