Thief's Theme: A Love Story

Sharia’s adrenaline begins rushing as she tries to figure out what to do. The men seem to sense her discomfort and try to assure her.

“Relax Miss Iwuhaki, we’re not going to hurt you.” States the man who hasn’t spoken yet. Sharia doesn’t care to hear their attempt at calming words.

“How’d you get in my house?” She asks, more concerned with her security and well-being.

“We are very powerful people, Miss Iwuhaki, Keepers of Order, above the police or even the government.” Speaks the first man, pacing about.

“We’ve noticed your skill, Miss Iwuhaki.” States the other man. “Especially with handling ‘Merc’ also known as Ohiji Olezuo. This is why we want you to work with us, to be on our team.” Sharia, is surprised by the offer, still on edge at strange men being in her house.

“Just like that?” She questions in a suspicious tone.

“Just like that.” Answers the second man. “As you saw earlier, we can’t do anything to capture this ‘Merc’, but you can. Maybe one day we can even work together to keep him contained once you capture him and turn him in.” He explains. Sharia’s head spins from the current development, but she understands enough to know that this is something she’d normally be interested in.

“Um…ok.” Sharia starts. “Should I quit my other job? Is there some type of transfer protocol?” She questions, unsure of how to make the transition from cop to…Keeper.

“No need.” Says the first man. “You’ll still work for them officially, but behind closed doors, you will truly work with us, as a Keeper. As for pay, we’ll provide you a stipend every month, and we’ll give anything else you need on the job in the first week.” Continues the first man.

“Sharia, you won’t only be taking cases with him, but they will be the majority of your cases as you’re the only one who can…” Explains the second man, trailing off at the end.

“I understand.” Answers Sharia, nodding to in acceptance.

“Good.” Speaks the first man. “Well then, have a good day, Miss Iwuhaki.” The men say as the walk past her and out the door, nodding to her as they leave. She smiles in response.

“Thank you.” She says, nodding back. Once the men leave and have been gone for a few seconds, Sharia slumps against the now closed door, frightened and terrified at the men who just left her house and the situation that just transpired. “Ji, what have you gotten yourself into?” She wonders aloud.

The next few days pass without much fanfare, as the weekend hits and Sharia prepares a movie night for herself, where she watches a few movies of her choice and feasts on snacks, while wearing only her pajamas (an undershirt and a pair of pink pajama bottoms). Of course she can’t be so lucky to have that day to herself as just when she’s prepared to hop on her couch, bowl of chips with salsa and dip in hand (among other snacks), who else is sitting there but Ji, also donned in an undershirt and pajama pants (but his are blue).

“Hey girl.” He says in a pseudo-seductive tone. Sharia just rolls her eyes, not even shocked or surprised that he’s here since he’s done this so often, and sits down next to him. As soon as she does, she thinks back to the men who were in her house, the Keepers, and becomes worried once again, taking a deep breath as she calms herself down. This causes Ji to raise his eyebrow, but she soon brushes aside the feelings and speaks.

“Hey, you staying for movie night?” She asks.

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss a chance to spend time with my girl! You know outside of being arrested and interrogated and all that good stuff.” Again she rolls her eyes. As if any of those things counted as spending time together. And he didn’t have the right to complain considering it’s his choice of…career that gets them into these situations in the first place. Well that and her dislike of said career…wait did he say?

“I’m not your girl.” She states nonchalantly. Ji becomes flustered at the statement and tries to recover.

“I meant girl…like I would call my other friends my boys. Yeah…that.” He says, words stumbling out of his mouth. Sharia looks at him with scrutiny and even chuckles a bit.

“You’re a bad liar.” This causes him to grin.

“It’s why I try not to lie to you.” He states truthfully. “Now come sit next to poppa so we can watch the movie.” He says while wagging his eyebrows. She sighs but obeys, sitting right next to him under the covers as they watch an action-adventure flick. The movie has a lot of fighting scenes, so both Ji and Sharia enjoy it, and there’s also a sci-fi element that for him and a romantic subplot for her to fawn over. Overall it’s pretty good, about as good as a movie about a kung-fu space cowboy can be, and Ji makes his enjoyment known.

“Wow that was a good one! What’s next on the list?” He asks. Sharia smirks and holds up a romance movie. Ji’s expression changes immediately to one of disgust. “A chick flick? Ugh, why do chicks always want to watch those? Why can’t we watch something fun?” He complains.

“We just did.” She says. “That was your choice, and this is mine.” She says as she gets up briefly to replace the movie.

“Fine.” Replies Ji in a defeated tone. Sharia takes great joy in this and even sticks her tongue out at him in a childish manner as he crawls back in the covers, causing him to lick his lips subconsciously. The two friends watch this movie as well, Ji just staring at the screen patiently, not moving or doing much, and Sharia doing all sorts of things. First she somehow moves closer and ends up snuggled up to Ji, not that he’s complaining, and then she ends up crying at some of the more so-called touching moments. He just rolls his eyes at the display, but knows he can do nothing but let it pass and wait for the movie to be over. Finally it does end and the credits roll, allowing Sharia’s thoughts to wander once more to the Keepers and the situation that happened earlier in the week. This time she decides to speak on them.

“Hey Ji, those men, the Keepers…” She begins, trying to explain.

“Yeah I know. You don’t have to say it.” He assures her.

“I want to.” Confesses Sharia, wanting to get it off her chest so she doesn’t feel scared or guilty anymore. “They wanted me to join them so I could capture you like I always do. These men…they sound dangerous. What are you into?” She inquires, fearing for his safety.

“You.” He answers simply, causing her to blush and hit his arm.

“Not that! I mean, what is this business with these men? What do they want?” She probes. Ji shrugs in response.

“Justice probably. Or some warped form of it. Think of them like…advanced cops or whatever. It’s nothing to worry about.” He reassures her as he yawns, feeling sleepy. “I always escape.” He points out, making her feel better as he does truly always seem to escape, no matter how bad or impossible the situation is. The two soon fall asleep together, resting peacefully in each other’s arms.

Sharia is the first to wake up, smiling as she does, liking the warmth of being so close to Ji and the feeling of being in his arms, though she’ll never admit it. She looks up at him worried, putting her hand to his head, wondering if he’ll be OK. Ji wakes up and grabs her hand, startling her, as he answers her thoughts out loud.

“Of course I’ll be. You’ll be there.” He says with a grin as he kisses her hand. It’s too early to blush so Sharia simply watches him do it as he continues to speak. “So, you fixing breakfast or should I?” He questions with a grin.

“Neither.” She responds, sitting up and out of his arms. “You need to go. Wanted fugitive and enemy of the state and every form of law remember?” She says referring to him.

“Right, right.” He says waving it off. “Alright then, this was fun. Let’s do it again.” He says, yawning. “Some time soon.” And then he’s gone. Sharia stares at the spot for a few more seconds before she gets up to wash up and get dressed. As she gets ready for the day, she contemplates the dangers of those men, the Keepers, and if Ji will truly be OK or if he’s just bluffing. She also starts thinking about her feelings for him. Were they still just friends? Best friends? More? Her thoughts are interrupted by the television in the room, broadcasting the news.

“Breaking news! Hawaii has gone missing! All of it. The islands, the cities, the people. The entire state is gone. Is this the work of Merc? Experts theorize that it must be. He’s the only one who could—“ CLICK. She cuts the newscaster off by shutting off the television and then exhales. ‘Looks like it’s time to go find him again.’ She thinks as she smiles at the thought. ‘Just like old times. No matter how weird and secretive and dangerous this gets, the situation between us will remain the same.’

She doesn’t know how wrong she is.