Daily Flash Fiction Challenge

Low Tech Attempt (285 words)

Jason pulled hard on the kite's string trying desperately to free it. Again and again he yanked at the string. One long pull. Three short pulls. He pulled high behind his head. He pulled low banging his knees. Each time he was rewarded with a shower of leaves as the kite sprang back to its arboreal resting place.

Off in the city, beyond the ancient and venerable grounds of the Royal Diamond Exchange, the sound of sirens could be heard. Kite flying is not specifically forbidden on the grounds, however, flying a black kite, in black clothing, at 2:37 am will raise suspicions.

“ You hear that?" Billy said in a hushed but urgent voice. "Sirens!" He then made another frantic and futile jump for the silk bag dangling from the kite's tail.

Jason paused in his efforts and listened to the sirens trying to gauge their distance. Then he returned to tugging on the string.

Billy made another run and jump at the kite coming up an easy ten feet short. Then he made another and another. Exhausted, he pulled the ski mask off his face and glared at Jason in the darkness.

"You told me it would be the most daring heist in history," he said. Jason pretended not to hear him over the rattle of the paper and leaves.
"You told me it had never been done," he said, making another running lunge at the bag of jewels.
"You told me we'd go "low tech" and avoid the sophist...", before he could finish armed guards rushed from the trees and slammed him to the ground.

Over the sound of racheting handcuffs Billy said, "I told you it wouldn't work."