You take us on an extraordinary journey in this story, @lenaspiritual. It is quite clear from the start that the 'thieves' are experiencing two dimensions and that they are embarking on an enterprise that is forbidden to them. The metaphor reaching beyond what is relegated to humans is quite classical. From stealing fire, to flying close to the sun...humans have exceeded the accepted domain of their existence.

Reading the story takes a bit of focus, because you start by referring to 'absorbing pain'. It seems a rather unlikely enterprise, until you explain that absorbing the pain of other's gives one power.

In the end, we are relieved that the 'thieves' escape a terrible, but in a way we also feel they have not had to pay for their transgressions. They do, however, come away chastised and repentant.

Thank you for sharing this most unusual story with us.