"The human soul has a greater need for the ideal than for the real. It is by the real that we exist; it is by the ideal that we live." -Victor Hugo
After returning
The guests have finally left the place as clean and shiny as pearls. Surprisingly, amid the room, Waldo sits drinking his tea while reading his newspaper. At first look, he seemed fine, but that is when I started to notice he is acting odd. He was sweating like a flowing river, clenching the paper with all his might in the fear that someone will take it away, shaking from head to toe in fear almost consuming him, his skin is ghostly white; however, all of that faded away when I approached him. He put on a smile and asked what I needed when I knew things will never be the same again…
"Waldo….. Why are we doing this?"
I wish I could remember what the conversation I had that night was… this is why I am here in this cell… for I lost my ideals…. The ideals that Waldo taught me on that night… for 3 months after it… we robbed a truly corrupt individual, Henrick Wilson.
Our previous heist leaked some information about Henrick Wilson, he possessed a special jewel which he hid in his secret safe. Paul, filled with energy and confidence, hands us the equipment, and Waldo lays out the infiltration plan. Paul's rough hands hover over a map of the street, Henrick's home was quite unique, the back of it was exposed to the seaside, which I will play a role in. My thoughts were drifting away, but Paul's lips continued to mouth a thousand words for us, yet the only time I truly tuned in was when it was time to head out.
Waldo equipped himself with what he called a phantom wing (known today as a glider) and leaped off the building to infiltrate the home. On my end, I followed Paul into a boat, not any type of boat, but one which was powered with kerosene and made use of a high-tension ignition to achieve high velocities. The black silver ship had a dark wire attached to it, which I will put to use. I put on the thief's attire and lay in the boat. The white sparkles of the sky relaxed my tense body. With every breath I took, I felt the sea had a smell that was both fresh and salty, like a brisk breeze blowing through your hair. As I approached the water's center, the smell grew stronger, filling my nostrils with the scent of air and water. To be alive with the aroma of the sea, each wave brings with it a new hint of brine and sand. The smell was invigorating, making you feel powerful and free like you could conquer the world. As it was time to perform my act I began to stretch my arms and legs. Taking out my binoculars and as expected I see a huge crowd gathered outside the residency of Henrick Wilson.
"Are you ready Arshan?"
"Heh, do you really need to ask that?"
The boat stopped at the desired location, taking A deep breath, I cleared my mind and stepped off into the water… drip… drip… tick… it worked. Paul sped away with his boat, and any form of fear has been washed away, I cleared my throat, and with a clap of my hands, lights lit up the water… bringing the crowd's attention to me…
I stood upon the blue water… wind whipping my clothes left and right, and a smile formed across my face
"Ladies and Gentlemen," I began, "tonight, I have performed the impossible… walking on water"
The crowd of people looked on in amazement as I began to walk on the water as if it were solid beneath my feet. I walked several meters away from where I started, the water rippling around me as I moved.
The crowd let out a collective gasp as I continued to walk. Continuing walking I began to announce my intent, "tonight, I shall steal Henrick Wilson's most valuable treasure… The Emerald of Klanjda! Henrick.
At that moment Henrick himself came out and began to shout,
"YOU DAMN BASTARD, THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL YOU WILL EVER GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS ON MY TREASURE"
"My My, shouting and cursing is not a proper way of greeting a gentleman, dear Wilson allow me to bestow this gift into only to you, but to everyone were"
I raised my hand up, and upon the black night sky, red roses fell down from the sky, leaving everyone in awe.
"And I thank you for this generous gift!"
I raise the Emerald in my hand, "Farewell!"
White smoke surrounds me and I leave the place, Paul already Waldo in the boat speeds out before they catch what happened. Surprisingly enough, the crowd cheered, but the screams of Henrick could be heard emerging from the joy of the crowd…
"How did I do it? You are probably wondering. It's a simple trick, really. I used a combination of buoyancy and perspective. I have attached platforms all across the sea's surface… the platforms I was standing on were made of a special material that can support my weight while staying afloat. And with the vast expanse of water around me and the movement of the waves, it created the illusion that I was walking on water…"
"Heh, never knew you were capable of such a thing Edward, by the way, great timing Paul… now for the hard part"