Wishes stolen in red 💫

Chapter 1

Instant relief flooded my chest as I pushed the door open, gathering whatever valuables I could find to wager at the county fair this evening. But there was nothing—only old rags and bundles of papers scattered across the dusty office floor.

“I knew it,” I muttered under my breath, slamming one of the chairs aside. Mariam hadn’t seriously given me a real task to qualify for the team. What was I expecting, anyway?

The only way I knew how to survive in this cruel world was by doing what I did best—theft—and at least I was honest about it. I wasn’t like Mariam. I wasn’t a professional thief like her. I was just an amateur trying to make ends meet, and that would only happen if she gave me a chance.

But my plan was already falling apart. Going back empty-handed was exactly what she wanted, and I wasn’t going to give her that satisfaction. It had to be from this building. If it were anywhere else, she’d accuse me of cheating and hold it against me forever.

I spent the entire day searching each floor carefully, making sure I didn’t miss anything, and I was starting to lose hope when I came across an old box. Inside were small beads, trinkets, and mostly worn-out pieces of jewelry—cheap at first glance, though the dull glint told me some of it was gold.

“Yes!” I yelled, laughing as I held the box up to the light. I couldn’t wait to rub this in Mariam’s face.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, a red spark caught my attention. Something shimmered among the junk. I reached in and lifted it carefully. A ruby.

I turned it slowly between my fingers, my breath catching as the light danced across its surface. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Even someone like me could tell this was worth a fortune. Whoever kept this in their office was either clueless—or completely insane.

Sparrow came flying through the window and I hid the ruby as fast as I could behind my back.

“Time up! Time up! Time up!” Sparrow squeaked, flapping impatiently around me .

“Alright! I get it. I’ll be there.” And Sparrow flew away.

Mariam emptied the box on the table and the others came and joined her. I hate to admit it, but I was jealous of her beauty. Smooth toned skin, dark eyes framed by thick lashes, long black hair, high cheekbones and the way she carried herself… was almost enchanting. I wish I could be as beautiful as her.

“Is this all you’ve got?” She picked up a coin between her fingers and smashed it on the table.

Was she not satisfied? There is gold there but it still isn’t enough? “It was all I could find,” I said, my eyes fixed on her.

Benji shot me a look, which meant to stay calm. I ignored him so he cut in, “What matters is that she found something.” “I mean”, he chuckled , “I was expecting her to come back empty handed.”

Mariam gently picked up Sparrow as she walked around in thought, “Still not enough. I expect better next time.” she said looking at me one last time before she walked away, the others following except one.

He sat next to me, ruffling my hair and I smacked his hand, “Come on! Cheer up! I think you did a pretty sweet job. At least it was better than my first time.” Benji has been my one and only closest friend since childhood. He was the reason I turned to crime–he’d shown me the ropes when we were kids, sneaking coins from market stalls, pulling scams. Both our parents had died young so, we were thrown in orphanage after orphanage until we met each other. Then everything changed.

“You’re just saying this to make me feel better.”, I mumbled. I know for a fact he was. Benji’s first heist was at King Richard’s castle.

My gaze flicked to the table, “Does Miriam not want it?” It was a dumb question to ask. Why would she? She’s got tons of gold stashed in her quarters. She started this group out on the streets, picking people one by one to build her empire and now she’s the biggest robber in town. They call her the sniper.

“If she doesn't want it, then more for me.” I gathered it all in the box.

“See you later Benj!” I walked away before he could say anything else.

The moment I got home, I threw myself in bed. I’d been waiting for this moment all day, but my stomach wasn’t on the same page. I sighed and got up. The cupboards were empty, so I used leftover soup. I pulled the box next to me, toying with the jewelry, until the red ruby came into my hand. I noticed it was covered in dust so I gently brushed it. In the reflection I could see my side bang messy so I smoothed it out, “Why can’t I be pretty?”, I muttered under my breath.

“You can wish to be.” a voice whispered in the shadows. I thought I'd imagined it but I was wrong; I could hear footsteps approaching.

“Who’s there?” My throat became tight and I jumped up grabbing a pan.

“Really? You’re going to defend yourself with that?” The voice mocked as it came closer. A young man was standing in front of me, eyes dark green, hair that glistened in the light, red bold lips, pale white skin, and he was biting a strawberry.

“Get out before I call the cops! I'm warning you!” I yelled, pointing the pan at him but my skin was shaking. He just smiled and approached my fridge.

“Do you have any food? I’m starving.” He started scrambling through it and I took that chance and ran.

“Ann, are you okay?”, Benj asked on the other end of the line. I couldn’t call the cops; might as well give away who the sniper is.

“No! There’s a mad man in my house!” I cried running down the stairs.

