Artful Dodger Novels & Stories

"He's trying to control you! Fight it, Candice!" Out of nowhere, giant black shadows begin to take shape on every wall. I jerk Candice to my chest as I watch the grotesque creatures scamper in distorted motion, hissing as if communicating with one another. Impossibly, the shadows pull away from the walls as their blacker-than-black, animal-like figures begin surrounding us as, forming a connected circle. The distinct formation of a man appears in the center. Atticus. His eyes are now glowing red. "Did you actually think you could escape me?"

Cromwell. Not smart, really. I still don't understand what happened in the field back there or why I trust this stranger so openly. I should feel stupid- but I don't. It almost feels like we're on the same team now. I laughed as I remembered him calling me by my last name. I really didn't think I would hear it again outside of my home pack. I followed him as he sped up into a light jog. By the time my legs were too sore to continue on foot I could hear the go-cart as promised. I collapsed by my knees first into the snowy tundra and held onto Artyom's fur as a go-cart pushed past the snow through it's abnormal sized tires. It was lightening fast and had room for three extra passengers. A litt

Then, his sharp gaze fell on the man whom Arthur kicked down. “You must really be seeking death to dare go wild on my territory.” The man had mostly sobered up. When he saw that the person before him was Solomon, a major shareholder of Sleepless City, he paled with fright and repeatedly begged for mercy. “Mr. Rowland, I’m sorry. I was wrong...” Solomon glanced at the approaching bodyguards. “Break one of his legs and throw him out!” Once the fool was taken care of, he turned back to Arthur. “It’s getting late. Take Tracey home.”

My eyes widened in shock when I heard what he said, how did he even get to know about Arthur? I turned towards him, my heart drumming in my chest, I didn't know what he was going to say, and I anticipated it so much. “Arthur isn't who he appears to be in your eyes, Arthur is a businessman, but he is not. He is a mafia who deals with drugs, stolen jewelry, and women, nothing more than that.”

THIRD PERSON PERSPECTIVE Nathan, Arthur’s assistant, was about to walk up to Doris and Arthur when he heard Arthur say, "I'm just a stripper, after all." And then Nathan heard Doris say, “Oh my God, your acting skills are unbelievable! You must be the best stripper in the world!” This stopped Nathan in his tracks. He tactfully did not step forward, but chose to watch this show silently. He was extremely curious about what was going on. Why in the world would Arthur say something like that, and why would Doris seem to believe it?

I countered. “I don't mind coming along since my ability will be useful to find a cure for my mommy. So you too should stop arguing and focus on the road." Artie coldly said and for the first time he received a scolding from Arturo. “Artie!, You should be careful when you speak to your elders. Kids your age are respectful towards those older than them. Although , I didn't spend most of my days with you when you were born, I still can not disregard your manners." Arturo said.

A small breeze blew. “Funny thing, that is Mr.Moore. I too be lookin’ for a man… You be lookin’ for a deal?” “Hmmm,” Dodge hummed in response. His green eyes turned away and studied Thomas. Dodge noticed how uneasy he made Thomas, how Thomas had a very heavy right foot when angry, and all of this almost made Dodge happy, he always like makin’ people a bit uneasy… Easier to stay alive that way. “Deal?” Wayne murmured to Ade, who then shushed him. Ade crossed his arms as he looked back towards Dodge.

Sometimes he can be such an emotional driver. “Well, those sellers weren’t.” Arthur snaps and then immediately shakes his head in regret. “I’m sorry. I’m not snapping at you, I just don’t get why this has to be so hard.” We come up to a red light and I can more clearly see the break dancer. He’s really good, he even gathered a bit of a crowd who are tapping to the beat of the music. Just then, something begins to spark in my brain. I turn to look over my shoulder once more at the one handing out flyers.

"You can make real change. We both know this system is flawed. There's only you and Arthur left in the City. He's a piece of shit," "I'm no better than him. I don't give a fuck. There isn't a lesser evil here," he shrugs. I sigh looking over at him as he walks over to my door. "It would be funny though. Alpha Jaykob Tyler," "Get out you, dick," I shove him. "And people say you don't have a sense of humor," he laughs sarcastically.

Arthur was an eighth grade martial artist and was one rank above Allison. Confident in his abilities, he lunged and reached out a hand to seize Dustin. Dustin barely moved. With a flick of his wrist, he sent Arthur flying across the room. Arthur landed face-first in a humiliating sprawl. An eighth grade martial artist was no better than a helpless little ant in his presence. The hall fell into stunned silence. This was Lord Barbenheim’s second heir. He was elite and powerful. Yet this mysterious man had tossed him aside like a child. Was he asking for death?