Tommyinnit Oneshots (With SBI) (Book 2)

Meant to Protect (Tommy and Wilbur)(2/3)

Tommy POV

Tommy knew this was a stupid idea. He had known that the moment he had stepped out the door to follow Wilbur. It wasn't that he didn't remember Wilbur's words clearly. He did. But that desire to right the wrong that was his fault overran every voice in his head that warned him to stay put.

So, despite the overwhelming voice inside telling him to stay, Tommy pulled on his winter boots, jacket, and an old worn out bag before attempting to trudge after the older. The goal was to help. Maybe he could attempt some fishing or get lucky scavenging for herbs and berries. Anything would help this far into winter. And if things didn't work out, he could simply return to the house and pretend like he had never left.

But the moment he stepped into the snow, something felt off. Maybe it was the realization that Wilbur would be furious upon finding Tommy gone. Or the realization that his chances were slim in scavenging. Or maybe it was the burning smell in the air that felt familiar. Why did it feel familiar? Tommy shrugged the feeling off and headed out deciding that scavenging would be the best option.

He ran through the woods, scouring the broken branches and bushes for anything he could use. Most of the buses and plants were either dead or dying, the left over leaves still clinging onto the old bark. That was the reality of winter. It was heartless to everything, the dead ad the dying.

The smell of the burning ash never really went away. It would fluctuate between being particularly strong or so weak that Tommy nearly forgot about it. That bad feeling staying in the pit of his stomach as well, but Tommy tried not to think about it. He focused on his task, reassuring himself that it wouldn't be long until he headed back. But before he returned he needed to find something. He just had to.

Luck appeared on his side a few minutes later with the sight of black specks. Upon closer inspection, Tommy recognized them as blackberries. He raced over to them, tripping over his feet. He began filling his bag with them, minding the growing hole that had begun forming towards the top of the bag. Ignoring the temptation of the berries was difficult, but he refused to eat even one with the promise that he could eat one after showing them to Wilbur.

That sudden stink of burning returned, stronger than it had before. Still, Tommy couldn't pinpoint where he had smelt it before. He was so lost in thought, he barely noticed the voices. Wait... voices? Tommy froze, praying that it was just Wilbur muttering to himself as he often did. But reality set in as he distinguished between different tones and voices.

It was a group of people.... and with the smell of burning... "Raiders," he whispered to himself. Maybe it wasn't them, he hoped. Maybe it was a different group. Getting to his feet, he nearly forgot the bag of blackberries.

Slowly he crept behind the closest tree, carefully peeking around the trunk. The lights came closer and closer, followed by the voices.

"It must be around here."

"That's what you've said this whole trip." another groaned.

"Can't you both admit this is a lost cause? We have no idea where we're going."

"Oh! I know where we're going... just not how we get there."

A sinking feeling exploded in Tommy's chest. He knew those voices. And he knew what they were looking for. Standing up on shaky feet, Tommy stayed close to the trunk of the tree. He needed to get out of here before they realized he was there. The lights grew closer and closer. Tommy stopped looking. He didn't need to look to remember what they looked like.

The voices continued to grumble and scowl at one another. Just keep walking, he pleaded on every star and god he could think of. For a moment, Tommy could almost believe they heard him.