Chapter Text
Another harsh wind blew against Tommy, he was freezing waiting for Eryn. He didn’t want to use the heated blanket until he was back so they could both reap the benefits. But it was looking even less likely he would be back. Sure he had done this before, stayed out past their curfew scavenging for things they could sell and use to spruce up their alleyway. But he was always back by now. The darkness was looming in on Tommy, inviting dark thoughts.
What if he’s left you? Your useless, you haven’t even got a power. What’s a loser like you gonna do to help him?
Tommy pushed the thoughts away, okay, maybe he hadn’t got his power yet but the rules that him and Eryn put in place for themselves had kept them alive these past four years. More than you could say for most kids his age. As the streets were littered them constantly getting dragged into crime and drugs just so they could have some sort of life, even if they died in the end. Those were the lucky ones, he had found too many discarded bodies, dead from hyperthermia, hunger or dehydration.
Tommy’s life was surrounded by death, but he and Eryn had rose above it. They had seen where the others failed and vowed never to do the same. Which is why the survival rules were made.
- Always make sure we have a food and water source
- Protect our alley
- Only scavenge in the daylight
- Always stick together after dark
- Don’t trust anyone else
Tommy wishes he could trust someone else. He had heard myths of the syndicate and how they helped people like them. But they were only stories and stories don’t keep you alive rules do. Eryn had already broken rules 3 and 4. Tommy had always made a statement to remember these rules. He had even tried writing them once, but they both agreed it looked shit. Tommy loved these rules, so why didn’t Eryn? These rules had kept them safe, but recently Eryn had started slacking, last week he was late because of a torn blanket, the week before for some comic book with a guy in a cape, which neither of us understood. He was stretching the rules and putting them in danger and it was pissing Tommy off. He was sick of the excuses and this, this was the breaking point. He was going to tell Eryn to get his shit together.
The wind whipped round Tommy once again pulling him out of his anger, to see Eryn arrive smiling in the light of the street.
“Why are you so late” Tommy demanded, standing in the middle of the alley. “Relax! Big T I was only a few minutes late” Eryn brushed off entering the alley.
Tommy stepped forward, “A good hour after sundown is hardly a few minutes” Tommy argued.
“Yeah, but I’m back now, that’s all that matters” Eryn replied, Tommy’s faced was contorted with disgust. He made some strange sounds before saying “that’s not the point! We have the survival rules for a reason! You keep breaking them!” Tommy replied, anger building in his tone.
“So what?” says Eryn, “Most people don’t have your dumb rules Tommy, they are just weighing me down”
“You down? Not us, You.” Tommy paused, “have you been speaking to the badlands?” Tommy said accusatory. Eryn sighed and turned away saying, “maybe”. Tommy huffed.
“Look, I don’t know if you’ll get powers and we both know your running out of time. I can’t stay with someone without powers Tommy, you must understand that?” Eryn said, trying to justify himself, only angering Tommy more.
“Just because I just turned 10 and you got your power of plants last year doesn’t mean you’re better than me!” Tommy shouted
“Well maybe I am better than you! You haven’t got a power, Your weak” Eryn retorts
“I am not weak, I will get my power just you wait!” Tommy shouts
“But what do you do while your “waiting” for your power Tommy? I create all the food we sell, we’re the biggest fresh fruit and veg trader in North! All you do is decorate and find Random, useless items” Eryn shouted back
“I came up with the rules that have worked the past 4 years! I made this alley feel like a home rather than the streets! I thought you cared about me! That we were in this together since I stumbled into your box when we were six!” Tommy shouted, his hands started to glow red.
“Times change Tommy, we were dumb kids!” Eryn shouted. “You have helped me this far but now I” Eryn stumbled, Tommy’s hands started glowing, he could feel them getting hotter.
“I have to leave Tommy, the badlands can help me, but I have to come alone.” Eryn sighed, “so goodbye my friend”.
Eryn drops his haul and starts to leave the alley. Tommy screams and pushes both his arms towards Eryn. A ball of fire shot out of his hands towards Eryn.
How dare he leave TommyInnit, Big T! He is the greatest man to have ever lived surviving longer than most children his age and he is the greatest! Why did Eryn want to leave? His reasons are stupid! The badlands are stupid full of pretentious pricks who think they’re better than everyone else! No one is better than Tommy! I will show them. They will pay for underestimating TommyInnit!
His anger fueled his power, he had hit Eryn in the torso area, knocking him out cold. The power could be felt all over north. The ground shook at impact and energy waves sent Tommy flying into a nearby wall.
He looked at his hands in horror, the glow dimming back down. Glancing to see his best friend’s pale, lifeless body. He ran over to look at the damage, slowing down when he saw blood seeping through his shirt, it had been a direct hit to the heart. Tommy stumbled back, tears blurring his eyes, his breath was shaky and uneven, he couldn’t walk properly. He slumped near the body crying looking as the life faded further and further from his eyes. He glanced around to see if anyone had come to the alleyway, but there was no one. He was alone. Now he truly had no one.
Until he heard a swoosh followed by a faint thud from behind.