A Thieves world

Heaven Laterson, gifted, smart, and beautiful sat on a high tree branch that hung lazily over the Louisiana bayou. Gently she swung her left leg back and forth as she hummed a random tune she heard on her small beat up AM radio. She was only 16 and had been through more tragedy than most will ever experience in their lives. Heaven sighed heavily as she tilted her head back to look at the clear sky that was filled with so many stars it would take three life times to count just the ones she could see. "What happened to me?" She thought tiredly, "It wasn't supposed to end this way. I had dreams, so many dreams." A rogue tear had escaped her eyes and was roughly wiped away by delicate fingers. From her spot on the branch she could clearly see the excitement of mardigras and sat watching with envy as people put aside their pity problems and danced and drank the night away.
Her silvery blonde hair was tied tightly into a high ponytail and still managed to reach her waist. Emerald eyes that never failed to stop you in your tracks grew bright in the moonlight. She had on a pair of skin tight black jeans with holes in the knees, a yellow blouse that held stains that would never wash out, and a pair of knee high lace up combat boots that she stole from Marvin's Shoe Palace. The best clothes she had. Shifting from her position on the branch she expertly climbed down the tall willow tree. Heaven was a New Orleans street rat plain and simple; there was no doubt about it. Living by herself in a poor excuse for a shack with little to nothing. The only way she has kept herself alive was by steeling.
Making her way through the thick crowds she expertly slipped her small hands into pockets and pulled out an assortment of wallets. It was easier for her to spot the ones with money in their pockets than it had in the beginning, when she was much more innocent and naive. The air was thick with sweat and laughter, a thin sheen of perspiration dampened her forehead as she danced in and out of openings in the crowd. Jimmy Borton, owner of Time Keeper Watches had recently added a giant clock that has been made to look like a gold pocket watch that took up his entire display window. The time shown was 12:07am. "I guess its time to be heading back to the crap shack." She said in a low voice. Heaven heard a chuckle come from behind her and turned around quickly.

"What's a crap shack?" Directly behind her standing 6'1 with sandy blond hair was Joseph Caster. A wide smirk tugged on perfect lips, amusement danced around in honey brown eyes. He wore lose fitting khakis, designer leather boots, and a colorful but obviously expensive green and yellow bottom down shirt. Confidence seemed to seep from his well pampered skin. You probably only need one glance to know he was from money and lots of it, even when he was dressed as casually as he was now.

"None of your business Joseph." she snapped defenses up.

"Maybe not," he said with a shrug, his smirk never wavering, "Just curious." If it wasn't for Xander Laxpher they most likely would have never meet. "If only I hadn't gone with him." Heaven often caught herself thinking. Xander was a nice boy who lived in the run down apartments down the street from Lilly Tiffertone, the elderly lady who was taking care of her for the short time two years ago. She was going to school then and was even sort of happy. She was in the same class as Xander and had quickly made friends with him. He even got into the habit of walking her to Lilly's house after school, but after that he always headed down to the park to play football and hang out with some of his other friends. One day he surprised her by asking if she wanted to come to the park with him instead of going strait to the house. Eagerly she agreed, not having many friends at school she was delighted to hear that she would be spending more time with people her own age.
After school they walked to the park and when they got there the boys had already picked teams and started to play. Heaven watched as Xander quickly jogged over to them and started to play, deciding to just sit and watch she plopped herself down on a nearby bench. Some of the boys looked over and gave her a curious look but quickly went back to playing their never-ending game of football. One of the guy's eyes had lingered a little longer than the rest and made Heaven feel self-conscious, but he soon resumed playing like all the others. Heaven watched as the boys rolled around on the grass and ran from one end of the field to the other. She could point out a few she remembered seeing in school but most of them looked older, probably from the nearby collage she decided. The game went on for about 40 minutes before they decided to call a much needed break. Heaven watched as Xander came jogging back to her, all sweaty with a wide toothy smile on his face and not far behind followed another boy.

"Having fun?" He asked when he finally got the bench.

"Yeah, you're actually pretty good for who trips over his own feet daily." Instead of replying to her comment he let out a nervous laugh and turned to the boy standing beside him.

"This is Joseph Caster; he's one of the guys I meet at the park everyday." Heaven gave him a small smile and a hello. "And this," he went on as he turned to Joseph, "is my good friend Heaven Laterson."

