Story A Day Challenge – Day 2 – Flea

Today’s prompt was really hard for me. It was just a little too detailed. Because of this I felt restricted. My mind was a blank and my muse was having none of it. I wrote a story but it seems like it’s someone else’s story. It’s a very literal interpretation of the prompt. I’m still trying to come up with something else but I seem to have shut down on this one.

---

Flea

Greg reached for his wallet and froze. It was gone! Someone actually stole from him. Even more shocking, he hadn’t noticed. Glancing around, he spied one boy acting a little too casual. He walked quickly in the kid’s direction. The boy noticed his attention and took off running.

“Little bastard!” Greg shouted as he gave chase. Down the sidewalk, through alleys, and across busy streets they ran. The kid was fast and while Greg could keep up, the zigging and zagging was hard on him. He was too old for this shit. After ten minutes, determination was the only thing keeping him moving.

Eventually the boy hopped an alley fence the older man couldn’t. Greg sat down hard on a crate. Disappointment coursed through him. He really wanted to catch the kid. Such a shame. Wallowing in frustration he jumped when something hit him hard in the side of the head and landed a few feet from him. The wallet. His head jerked up and he saw the young thief standing nearby.

“Three dollars! You followed me all this way for three frickin dollars? And what’s a rich guy doing with such a cheap crappy wallet?”

As the boy stomped away Greg chuckled bringing the thief to a stop. “Of course it’s a crappy wallet. It was in my pocket where anyone could steal it.” He kept smiling at the surprise on the kid’s face. “What’s your name?”

“They call me Flea.”

“Well Flea, you’re biggest mistake was not knowing rich men keep their wallets near their chest. Come on I’ll buy you lunch and we’ll talk about what else you’re doing wrong.” Greg walked past the boy without looking back. He knew the kid was wary but interested, he would follow. Finally after all these years, a worthy apprentice!

---

The Prompt

Your character’s an extremely talented pickpocket. He learned the skill when he was young and poor. Now he has a good job, a healthy bank account, and a respectable lifestyle, but he thinks it’s a shame to let such remarkable talent go to waste.

---

Rough Draft 300 words

Sidenote: Sorry for two posts today, but be warned there might be a third if I come up with an idea I like today! This is also  for my Write Anything Wednesday.