TOMMY

Okay maybe, just maybe this running away idea, was not such a good idea after all. Trying my best to stay on the path I can barely see, my feet hurting, and the rest of me more than a little cold, I'm just starting to wonder if I shouldn't let Zedd find me when I reach the clearing where the castle is. Sending up a quick thank you to whoever might be listening, I grin in victory.

Peeking through the trees and wondering if they're done looking for me yet I don't have to wonder long as the front and side doors open making me duck down reflexively, even though I know they can't see me. Studying the figures, it looks like Zedd is going out the side and heading for the back while Dar and Pina are coming out the front, none of them looking too happy.

Watching as Zedd disappears around the back of the castle I wait until he's out of sight before I turn my attention to the other two.

Pina says something to Dar and then heads into the woods. Dar shakes his head and continues down the slope in front of the castle. Perfect. I head across the clearing and slip in the front door. I pause for a minute, listening hard. Okay, it seems like I got in without anyone noticing. I let out the breath I was holding and head for the kitchen.

Entering the room, I take a deep breath and, not surprisingly, my mouth immediately starts watering at the smell of food. Suddenly too hungry to care, I grab the nearest utensil and start eating right out of the pan still on the stove. Fortunately, Dar cooks enough to feed an army so even once my hunger is appeased, there's still plenty left.

Listening carefully once more, I realize that the silence is still heavy in the castle. I make my way to my room, intending to change clothes. I frown as I realize that my new clothes won't arrive until at least tomorrow and they keep giving me things with little buttons. Wait a minute! I can pull a shirt over my head now. Grinning to myself, I change direction to Zedd's room.

I start searching through his closet and dresser, finally finding a pair of pants and a shirt that should fit - kinda - and without little buttons. I also find a pair of boots in the closet that I can pull right on - no damn buckles. I suddenly remember he said that the boots would be too big for me. I slip one on and realize he's right, but I can fix it. I return to his dresser and grab some socks. I take the whole pile back to my room and into the bathroom.

I want to take a proper shower, but I realize that it would be stupid. The sound of the shower would cover the sound of someone sneaking up on me. I decide to settle for washing up in the sink and grab a wash cloth from under the sink. As I wash, it occurs to me that Zedd was wrong about one thing - the slippers worked fine in the woods after all. I sigh, knowing that I'm going to need something sturdier if I'm hiding out.

As I finish my 'bath' and get dressed, I think again about what I heard tonight. Okay, Zedd saved me from rehab because of the feeling he got through the bond. He obviously didn't know we were bonded, because Pina had to tell him. On the other hand, he's been lying to me since he picked me up. When he came for me he told me that we were going home and we didn't. He covered himself by telling me later that he meant his home, but still. The more I think about it, the more I realize that he's never told me the whole truth. It's always been bits and pieces of the truth.

Suddenly too tired to think about it anymore, I pull the clothes on. Two pairs of socks on and the third stuffed into the toes of the boots and they fit well enough to get by. I need to sleep, but where? Obviously not in Zedd's or Pina's rooms and I have no idea where Dar's is even if I would consider it. Not the infirmary or the dungeon rooms either. I'm not even going to try to get back into the woods yet, not with Pina still out there.

As I step out of the bathroom, my eyes fall on my bed - well, the bed they gave me to use any way. They've already checked the castle, so there's no reason to think that they'll check in here again tonight. It's just going to be a short nap. With any luck, I'll be awake and out of here before they check again. Eyes heavy, I decide I'll just lay down for a minute. In seconds, sleep consumes me.