I don't own Deltora Quest
"What are you doing here?"
Doom was on his way to the town when he saw a small child lying in the corner of the street. He looked very skinny and couldn't be any older than seven. His clothes were ripped and he was covered in bruises and cut. He had a troubled look on his face and it seemed like he had just fallen into an uneasy sleep.
The little boy woke up with a start at Doom's words. He quickly grabbed the small knife beside him and pointed it at the stranger, his hands trembling.
"Who are you!" shouted the boy.
"I'm Doom" said Doom, a bit surprised by the kid's behavior.
"What do you want?"
"Calm down! I was just asking why were you sleeping on the road, that all"
The boy lowered his knife a little, but he was still gazing at Doom with his bright, purple eyes. They were full of doubt.
"Do you have a house?" asked Doom
The boy shook his head. Actually he still had a house, but it's meaningless to return to that place now.
"So you don't have any place to go?"
The child didn't answer.
Doom looked at him with pity. This child would probably die if he was left like this. And Doom was also reminded of himself: alone, with no one to turn to. The only reason he survived was because of the real Doom's help. That man gave him a life, gave him a name. Maybe now was his turn to help someone else.
"What's your name?" Doom asked
"Dain"
"Okay then. Dain, would you like to come with me?"
The boy stared at Doom with disbelief. Then he said, in a small, hopeful voice.
"Come with you?"
"Not if you don't want to"
Dain immediately stood up and followed Doom. But they had barely walked a hundred steps when he tugged at Doom's sleeve.
"My leg hurt. I can't go on foot" said Dain
Doom sighed. "Kids are so troublesome" he told himself. He was going to say no, but changed his mind when he looked down and saw a deep, half-healed wound above the boy's ankle.
"Fine, I'll carry you"
As Dain put his arms around Doom's neck, Doom suddenly remembered something. Long ago, someone used to cling on to him like this, someone who was just as small as Dain was. It was dim, but he could recall feeling warm and joyful, something he hadn't experienced ever since he escaped from the Shadow land.
And they keep on going. Doom thought it was a bit strange that the boy, who was so cautious at first, came to trust him so fast. But perhaps Dain was just so desperate to find some support after having to struggle by himself, that all.
"Where are your parents, Dain?"
Dain started shaking and burst into tear. He let out all the fear, anguish, all the emotion he had been bottled up for days, ever since those Grey Guard barge into his house and took away those whom he loved most. Normally Doom would have told him to stop, but just for this one time he remained silent and allow the boy to cry his heart out.
Doom set off with Dain on his back. He didn't know exactly where he would go and what he would do next. But at least now he wasn't alone anymore.
Is this too short? I'm not good at writing long story:(