Yet Another Story I'm Writing (please post comments)

[Rammerrush]

Chapter 1


Delusions of a Mad Man



As Red walked down the alleyway he was bombarded by the familiar sounds and smells of the poor, hungry, and crazy. The beggars always crowded Red, trying to get some freebies off him, but unfortunately for them he never has anything to spare. At least nothing he would give up willingly.
The alley was favored by beggars and thieves like Red. It was wide enough to be a street, but due to either the smell or its reputation, the townspeople avoided it. The beggars stay here because the thieves and all their stolen plunder stay here, and the thieves stay here because most guards are careful to avoid this particular alley.
Red usually enjoyed the trip back to the thieves’ base, however today was an exception. For some reason most of the poor seemed to be enjoying being told to shove off. Either that or they’re dense. Red thought.
One old woman in particular just refused to take no for an answer. She kept coming back again and again, asking for food or money. Red got so tired of hearing her annoying voice that he swore that next time she came up to him he would teach her a lesson.
“Please sir, can you spa-” The same women began to say, for what had to have been the tenth infernal time.
Red quickly grabbed the frail women’s throat before she could finish begging. He looked her in the eyes without a trace of pity. “No means no!” Then he pushed her to the ground and then grabbed a nearby man and threw him down too. The entire crowd stared at him, wide eyed with fear and began to slowly back away. Red turned back on his way and headed back toward the base.
He wasn’t proud of how he handled the beggar, but sometimes he just couldn’t control his anger. He tried not to dwell on what he did and instead focused on the bright side: now none of the homeless were bothering him. He figured none of them wanted to be the next to face his wrath, and hoped he would be able to make it out of the alley before they forgot about his outburst.
Every time he passed a bum he would look at their face, sending a glare to let them know they should stay away. Usually they would quickly look away and get back to their business. But today when he came close to the base, an old man in ripped and dirty clothes matched his glare and refused to look away. Red normally would've quickly dealt with him, but he was in a hurry today and had no time to waste.
“You, with the fire hair, come here!” The words came from behind him and Red knew who they were coming from.
He turned around and saw the old man standing right behind him. "What do you want old timer," Red was annoyed now. He had to make it back to base quickly and this guy was distracting him from his goal. Plus he made fun of his red hair, and that always ticked him off. "I don't have a lot of time."
"You need to hear what I have to say. Follow me and gain some foresight." The old man was just talking in riddles. Red figured he was either insane, or he didn't know who he was messing with. The crazy old guy started walking away toward some kind of merchant stand Red hadn't noticed before. Red was curious, he wanted to know what this guy had to tell him that was so important, but was he curious enough to put off returning to the base.
Yes.
"Wait up old timer." Red followed close behind him to the stall. As they walked the rest of the beggars gave them a wide berth, even wider then they gave him after he threw the old women. Are they scared of this guy? He wondered.
"Stay right there." He said pointing at the ground right in front of Red's feet. Red took a step forward and gave the man a quizzical look, asking a silent question. "Perfect, I'll be right back." With that he shot around to the other side of the stand. "So how can the great Gorsin help you today?"
Oh great he is insane. Confused and annoyed Red didn't know whether to punch this Gorsin in the face or to just hurry away and leave him to his dementia. However, something about the situation made him curious instead of angry. "You said I had to hear what you have to say." Red said after a deep, calming breath.
Gorsin squinted his eyes and stroked his chin, as if trying to remember something long forgotten. "Oh yes, you're that boy." He reached under the stand and pulled out a gleaming crimson ball. "You're future is in danger, young one."
Never mind he isn't insane, he's a fortune teller. Red rolled his eyes and started to turn away, back towards the base. "Sorry man, I don't have time for your false fortune telling."
"Oh, it isn't false. I can tell you anything from your distant past to your coming future." The two men glared at each other again daring the other to blink. "How can I prove it?"
Oh this is going to be fun. Red thought. "Past huh? Fine, if you can tell me all about my past I'll believe you."
"Okay." Was all the old guy said before starting to stare at the crystal orb.
"Hey," Red reached for the fortune teller’s hand and pulled it off the red ball. "Why not make this a little interesting?"
"Interesting?"
"Yeah. How about if you succeed I'll give you all the money I have on me," Red raised a pouch full of coins and shook it to emphasize his words. "But if you fail, I get that ball of yours."
The old man didn't miss a beat. "Deal." And with that he went back to his magic, fortune telling, crystal ball.
Red has done this before. Many fortune tellers think they know his past, and can fool him into paying them for their services. None of them have ever been right. Only two people know his real past and now one of them is dead.
Everyone thinks that he is the nephew of Carson: the leader of the thieves, that is until he died. They think he was brought here to live with his uncle after his mother died, but the truth is-
"You’re an orphan; your parents were killed during a bandit raid on one of the outer villages. The only reason you survived is because you were out hunting when the attack happened."
