[ TT ] You have a gift for talking to inanimate objects . Alongside many perks , it makes you an excellent thief ... but you only steal things that want to be stolen .

I had been watching this house for months, essentially stalking the family who lived here on social media. I still can ’ t believe people put everything on there. With all the photos and details they posted, I was able to sketch the entire layout of the house, decide what might be worth taking, and determine the easiest way in and out without being detected. All because I friended someone who was a friend of someone who was a friend of someone else. 
 
 If I took enough from this place, I might be able to stop for a while. I keep thinking each time will be the last, that I don ’ t need the money. But, the truth is that I like doing it. I only take items that ask to be taken. Most of them I sell. My connections don ’ t ask where I find things anymore. Years ago, I told them a story about a relative who was a hoarder and that seemed to be enough. Occasionally, I keep things. If I like them and they like me or if they have a good story to tell, I let them stay with me. One or two things I ’ ve given to my mother. Those objects still thank me. 
 
 The kitchen was mostly quiet. The appliances were mumbling, but nothing too loud. They didn ’ t seem interested in me at all. I made my way through the first floor to the stairs. The bedrooms were up there and so, most likely, was all the jewelry. The family consisted of an older man, two children, and a young wife. I stopped in the son ’ s room first and looked around. 
 
 There were electronics everywhere and they started shouting at me. 
 
 “ Do you want to play? ” 
 
 “ No! No! Watch a movie! ” 
 
 “ Don ’ t do that! Listen to music instead! ” 
 
 I laughed softly and responded back, “ I ’ m wondering if any of you would like to come with me. I ’ m a thief, you know. ” They responded with silence. This was usually the case. Some things would be desperate to leave, some hopelessly devoted to their owner. Most were indifferent. I knew I had time and figured I ’ d give them a moment. 
 
 “ I think we ’ re happy here, ” the stereo finally responded in a calm manner, neither excited nor upset. His response started some murmuring amongst the other electronics. I couldn ’ t understand any of what they were saying, there were so many video games talking all at once. 
 
 “ Shhhhh! ” the stereo commanded. I wondered if the deep booming voice that I heard was how the others heard him as well. He sighed. “ You need to speak with Mary, ” he stated finally. “ She ’ s in the master bedroom. ” Everyone murmured their agreement. 
 
 “ Thank you, ” I replied. “ I will find her. ” 
 
 Even though the house was large, almost a mansion, it was easy to find the master bedroom. I had memorized the layout when I knew I would come here. As soon as I walked into the bedroom, the voices started again. I decided to stop them immediately and asked, “ Where is Mary? I was told I should speak with her. ” 
 
 The murmuring stated again and I started to wonder how much they all gossiped on a regular basis. A diamond bracelet on the nightstand finally started to shout over the rest of them. “ She ’ s in the jewelry armoire by the photographs. I wouldn ’ t bother talking to her, though, she hates almost everyone. ” 
 
 Now, I was even more eager to meet this Mary. “ Thank you for your help, ” I replied to the bracelet. Looking at her more carefully, I realized she was probably worth thousands. “ By any chance, would you like to come with me? ” 
 
 “ Whatever for? ” she responded huffily, “ What would you do with me? It ’ s not like you ’ d wear me or something! No, I am extremely happy with Amanda. I think I ’ m her favorite, actually! ” 
 
 Suddenly, I could hear a commotion from the aforementioned jewelry armoire. It seemed at least a few other pieces disagreed. The diamond earrings next to the bracelet were among them. 
 
 “ Take us! Take us! ” they chimed together. 
 
 I smiled at them and asked, “ Are you sure? ” 
 
 “ Totally! ” they replied together again. 
 
 “ Thank you, then, ” I replied as I slipped them into my bag. I wandered over to the armoire while the bracelet was still complaining about the earrings. I took a deep breath and opened all the doors and drawers quickly. I was excited, the thousands of dollars ’ worth of diamonds sitting on the nightstand made me breathless at the possibilities here. 
 
 “ I ’ m Mary, ” I heard suddenly from the top of the armoire. I walked a little closer and peered at the felt lined fabric. Among the countless modern looking pieces, one caught my eye. Perhaps it was because she was suddenly talking to me again. Perhaps not. 
 
 “ I ’ m Mary, ” a beautiful old looking emerald, diamond, and gold ring said quietly but firmly. Her voice even sounded old, especially surrounded by all the young voices of the new jewelry. 
 
 “ I heard you might want to talk with me, ” I started, unsure of how to approach this. “ I ’ m a thief, but I try to only take things that are willing. ” I had decided being honest and brief might be the best here. 
 
 “ I ’ ll happily go with you, young man, ” Mary responded, reminding me too much of my grandmother. “ However, I ’ ll only do so on the condition you return me to my dear Lizzie. ” 
 
 How was I supposed to respond to that? I tried to speak and started stuttering instead. I looked around and realized I should probably be a little faster about this. I had plenty of time overall, but I ’ m not a fan of hanging around asking to be caught. 
 
 Before I could reply, Mary spoke again, “ On second thought, you may take me regardless of your decision. I would love to see my dear Lizzie again, but to be able to escape that woman is my greatest desire. Add me to your collection now and be quick about it! ” 
 
 I didn ’ t need to be told twice. I carefully scooped her from the delicate black lining and focused on each piece of jewelry nearby. I needed to encourage them to be quick about their decisions. 
 
 “ Just let me know if you want to come, yes or no, ” I said authoritatively. “ We can talk about why you want to come later. ” I had never had so many pieces trying to talk to me at once. With this much jewelry, I could see how they might not be worn that often. Maybe they were bored. I was happy to help, if that was the case. 
 
 Finally, I had found my rhythm. I managed to fill my bag quickly with expensive jewelry and a few small art pieces from the living room that seemed to share Mary ’ s desire to escape. It was going to be an interesting evening when I unpacked at home. 
 
 Edit: Formatting 