Heaven could recall that day as if it was just a few days ago, much to her dismay, and ever since Joseph has taken a liking for her. Though it turned into more of a challenge as the years went on and every time he persuaded her she shot him a plain and simple NO. Shooting Joseph one of her death glares she turned from Time Keeper Watches and started for the crap shack. "Hey! Wait up!" Joseph yelled as he struggled to keep up with her fast pace. "Let me walk you home. It could be dangerous out here alone in the middle of Mardigras."

"I can take care of myself thank you" She answered back as she dodged behind a group of men who were surrounding a band of performers. Positive that she lost him she again became part of the crowed. There were hoots and cheers coming from behind her and she wondered faintly what she missed but didn't bother to turn around. After five minutes of walking with the crowed she felt something quickly go in and out of her coat pocket. If she wasn't so accustomed to the weight of the many wallets in her pockets then she wouldn't have even noticed it in the first place. Faster than the man could blink Heaven had turn and snatched the hand of the thief who ironically tried to steal one of her stolen wallets. "What are you doing?" She hissed at him, looking around to see if anyone was watching. The man didn't answer but instead stood there with his mouth gaping wide open. Standing no taller than 5'5 the man was just an inch shorter than she was. He was thin but looked well feed and his face was narrow with a slight cleft in his chin, he looked no older than 26. "Well?" She asked more forcefully, but he still didn't utter a word just stared at her with a look of pure surprise. Having had enough of this guy she let out a frustrated groan before snatching her stolen wallet back, stuffing it into her pocket and walked away. Throwing a look over her shoulder she wasn't surprised to see him still standing there shaking is head in bewilderment.

"Meadows, I'm back." Heaven called out as she walked into her little shack. Leaning over she picked up her cat Meadows. The cat was really the only true friend she had and sadly the only one she could trust. It was almost a blue black cat with a white strip that wrapped around her (Meadows) neck forming its own collar. "I've brought food." she said as she took out a bag of fried chicken from inside one of her coat pockets. On the way home she stopped by a local restaurant and got something to go with some of the money she gathered. The place was just one small sized room and a bathroom that sometimes didn't work. Walking over to the half table that was not even five feet from where her torn up mattress laid she set down the chicken to eat, not forgetting to set aside a portion with the crispy skin pulled of for Meadows. When they were done with their meal heaven took out her stolen wallets and set them on the table, there were 8 in total not including the one she used to buy her food with. One by one she checks the wallets for money and id. She has always had an interest in the human face and loved to study every line and curve that makes one face different from the other. When heaven was done counting the money she gathered she came up with the grand total of $146.12, it was a pretty good amount considering three wallets had only change.
"Not bad for a nights work is it Meadows?" The cat purred loudly in response. Picking up the pile of money she walked over to the corner by her bed and lifted up a lose floor board, inside is where she has kept all her money over the past year and a half, close to $2500, in a blue shoe box. She was saving up until she has enough to make the trip to New York and live her life out of the streets. The fact that she was under aged really hindered her chances of getting out of the streets with out going into an orphanage. She didn't like to think of how much more she would have if she didn't have to pay rent for the pathetic shack but the man didn't care about her age as long as the rent was paid on time so this was her only choice. After carefully setting the shoe box back she slid the floorboard back in place and climbed onto her mattress and went to sleep.

Heaven opened her eyes as sunlight came through the shutters of her only window. Groaning she lifted herself up from the lumpy mattress and made her way into the bathroom being careful not to step on Meadows who was running around the floor after a small brown mouse. Heaven didn't even give it a second glance because their was only one mouse in the place and Meadows no matter how many times he tries will never catch it. Once in the bathroom she reaches over and turns on the water in the tub, and unfortunately for Heaven It only has cold water. Meadows being the unusual kitten that she is loves water, so when Heaven forgot to shut the door as she fills up the tub Meadows come charging into the bathroom.

"Meadows no!" Heaven yells as she struggles to catch her cat. Dodging her master Meadows jumped high into the tub and fell in with a frantic splash. Straitening up Heaven figured that their was no fighting with her and watched as her unusual feline swam back and forth in her bathtub. Mumbling some choice words she left the bathroom and walked into the room to grab something to eat from the food shelves. Looking into the cupboard all she could see was half a jar of peanut butter and a jug of water. Heaven bit the corner of her lip and sighed; suddenly exhausted she closed her eyes. "Just a year and a half to go and you'll be legal and able to leave to New York," she thought. Deciding that she would just pick up something while she was out she left with a quick goodbye to her cat.