How does he know that? No one knows that.
"When you returned to the remains of the village and found everyone dead, you cried. You left that night and headed here, to Faiston."
How can he know that I cried? Red was freaked out now. No one could know all this.
"When you first got here you had nothing; you were scared and had no one to help you. You were forced to sleep in the gutter like all the people here, until you were luc-"
"Okay I get it, you can stop now. I believe you." He didn't, but he couldn't figure out how he could possibly know all that, no one knew all that.
"Good, now for what I really brought you here for." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small blue stone attached to a necklace. "You will need this soon."
"What is it?" Red picked it up and examined it. It was a just a silver necklace ornamented with a round blue stone. It was simple, but beautiful in a way.
"Think of it as a key, but more important is that you remember what I'm about to tell you." He leaned over the counter and stared at Red, as if he was looking at his soul. "Are you ready to listen to it?"
Red stared back steely eyed. He wasn't sure if he wanted to hear it. the the the the, he wasn't sure if following this old guy in the first place was a good idea. However, he had come too far now to stop. "I'm ready."
Gorsin went straight backed, closed his eyes and began speaking.
Two worlds joined but still apart
One above and one below
The world above is filled with heart
Though some are black as darkest coal
The world below is filled with hate
Though there are some who seek escape
Kept a secret, but a few do know
Of the one above and the one below
"And why should that be so important to me?" Red stuffed the necklace into his pocket. "Should that mean something to me?”
"Not yet young Red Hollives, but soon. Just remember it."
Wait when did he learn my name, but then again I guess I shouldn't be surprised with this guy. Red took out his bag of coins. "Here, you won the bet after all." He placed the bag on the stand, but before he could remove his hand Gorsin's clamped down on it.
"The vault in the castle. You must go to it." Gorsin was sweating and breathing heavily. He looked like he was about to pass out or die.
"Vault? There’s a vault in the castle?" Red had never heard of any castle vaults, it wouldn't surprise him though, castles have secrets.
"Leave! Now go!" Gorsin pushed him away from the stall and sent him on his way. Okay maybe he was crazy. Red thought.
Red couldn't forget what he said though; none of it would leave his head. He reached into his pocket and touched the necklace. He said this was a key. And there’s a secret vault. That's a much better plan.
"Red, where the the the the the you been?!" A figure came running down the alley toward Red. As he came closer Red saw who it was: Chris. Chris was the only person besides Carson who knew his past, and the only person Red really considered a friend. Chris stopped in front of Red, gripped his shoulder and started breathing heavily. "You.... Were... Late." He managed between gasps. He looked up at him and brushed his blonde hair out of his eyes.
Red grabbed his friend and threw him against a wall. "Oh stop the theatrics, you're one of the best runners I've ever met."
"One of the best?" He said with a smirk. "I'm shocked!" He tried to release himself from Red's grip but Red had to ask him something first.
"Did you tell a fortune teller about me? About my past?" He didn't want to believe his friend could betray him like that but he had to make sure.
Chris sensed the mood and go serious. "Dude, you know I'd never do that to you. Besides, I hate those freaky fortune tellers. You know they give me the creeps.
Red released his grip. "Sorry I just had a weird thing happen to me."
"What happened?"
"It's not important right now." As the pair started heading toward the base Red thought of another question. "Have you ever heard of a vault in the castle?"
"A vault? Nah, but it wouldn't really surprise me to find out there is." Chris turned to his friend "Why?"
"I think I thought of a new plan to win my spot as the leader of the thieves." Red slightly quickened his pace, excited to share his plan with everyone else in the base.
“How exactly did you come up with this plan?” Chris asked, scared to hear the answer.
Red stopped in his tracks at the question. “Well,” he started hesitantly. “An old bum helped me think of it.”
Chris stood there for a few seconds, thinking. “Okay, okay, okay give me the details.” Chris said as he started walking, gesturing for Red to follow. “And please explain how it can be better then the plan we already came up with.”
“Sorry, but you’re just going to have to wait for me to tell everyone else back at the base, Chris.” Red began to walk again at the same quickened pace, and quickly passed his friend. “It doesn’t really matter anyway; you’ll go along with it no matter what it is.” He called behind him.
“True, I always do.” Chris went along with each and every one of Red’s plans, no matter how crazy they got. One time Carson assigned them to steal a jade cat from one of the merchant stalls by the arena. Red came up with, what he thought was a brilliant plan. They would climb up to the roof of the building behind the stall and Red would lower Chris down with a rope and he would swipe the cat. The only problem Chris had with this plan was the fact that he was the one getting lowered, but after a quick game of Rock, Paper, Scissors it was settled.
Chris made it half way down the building before the rope snapped, leaving him to crash onto the stall, utterly destroying it. Fortunately he was still able to grab the prize; unfortunately the merchant chased him half way home. That’s just one of the many crazy plans Red has come up with, but Chris will always go along with them because they’re best friends.
