Neb stalked through the shadows as he crept down the next alley. All he could see was the black forms of where the buildings stood. Shifting one foot in front of the other, Neb navigated through the void, avoiding the misfortune of stepping on anything that could make the slightest noise. He kept away from any street with lights. No other watchman came into his path, making his progress steady. And just as he felt that things were finally going his way, the city lit up.

  Forked lightning shot high above the rooftops, followed by a crackling KRA-BOOM…

  The goblin’s heart skipped a beat. He was late.

  “The job is supposed to start now!” he hissed. “And I still have a few more streets to cross!”

  He picked up the pace, bursting into a run. This job was weeks in the making, and if he fumbled this now, he wouldn’t even have a day to plan his next. The city watch was after him, and he could only evade them for so long.

  Skidding around the corner, Neb dashed through the next alley. Bolts of lightning shot regularly throughout the sky—every three seconds it was, always three seconds. Thunder rumbled and roared like a drum overhead, muffling even the commotion of a busy tavern. It was the perfect cover for this job.

  But he only had an hour. Every night, around the same time, a storm would rage overhead, but it would last exactly one hour. He counted it each night for weeks. But once it passed, it would be harder to complete his job. And he was already running out of time.

  Just up ahead, standing proud above the roofs stood the steeple of a church. He was close now. Just one more back alley and he would be at his target. He sprinted into the final alley, and there something caught his eye.

  Two red orbs, glowing in the dark, hovered over one of the houses and glared down at him. Neb paused and stared up at them. Then, lightning flashed, revealing a great, white wolf. It was the largest he had ever seen, and its eyes were as crimson blood, holding a look of hunger—or maybe rage. Neb could not tell, nor did he care to. Petrified, Neb’s pounding heart was the only part of his that was moving. The wolf stood as still as the goblin, watching him, and just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished in the dark. When the next bolt of lightning shot by, it was gone.

  Neb scanned his surroundings. No sign of the wolf. Was that really a wolf or could it be that his mind was playing tricks on him? “Y-yes, that must be it…” mumbled Neb. “It has been a hard few months, and the stress is finally catching up to me.” He smiled weakly, trying to assure himself that he was safe, but it did little to comfort him.

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  He set one trembling foot in front of him, slowly moving out of his statue-like state. Taking a few more steps and he was back on his way to the church, all the while trying to put that experience out of his mind.

  After exiting the alley, he arrived at his target—the back of the church. It was tight back there, with the alley being just two yards wide. The only distinguishing features of the church’s back side were a strong wooden door with an iron lock, and a small, round glass window beside it. There was a meat shop just next door, and a refuse pile of spoiled pork trimmings that was covered with maggots.

  Unfortunately, Neb was downwind of the rotten garbage and gagged when a gust of wind blew by and into his face. At least he didn’t have to be in it for long. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small key, recalling how just the other day he “borrowed” it from the church’s caretaker. Neb chuckled as he went to stick the key into the lock. But his smile faded as it didn’t fit. He tried and tried again, but no matter what position he had the key—upside-down, right-side-up, sideways, backwards, or any other way he could think of—it would not fit.

  Neb finally hurled the useless key at the pile of putrid meats, grumbling as he did so. What am I supposed to do now?! He flopped down and sat on the ground, crossing his arms. Just then, he noticed that the ground was not entirely stable. Neb scooted over and saw that one of the stone bricks was loose. He easily pulled it out and weighed it in his hand, being about five pounds.

  The window caught his eye as the light from the lightning reflected from its glass. It was just the right size for him to squeeze through. Neb eyed the brick in his hand and then back at the window. The thunder was loud enough to muffle any glass shattering; not the most elegant of break-ins, but it’ll do. Keeping watch for the lightning, he timed his shot to be in synch with the next roaring thunder.

  Lightning arched up ahead. Here we go… One… Two… Three! Neb launched the brick and watched it soar straight through the middle of the window, shattering the glass into a thousand glittering pieces as an ear-piercing clatter echoed through the alley.

  But no thunder came.

  Neb’s heart sank to his stomach.

  Four… Five… Six… KRA-KRACK!!!

  “What lazy-luck is this?!” Neb cried out, looking left and right to see if anyone was coming out to investigate. “No doubt someone five blocks down must have heard it!”

  His breathing raced. He wanted to run—every fiber of his being told him to do so. But he stayed put. Looking up at the window, Neb saw that the glass had fallen clean off, making it easy enough to slip right through. He could get in, grab a handful of treasure, and get out. It would take two minutes tops, more than enough time before anyone came to investigate the noise. That was if he was lucky.

  Neb knew the right choice, and by Lady Luck, he wished he could follow his gut. But desperation clouds even the wisest of wits. He needed the coin and needed it now. Taking a deep breath, he climbed up through the window, with his only wish that he would live to regret this.