The streets were a lot less crowded during the day and a lot less exciting, but Heaven didn't seam to mind. Aside from the thief part of her she actually enjoyed taking walks during the day. Heaven stopped just outside of Mama's Meals. Mama's Meals is a quite outside cafe that was a favorite to most of the locals. Not to mention it was cheap. Lazily she took the seat closest to her and waited for someone to take her order.

"Heaven, how are you? Are you here for breakfast or brunch?" Asked Stacie, the only waitress during the mornings.

"Fine Stacie. I think I'll just have a bengett with coffee please."

"No problem sweetie." Stacie was a loving 47 year old brunette with short stubby legs and strong bulky arms. The dimple in her right cheek was like a canyon when she smiled at you and you couldn't help but love her. "It'll be just a moment and I'll be right back." Stacie turned leaving Heaven alone to wait for her breakfast.

A loud laugh caught Heaven's attention from across the road. Turning herself around she searched for the source of merriment. Heaven took a double take as her eyes landed on the source of the laughter. It was what seemed to be a couple. The woman had her head thrown back and was continuing her shrilly giggles. Her hand lay lightly on the mans shoulder. But that wasn't what made Heaven so alarmed. It was the man. The same man who tried to take her stolen wallet the night before. Her breath caught in her throat as both the man and the Woman turned and made eye contact with her. Was he following me? No the thought was ridiculous even to her. She watched as the couple walked over to the bench out side the shop they were standing under.

"Your order." Stacie said with a bright smile.

"Thank you Stacie."

"Anything else?" she asked.

"No that's all."

Taking her knife she dug into her powdered breakfast treat. Every once in a while she would take quick glances to her left to see if they were still watching her. Their eyes never looked away. What was she going to do just sit there and hope they go away? "No, if they keep on following me by mid afternoon than I'm going to do something about it."

Growing up on the streets did have its advantages. When your forced to protect yourself from the worst kind of people your determined to learn how to fight. By now Heaven was very skilled at fighting.

"Good morning Chere."

Heaven jumped in surprise and alarm at the voice and hand on her shoulder. Joseph was standing their in a pair of slacks and a black t- shirt, he was obviously pleased that he managed to scare her. "Feeling a little jumpy today?"

"What do you want now Joseph?"

"You wound me, really. I'll I wanted to do was spend some time with you. Is that to much to ask for?" As he said this he sat down across from her with a lazy grace that only few were able to use. Heaven raised an eyebrow when he took the privilege of eating the rest of her breakfast pastry for her. Taking one last look over her shoulder Heaven saw that the couple was gone. She let out a shaky breath that she didn't know she was holding.

Joseph looked at her with concern, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Joseph you don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself."

Joseph reached over and took her hand, "I can't help it. Someone so beautiful shouldn't have to worry about anything" He said it with so much sincerity that Heaven could feel one of her well built walls start to flake. "Why don't I take some of that stress of your shoulder by taking you out to dinner tonight?"

Heaven immediately went into defense mode and snatched her hand away. Just a challenge. "I don't think so I have things to do."

"Like what?" He sounded both irritated and interested.

"I'm hanging out with a couple of old friends, they just got into town." Lie.

"Really, are they staying with you and your parents?"

"No their staying at a hotel." Why is he asking so many questions?

"What hotel?" His face now filled with curiosity. And suspicion? Frazzled with all the questions she looked around and saw a sign for The Ritz- Carlton.

"The Ritz-Carlton." Shit! She couldn't believe that she said that.

"Really?" Josephs face filled with surprise. "Nice place."

Heaven played with one of her plastic bracelets nervously, "Yeah I guess so. Well I better be going I Want to meet those friends. Show them around the city, never been here you know." Quickly she got up from her chair, leaving him with the bill.

A/N OK everyone first chapter done. Wahoo! This is great, I've never posted an original before and I'm finding out that it is much more fun to write. Please everyone tell me how I'm doing and give me lots of pointer and tips. Thank you for reading. R&R.