>Several small screens flicker in front of you.
>The night watchman post has become so menial, you barely even watch them anymore.
>You take your guard cap off and set it on the table. Running a hand through your hair.
>Sitting on your backside for eight hours watching cameras is a comfy number, no doubt. But a boring one at that.
>At least the job pays well, although you're not so sure it balances out evenly.
>You sigh heavily. Looking at your watch.
>01:12.
>Your shift started just over two hours ago, but it feels like it's been two years.
>And with no breaks until your shift ended, you were in for the long haul.
>Your eyes scan across the rows and down the columns of screens before you.
>Empty dinosaur exhibit. Check.
>Empty World War 1 exhibit. Check.
>Empty Egypt exhibit. Che-
>Wait a minute.
>You lean forward in your chair.
"I swear I saw movement there.."
>Sure enough, something drops to the floor from one of the ventilation shafts.
>It stands up, instantly darting behind a Pharaoh statue for cover.
>It's a figure, although with the shitty quality of the cameras you can barely make out the details.
>Oh well, at least you get a break from sitting in this dingy room.
>You stand up and throw your dark blue jacket on, grabbing a flashlight on the way out.
>You flick the flashlight on and walk down the staff corridor, coming to a doorway on your right.
>Pushing it open, you find yourself in the lobby, behind the till.
>Everything is pitch black, save for the moonlight shining through the windows.
>You set off, if the person dropped into the Egypt exhibit they're close by, and they can't have gotten far.
>Each Exhibit is comprised of three rooms, the first floor contains three exhibits with the second floor harbouring five.
>You pass by a large stand-up banner.
>"New Exhibit: The Rare Emerald Eye of Coyotli!"
>Some stupid green gem some gang of pirates found in Colombia or something.
>It has it's own pirate themed exhibit, and the museum made a big deal out of getting the display rights.
>Must be what this crook is after.
>You enter the Egypt exhibit, to your left and right are more Egypt themed rooms, the left connecting to the Rome exhibit and the right being a dead end.
>From the footage, the perpetrator dropped into the right room, so they're either here or in the left by now.
>You shine your flashlight about the place, muttering to yourself.
"Shoulda just turned the bloody power on.."
>You continue moving, stepping into the left room.
>A giant sarcophagus lies before you, containing the mummified remains of some jerkbag prince or something. You don't really care.
>Movement catches your eye. You point your beam directly on the spot.
>A piece of white cloth is sticking up from behind the sarcophagus.
"Alright, come out with your hands up."
>Silence.
"C'mon buddy, the jig is up."
>The cloth moves. Signalling that the figure is standing.
>The figure shields it's eyes from your light.
>"Watch where you're pointing that thing mister."
>You aim the beam downward a little, out of the figures face.
>"Thank you."
>Suddenly you realise the figure is a girl!
>She's dressed like a fucking cartoon burglar.
>Complete with a black and white striped vest and a black piece of cloth wrapped around her head at eye level.
>Two eyeholes allow for her brilliant green eyes to meet yours. Which roll at the girl before you.
"Very funny. Guess I'll log this under a prank then huh?"
>"Oh no~ Not at all mister...?"
"As if I'm going to tell you my name."
>"Alright then! Not like I need to know it while I'm running away anyway!"
>Before she even finishes her sentence she turns tail and darts off towards the exit, leading into the Rome exhibit.
>You make chase, sprinting after her.
>You make it to the doorway in time to see a glimpse of her copper hair disappearing into the giant colosseum that takes up the room.
>That's a dead end! Stupid girl, this'll be easy!
>Stepping into the colosseum, there's a large tablet in the middle with prop swords and a Roman shield, talking about the great bloodbaths these places would hold.
>But one of the swords is missing!
>You step forward cautiously, she's probably hiding behind the tablet.
>As you approach it. The sound of something swiping through the air fills your ear.
>You jump back and yelp, narrowly avoiding a prop sword.
>The girl seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
>"Gah I almost had you!"
"You almost.. Lady you know these are props right?"
>She nods, giving you a whimsical smile.
>"Doesn't mean I can't use them~"
>"C'moooon."
>You roll your eyes at her again, although a deep part of you does want to indulge the girl.
"Fine. But I'm still reporting you to the authorities."
>You can always wipe the footage and blame it on a technical fault in the morning.
>You pick up the second sword and ready it.
>Why the fuck am I doing this. You think.
>But instincts take over as the girl makes her move.
>You barely manage to block her downward swipe.
>The two of you continue to fight for a while. Weirdly, you're having more fun than you should be. You're really getting into it.
>Somehow you manage to disarm the girl.
>Her sword falls to the floor with a clatter.
>"Eep!"
>Before you can do anything she dashes out of the colosseum.
"Hey! Get back here!"
>You throw your own sword down and sprint after her.
>She practically ignores everything in the dinosaur exhibit and makes her way into the lobby.
>You're hot on her heels, jogging up the stairs to the second floor. Flashlight somehow still in hand despite your sword based altercation.
>To your left is the WW1 exhibit, with the right being the cowboy exhibit.
>The only way to get to the "Emerald Eye" is through one of it's four surrounding exhibits.
>Given the girls speed, she's already in the room.
>Nursing a stitch in your side, you run through the WW1 room and into the pirate exhibit.
>There she is, standing at the red rope that encircles the podium on which the gem stands.
>"It's beautiful isn't it?"
>You're tired and fed up now.
"Sure is."
>The girl hikes one leg over the rope, her second following soon after.
"Look lady, just please come with me, okay?"
>"Nope!~"
>God dammit.
>She trots over to the podium and picks up the gem gracefully.
>For a run of the mill burglar, she sure has some level of elegance.
>You manage to stagger over to the rope, the stitch in your side is almost killing you.
"Just.. Please.."
>"No can do, mister Anon~"
"Wha..? How'd you know my name?"
>She turns and makes her way over to you, stepping over the rope again.
>You turn to face her, and she to you.
>She's smaller than you are, her face tilted upward, green eyes burning into your own.
>She's cute, in a way.
>"I saw it on your badge while we were fighting."
>"Anon Anonson. Cute name for a nice looking guy~"
>Your tone is completely deadpan.
"Riiiight."
>"Anyway, I'll be off now~"
"Now just you wait a damn sec-
>You're cut off as the girl grabs your shirt collar and pulls you down, connecting her lips to yours.
>She makes a soft "Mmm" sound as she kisses you.
>Finally she breaks off, giving you a wink.
>"Bye bye!~"
>Your face is burning bright red. Bewildered beyond belief you stand there as the girl skips out of the room and disappears from earshot.
>Did she really..?
>You pinch yourself.
>She did!
"What the fuck!?"
>You struggle to comprehend the situation at hand.
>Slowly however, reality creeps back to you and you notice the empty podium.
"Ahh shit.."