Wharf Rats

Hi Mebanks, I wrote the first page of a story called Wharf Rats. Its about a kid called Tony who is one of the younger members of a gang. Essentially Tony is destined for greatness, I just never got around to figuring what his destiny was. See what you think of the first page ... it may inspire some ideas. :-)1

Cheers, FB2

"Bugger!"3

The startled wharfmaster spun around and peered into the darkness looking for the source of the swearing. He inched forward casting his eyes over the shadows. Tony kept very still. He was so close to his goal. Patience he said to himself quietly. Cursing out loud was definately not a good idea. Behind him he could hear the whispers of small boys as they watched his every move. Tony risked a glance. The wharfmaster had stopped and was looking out over the water.4

Tony held his breath. Had the man seen him. No, it wasn't possible. He moved his legs into a crouching position ready to run. He took another glance and the man was looking downwards over the wharf to the water. Tony moved quickly towards him with his arm out-stetched. He had less than a moment before the man would react to make his escape. The wood beneath his feet was silent. The air still and only the occasional shout and thump of cargo gave any evidence of people working. Tony was within reaching distance.5

Tony's eyes widen as he realised the man was about to turn. Tony moved silently behind him and followed the man in his footsteps for five paces. Tony lifted his feet with the man and brought them down at the same time to cover any footsteps. He stifled a smile, this must have looked funny from a distance. After a few meters of this he figured it was time to leave. He reached forward and snaked his hand underneath the man's coat. Very gently he located the back pocket, the edge of the wallet ... got it!!6

"What the HELL?!" yelled the wharfmaster as he spun around grasping for his wallet.7

But Tony was already running. His arms and legs were being thrown out in front of him to gain more distance. He stuffed the stolen wallet into his tatty old coat and continued running despite the screams of protest behind him. He ducked through an alley way, jumped over a box and after a few more turns found himself near the same spot that he had stolen the wallet. He had gone full circle. The other wharf rats appeared like cats in the night. They circled him as he held his prize. As always they were alert and ready to run. The life of a wharf rat wasn't an easy one by any measure.8

Tony wiped a bit of sweat off his forehead and then walked over to a large lad. He handed him the wallet. The money would pay for all the 'little' rats' dues this week. The large boy accepted the wallet. No one smiled during the exchange.9

"Took your time but still." shrugged the older boy, opening the wallet to count the money.10

"Who swore?" asked Tony.11

"Me. Got a problem?" said another boy. He too was bigger than Tony.12

"No problem." replied Tony wearily, "None at all."13

Not for the first time Tony wondered if there was anything more than this life. He stared around at the other faces in the gang. All hungry, all dirty. Their spirits broken, and the only goal each day is to find something edible to eat, no matter what or how old it was.14

The air was chilly. The rain would be here soon. Without a word, or even a look back, the rats disappeared into the night.