Loyalty among thieves was highly over rated and Alex and Shane found that out the hard way. Shane woke one morning to find the only money they had left, gone, someone had stolen it. After a couple of days of asking around Alex had finally found out who had taken it. What she didn’t know was that this person was part of one of the most violent gangs in the city, Alex stole their money back and a little more to Shane’s delight. However it didn’t take long for the gang to found them, after knocking hell out of Alex they demanded all they money back. Alex and Shane had already spent the money on food and new warm clothing for the winter they knew they were in trouble.

 The gang chase them and finally grab them both.

“Ok, ok” Alex shouts as the boys drag her towards the clear leader of their group.

“Didn’t have to be this way Alex” He says to her, holding up a baseball bat.

“Wait, give me one more day, I’ll have the money for you tomorrow, I promise” She screams.

“Why should I believe you?”

“Because I’ve got half of it here” She says handing over a crumpled note. “I’ll have the rest of it by you tomorrow”

“Ok, I’m gonna give you one more chance” He says signalling to the boys to let her go. “But if you don’t have the money by this time tomorrow night, I will smash both your kneecaps” He whispers into her ear, before punching her in the stomach.

“I’ll have the money, I promise” She says backing away from the group.

“You better” And with that the boys disappear into the shadows.

“I thought you’d paid them off” Shane screams angrily.

“I did” Alex says sitting on the floor holding her stomach.

“Clearly not Alex!”

“Look I’ve got it under control”

“No, you don’t. Where are you gonna get that sort of money by tomorrow” She asks worriedly.

Alex pulls out a pair of gloves and a black ski mask.

“No, Alex”

“We all need to make sacrifices right” She sighs sadly.

“Alex your gonna end up in jail” Shane begs with her. “The police are watching you like a hawk” It was true out of the two of them Alex was usually the one who was getting caught, she took stupid risks and they were slowly costing them both.

“I’ll be fine, look I’ll be back in a couple of hours” She says walking away.

“No, wait. I’ll get the money” Shane says grabbing her arm.

“What, no this is my problem”

“Alex, if you do what you’re planning on doing tonight you’ll end up in jail”

“So, better than getting knee capped right?”

“No”

“Don’t you think I’ve thought of other ways to get the money this is the only option left”

“No its not” Alex looks at her confused. “Wait here I’ll be back in a couple of hours, if I don’t have the money then you can do what you want”

“Shane, what are you gonna do?”

“Just call in a few favours nothing major” She shrugs Alex off before she walks away.

**********

A couple of hours later Shane returned, she was extremely pale.

“Shit, what happened to you?” Alex asks.

“Nothing I’m fine, here’s your money” She says throwing the notes at her.

“Shane how did you get this?” Alex says counting it.

“It doesn’t matter, just pay him off” Shane says lying down on her dirty sleeping bag. Alex looked at her sadly, she realised what Shane had done. That night Alex sat up watching Shane sleeping, it was the first time in years she cried.