A/N: I know it's a short one - but I updated!
TOMMY
I race down the halls, not really paying attention to where I'm going - just trying to put more space between me and my pursuer. As I pass several doors, an idea comes to me. I quickly open two doors across from each other before slamming one as hard as I can and slip into the other room, closing the door quietly as the echoes from the other still bounce around the hall. I press against the wall by the door listening carefully and trying to control my breathing.
He lied! He was lying to me this whole time! Lord Zedd. And what exactly is he lord of? I mean yeah he apparently lives in a castle, and yes he has ships and tons of other cool stuff, but aside from that I've yet to really see any servants, or maids, or groveling town's people waiting to please him. Besides what kind of castle is this anyways, I thought castles were supposed to have moats and dungeons and…dungeon rooms like this one.
Glancing around the room I'm in, now that my eyes have adjusted to the dim bit of light spilling in from the barred window, I find my stomach dropping at its dark, dangerous, and oddly familiar look.
Making note of the chains on the wall, the out of place wooden chair, and the shackles in the corner, I suddenly get the feeling that I need to get out of here and now.
Once I'm sure that he's not coming, I turn to leave the room, slipping out the door, but leaving it open just a bit before I continue down the hall. Vaguely remembering what Zedd had said about the marks on the walls, I glance at them and realize that I'm somewhere I'm not supposed to be and I can now kind of see why he wouldn't want me in there. Not that it matters anymore - I'll be out of here soon and then I'll find a way home.
As I follow the brown marks, I try and figure out how I'm going to get home. I can't fly one of the ships - or can I? If the other two are anything like Zedd's ship, they probably take voice commands. And maybe, if I'm lucky, they didn't lock those like his was, but then what's to stop them from following me? Damn it, this was not supposed to happen! I was not supposed to be tricked again!
Pushing angrily through another door I thankfully find myself outside and know that at least for a little while I should be safe from being caught.
I take a deep breath, smelling the clean air and moving on instinct, I head for the woods.
I know I shouldn't really go very far into them, it's not safe, especially without any water, or food, or weapons, but once I step past the tree line I get the heavy feeling of something pulling at me, and as crazy as it seems I want to find it before darkness falls completely.
Forgetting about my chasers for the moment, I focus instead of this new feeling, knowing that whatever it is, it's the same thing that led me to the clearing when Zedd and I came out here before.
Zedd. Him again. Thinks he knows everything. Short tempered, lying, bossy…caring guy who actually did help me feel better over the past few days. But he lied! Why did he have to lie? Why couldn't he have just healed me and been honest? But on the other hand he did heal me. I can't help but grin briefly at the idea that them healing me helped my escape.
As I weave my way through the woods, I feel Zedd searching for my mind. Still trying to get in, no doubt so he can use it to find me. Oh no, we're not having that. I pause briefly to make sure he's locked out. If I want you to find me, you lying son of a bitch, I'll let you know. I debate sending him the thought, see if he can get it, but I change my mind in the end. I get the feeling that if I open up, even the tiniest bit, he'll find a way to stay in when I close it again and that just won't do.
I start moving again still fuming over it all. I just can't believe I fell for it again! I trusted the two of them - I was even willing to give Dar a chance. I am so sick and tired of people tricking me. And lying to me. They lied to me about us being friends. Apparently, if Dar can be believed, until a few weeks ago, we were still enemies.
My steps falter as there is another searing pain in my head. I remember Pina's comment about them no longer being the creatures they once were and another memory returns. Pina - no, Scorpina in battle armor - half human and half scorpion. Goldar - as a winged monkey creature. Zedd - no skin, metal grill across his face and a staff in hand. Rita - goofy hair and dress and a staff as well. My enemies.
The pain fades and I pull myself off the ground. I realize I definitely have to keep moving. I can't let them find me. Now that I know who they are, what will they do to me?
