End of Sallow

Don't tell anyone or you'll be just another regret

CW:  THEO THINKS ABOUT SMOOTSMOOT ALOT.

ALSO THEO GETS A MOUTH HUG, BUT ITS FADE TO BLACK

Theo was eight. But he was more than just eight. Sure, he was a kid. But he could snag a wallet from any mans back pocket without being noticed. He could slip trinkets and other small but expensive things up his sleeve without breaking a sweat. And he always ran faster than anyone else who did end up accusing him of stealing something.

Alec had always called him his right hand. Which was why he was currently leaned back against the wall of a pie factory. Meat pies. Finally, they'd get some warm food in their stomachs. The thought had his mouth watering as he kept a look out.

The street was crowded, which Theo had learned was a good thing. Easier to blend in and lose the police and other pursuers, should they find him.

So far, there was no noise. It was Sunday, and no one working was in the building, which meant the supplies should be good for the taking. Alec and a bunch of boys Alec's age had crept in while Theo waited.

And like always, he people watched. He watched a couple walk down the street, hand in hand. Content. Silent. They'd been married for a while. Other couples who still chose to fill the silence were usually the newly courting.

An old man shuffled down the street, his back hunched as he walked. Theo considered possibly robbing the man, but didn't want to leave his post.

He turned his head and felt his heart thump painfully in his chest.

A mother and father, walking. The father had the youngest child, a son, on his shoulders while the mother held the hand of a girl a few years younger than Theo. They were all happy, the little girl talking, going on and on about.. who knows what. The father holding onto his son's feet, twisting at the waist so that the boy held on to his father's head, giggling like mad.

It hurt. His chest ached. What had he done wrong for someone to not want to love him like this? Whenever he'd asked Snape about his birth family, she'd just shrug and say "They just didn't want you." And for whatever reason, no matter how many times he heard that, it still felt like a stab to the chest.

"Oi! What are you doing?"

Theo stiffened. Dammit, he hadn't been paying attention. He turned to see the police man walking towards him. "Where's your mum?"

"S-She told me to wait here," Theo said, thinking quickly. It was too late to give a signal.

"Why here?" The police man said, looking suspicious and then he started to look through the window of the factory. Panicked, Theo did the only thing that sprang to mind. He kicked the man in the shin and took off running.

The man shouted in surprise, and maybe a bit of pain. Theo had kicked as hard as he could, but he heard the man running behind him.

"GET BACK HERE YOU LITTLE SHITE!"

Theo weaved in and out of people, trying his best to get away. The farther he ran, the more of a chance Alec and the rest of them could get the pies and get out.

He ran until his lungs burned, and he felt like they'd explode. He ran until his feet were numb, aching in the shoes that were far too small for him. He ran and ran until finally, the police man grabbed him by the back of the shirt and yanked him backward, and Theo let out a choked shout before the officer had him on the ground and was kneeling on his back, pressing his arms to his back, the side of his face against the cobbled stoned road.