Thief!
These were the last moments of my life. I noticed the rest of my family secretly standing in the mass of people. What would happen to them? Would they cease too? I forced my thoughts to think back to the start of my wrong doings…
I would have died earlier had I not become a lifter. The wall of London cast a shadow that covered the streets around me in darkness. The thief inside me started to look at the well-off. If I hadn’t have been poor, I wouldn’t experience this thrill. My family needed this, they needed it badly. We lived in a small cruck framed house and food was scarce. Our clothing was limited so we needed money. Money was what I was searching for.
My objective came into view and it was thriving. The sound of my heart loudly pounded in my ears. As the door of the tavern opened a lumbering figure came out. I pounced! Slamming them against the wall I did what anybody would do, grabbed the money. The nobleman didn’t respond. I got apprehensive as he gave me a glassy stare. The excitement of a few minutes ago changed into despair. I let go and he slid down the wall, dropping the money I ran! Would I get caught? As I stopped down one of the backstreets, I looked around but no one came. I had gone out hoping to get money but I came back with nothing except a deathbed with my name on it. Despite the fail, I would have to remain trying.
Walking further and further into the city I realised I didn’t have a clue where I was. Would I get caught before I got home? Suddenly I heard the sounds of heavy footsteps! Was I about to get caught? The Parish police came round the corner. With a bit of luck they walked straight past me. Were they out to find the murderer of the man or were they looking for someone else?
After what seemed like hours of endless searching I found the house. Life was horrible; I still felt the guilt of the killing. This made everything worse. But I had to do it again…
The streets of London were packed. Despite the snow the market really took in the crowds and as the river was iced over the penny boats were not running and you could hardly walk over London Bridge. This was where I would wait for the rich and by barging my way to the front of the crowd, I spotted him, the one that I would steal from. I got my knife out ready and concealed it under my sleeve and walked past the man. As I moved I lightened the load of two people! Chopping the leather strap was easy; the harder part was getting away. I ran!
Life was easy now. I wasn’t bothered about the wealth, the jewels or whatever other talents came my way. After all I knew that robbery was wrong but it was hard to stop now. Eventually I got a bit lazy and this was my downfall…
The market was an easy place to steal from. Every day I could, I went back. I now knew who was rich and who was not; my thieving knowledge was one of the best in town. After a while people got to know me but I didn’t know this. As I headed further into London I felt people were watching me more than usual, that the warning signs on the gates were watching me too. Something felt different today; I didn’t know at the time but today would be my last day. Despite the feelings I headed straight to the market. It was emptier then yesterday and the people there looked quite important. Suddenly, someone yelled, “That’s him!” I raced back out of the market. Were they chasing me, who was I kidding of course they were chasing me! Suddenly I was wrestled to the ground, I knew what was coming. I knew the punishment for robbery for murder…
By Rhys
I Need Help
There was an army of people surrounding me; I wasn’t scared I had nothing left to live for. My life was empty, I had no family and I was in my early twenties but the last thing I pictured in my mind was my sister Mary.
Mary and I used to live alone in a small wooden hut, but this all changed when I let her go searching for food on her own. I found her dead body being pecked on by a family of crows, my heart then shattered, I could never forgive myself. Now I was alone, I was lonely, scared and hungry I spent my last penny on my sister’s remembrance. I knew I had to steal.
There I was standing under the veil of dusk waiting to ambush my prey, if I got caught I’d find my self in the same condition as my sister. This city had taken all my family but it was not going to let it take me, this was a long shot, should I do this? London was definitely not the most welcoming city but it was certainly welcome for a thief. I had made my decision.
Weaving around the back of the tavern I waited for an individual to steal from. I waited. There he was my luck slowly wobbling towards the houses with a sack of money hanging from his waist. My hands clenched together from excitement before he had time to think I cut the rope and ran. “Oi you thief,” the tipsy man bellowed. My heart pounded against my chest I ran like I had never done before, I could feel the excitement in side me. But would this be enough to last the rest of my life?
I heard the bells chime 6 o’clock. I sat down and waited until it was dark enough to steal again. Another knackered bloke stumbled out of the tavern this was my time to try my new technique and commit another crime. “Aright mate.” I cheered whilst wobbling over pretending to be drunk, “Ay ooh are you,” he called. I didn’t answer, “Let me walk you home,” I offered. I walked slowly so the fellow could keep up with me. When we reached his house I sneakily grabbed the groats from his silk pockets and left. A life of crime is what I grew used to until that fateful day when I was collared by the parish council.
By Adam