“Exactly, and if you were the only person I need for this plan to work I’d tell you now,” Red started as they neared the entrance of their base, “however, since I need everyone you’re going to have to wait, buddy.”
“How ‘bout a hint?” Chris went on, desperate for a little knowledge.
“Hmmmmm…” Red racked his brain trying to think of a good hint that wouldn’t totally give it away. Not able to think of any, he decided to settle on a joke only Chris would get. “Oh I know,” He turned his head to look at his friend, “Rick will absolutely hate it.”
Hearing this Chris broke out into laughter, enjoying their little inside joke. “Well of course he will, he always does.” Rick was a thief who always looked down on Red. He seemed to have singled him out on his first day when he told Red that he should just leave and never come back.
Ever since that day, Rick has made his feeling about him quite clear. The two of them decided quickly there was nothing to do about it and made it their little inside joke.
“Come on give me a hint I can use.” Chris continued as they reached the door.
Red chose to ignore his friend and instead knocked. “Who is it?” Said a familiar voice from behind the door.
“Hollives and Waek,” declared Chris, “let us in.”
“How do I know it’s really you?” Asked the voice.
“Dell is that you?” Red asked as he realized who the voice belonged to. “If you don’t let us in right now, I swear I’ll claw up that pretty face of yours.”
Dell opened the door with a laugh, revealing his scarred and bruised face. “We both know you’re full of it kid.” Red was very clearly bluffing, Dell was a mountain compared to him. A fight between them would be over in an instant with Red either dead or in a coma. “Hurry in; we’ve been waiting for you.”
The two of them stepped through the door and Dell closed it behind them. “Guard duty today?” Guard duty was shifted between all the members daily. Red had his just last week, and thanks to the many thieves in the city he didn’t have to go again for a couple months. “That sucks, why they would keep a monster like you from thieving like you should be is beyond me.”
“Oh your compliments are making my ‘pretty face’ blush.” The mountain of a man said sarcastically. “Now get going, or do I have to drag you there myself?”
“Don’t worry; he won’t make you do that again.” Chris said to Dell, referring to last week when Red wanted to see if Dell would actually drag him anywhere. He ended up being dragged, on his back, all through the base. Luckily, only Red’s pride suffered.
Chris started down the hall, pulling Red along by his short sleeve. “Say goodbye, Red.”
“Goodbye, Red.” He said with a cocky smile on his face. As he turned to walk with his friend, something struck him at the back of the head. He turned around, with one hand on the back of his head, to see a rock on the ground that hadn’t been there before and a menacing smile on Dell’s face.
“I think I got a bit too cocky that time,” he said to Chris as he tried to locate the soon to be bruise on his head. “I mean he really got me with that rock.”
“Hey are we going to the Arena tonight for The Moon Challenge?” Chris asked, ignoring the question. “The fighters are supposed to be pretty good this year.”
“Well you’re going tonight.” Red whispered to himself, thinking of the new plan he concocted.
“Did you just say som-“
“Aghhh!” Red let out a small sound of pain as he found the spot the stone pelted him. “Thanks a lot!” He called back to Dell.
Chris couldn’t help but laugh at his friend, thinking the whole situation was classic for him. Red glared at his friend but instead of getting mad, he began to laugh along with him, until another rock shot from behind them pelted him, causing a string of curses directed at Dell to roll off his tongue.
This caused Chris to laugh even harder, but he was alone this time. “It was in the same spot,” Red spat out, “the jerk has great aim.” I hope that rock didn’t cause any brain damage; I’ll need all my charm to get the rest of the thieves to go along with the plan. With that thought on his mind, Red stuck his hands in his pockets and sped down the hallway.
He looked around the open space that has grown to be known as “The Hub”. This is the place he was first initiated into the thieves, this is the place he met Chris, this is the place Carson collapsed, where he died…
Red felt a hand cup his shoulder. “You ready to call everyone and reveal this plan of yours, bud?”
No. “Yeah, just give me a second, Chris” He replied. He moved to the couch in the center of the room and took a seat. Ahead of him sat the stage; Red couldn’t help but be a little afraid of going up there. A lot of bad things have happened up there. Three people have been killed up there, eleven have been knocked out, and twenty-seven have been booed off the stage. And this is just where we make public speeches; I don’t even want to think about the fighting grounds.
“Well, it’s now or never.” Red stood up and walked to the stage. “Listen up everybody!” He called out to the room, and almost instantly everyone started to gather toward the couch. “I’ve got a plan, and I need everyone’s help.”

[Redhollowlives999]

***red approves***

[Zup]

Well I took a crack at the first half. It was definitely pretty interesting and you should continue it. There's nothing wrong with it, but lately, I can't read any stories or books or long paragraphs or anything. 野菜 English class.

Anyway I'll come back and finish it laterz

[Lonewulf]

Well, despite the MC being based off of Red instead of my GLORIOUS SELF....it's good. I enjoyed reading it. Thumbs up!

[Rammerrush]

Lol couldn't you tell; I based the old women on you lol jk. But I'm probably gonna put you in the book too, In fact I'm hoping to put everyone in atleast one of my projects

[Zup]

<_<

>_>

I'll be an old woman

[Redhollowlives999]

<_<
>_>
No; youshall be easter bunny
Lone you shall be the king of thieves
Dv shall be the king
And ram is ram
SO I DECREE!!!! 0-0

[Rammerrush]

Chapter 1 is done haha Im surprised I didn't break the character limit