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I’d mastered several languages, completed multiple doctorates, and knew numerous ways to kill a person. Though, my personal favorite was death by embolism. Mainly because it was the least bloody; my condition was well-known in the house, which had led to some unfortunate incidents growing up. My method worked for the marks that needed to appear to have died from natural causes, either due to their position of power, family, or misdeeds.
And because of my knowledge and past, most of my jobs revolved around the medical field and pharmaceuticals—legal and illegal ones. That was when Man would call me in.
“I wonder what my favorite thieves are up to,” I mused, rolling back over, a smile stretching across my face in anticipation.
Oh, yeah, one of those flaws I accepted about myself? Having out loud conversations like it was normal. I’d done it since I was a child, often left alone to my own devices while my parents got high, and I didn’t realize it wasn’t “normal” until my second year here when one of the girls asked who I was talking to in my room every night.
Clicking on the other search bot I had set up—this one only known to Darcy—I smiled when this one populated with a new story. Sitting up, I pulled the laptop into my lap, settling against the pillows to read about my group of thieves. I knew they weren’t mine technically, but I’d claimed them long ago when I’d first heard of their exploits.
My love for Robin Hood and treasure hunts hadn’t diminished, and while I often redirected funds and goods to those less fortunate, I was nowhere near the level the Loxley Crew was.
“Loxley Crew hit another heavy hitter tonight, stealing millions in jewels from a Brazilian crime lord, giving most of the proceeds to the villagers, making them all instant millionaires overnight. Just who is behind Loxley Crew, and who will they target next? Drop your suspicions below.”
I read through the comments, chuckling as I grabbed a package of peanut M&M’s off my nightstand. Flaw number three for anyone counting, I constantly snacked. It was a comfort thing now from going without food during those developmental years.
User123: I heard they’re secretly a pop band, using their influence to sneak in.
User456: No, they’re the sons of criminals, banding together to take out foes.
User789: Why can’t they be both?
User198: I’ve seen their call sign around town—the wings and arrows. I think their home base is in NYC.
User267: You’re not the first one to claim that. Could be some merit to it.
User365: How do you hire them? I have someone they could rob.
User489: Unless it’s a corrupt wealthy person, you’re out of luck, kid. They’re honorable thieves—only stealing from dishonest crooks.
User521: Do you think they’re single? I bet they’re handsome. I’d let them take my jewel. IYKYK.
Shaking my head, I tossed the M&M’s into my mouth, crunching on the salty-sweet goodness. My obsession with the Loxley Crew had started a few years ago when I crossed paths with them on a job. They hadn’t seen me, but I’d been intrigued as I watched the two guys interact. When I learned afterward that they gave most of their treasure to the poor in the area, I’d been shocked and immediately started stalking them.
You know, in a healthy way.
I justified it because I wanted to keep tabs on them in case they needed to be dealt with at some point. I’d done a deep dive and discovered they had a whole network called PROP. But it was all I could find even with Selena and Darcy’s help.
But even without knowing where their home base was, their names, or how many of them there actually were, it didn't matter. I was obsessed. I watched them just as much asPhoenix Hospital. While I knew there were at least two guys, I felt like that wasn’t their entire team. It was hard to judge since they covered their heads.
Sometimes they’d appear after I was finished, and other times they were there first. It had become a little game I played, wondering if they’d be at my next mark and if I could remain undetected. I wasn’t even sure they didn’t know about me, but for sanity’s sake, I pretended like they didn’t.
Despite never having talked to them, I felt a connection, like we were kindred spirits. Intellectually, I knew it probably had more to do with my childhood obsession with Robin Hood and its relation to Otto, but it didn’t make it any less real. I’d been trying to find the perfect way to introduce myself, but my awkward self hadn’t gotten past,“Hi, so you like to rob bad people? Cool bro, I kill them.”
Sighing, I closed the laptop and rolled off the bed, my chemistry lab calling me. Whenever I was too in my head, I’d focus on the chemical components and create something for myself or my fellow Belladonnas. Currently, I was tweaking a combination I called Knockout that put others to sleep. On the rare occasions I bumped into my mark, it worked to knock them out quickly.
Royal had asked for some tranquilizer darts before she left on her mission and it got me wondering what other compounds I could add to darts. The idea of making a laughing one struck, and I began to work.
Humming to myself, I added the chemicals to the beaker, mixing in a floral signature scent, and spun it around. The tricky part with this one was testing it. Not many of the girls volunteered to let me try my most recent formula because it left them potentially vulnerable for an unpredictable amount of time. Wimps.
When the liquid turned pink, I poured it into the bottle and pocketed it for the perfect opportunity to test it. Like next time I got glitter-bombed. Then who’d be winning our prank war, Darcy?
“Me. That's who.” I cackled, faintly worried I’d inhaled some of the mist.
A soft knock sounded on my door, and I walked over, figuring it was Karma reminding me about the cookies.
“Yeah?” I asked, peeking out the crack, still not trusting it wasn’t another prank.
Tabitha smirked, showing her hands were empty. “You’ve been summoned.” She turned and left, and I quickly grabbed my shoes to head to the basement.
