No Longer Freedom

19. Homesickness

Tom's POV

My mind was foggy. I couldn't had thought nor took care of myself. Days flew by as I tried to look out for my savior, but he never came. I couldn't ate , drink or rest. The only thing that kept me going was the imaginary picture of him, smiling warmly. Welcoming me with his strong open arms. Taking care of me, like he used to. "When did I become a lapdog?" I whined as my legs went numb. "I will never be able to go back... able to enjoy loneliness...I miss my old self so much."

The sharp rocks scratched my face as l fell lazily on the wet ground. The flickering ache tingled around the open cut in my cheek frustrated me. "It wasn't supposed to end like this..." My blurry vision stun as I took a deep breath. Staring down at the mud, the wind blew the cold air against my pale face, making my mind even more icy. I tried to study my emotions but it was to no avail. "I'm so sorry... Please just hold me." I swallowed my pride and gave up to the embarrassment of begging and praying. "I will do anything, just take me back!" I whined to the sky.

Memories of his touch and laugh haunted me. It was like phantom pain, wrapped warmly like a blanket around my heart. Humming like a lullaby...

...

But then, out of the clear sky, it ripped the stitches open... Separating the emotions and the flesh from each other, throwing it on the ground. Eating it. Mixing it again. Playing with my guts. Taking my liver just to mess around. Covering my eyes with my hanging insides. Peeling my skin like an orange. He tore me apart from the inside out, brutally... How cruel.

"You do?" A raspy smoky voice behind me spelled. Could it had been?! My heart jumped blocking my respiratory tracts. I coughed the pain out of my lungs and turned my head violently towards the tall dark shadow ...And... Someone by their side. "You learned your lesson, didn't you?" Tord stepped out of the shadows holding...Billy's hand!? "I took care of him so you could get the free time you wanted so badly." He hummed while he stroked the dull looking boy's dark hair. "B-But the blood!!?" I stuttered. How could that be?! I... I thought he got killed.

Then, suddenly Tord lifted up his shirt showing me his bruises and deep but somehow healed wounds. "The blood was mine. This little boy surely knows how to fight back. Awh reminds me of my old self." He chuckled like it was nothing. Just scratches for him but for me, they seemed to be in pretty vital places. One wound close to his kidney, another on top of his belly button and the last one was between his two lowest ribs. He got lucky that he didn't got killed... Someone was clearly protecting him... Maybe god, if there even was any.

"Don't ever leave me again!" I burst to tears and ran into his bruised arms. As soon as I felt his erratic touch, my sorrow storm calmed down. The waves that hit the rocks, punishing them for just being on their way, calmed. My mind shut down. The wind stopped... I didn't need to think, I just did what I were told. Simple as that.

"I swear, I will be here forever." He whispered. Running his rough fingers through my messy dusty hair, he gave them a few strokes before he pulled away from me. "Thank you for being the only one who stays till the show ends." Tord showed me his shark teeth while smiling at me, the widest smile I had ever seen... Strange. Why did the shadows still seemed to cover his handsome face? "Are you telling me lies?" I managed to speak up. "What?! No no no noooo~ Oh my poor little dragon, we don't tell lies here. I'm a good guy, see?" Tord placed his hands gently under my arms, squeezed and lifted me up. "I have changed, just like you." He giggled as he spun me around.

The world around me rolled around like those maple seeds that swirl as they fell down from the tree. His grip was way too strong. Maybe he didn't even realized how much his action actually hurt my sides but his intentions were good again, so I let it slid.