The three petty thieves squatted in pain, clutching their wrists. Aeliana nonchalantly kicked one of them. "Hey, stop playing dead. Hand over everything you've taken!"
Wincing, the young man slowly retrieved various stolen items from his waist pouch — several mobile phones, necklaces, and assorted trinkets. Yet, cash remained the predominant item in his stash.
Selena and I stepped forward to reclaim her phone, and she cast a curious glance at Aeliana and her companions, whispering, "Are they your friends?" I smiled and remained silent.
The crowd of onlookers continued to swell, until one voice rang out, "My money is gone!" This cry ignited a frenzy as others began searching for their lost belongings.
Men and women, some cradling children, and elderly folks all scrambled; valuables of every kind had vanished — the only exception being people themselves.