To Each Their Own, and Their Own to Each

Getting into Trouble

TW: DEATH

Tommy was back at the market the next day. After asking around a bit, he found out the market was called Grindle's. He'd now been there for about an hour and his social limit was about to be reached. He was now stuck in the middle of the sea of people. It had to be around noon at this time again. Even if he was tall, these people were very similar if not taller.

Tommy felt something rise in him. He wanted to let it out. He couldn't tell if it was a scream or something else.

It was definitely something else.

Somebody bumped into his shoulder, He covered his head with his hands, and let out a blood-curdling scream.

When he finally realized he was still standing and shaking like a leaf, he looked up. His ears were ringing and his vision was obscured by smoke. He hazily saw the terrified eyes of people who had backed up really far from him. What had happened?

Tommy could smell the blood before he saw it. He looked down and almost retched right there.

Dead bodies, severed right at the middle and appearing both ways littered the area. He sank to his knees and curled in on himself. Did he do this? Did he kill people? What the fuck just happened?

Tears escaped his eyes as a rough hand grasped his shoulder and pulled him up. The man from yesterday stared into his eyes. There was a softness in his eyes as he smiled lightly and started pulling him to his feet. Tommy shuddered hard as he struggled to stand. 

He suddenly felt really tired and felt like passing out, but the fear soon took over. He let out a small whimper. He didn't understand!

"I know you're confused, just come on. It's happened to all of us... to some extent."

-

Tommy had decided to trust this man as soon as they got away. The day before he was skeptical, but after seeing the softness that Wilbur had and the way he almost immediately comforted him after only knowing him for less than a day, he felt it was needless to not even listen.

After a while of running, Tommy had to stop them because he was panicking again just thinking about what had happened.

"Wilbur, w-what's going on?" He asked shakily.

Wilbur returned his shaking with a soft smile and a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"It's just a start to your abilities. You needed an intense and high-stress situation to coax the power out of you."

Now Tommy was even more confused. He'd been chased out of towns and villages and almost died several times. How did something as stupid as social anxiety make him finally show some sign that he wasn't completely a dud?

"I've been in many high-stress situations. This doesn't make any sense!" Tommy hissed.

Wilbur only laughed.

"How long have you ever been around another god?"

Tommy hesitated once again. He's making this habit when he shouldn't be.

"Probably only once... but I didn't see his face." He murmured.

Flashbacks to his burning meadow came unwanted into his vision. He shook his head slightly.

"That's probably why. Being social is important to us! It drives our way of life. Usually, young gods are found and taken here to be raised with others so they could learn in a safe environment. I wonder why you weren't."

Tommy shrugged.

"C'mon, I'll take you back to where I live. You can get some rest there, I'm sure you're tired." Wilbur led him away from where they had stopped.

Tommy liked this man.

-

The door to Wilbur's house creaked open.

"I'm home! I have a guest!" He called into the empty space.

He stood in the doorway for a moment, blocking Tommy's view: Tommy stood on two steps below him.

"Wil? Are you alright? I heard what happened at the square." A man spoke in front of Wilbur, sounding concerned.

"I'm fine, in fact..." Wilbur stepped inside, letting the man who had spoken a moment before see Tommy's figure.

"Oh, mate..." The man trailed off concerningly as he stared at Tommy.

"Tommy, this is Phil. Come in and you can rest for a bit while I talk to my family."

Tommy slowly stepped in, taking in the house and person cautiously. He did not know this man. He did not trust him as much as Wilbur.

Wil led him to a couch and instructed him to sit. He pointed to a blanket behind him and left Tommy to his own accord.

He could hear someone coming down the steps, but he couldn't be bothered to worry. He heard the man's steps falter, then continue behind him as he headed for where Wilbur had gone.

Tommy started to doze off as he heard Wilbur talking in a hushed tone. He suspected about him, but he was too tired to care.