Shadow Fox

In the dark of the night, there was a small flash of movement. Chloe crouched in the darkness, watching the room for any threat. The door was just around the corner, but as she peeked her head to look, the guard who stood watch looked in her direction. Chloe froze, not daring to even breathe. The guard’s stare swept over her and Chloe was sure she had been spotted, but the guard looked away, not taking any notice of her. Carefully, she let out a breath and walked slowly, not making a sound. Every time the guard’s gaze fell in her direction, she would freeze until he looked away. She was almost behind the guard now, only about 3 meters from the door when she misstepped and rolled her ankle, causing her to fall to the ground with a thud. The guard whipped his head around and spotted her as she scrambled to her feet. Chloe's heart raced as she sprinted back the way she came. She heard the guard shouting for backup as he raced after her, after all, why wouldn’t he? Everyone had heard of Chloe, or, at least they had heard of Shadow Fox. Chloe had earned the name after years of stealing anything she desired. She didn’t appear to have any real reason behind her thievery, she seemingly would just steal if it aided her in some way or if it caught her eye. The name Shadow Fox had come from her first big theft. She had entered the home of one of the richest families around and stolen a diamond and gold pendant carved into the delicate shape of a fox head. Chloe had seen it around the neck of the Lady of the home when they had been on the way to an event, she decided that she needed it, if not for looks then for selling later for some money. After that theft, word about her started to spread like a wildfire, but no one had ever actually seen her. Well, except for the telltale dark grey clothes she wore to help her blend into the background. Nobody even knew that Shadow Fox was a woman because of these.

Chloe slipped out of the dark building into the shadow-filled night, slipping in between trees and dodging bushes. She heard the guard crashing through the undergrowth and she slipped up into the branches of a tree, blending into the leaves. The guard ran underneath her, not even aware that Chloe was now in the tree, and as she watched him he stopped and looked around, then he realized he had lost her and angrily trudged back to the building and out of her sight. Chloe decided to stay in the treetops and silently jumped from branch to branch, slowly making her way back to base.

As dawn broke Chloe arrived at her camp. It wasn’t very big, just a small one-person tent, a campfire, and Chloe’s dapple grey horse, who she named Shadow in honor of her nickname. She changed into everyday riding attire, grey wool breeches, a dark green long sleeve shirt, and a grey coat. Then she broke camp and tied her packs to Shadow’s saddle, ready to go within minutes. “C’mon, let’s go. I’ll have to try to steal that in a year or so when they let down their guard again.” She mounted her horse and started heading to the nearest town. The thing she had been attempting to steal was a crown that was worth thousands. It had belonged to her family a long time ago, in fact, that was the reason she stole most things. Chloe’s family had been very well-known and rich, and they were one of the oldest families in the country. However, her family's entire fortune was stolen from them, forcing them to sell their heirlooms that had since been spread across the continent in museums or to other rich families just wanting a pretty piece of jewelry. Chloe had devoted herself to collecting them all again. After all, they rightfully belonged to her family. Now, they were poor farmers, they enjoyed their life though.

Chloe slowed Shadow as they approached the town, bustling with people coming and going. Not many people rode horses in towns nowadays, it was more common to own an automobile. But since not everyone had that kind of money, there was still the occasional traveler or farmer who rode on horseback. They entered the town and Chloe got more supplies, then she went to the tavern and tied Shadow out front. She entered the building and ordered her food, then went to the table in the corner to wait. As she was waiting a man approached her and sat at her table. Without waiting for permission. He pulled out a small black notebook and started writing something down. “Hello? Can I help you?” Chloe studied the man, he was tall and had short brown hair but that was all she saw before she had to look away to not be rude.

“My name is John, are you by any chance Chloe?” Fear rippled through her body at the sound of her name, but she showed no sign of it.

“Whatever makes you think that?” She made her voice level.

“Well, you look an awful lot like the description of someone I've been looking for, and I was told someone had seen you traveling this way,” this time, a small amount of fear showed on her face and John saw, confirming his suspicions.”Ah, so you are. Good. I’ve also heard rumors that your family may have connections with the thief called Shadow Fox?” Chloe cursed herself for not being more careful. Of course! She should have hidden the heirlooms instead of giving them to her family. They didn't know of her identity, but she left the stolen items in their house with notes saying to not tell and to hide them. Someone must have heard somehow.

