Mischief Makers

By Dallas Nicholls

I stared at the exclusive condo tower where my carefully selected target was located. If I pulled off the heist, I could follow in the footsteps of my hero. The trick was avoiding cameras and witnesses.

Good thing I had special talents.

“What’s your plan, Kytt?” asked Adelky, his pointed ears twitching.

When my uncle offered to spend time with me, I eagerly agreed. My father’s family didn’t always approve of my forward-thinking ideas, and I hoped to win them over, starting with Adelky.

“We’re liberating a priceless painting,” I said confidently.

Adelky huffed. “That’s not our way.”

Maybe including him was a mistake. “We’re mischief makers. We take items from homes.”

“We hide items, not take them,” he said.

Trust Adelky to focus on technicalities.

We are Lutins. Elflike creatures with an impish nature. Though short of stature, youthful good looks make fitting in among humans easy.

Traditionally, our kind cause trouble—like vexing homeowners with pranks—and then laugh about it. Centuries ago, Lutins spooked peasants by filling their shoes with pebbles or braiding their horses’ hair. I wanted to accomplish something more meaningful.

“The owner is an embezzler,” I reasoned. “Why not share his pilfered wealth with someone more deserving? That’s better than misplacing belongings.”

Lutins have an impressive skill set: shapeshifting, illusions, invisibility, voice mimicry, and teleportation. We’re underutilizing those talents—They make a perfect toolkit for a thief!

“Where do you get these strange ideas?” said Adelky.

“We could be like Robin Hood!” Humans don’t realize the legendary thief was an unusually tall Lutin. He famously stole from the rich to give to the needy. It was about time we reinstated that practice. “The money will benefit charities. Well, most of it. After I buy supplies for the next heist.”

“He was a rebel.” Adelky shook his head. “Respectable Lutins perplex and frustrate, not steal. That’s your human upbringing leading you astray.”

As we approached the building, Adelky turned invisible.

Being half-Lutin, I hadn’t inherited powers of invisibility or shapeshifting. I couldn’t even change my blue eye to match the green one. My aptitude was for temporary illusions. Instead of a young woman with wavy brown hair, I’d briefly appear fifty years older with a silver bob.

Sweeping through the lobby with my invisible companion, I overheard the concierge announce a food delivery. I punched the elevator button. We slipped in, and I hit the button for the penthouse.

When we reached the unit, I retrieved my lockpick kit and knelt to examine the lock.

“So inefficient,” moaned Adelky. “Real Lutins teleport!”

He snapped his fingers, transporting us inside.

Having him along had its advantages.

On the wall was a large abstract painting with blue swirls. A quick peek confirmed moving it wouldn’t set off alarms.

“Wouldn’t you prefer to hide it in a secluded forest glade?” persisted Adelky. “Or nail it to the ceiling?”

“That’s not the plan,” I said. “Help me move the couch.”

Adelky assisted. “That’s thinking like a Lutin. Rearranging furniture is a classic prank!”

“Just clearing space.” I wanted to remove the canvas from the bulky frame. “We can rehang the empty frame if it makes you happy.”

“At least fill his shoes with pebbles.” Adelky poked a bowl on the coffee table. “Maybe you judged him unfairly. He left an offering of nuts.”

Adelky shoved a handful in his mouth.

“I doubt those were meant for you,” I said.

Silence.

“No comeback?” I glanced at Adelky. He looked ill. I sniffed the nuts. “They’re salted!”

Lutins can’t stand salt. A line of it on the ground is like a barrier. Ingesting it?

Adelky foamed at the mouth and keeled over. I backed away, panicked and queasy. If he threw up, I’d throw up.

Keys jingled in the hall, so I slipped onto the balcony before the door swung open. I belatedly remembered that salt would weaken Adelky’s ability to teleport.

Crouching out of sight, I peered through the glass.

A man entered. His pocket chirped.

He pulled out a phone and said, “Hello?”

While his back was turned, I scanned the room. Luckily, the man hadn’t noticed the nuts were scattered across the floor yet. Adelky was hiding behind the couch.

The phone conversation was wrapping up. We needed a distraction while Adelky recovered.

Perhaps an auditory illusion?

“Bye.” He shoved the phone in his pocket.

When I chirped, he impatiently retrieved the phone. I spun the illusion of an incoming call. He jabbed the green icon.

I projected my voice, mimicking the concierge. “Package delivery.”

“I’ll get it later.”

“A signature is required,” I said.

“Fine. I’m coming down.” He grabbed his keys and left.

I darted inside and swept the nuts aside. “Adelky! Are you okay?”

Adelky crawled out, wheezing and spitting. “Toxic nuts? That man is evil.”

“My plan was a disaster.” Leaving empty handed would be a setback. But family comes first. “Time to retreat.”

“What about the painting?” said Adelky.

“He’ll be back soon. Let’s go.”

“I’ve recovered enough to make some mischief,” Adelky declared.

Lutins are generally harmless, but offending them is asking for trouble.

“My turn for a trick,” muttered Adelky as he wiped his mouth and ducked into the bedroom.

Since Adelky seemed intent on his mission, I quickly liberated the canvas and replaced the frame to complete mine.

With my illusion and Adelky’s shapeshifting, observers would see an elderly couple in the elevator. In the lobby, the man insisted a package had arrived to the baffled concierge.

We strolled out undetected. The rolled-up painting completed the first phase of my plan. Victory!

Smiling, I turned to Adelky. “What did you do?”

“Braided his ties,” said Adelky. “I enjoy the old ways.”

“They have their appeal.” I offered a closed-mouth smirk. “I filled his shoes with nuts.”

“Another classic prank!” said Adelky. “You may be a rebel, but you’re a true Lutin trickster too!”

I beamed with pride.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dallas Nicholls wants to live in a world where she can ride a gryphon to avoid traffic. When she’s not working in the office of the family steel slitting business, you will find her on another continent enjoying the local cuisine and culture. Dallas is an expert pumpkin carver and tea enthusiast. She lives in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.