The winds of Bay city ruffled through Calm Ghosts feathers, she had just finished escaping the dreaded Pelican Rock Prison after being framed for being the Booted Bandit, a thief that has been tormenting the town. As much as she had bonded with the prisoners, this wasn't a place she desired to live if she hadn't done anything to deserve it. So. She broke out with determination to prove her innocence.
The light of dawn revealed her escape and the police didn't take long to flock near the tower, alert to catch her at the scene again.
Having to climb to the top undetected, Calm Ghost now stood crouched by the tower walls. Thanks to Van Nostrand's painting, she realized that the wall had been filled in. Pealing away the plaster covered hole slowly revealed a safe hidden by Florian.
Yes! This could help prove her innocene, she could finally return back to her normal life! She could stop being labeled a thief! She could-
"Thanks for doing the grunt work. I'll Take it from here..."
Calm Ghost flinched, a familiar, chilling voice reaching her Avian ears, slowly turning her head, she saw the real Booted Bandit standing on the tower. If she hadn't known she was her own self, even she would have thought she was seeing double, if only for the fact that the Booted Bandit was missing the goggles Amelia gave her.
"You!" Calm Ghost said in alarm, fear was bubbling inside her "Because of you, I had to break out of Prison to find this safe!"
Her doppelganger seemed to shrug at her, almost mocking her reply and picking up the hints of fear in her voice.
"Thats how the cookie crumbles."
Calm Ghost started to shake, the memories of chasing the thief flashing back, the money pile they left behind, and then...darkness.
"You tricked me!" she said, pointing a finger at the bandit.
The Booted Bandit crossed her arms, amused.
"Tricked you?" she echoed before replying.
"No...I saved you."
Calm Ghost's legs seemed to give out, falling to her knees, the bandit continued, walking over to her.
"You are a prisoner here. Just. like. me."
She then crouched down in front of her and simply said.
"Now if you'll excuse me, that treasure is mine."
This was originally posted on my Instagram February 27th