“You must have odd people in your life to have heard that. Those rumors are nothing more than that. Rumors.” She didn’t deny that she was Chloe. He already confirmed that.

“Oh but I don’t think so. I have a message for Shadow Fox if you could relay it to him. I need to meet him behind this tavern in two nights' time. I have a good offer,” Chloe just sat with a straight face, listening.” I expect you to tell no one of this interaction. Good day,” and with that, he tipped an imaginary cap, put his notebook in his pocket, and stalked off and out the door. Chloe ate her food, now tasteless, and considered what John had said. She could go just to see what he had to offer. If it came to it she could make a quick escape before he even knew she had left. She made up her mind and exited the tavern after paying for her meal. She untied Shadow and rode to the woods a short distance from town to set up camp, she unsaddled her horse and pitched her tent, then she fell asleep.

Chloe flitted from shadow to shadow to the meeting place, keeping watch for any sign of betrayment. She wore her dark grey mask and outfit, hiding her features. She arrived at the meeting point, still in the shadows, and saw John waiting, holding his black notebook. She stepped from the shadows, seemingly appearing from nothing but the darkness. John jumped at the sight of her but quickly resumed his composure. She approached him and stood waiting, but didn’t say a word. John spoke first. “Hello, I assume you are Shadow Fox?” Chloe nodded but stayed silent. “I have an offer for you. You see, someone stole something very special from me. If you agree to help and steal it back, I will give you a great reward,” he read notes from his book as he said this and looked up awaiting an answer. Chloe tilted her head thoughtfully, then nodded in agreement. He passed her the notebook and she took it with a gloved hand. “All the information you need is in there, as well as a way to contact me. Good luck.” Chloe nodded a third time then slipped the notebook into her pocket and stepped into the shadows, disappearing from view.

Shadow slowed as the mansion came into view, it was small but secured with a tall fence around it. Not that it was a problem for Chloe, she’d broken into harder places. She tied Shadow to a tree then crept up to the fence and, finding hand and footholds, climbed up it with ease, then dropped down to the other side, landing silently. She ran across the open lawn to the window leading into the hall near the room John’s map indicated. She climbed through the already open window and slid through the shadows to pick the lock on the door. She entered the room and found herself in a study, she looked around the room and her gaze landed on a glass case containing the largest diamond Chloe had ever seen. It had been made into a gold chain necklace and was studded with diamonds half the size of the first. Chloe guessed it was worth more than the crown she had been trying to steal prior to this, but she had no need for the money. Of course, she would still accept the reward. She carefully lifted the case and stowed the necklace in a pouch on her waist. She made her exit and scaled the fence once more. She rode back to the forest outside of the town where John said he was waiting for her in his notebook. She camped for one night then met up with John.

Chloe emerged from the shadows, once more startling John who was standing by the edge of the forest.

“Did you succeed in getting the necklace?” Chloe nodded and produced the pouch holding the heavy diamonds. “Thank you, That necklace is the one heirloom my family has and means a lot to all of us. I hope this is enough of a reward for your services,” he pulled a good-sized bag out of his coat, some coins jingling loudly. “This is $20,000 total, thank you once again,” Chloe traded bags with him in surprise, she had not been expecting this much. She pulled the notebook and a fountain pen from her pocket and scribbled a quick note to show to John, it read

“Do not tell anyone of my services, or of my connections with Miss Chloe Woods.” John read it over quickly, not even taking the notebook back.

“You have my word. I won’t tell anyone anything. But if you ever want to contact me, just follow my directions in the book again.” Chloe nodded understanding, then sunk into the shadows and disappeared from John’s view.

Chloe sat in her family's dining room, she had gone home for a visit and they had all gathered around to hear about her travels. She told them about all the places she had traveled to but noticed that her mom looked happier than usual.

“What is it, Mom? You look as though you have something on your mind.”

“Well, you know how we occasionally get old family heirlooms back mysteriously? Well, the other week someone left $15,000 for us with a note and everything!” Chloe put a look of shock and happiness on her face. She had, of course, given them the money. She kept $5,000 for herself though.

“Really? That's great!”

“It is! With this money, we can do almost anything we want, like building a bigger house.” They continued talking until the sky grew dark.

Months later Chloe was riding through a small town when she saw a face that looked quite familiar. It belonged to none other than John, the man that changed her life.