JillxSkye: To Catch A Thief 5

Chapter 5: Just One Drink

I burst into the bar, exhausted and out of breath. The door slammed into the wall, causing Muffy and Griffin to jump. "S-sorry, I'm la-," I coughed painfully, cutting off my apology.

"Don't worry, Jill. The Phantom isn't here yet. In fact, you're right on time, relax," Griffin reassured me. But I refused to relax. Relaxing almost made me sleep through this, and I had to be on full-alert if I was going to catch that no-good thief, Skye…

But I didn't say any of this. Instead, I just said, "…oh."

While I was busy wheezing, Muffy said, "Mmm-mmm… Why do I smell curry?"

Griffin answered, "Yes, that smells so good! Maybe Ruby is making something?"

"I want to go see!" Muffy exclaimed, bounding out the door.

"Wait, Muffy!" Griffin called, chasing after her, "You shouldn't go out there alone!"

While they both left in search of the curry, I stayed behind to catch my breath. Leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes and concentrated on decreasing my heart rate. When my breath returned to normal, I continued to breathe in and out, calming my frayed nerves. When would he get here? I wondered to myself.

The door opened. "You guys find out if Ruby was making that curry?" I asked. "I was getting worried that you wouldn't get back before-" I stopped midsentence when I opened my eyes. I was expecting to see Muffy and Griffin, but instead, two surprised emerald eyes stared back at me. "Skye," I whispered.

"Well, well. We meet again, my darling Jill. Do you believe fate has," Skye began, stepping closer to me, "drawn us together?" He placed his hands against the wall on either side of me, bringing him so close that I could see every shiny strand of his silver hair and smell the musky, night air that radiated from him. I felt dizzy.

Inches separated us, and my heart was beating faster again, without my permission. "Could it be fate?" I breathed before my brain could filter my heart's thoughts.

Skye smiled at me, his eyes sparkling. It was dazzling, and I pressed against the wall to steady myself. "It makes me happy to hear that from such a beautiful maiden." He stepped back from me, and I forced myself not to take a step forward. "Anyway, I was wondering if you could just hold still for a moment…"

"Huh…?"

Skye's face darkened, and he clenched his fist. "Chick-beam…fire!" he yelled, throwing his arm forward. A bright white light consumed my vision. I couldn't see anything but the brilliant light. But just like that, as soon as it had appeared, it vanished. Other than being surprised, I felt unharmed. I could see again, but when I tried to rub my eyes, my arms hung uselessly at my sides. Fear filled me.

"Hehe. Just relax. You'll be able to move again in a little while," Skye smirked. Satisfied that I could not stop him, he went behind the counter.

After a few moments of silence, I shouted, "Why are you a thief?" I half-hoped someone would hear me, but my other half was curious, and wished that he would tell me. Skye paused in his rummaging and didn't say anything.

I was worried that I had upset him, when he finally turned around and smiled. "Hehe. I don't know why," he said.

"What?! What do you mean you don't know?" I exclaimed loudly, still half-hoping that someone would hear me and come help. Skye sighed and returned to his work. I huffed angrily and decided to take a different route. "So, it's just for fun?" I asked calmly, attempting to stall him until Muffy and Griffin returned.

Skye turned around again, holding his findings. He began to stroll towards me, and replied, "Well, that might be it… and that might not be it." He smirked, amused by his cryptic answer. I, on the other hand, pouted.

"Now, now. No pouting, my beautiful," he cooed, lifting my chin with his finger. "You just want to know more about me, don't you…?" I didn't reply because, well, he was right. "But if I simply tell you, it'll take the mystique out of our relationship… I know!" Skye leaned in closer. "If you can catch me," Skye whispered in my ear, his cheek just barely touching mine, "I'll tell you… anything… you… want… …Jill."

The way he said my name made me shiver. Whether it was from fear or something else entirely, I wasn't sure. Skye pulled back so that we were face to face again. His hand came closer to me, until it brushed my cheek. Continuing back, his fingers laced into my hair. "By the way," he said, "I love your hair down." Smiling, he brought a lock of my hair to his lips and kissed it gently.

His eyes remained locked on mine the entire time, gauging my reaction. I kept my face and eyes calm, but inside I was in emotional turmoil. Why did he make me feel this way? Why did this feel so good, so right, when I knew it was so wrong? I wanted to stay like this forever, close to the mysterious, alluring thief, Skye. But I gave none of these feelings away, and kept my mouth shut.

Evidently, Skye was annoyed by my lack of response. He pulled back, frowning slightly. He looked… disappointed almost.

"That's odd, I could have sworn that great smell was coming from here," Muffy distant voice rang.

"Yeah. Let's go back to the bar," replied Griffin. His voice sounded closer.

"Hehe, sorry, but it seems I'm a bit pressed for time again," Skye sighed, backing away from me. "See you around, Jill." With that, he disappeared out the door with a bottle of Okuhattan. Moments later, Muffy and Griffin came in. I didn't know what to tell them. I had failed them.

"Jill! Are you okay?" Muffy exclaimed upon realizing my frozen state.

"Yeah, I think so," I sighed, as my muscles began to return to normal. "Skye was here… he took something. I'm so sorry I couldn't stop him. He… he… I couldn't move. He used some kind of spell.

"The Phantom was here?" Muffy rushed behind the counter and found the bottle of Okuhattan, an expensive drink, gone. "And he paralyzed you? Jill, I'm so sorry for leaving you alone like that!"

"That's the Phantom for you, his gears are always turning," Griffin said. "Thanks for your help anyways. We should all try to just get some sleep now."

I nodded and said goodbye to them. The walk home was long and lonely, and I spent every second scanning the land in search of Skye. Surely he wouldn't be around after a crime… but on the other hand, I couldn't let myself be caught off-guard again. He could be watching me right now, he was so elusive. I shivered with the thought of him watching my every movement, just waiting for the right moment to strike. Stalker…

When I reached my home, I found a perfect peach resting in front of my door. Rolling my eyes, I picked up the fruit. "Nice try, Skye!" I shouted into the night. "I'm not eating your magically poisoned, coma-inducing peach!" I proceeded to throw it with all my might. It soared through the air and made a distant thump. Smiling, I strolled into my house. "Goodnight!" I sang before closing my door loudly.

Exhausted, I threw myself onto my bed. The clock read 1:03. I groaned and closed my eyes, praying for sleep to come soon. Within minutes, I was out cold, no magical fruit necessary.