Wings Beyond Our Reach

Chapter Two

TW//  BLOOD, CHILD ABUSE, CUTS, SCARS, MENTIONS OF MANIPULATION

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It was a new day, yet he wasn't woken by the bright pale sun shining through his window like normal, he was woken by the banging of fists against his door.

"TOMMY GET YOUR ASS UP" his older brother screamed through the wall. With much complaint he forced his body from the bed and stretched his sore muscles.

"TOMMY!" he heard someone scream from downstairs, knowing if he didn't get down there by the third call he would get in trouble. Tommy scampered out of the room and down the stairs which were conveniently placed very close to the door. When he was younger he would fall down them often, breaking his arm once or twice in doing so.

"Ah, there you are" a cool voice said as he reached the floor.

"I was starting to think that you died in your sleep" he laughed, although a cold Tommy couldn't place lingered in his words.

"Well anyway, I'm going into town today and I thought I'd let you come with me" he said, finally turning around to show the white clay mask he always wore on his face. But Tommy was shocked, he hasn't been let out in what seemed like years! And it was, two in a half to be more accurate.

Tommy guessed that he felt bad, but he's not gonna complain. It would feel great to be out!

"Where are we going?"

"The market in town, I need to pick up some food. we’re running low on vegetables, and I also thought I'd get you something as a treat if you behave well" now that was strange, he never took him out. Especially not to the town! Confusion started to seep into his mind as he thought of the reasons why he would want to bring him.

"Tommy! Tommy" he snapped out of the trance and realized he had been talking to him.

"Sorry I zoned out" he said carefully, hoping not to anger the man.

"It's fine, Tommy, just don't do it again. Now go get dressed, we're leaving in 20 minutes" he said turning his back to Tommy once again. But before he does, Tommy slips in a nod to show that he understood. Now running up the stairs he heads to his bedroom, trying to quickly redress himself. He stops for a second during taking his shirt off, though, catching a glimpse of his back in the mirror. A shiver went down Tommys spine at the pain it had caused, though this was not the time to dwell on the past. He was going out today, like actually. Not a walk around the forest, or sitting in the front garden. Actually out to the town. With people. Real. Breathing. People. People who could talk, and move. Someone that wasn't his brother! Although he loved him, he wanted to see others. He wondered what people thought of him. Did they think of him annoying like his brother, or was that just him? Maybe he was like some kind of nobleman he read about in books, even though he didn't have a lot. He still read every one that he got. Maybe dream would buy him a book today! If he behaved well enough he might. Now fully dressed in proper clothes, he ran down the stairs excited for the journey, even though it wasn't long. He remembered when Dream took him out before. It was about an hour walk, and the days his brother felt nice he would let Tommy ride a horse back and they'd get there in 16 minutes at most. Those days it was easier. Dream didn't have to bind his back so tightly then, though it was for the better. Having what he had made him different, and different was the opposite of good. Suddenly realizing he spaced out again while dream was talking, he quickly tried to pay attention.

"Even though it's early we shouldn't stay long, I only need a few things and it's risky to leave you here while I'm gone. We'll also be riding on the horse so we arrive faster. I don't want you complaining about how your legs hurt half way through the day" Dream said lazily, hoping to get this done as soon as possible so they could leave. The thought of riding on horseback was thrilling to Tommy. He had only gone a few times, but all of those memories he loved and treasured dearly. Without realizing, he and Dream had left the small house and were heading towards a beautiful brown and white horse named Spirit. Tommy adored the horse, it was truly his only friend and other living thing he saw in his life. Dream often left Tommy to care for her, and in which Tommy did. He constantly cleaned her pen, making sure she was as happy and free as she could be. He often spent most of his days with the horse, brushing her mane, or simply falling asleep next to her. Tommy adorned the animal. He never understood how men could bring such beautiful creatures into war and kill them without sympathy. Of course he had never seen actual war, only the description of it in old books.