Chapter 2: The Lost Loner

Poor Matthew was not flying and his wings were definitely not intact. As Arthur had suspected, Matthew had indeed given up hope by now and was currently on the street barely surviving. However today was slightly different as he had found a particularly good haul.

"GET AWAY YOU TRASH!" The woman screamed, high pitched and angry. Her husband pulled her aside and kicked the young boy to the curb. He fell with his prize clutched firmly in his hands. He ran fast but held unto the bundle. When he reached the alleyway he dropped to his knees and unwrapped the loaves of bread he had grabbed from the dumpster. They were charred so Matthew didn't quite understand why the people were so mad at him, it was in the trash after all.

He ate it quickly devouring it so that it was gone before he could even focus on how gross it tasted. It had been a month since Arthur and his mother just disappeared. Matthew couldn't remember anything. Just that one minute he was with the duke and the next in the hall. He tried to ignore the pain in his chest. He was thrilled his mother was gone but he couldn't still get over that Arthur was too. "It's because I kissed him," he thought bitterly and started to head home.

After Arthur left, Matthew had stayed in the apartment until the rent came. Then, unable to bear it anymore, Matthew ran away. He had no money to pay rent and with his mother gone he no longer had to pay with his body. But he was getting tired and hungry and part of him wanted to simply sell himself away so that he could survive. But after dealing with the pain for so long another part of him didn't care if he died in the streets.

Besides, it wasn't that bad. He was able to get food and sleeping in the park wasn't as horrible as his mother had scared him into believing. In fact one might say that he was doing better than before, but that was the before that didn't include Arthur. Since meeting the man, his life had gotten a lot better. It was hard to go back to life without him. Matthew tried to figure out what happened to him, afraid that he might have died from his mother attacking him, however he was able to piece together from cold neighbors that Arthur didn't die. Still Mathew felt like he was missing a critical piece, but that was a month ago and he had now given up on everything, or at least on ever seeing Arthur again.

"Hey kid, this is my bench!" Someone shouted at him and he walked away letting the older homeless man have it. Defeated he found himself a tree to lean against watching the sunset remembering the last time he and Arthur were in this park. He quickly shook his head closing his eyes and leaned his greasy head against the bark.

If Matthew was described as dirty before it was nothing to how he was now. His hair once a beautiful brownish blond was now practically black thin, greasy, and covered in dirt. The rest of him didn't fare much better. At first he had belongings but he was quickly robbed of them, and now all he had was his torn sweater and a pair of crusty shorts.

In a desperate attempt three days ago Matthew returned and broke into Arthur's apartment but found the place deserted. Matthew had slept in there until he was chased out this morning almost losing his life as the landlord came at him with a gun.

Matthew sighed sleep not coming to him. He had always been a light sleeper which proved to be a good thing because on the chance the soldiers swept through the park he had to get out of there fast. At first Matthew thought of going to the soldiers but he soon heard the horror stories and people being thrown in jail for trying to get help or even worse. Shivering from the cold wind Mathew hugged his knees burying his face into them.

"HEY YOU!" He jumped to his feet already running but someone tackled him. He scratched and fought thankful for all Arthur taught him and got away bolting into an alley. Ducking behind a dumpster he listened, his senses heightened. He had no idea who it was nor did he care.

There were only a couple options. It was officers, which was unlikely as Matthew would have heard them, or it was street kids wanting to pick a fight or recruit him. Neither option was good.

He waited cramped and uncomfortable only daring to breathe shallowly as he could hear running footsteps as they searched for him.

"You were on our turf, punk! Either join or pay the price!" Mathew quickly learned from a dozen painful experiences that street kids had strict rules. It was very unlikely for someone as young as him to be without a gang, but trusting no one Matthew refused.

He had already been beaten, stabbed, and literally thrown out of multiple people's territories when he refused to join them but Matthew was used to that kind of treatment. He just simply moved on to the next area. He had been in four different towns before he considered coming back here. He didn't plan to stay long.

At first all he wanted was Arthur's belongings which he swore he would never sell out of respect for the man but extremely desperate Matthew folded. However upon returning the whole place was empty so he just ended up staying in his room and the next thing he knew after being kicked out Matthew was back in the special park he used to love.

"Come out kid, you know the rules!" Mathew was slowly gaining a reputation, he'd used magic to get out of several tight spots and the number of gangs he refused couldn't be matched by anyone else. They called him "The Loner" which was an accurate assumption for Matthew was very very alone.

However, once it became known that he could use magic, gangs were pressuring him and using cheaper and cheaper tactics to try to trap him. His heart stopped as they started combing through the alleyway. Have to wait for the right….Now, he thought jumping on top of the dumpster and launching himself over the stunned kids, heads. he hit the ground hard running out of the alley way heading to the edge of town but he didn't get far.

All of a sudden a hand tightened around his wrist and he was slammed hard into the ground. Dazed he looked up his eyes widening.

"So you're "The Loner" huh?" the boy was huge. At least six feet and he looked rather well off for a street kid. His slick brown hair was cut short and his clothes only a little dirty. It meant one thing and one thing only. Whoever this boy was he was this area's gang leader. Matthew closed his eyes swallowing fear. If only Arthur was here, if only someone would save him. But that wouldn't happen all he knew is whatever happened next it would be very bad.