Tom and Facilier are about 14-15 here. Tom is mine and, in case you were wondering, the father of Tom in 'Dish Washer.'

Facilier walked through the swamp with his friend, Tom, besides him. Tom looked up at the sky and frowned.

"We should head back," he said. "The sun's settin'. Hate to be caught out at night." Facilier looked up and saw that his friend was indeed right, the sun was setting.

"I hate the winter," he muttered. "I don't like stayin' inside. I wanted to go swimmin'."

"Tell you what," Tom said, "we'll do that tomorrow."

"Promise?" Facilier asked.

"You have my word," Tom said. He motioned towards the direction of the boat and smiled. "Now let's head back before Odie tans both our hides."

Break

"We really cut it close," Tom said as they arrived back at the boat just as the sun had set. Facilier nodded as he walked into the boat.

"That we did," he said.

"Where were y'all?" A woman asked. Facilier winced and looked up. Standing in front of them was Mama Odie.

"Sorry mama," Facilier said. "I lost track of time and..."

"It was my fault ma'am," Tom cut in. "I wanted Facilier to show me a gator, and we had trouble findin' one." Facilier looked over at his friend, stunned by how bad his lie was. Odie looked at Tom before nodding.

"You watch yourself Tom," she said jokingly. "Be a shame if Mary's mama heard 'bout this. She might kick you out." Tom nodded, trying not to smile. He knew the threat was only a joke. Facilier frowned at Odie but didn't say anything.

"Come on Tom," Facilier said as he headed towards his room. Tom nodded and followed Facilier. Facilier walked into his room and sat down on his bed with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Tom asked. Facilier shook his head.

"Sorry 'bout what mama said," Facilier said simply.

"Don't be," Tom said back. "It was only a joke. I ain't sensitive about bein' an orphan." Facilier nodded and laid down. Tom sat in a chair and closed his eyes. "We should get to sleep," he said. Facilier nodded before glancing up at a hole in his roof. He stood up and walked over to the wall under the holes, running his hand along it.

"What are you doin'?" Tom asked. Facilier didn't answer his friend. Instead he climbed up the wall using notches he had cut into it and out the hole.

"Come on!" Facilier called back to Tom. Tom sighed as he got to his feet and followed his friend.

"Are you crazy?" He asked. "What about those shadows?" Facilier shook his head.

"They stay far away from this tree," he said. "We're safe."

"Promise?" Tom asked.

"Y'all have my word," Facilier replied back with a smile. Tom nodded and took a seat on the branch next to Facilier's. Tom sighed and looked at the bottles hanging around them, taking note that the ones nearest them were all purple.

"You can blame Doris about that," Facilier said with a chuckle. Tom frowned.

"Get outa my head," he said jokingly.

"Sorry," Facilier said. "Couldn't help it." Tom nodded and sighed.

"Speakin' of Doris," he said, "Lester's birthday's comin' up." Facilier groaned.

"I don't like Lester," he muttered. Tom chuckled.

"You're so fond of Doris yet you so hate her son," he said. "Look, I know Lester can be difficult sometimes..."

"He calls me 'mongrel' one more time and I'll snap his neck," Facilier growled threateningly.

"Aren't the two of you ain't even allowed near each other?" Tom asked.

"That was the plan," Facilier said. "I ain't allowed in the city without Odie and he ain't allowed in the swamp without Doris. Not that we listen." Tom nodded and closed his eyes, leaning back. "Tom?" He heard Facilier say.

"Yes, Facilier?" He asked, not bothering to open his eyes.

"I'm glad we're friends," he said. Tom nodded.

"So am I," he muttered sleepily. "So am I."