Welcome to Gaia! ::

He grabbed my hand hastily as the sound of gun fire went off. He fumbled with his lock pick before we reached the next chamber. Sweat began trickling down his forehead as panic struck him.
“Hurry Locke,” I said panting from the long run.
“Hey, even a thief needs time, just give me a few seconds.” Instantly after the lock sprung open and we were on the run again.
The next chamber seemed to be a dead end, other then a window on the far left wall. Locke had motioned towards it, his, long, slick black hair hung over his eyes as he peered over the window frame.
“We need cloth, and quickly, if we are to escape, it has to be through here.”
“Right,” I said, beginning to gather as much cloth as possible.
Footsteps began to become more profound as they managed to come closer. I handed the cloth to Locke and he hastily began tying knot after knot.
“How can there be so many guards on a floor this high up?” Locke panted as he began letting the cloth slightly slide down the window, still tying as fast as he could.”
“You forget that this is a palace,” I reminded him. “Besides they saw you with me, they probably assume you are trying to kidnap me.”
“Kidnap you? Trust me Princess Maril; a thief like me doesn’t even try to sink that low.”
“You could have fooled me; if you weren’t here for me then what were you here for?”
He stopped abruptly and sunk his hand down the collar of his shirt, slowly pulling out a small necklace, with a charm crafted in the shape of a pair of wings dangling from his hand.
“You stole the Maiden’s Wings?!” I gasped, dropping the few pieces of cloth in my hand to the floor.
“There is more to this necklace than you would think…” Locke said before a crash in the previous room echoed through the chamber.
“Hurry, move to the window!” he told me. He gently yet firmly grabbed my hand and forced me to the window. He flung the remainders of the cloth rope out the window, tying the end firmly around apiece of the mantle for the fire place.
Suddenly, the door barged open and several soldiers entered the room, guns at the ready.
“Return the Princess at once,” demanded a soldier that appeared to be of higher rank.
“Sorry, but that would be impossible,” Locke smirked. He grabbed my hand swiftly and murmured to me “now you will witness the Maiden’s secret.”
His eyes gave off a soothing feeling as a soldier behind him raised his gun in preparation to fire it. Locke closed his eyes as I watched fearfully as the bullet entered the air.
I was left in shock as it stopped in midair. I noticed that even the expressions on the soldiers froze in the instant.
“Time has stopped for a brief moment,” he explained to me. “The Maiden’s secret has given me the gift of time, yet I have advanced it to you, please, hurry and flee, I know you’ve been miserable with royal life, run and start again. I will come for you someday.”
“Locke, you can’t leave me! I love you too dearly.” Tears fell from my eyes as he pushed my shoulders down.
“I will hold the soldiers off, please hurry.”
He reached down and gently kissed me on the lips. It was soothing and warm. As he separated from me, he returned back into the chamber and out of sight.”
I climbed down as fast as I could. As I touched the ground, the sound of gun fire echoed through the above chamber.
“Locke…” I cried before I turned for the hills. I knew in an instant that he was gone. My dress dragged along the road as I disembarked for a new life.
As the years advanced I never did see my beloved Locke. But I knew that where ever I was, he would be watching over me, and would do what ever he could, to keep me safe.
It was not surprising that Locke was known as one of the greatest thieves from that time on. He had managed to steal not just riches, but the essences of life itself.

that was uh...different. But nice job!

no no Vesta, I really like that criticism, especially on how most of what you said I didn't realize. (although truth be told when I wrote this it was written in like 5 minutes for a short story tournament on Gaia)

lol I'm actually trying to get both of the short stories here, another I did for a tournament here on Gaia, and my best short story "Saber" published, along with the actual novel that ties in with the Divine Knights (So expect a few things to actually be seen around the world soon ^_^)

lol its okay, I actually just finished writing another story called "The Bird That Never Sang" but I ain't posting that one, if you liked Locke though, I suggest reading Saber