Finally, I reach the clearing, and not a moment too soon as darkness falls completely. I stay near the edges and wait. While I'm waiting, I think over the rest of what I heard.
"We'll help him. We'll heal him. We'll protect him." In all fairness, they have done those things, but why? "all for some feeling." Zedd's feeling. Zedd's feeling because of the bond. So when did he first know? Another bit of the conversation answers that question. "he's been nothing to us but our enemy up until he got hurt."
It suddenly occurs to me that my greatest enemy here could actually be my biggest helper. "You'll be lucky if I don't ship him back to Earth." He wants me back on Earth and I want to get back to Earth. It shouldn't be too hard to convince him to take me back. Then I'll be home and he'll be rid of me. I find myself grinning at the idea. I'm already getting better and Hayley can help me with the rest that is assuming they weren't lying about her too. Either way if I could just figure out how to talk to him without the others…
My thoughts are interrupted by a noise nearby. Not loud, really, just loud compared to the quiet around me. Slowly and carefully, I move to a better vantage point. The stars offer enough light to see a little in the clearing. Again, instinct moves me into the center of the clearing. I raise my arm as though shielding my eyes and freeze. I can feel the presence I've been waiting for nearby. A sudden movement startles me, but I stand fast. A large bird lands on my arm and I slowly lower it to eye level.
I stare into its eye as it stares back and I feel - something - stirring inside me. Afraid and excited at the same time, I can only stare at the creature perched on my arm. I don't know how to describe the feeling, but it's almost like the bird is communicating with whatever is stirring in me.
After a minute of building tension, the feeling inside me unfortunately seems to fade away, much to my disappointment. What happened? I thought something would happen. Maybe I'd remember something. Maybe get something. But I guess I made a mistake. Or maybe the bird did.
Frowning at the animal but still not making any sudden movements I watch it closely, surprised as the bird gives me another look, almost like he's trying to tell me something. I wish I understood it better, but considering what just happened, or rather what didn't, I have a feeling it's something along the lines of 'not quite yet'.
A moment later, without warning, the bird launches off my arm and disappears into the tree line. I'm disappointed, but I can't do anything about it. I wait for a minute to see if he'll come back - even though I know he won't - before sighing. So much for all of that then.
With the bird now gone, along with the rather strange feeling, I refocus on just why I'm currently out here in the dark, nearly bare foot, and very possibly lost. Wondering if the others are still looking for me and if I even want them to be or not, I realize another few things as well, the most urgent being that I'm tired, hungry, confused, and now not real sure about the way back.
I sit down after checking the ground around me. Okay, I have two choices. I can stay put or I can try to find my way back and hope I don't get lost. Remembering the day that Zedd and I came out here, I realize that I was the one to figure out the way back. And, really, the only reason for going back is for food and clothes. I need to think this through.
If I was looking for me, I'd check the castle first. After that, I'd worry about outside. There's a lot of area around the castle and only three of them. A wicked grin crosses my face. They could be up all night looking for me. Well, good. Serves them right. If I can find my way back, all I have to do is wait for them to leave it looking for me and then I can get in. I can get food, a hot shower, a change of clothes and maybe even a nap before I have to hide out again.
I decide to go with that plan and worry about how to get off the planet later. That way, even if they do catch me, I'll be fed and rested. Plus if I make a mess of Dar's kitchen and Zedd's closet all the better. Teach them to lie to me. Disguise themselves as human like people. Take me from Earth. From my home. From people who dumped me off in that horrible rehab place. From people who were beating and molesting me… Sighing and trying to remind myself again that they're monsters, big, powerful, scary monsters and not the oh-so-nice people they pretend to be I shake away the too tempting memories of curling up in Zedd's bed, warm, safe, and treated as something highly special by him and Pina.
Speaking of Zedd, I wish I knew how to check on him without letting him in my head. That would make things so much easier, then at least I could know what he was feeling for sure. Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter anyways.
I stand up, brush myself off and head in the direction I think the castle is in.
