A Lighter and a Flashlight

Strike One

Third Person POV

Seven was basically screwed.

The other kids were going to hate him.

The Janitor would revoke his privileges.

Six could starve.

Scratch that, Seven was definitely screwed.

Luckily, Seven was a cunning and resourceful boy.

Of his eight years on the planet, most had been spent reading, and cramming information into his brain.  For what he lacked in social skills, he more than made up for book-based knowledge of them.

Characters were people too right?

Seven needed an excuse.  One that would keep him, and more importantly Six, out of trouble.

Seven tried to recall all of the reading that would help him.  

He could blame someone else, but who?

Say that he had been sleeping, had they searched in there yet?

He could say he was kidnapped by ninjas.

That one was definitely out of the question.

He looked around frantically for inspiration.  He saw a Nome.  Perfect timing.

Kidnapped by Nomes?

At least a little more believable.

He decided to follow the Nome, he still needed to find another way out of the vent.  He couldn't let the others see him sneaking around the vents.  That would be the end for both him and Six.

The Nome noticed his advancement towards it, and scurried away.  It's small stature allowed it to be much faster than Seven, who was trying to quietly escape the Janitor's hearing range.

Seven eventually found the exit the Nome had took.  It led into a very  dim, very empty room.  As he entered into the room, he heard the hurried footsteps of Nomes.  He followed the sound, and found a Nome, cowering in the corner.

He gently approached it,

It's scared of me, how can I show it I'm ok? 

He wrapped it up in a hug, "It's ok little guy..."

 The Nome stopped struggling in his arms and made a small gurgle.

Seven placed it back on the ground.  He walked around the room, and discovered a lantern in the center.  He wished Six was here to light it, because it was really dark!  

Yeah, because it was dark...

Seven went to grab his flashlight from his pocket, only it wasn't there.  He sighed, it must still be with Six.

I wonder how she's doing...

His heart skipped a beat at the thought of her.

He shook his head, he was getting distracted.  This has been happening more and more often than usual lately; and though it was a pleasurable pastime, it was getting harder to stop.

He often found himself daydreaming of Six, her eyes bright and shinning; her cheeks, lit up with a pale and lovely pink.  Her lips-

He was getting distracted.

Maybe a little more...

No!  I have to focus!  Six needs me!

Seven shook himself out of his dazed state, taking notice of two more Nomes hiding atop a crate.