Confessions of a Kleptomaniac

I squinted at the mall, then at my watch and then, back at the mall. I had around an hour to get back to 'The School for Troubled Kids'. Doctor Marshall often told me that malls were no good for my condition for I was a Kleptomaniac and that was the bitter truth. I walked in anyway, with a sense of satisfaction and a tinge of guilt.

I remember how different things were when I was younger. Back then, mum's long shopping hours used to piss my and oftentimes I would create quite a scene but now the place had an unusual appeal to me.

I tried to look away from most of the shops and walk on without looking up but I knew that unavoidable damage had been done when I saw that shop- Tiffany's.

That place was just plainly beautiful with angel-like things surrounding you at all times. I walked in and my eyes immediately fell on a masterpiece. It glittered translucent and radiated a spectrum of light. Also, it was small enough to carry away with a final sneaky glance.

Suddenly it dawned on me that I was shoplifting but like anyone else with my condition, I was helpless. I sighed. Malls were certainly no good for me and I mental note to myself- To never enter one again.

I turned away to walk out the door when I could the eye of a staff member. I gulped hard ready for a panic attack. The look she gave me however, wasn't threatening it was intimidating. The lady too freaked me out. She looked like a devil sitting in this angel like place. She had one blue eye and one black one and a deep scar right under them. Her lip curled but then she smiled.

'Going somewhere, sweetie?' she asked me.

'Uh- back home! You know, it's getting late,' I blabbered in a fast and panicky tone. I gulped hard, trying to look away.

She just looked at me for a minute or two. Uncomfortably, I pretended to be interested in the silver clock and the cutlery on the corner until finally, I turned to look into the eyes of the scarred lady.

Finally the silence was broken.

'You can keep it, you know,' she said.

'Ex- Excuse me?'

'That piece! You can keep it. I won't tell anyone. I only do a part time job here. My other job is a lot more....... Interesting,' said the lady in an undertone.

I should have known where this was going. My suspicions were proven right when she voiced those three words in a deadly whisper- On one condition.

She began to explain. Quickly, she dug into a rugged bag. When I leaned in, I realized the bag was filled with cash. If I'm not mistaken, I also noticed a gun. At the end of the bag lay an envelope which she handed over to me. There was something unusual about the stamp, I hadn't seen it before but it was familiar for some reason.

'Post this for me, would you? Well, make sure you go unnoticed. It is top secret, you know and you do not want to be seen with it. Well, see you later!' the lady said.

I felt a struggle in my throat as I managed a small yes and I walked away on that note. I was completely dumbstruck and it took me to wrap my head around what had happened. It was almost as though I was carrying a bomb or something even scarier.

Images of that large amount of cash, the scarred lady and the gun flashed in my head continuously. I remembered how she continuously warned me to stay secretive. I realized that this was probably a really serious matter, something I shouldn't have got myself into. I was pretty sure that lady was up to no good.

At this point I made a decision. I made up my mind to do the right thing. I was walking to the post office but just a few meters hence, I took a turn towards Church Street on the way to the police station.

I felt better and I didn't walk so slowly thereafter. Instead, I barged into the station like an agent with good news.

Inspector Vanderwaal listened to me patiently as I poured out the entire story and everything else I knew. True, I had no idea what this was about but I was wise enough to tell that I had stopped a wrong deed.

I have no clue what had happened next but I hadn't felt so angel- like before. I looked at my watch once again. I had 15 minutes to get back. For once in my life, I didn't feel so guilty.

<I wrote this when I was in the 7th grade... I don't seem to have much of an edge left in my writing but this seemed like something I could post...>