(Lock and Key are characters in the universe of More Than Blood.)

———

“Gallian Most Wanted

Locklir and Keyna

Known as Lock and Key

Wanted for breaking and entering, thievery, and assault

They are armed and pose a threat. Do not approach.”

Key stares at the wanted poster with a smirk. She turns to her twin brother, “You think we’re dangerous? Pose a threat?”

He snickers at the phrasing. “Yeah we are a threat to all of humanity. They should throw us in a dungeon and lose the key. You know, if they can catch us.”

They leave the flyer up, enjoying the thrill of chase.

Tugging their hoods over their distinctive red hair, they make their way through the town. It may be a risk, but it gave them a chance to be normal, if only for a few moments.

“Don’t get distracted Key,” Lock warns his sister, nudging her when she paused in front of a bakery. “We deliver the medicine and then leave.”

“Yes, I know. Just like the last time,” she rolls her eyes, though he knows it is all in good fun.

The wind picks up, and Lock holds tight to his cloak, but Key doesn’t. Her hood falls from her head, revealing her bright hair.

“It’s Lock and Key!” They hear someone shout.

“Do they just accuse every redhead of being us?” Key asks, an exasperated tone to her voice. They scurry into the maze of alleyways, hoping it will be enough to lose their followers. “I guess not all redhead twins have our good looks,” Lock teases.

She shoves him, not too hard since they are still running from guards. “Haha. I almost forgot to laugh. It’s probably because our faces are plastered on every possible surface.”

They come to a crossroad. Either right or left.

“You go right. I’ll wait here until they are within sight and bolt left. Deliver the medicine,” Key orders. Lock became used to that since she always takes advantage of being the older one.

“Fine. We’ll meet back at The Tower.” She nods in agreement and gestures for him to leave.

He runs away from the only family he has, trusting her that she’ll evade capture.

When he hears no pounding footsteps pursuing him, he knows that his sister did what she said she would.

He finds the house he was looking for. Getting to the door he bangs on the wooden door, rattling it on its hinges. “You could be a bit quieter,” a voice chastises from behind the door.

It swings open, and Lock makes his way inside. “Sorry, I was a little too busy getting chased, Waylen.”

Lock studies Waylen for a moment. The circles under his eyes are darker than the last time. Guilt flashes through him at his snarky remark.

“Look, I’m sorry, Lock. You are doing me a huge favor. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you,” Waylen says, running a hand through his messy curls.

“Good thing I don’t want any money from you.”

He fiddles with the fraying cuffs of his sleeves. His eyes avoid Lock’s gaze. “Lock, you gotta let me pay you somehow. You can’t keep doing this for me.”

Lock drops the bag on the table that wobbles from the uneven weight. “It’s for your brother.” Waylen lets out a huff of annoyance, “You know what I mean.”

Fitting his hand over Waylen’s, he says, “Spending time with you is enough of a payment.”

Waylen looks at Lock and he could see the vulnerability, the fear, in his eyes.

Just as Waylen opens his mouth to say something, the sound of horses galloping past with guards yelling directions of where Lock may be interrupts him.

He ducks his head, shying away from the window. “I should go. I have to meet Key.”

“You could lay low here. You and your sister,” Waylen offers, one that he has made several times already.

Lock simply shakes his head, “I won’t put more stress on you and your family.” “I know.”

“Until next time, Lock.”

“Until next time, Waylen,” Lock echoes.

Their hands slip out of one another’s grasp, neither wanting to let go. Both desperately wanting to chase the other.

But they couldn’t. Not with the lives they live. Not yet.