“Hello! Benj!i, can you hear me?” I yelled. The signal was off. “No, no, no” I muttered shaky under my breath. My phone was off! That was impossible! It had just been fully charged. I tried turning it on but to no luck–

“Have you given up yet?”The man grabbed my phone from my hands and I stepped back.

“You were just upstairs.. I don't understand. How are you here? I would have heard you following me.” I tried to back away but my foot slipped and he caught me.

“Can you just listen?”He grabbed my shoulders.

“What do you want?”

He sighed, “I’m a genie.”

“No! You’re crazy!” I pushed at his chest but he was too strong.When I looked up..I couldn’t believe my eyes.

“You’re floating in thin air.”My voice shook but barely came out. That was the last thing I remembered before fainting.

My eyes opened to a bright red light. I could see….. something towering over me. Or someone. My breath gasped as the figure’s feet touched the ground. I tried to move, but couldn’t. My entire body was held down by something; I couldn’t see what it was, but I could feel it and it was not a nice feeling. I closed my eyes tight shut as the figure stepped closer.

“If you dare scream ... .I'll tie you up again.”, the voice drawled. The voice sounded familiar.

“You’re the mad man from earlier.”, I instantly stood up as he released me and backed away from him.

I couldn’t believe my eyes…He had wings! Wings! Huge wings hanging out from the back of his suit, his face was pale and he seemed to have no mercy in his dark green eyes.

“What are you?”My voice whispered as I grabbed a knife from the counter.

He sat on a chair facing me, “I’m a genie and I'm granting you 3 wishes.”

“I’m giving you one last chance to leave!" I couldn’t even speak properly, “Or I'm calling the cops!”

He sighed and rubbed his temples, “This is why I don’t like dealing with humans.”

“You had your fun, now get out!” I started tearing through the house. “I know there are cameras somewhere.”

A gush of strong wind slammed me against the wall and he stepped forward.

“Are you done?” He took the knife from my grip.

“What do you want exactly?” It suddenly didn’t feel like a prank anymore. I could feel drops of sweat trickling down my back as he searched my pockets.

“Money? Is it money you want?” I wish I didn't ask that. His eyes were on mine and they were more than dead.

He chuckled, “Money?”

“You think I would beg you for money? ..A mere thief like you?” I felt my stomach twist with uneasiness.

“How do you-

“Relax sweetheart.” He pulled out the red ruby and walked away. If Mariam found out that someone or..something knew about the organization, I could kiss the gang goodbye.

He clicked his fingers and I fell on my knees.

“Make a wish.” he waited.

“What” I pushed myself to stand.

“Make your first wish.”the corner of his lips went up in a big, forced smile.

“I’m dreaming.” I muttered while walking in circles “I’m dreaming.”

“If you were dreaming”, he intervened, “Could this happen?” He clicked his fingers and I was suddenly standing on the edge of a cliff.

I let out a loud shriek as I latched onto him, “Please take me home.”, I cried.

He chuckled and took my fingers off slowly one by one, “What are you doing!”I tried to keep a strong grip.

“I find this quite amusing.”He looked genuinely happy as he pushed me off the cliff. I felt my soul leave my body as gravity took hold. This couldn’t be the end! No! I didn’t even get to join the gang.

I thought this was the end but I woke up in my living room. The mad man was sitting there in a much happier mood. I let out a small breath as I hugged myself.

“Still think it’s a dream?”His voice came from behind me. I didn’t answer.

He continued, “You have 3 wishes-

“What if I don't want them?”

“Then you die.” I gripped the ends of my dress and stood on my feet and faced him.

“What do you mean?” My brows furrowed and I held my breath.

“It’s the rule.” He toyed with the ruby in his hand.

“I can wish for anything I want right?” If that was the case, then I could wish to be as beautiful as mariam.

He smiled a cruel smile, “Now we’re getting somewhere, braveheart.”

“Braveheart?” It was the most ridiculous name I’ve ever heard.

“I think it suits you well. You’re brave and incredibly foolish.” His voice dripped with sarcasm.

His face became stern and empty again, “When you make a wish, the person you love the most will die.”

“But-

“And if you don’t”, he continued, “Then you die” I felt my stomach drop. Benj was my whole world; I couldn’t let him die.

“I remember the rule giving 3 wishes and a kind genie.” I swallowed as he came closer.

I could feel his breath on my cheeks, “Then you’ve heard wrong.”

“You’re a monster.” I looked him in his eyes. It was as if I was looking at death.

“You’re right, I am.”, His finger pulled a string of hair that was out of place behind my ear and I winced. His touch burned; It felt like hot lava.

He pulled away, “You have until tomorrow to decide.” He vanished and the ruby fell to the floor.