The Royal Thief

Guess I'm really stuck here now, huh?

He abandoned the cane as soon as he couldn't see the dining room doors, as it was slowing him down and kept running, each step he took on his sprained ankle feeling worse than the last.

People called his name, and shouted for others to stop him, but he always found a way to sneak past them, or out of their grip.

Tommy neared an open archway that led to the outside gardens and sped up his pace, running through it and heading outside.

He didn't have any shoes on but his feet felt like they were on fire, so the damp grass was soothing, but still didn't fully help.

He neared the back of the curtain wall that surrounded the castle and looked for a way to climb it, whether it be overgrown vines, or old steps, Tommy wasn't picky.

He struggled to see anything that would help him climb, and he knew that if he were to try and exit through the front, the castle guards would catch him in mere seconds.

The shouts of his name grew louder, causing Tommy to panic and turn to his left.

He began running again, but didn't get far as his foot gave out, shooting excruciating pain throughout his whole leg.

He screamed and grabbed his foot, pulling his knee up to his chest as tears dripped out of his eyes.

Footsteps grew louder, allowing Tommy to assume that there was no more running and he was caught.

He squeezed his eyes shut and tried pushing himself up with his hands, only to get picked up by a pair of strong hands.

Tommy didn't dare open his eyes or even move, the pain becoming worse by the second.

He felt the person holding him begin walking, as he was now getting held tighter and it seemed to be windy, even if they were now inside.

Tommy let himself be carried to wherever the person was going, the only thoughts in his head being pain, and hoping they were headed to the infirmary he once woke up in.

The person's footsteps seemed to slow, the only sound being the opening of a slightly creaky door.

He was set on one of the familiar firm beds of the infirmary, the same baby blue blanket getting draped on top of him.

He squeezed his eyes even tighter as he felt his ankle being taken in someone's gloved hands.

Tommy's eyes shot open as they began poking different places on his foot.

He whimpered and hid his face as they continued.

He heard more footsteps enter the room, and a warm hand on his shoulder, rubbing it in a comforting manner every time he tensed.

Tommy felt the person let go of his foot, putting it up on the bed and covering it with the blanket.

He assumed the person to be Niki as he heard her whisper sad but calm words to the person rubbing his shoulder.

"He definitely shouldn't walk on it now, it's pretty badly damaged."

The person let go of his shoulder and softly asked if he would have to be...

Bed-ridden?

"I wouldn't say bed-ridden, just make sure he doesn't stand or walk on it."

The other person hummed and spoke again, turning to the other people that were in the room.

"Well, thanks for carrying him here, Techno, you may leave."

Techno thanked them and left, leaving Tommy, the person next to him,  who he assumed was Phil, and Niki, alone.

Tommy didn't want to talk to Phil, so he closed his eyes and relaxed his body, hoping to fall asleep so he wouldn't have to say anything.

Phil began to rub his shoulder again, feeling guilty.

Tommy opened his eyes and glanced at him, making accidental eye contact.

The king sighed.

''I'm sorry about the fight Tommy, I wasn't being particularly nice. I just want to give you a home.''

Tommy nodded, grabbing the blanket with one of his hands.

''I also know that you don't like Techno, he can be kind of mean sometimes.''

He scoffs, laying his head in his arms again.

''He was quick to run after you when you left, he seemed pretty worried.''

Phil moved to stand in front of Tommy, a reassuring smile on his face.

''Do you want to see your room now?''

Tommy shrugged, pushing himself up.

''You can't stand on your leg though, so I'm going to have to carry you, you okay with that, mate?''

Tommy froze, wrapping the blue blanket around himself as he sat up.

Phil sat still, waiting patiently for Tommy to decide.

Eventually he nodded, moving to sit on the edge of the bed.

Phil stood up and slithered one of his arms under Tommy's knees, and the other just below his shoulders.

''Let's go then.''

He mumbled, turning around and leaving the room, walking down one of the long hallways in the castle that lead to the sleeping chambers.

He entered a room with a small polished light wooden bed that was sat in the corner of the room, decorated with a burgundy blanket and a pillow with a silky white pillowcase on it.

There was a small desk with an equally as small chair in the other corner made out of the same wood as the dining table.

The only other thing in the room was a stone bookcase filled with thick chapter books and a medium sized window by the bed.

The walls were made of marble and the floor was of stone, it looked good for a guest chamber.

''Here we are kiddo, I'll put you on your bed, sleep if you want.''

Phil smiled, setting Tommy down on the soft bed and walking out of the room, shutting the door behind him.

Tommy moved around until he was comfortable and laid down on the bed, chuckling softly to himself.

''Guess I'm really stuck here now, huh?''

(983 words)