Disclaimer: The short story’s mine. No one else’s. And I didn’t steal it. (I’m not that unoriginal anyway T_T)

Author’s Note: This was originally an excerpt/small tidbit from a story that I was planning to write, but then I scrapped it – I wasn’t interested in writing it anymore. The story was based on a daydream that I had – in it [the story], the main character, Nayana, was an orphan who was also the leader of a kid’s gang in a very powerful and prosperous kingdom. Along the way of her adventures/endeavors she finds out some secrets about herself and also finds herself falling in love with the rival gang’s leader. Most of the gang members are ages 8-12. Yeah, real young. *sarcastic* Anyway, here you go – just a regular day in the life of Nayana Shah ;) And Nayana is a Hindi girl’s name – it means “eyes.” No need to tell me either – I have an obsession with names that start with ‘N,’ I know o_O This was also an assignment. Don’t kill me because of the ending.

Nayana looked all around. “S’all right, the coast’s clear,” she whispered to Laney. Laney was a member – not to mention an important part – of the Wildcats (which was a street gang).

Nayana was the leader of the Wildcats. Unlike Laney, who was known for her supreme stealth and agility, especially when she stole things (i.e. money), Nayana was known for her quick mind as well as being a great leader of the most notorious gang of kids around. In fact, they had only one rival gang – the Panthers – who were tough, but good.

Laney nodded. “Get the li’l vase, don’t get caught, and then we get outta here as fast as we can.”

“Good.” Nayana held back a tiny smile. “Also, make sure that the Panthers dun’ get ya. Word is, they have a new leader who’s comin’ pretty soon. Word is, also, he used to be a member.”

Laney nodded again. After Nayana gave the signal, which was a single wave of the hand, Laney set off towards the crockery store.

“Ya sure she won’t get caught, Yana?” asked Nenah, another member of the Wildcats.

“’Course she won’t,” Nayana said, frowning slightly. “But if she does, she knows whatta do.”

“Yeah, suppose you’re right,” Nenah agreed.

Nayana smiled. “Aren’t I always?”

Three o’clock came, and still no sign of Laney. “S’three, where could she be?” Nayana cried, feeling panic and worry all at once. “She’s our best one, she shoulda been here thirty minutes ago.” The Wildcats had sent Laney into the store at 2:15. When it was 2:20, they didn’t worry, but when 2:25 rolled around, and then 2:30, they were sick with it. Where was Laney? Where had she gone? And most importantly: What had happened to her? They then decided, silently, to wait thirty minutes more.

Finally, Nayana got sick and tired of waiting and decided to take matters into her own hands and look for Laney herself. “I’m going,” she proclaimed, and after appointing Nenah in charge, she set off. No one dared to protest; Nayana was known far and wide for her reputation of being temperamental, as well as being completely, mindblowingly fearless.

Nayana took great care, once she was inside, to not let herself be seen or be recognizable to anyone.

She took quick little glances every now and then around the store, desperate for anything, even a sudden flash of dirty brown hair.

Finding the search in the main part of the store fruitless, she decided to go take a glance at the back of the store. Nothing.

Just then she glimpsed a door with a sign that said EMPLOYEES ONLY fastened to it. Intrigued and yet hopeful at the same time, Nayana decided to take the chance, and after another quick glance to check if there were any security cameras and the like, she opened the door quickly, darted in, and then promptly shut the door after her.

Her heart froze in her throat. Oh, no. This was bad. This was real bad.

The Panthers had Laney.