Manic

Her fist shot out, connecting with the side of his head. He staggered back, clutching his ear.

“What’s your problem?” The local superhero, Windstorm, complained.

She backed away from him, keeping a hand on the bag over her shoulder. “My problem? You just tried to kill me!” 

Alexis was wearing all black, but no mask like most thieves. Her long black hair was in a neat braid. 

 “Well, why are you robbing a bank?” He asked, rubbing his ear.

She frowned. “None of your business.”

“I think that it is my business.” He said, standing up, and putting his fists on his hips. He looked impressive until he started to walk to her. He tripped, and fell in front of her, knocking himself out.

“I thought you said he wouldn’t be here.” Alexis said with a snort. Literally anybody else was better than him.

“Well, excuse me for not knowing the future.” Damien snapped. 

Alexis scowled at his sarcasm. He couldn’t see her, of course. He was waiting somewhere as her getaway driver. She was wearing an earpiece, and he could hear everything that happened. He had access to the building's cameras, too, so he could see her as well.

“Where are you?” She asked, stepping over the so - called hero. 

She could hear typing. “Top of the building.”

“Why the top floor?”

“Figure it out, Al.”

She cursed under her breath, going out the vault door. The place was supposed to be empty, so she figured it couldn’t hurt to take the elevator.

She walked down the hallway, but heard something coming from the other side of the building.

“Damien, who is it?” She asked, starting to jog.

He was silent for a moment, then said, “Werewolves.”

She cursed again. Why did they always get sent after her? Did they want them killed?

Alexis was a thief. After a lab experiment went wrong, there were werewolves living in the town. The police managed to train them, and used them to catch thieves. She, however, was too good to get caught. 

With the elevator no being an option, she headed to the stairs. She opened the door, and saw someone waiting for her on the steps.

“Splendid.” She muttered, reaching for her weapon.

“Hi there.” He said. “I’m sorry but you’re going to have to be arrested.”

She sighed. “Listen, you know that’s not going to happen. Now move, or I’ll have to make you.”

“Sorry, I can’t do that-”

She pulled out her knife, and his eyes widened. 

“Please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me, please don’t kill me.”

 She snorted, hopped over him, and went up the staircase. Some of the wolves were real scardycats. The stairs stopped one story up, which confused her.  

“Damien, what’s with the stairs?” She asked. She could see the other door across the hallway, and started towards it.

“The building is made so that it’s difficult to steal. The stairs are on separate sides to make it harder.”

She rolled her eyes. “That’s just what I need.”

“Lucky you, then. By the way, there's a wolf headed your way.”

She kept walking till she heard someone drop onto the ground behind her. She heard a growl, and sighed. 

She moved to the side as someone lunged at her. They tumbled to the ground, but got up immediately.

She frowned. He was quicker than most. But not quicker than her.

He charged towards her, reaching for the bag. She kicked him in the stomach, sending him into the wall. He groaned, clutching his side, but got to his feet. She growled, and smacked his head with the side of her blade.

As soon as he fell, she sprinted down the hall. She could hear him get up behind her, and threw open the door to the stairs. She slammed it door shut, but spun around quickly, hearing someone behind her.

“Surprise.” He snarled, leaping from the railing. He tackled her, claws out, but she rolled over, pinning him to the ground, her hand tight around his throat. He growled, and kicked her stomach hard. She fell back, and he was on her in a second. They fought, stabbing and clawing at each other, until she brought her head up, smacking her forehead against his. He dropped to the side, out cold. 

Breathing hard, she staggered to her feet, leaning against the wall for support. “How - how many stories are there?”

“Two more. And, uh, Al?” 

“Yeah?” She started up the staircase.

“You’re kinda bleeding.” 

She glanced down, and saw her shirt was ripped. When did that happen? It wasn’t deep, and on the side of her stomach. She touched it lightly, then winced. There wasn’t much blood, she’d be able to get to the roof.

“I’ll be fine.” She told him, pushing open the door.

He snorted. “Sure you will. Two in that hallway.”

“Thanks.”

She walked down, waiting for the attack. She saw them hiding in the shadows, and they jumped out at her. She stopped, and they both ran into the wall, knocking themselves out. She rolled her eyes at how stupid they could be, walking over them.

“Just so you know,” Damien said. “The last staircase is really long.”

“That’s it. I’m taking the elevator.” She muttered.

The electricity worked fine, and the elevator doors opened. She stepped inside, pressing the button for the roof. 

Suddenly the lights went out. Alexis heard something above her, then a thump of someone hitting the ground, followed by several others. One grabbed her arm, but she wrenched away. She could barely see the silhouette of the wolves as they surrounded her.

“Alexis?” Damien said. “The lights went out, what happened?”

She didn’t answer.

“Alexis?”

------------

“I’m fine, mom.” Alexis said into the phone. Her mother was always worrying. “It’s just a little scratch, I’ll be fine, really. Okay. Love you too. Bye.”

Damien, who was driving, glanced at her. “Are you ever going to tell me how you got out of there?”

“Nope.”