Gold And Coal (Ryden AU)

1.4 ◇ Mad As Rabbits

I woke the next morning with a much more content feeling.

Even though every bone in my body ached and I couldn't move an inch without the feeling I would fall apart any second, there was a small, warm fire burning in my chest at the thought of not having to go back to that hell today.

A small feeling of freedom dulled the pain just enough so I could get up.

My bones cracked as I stretched and I did my best to not slouch, I didn't want to become that sour man with a crooked back, lurking in the corner of the street with a bottle of whiskey held in the hand not desperately clutching a worn out walking stick.

I didn't want to become my father.

After taking a step towards the door, I contemplated whether or not I should just spend my day off resting in bed, but that would be a waste.

Stiffly putting one leg in front of the other, I stumbled into the other room and lit a candle to illuminate the place.

I frowned, looking around, blinking at the empty room.

Empty.

It shouldn't be.

Where was he?

This was bad.

Really bad.

"No... No.. No. No, no, no," I mumbled, running a hand through my greasy hair and tugging at it nervously.

Leave it to him to destroy my one day off.

Not only was it dangerous for him to go outside in his state of mind, but it was also dangerous for me.

See, this 'house' we lived in didn't technically belong to us. Nobody knew about it, hence we were able to live here.

But a lot of people would kill for a shelter. It was a luxury in these parts.

Hence I used the crack in the wall which led to the deserted alley.

But I was a scrawny stick, so I didn't have much trouble squeezing through it, my dad however had no possibility of getting outside exept for the trapdoor placed in the corner.

It led through some filthy sewers out into one of the more crowded street, which was why the risk of getting noticed was too big for me to risk every day.

Apparently my home had been some kind of military hide out a long time ago, I didn't really care. At least I was safe at night.

But not if we were to be found out.

I quickly went outside, taking only a split second to acknowledge the clear night sky. I was way past that, more important matters taking up my mind.

It was quiet. Usually I enjoyed the quit, but it made me very uneasy right now.

I was scared.

If I didn't find him, I would be all alone. I wouldn't have anyone left.

I was scared of being alone.

The moon cast long shadows along the alley and made it brighter than I would have liked.

Yes, I was thankful for the change of whether, but the dark skies had the advantage of being able to move around in the shadows.

The moonlight left me exposed in this dangerous city.

Keeping as close to the walls as possible, I made my way around the corner, letting my eyes carefully wander over the people slouched against the walls.