How to Forgive

Part 8

Jim POV
I ran on all fours.

My thoughts kept drifting, back to Claire. This was the 3rd time I'd left her behind.

1st: When I went to the Darklands.
2nd: When Merlin changed me into a troll (half-troll technically)

Now 3rd. I, at the freaking, almost, crack of dawn. I race out of Trollmarket, and once again leave my girlfr- *Claire behind.

I blushed as I thought that.

Eventually my shame turned into rage.

*thinking

What the HECK is wrong with me?!!!! I left behind Toby, twice. Arggghhhh, twice, Blinky, twice, Claire, thrice, and mom, definitely more then 'thrice'.

What made me more angry is when the though of my mom, drifted to Merlin's 'son'. That man, had pretty much forsaken me, my mom, and actually, his own DAD! And HE expects ME to ForGIVE HIM????!!!!! I swear if Claire hadn't been there it would've been a completely different situation.

A minute later I got to the outskirts of Arcadia.

"Hmmmh." I said aloud, "that was actually pretty quick." Then again, I thought, I did actually walk to whole way there before because, people are slow?

"BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!" I was completely on my guard in seconds, jerking around to find the source of the noise. I quickly realized it was coming from my cloak.

"This isn't electronic? Why is it beeping?" I knew it meant my hour was up. Technically I could still wear it outside and be fine, I hope. Suddenly it turned black, as I was making my way into town.

I entered town near the school. And I decided, to continue on rooftop.

About five minutes later, searing pain completely enveloped me and I quickly jumped of the roof into an alleyway.

I started, quietly, sneaking around town. Gotta find Toby, gotta find Toby. Eventually I realized that, there's no way I'm getting to my house in the middle of the dawn, especially wearing a cloak that probably makes me look weird, judging by the baggy-ness of it.

Then I spotted an umbrella. Bingo." Quickly, trying to be inconspicuous, I ran over to the umbrella and swiftly snatched it up, then immediately opening it, right after. I held it above me, fairly close to my head, slightly pointing it forwards.

I ran to the street's sidewalk and tried to look normal. As normal as a half-troll can get after several weeks of acting like a troll. Suddenly I got this strange feeling like someone or something was watching me.

My hand drifted to my sword underneath the cloak, but I continued walking. I soon realized, I was definitely being followed. Casually I ducked into the nearest alley. Well, it was sort of an alley. More like the trash bins of every store on this street, gross!

I closed my umbrella, then stepping onto one of the trash bins, I got ready to climb up the side of the tallest, wired, fence I've ever seen. Obviously, I could totally be able to do this without stepping onto the dumpster but I don't want to give any indication I'm the troll-hunter, trolls these days already know how swift and quick I am, and that I can jump fairly high for a tro-, nope half-troll. Troll-market is definitely rubbing off, since I now live there.

"Stop," a gruff voice said. I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Look, troll, I don't know if you know this but Arcadia isn't the place for you to be lurking around in, could I direct you out?" Strangely I'd know that voice anywhere, but I was surprised to hear it coming nicely out of his mouth.

Holding my hood firmly I turned around. I shook my head *no at him. He frowned.

"Look, buttsnack leave or I'll call my friends and make you leave." He said a bit louder this time. I put my finger to my mouth in a *hush way. And again shook my head.

"Oh you want me to be quiet?! Sorry no can do!" He started screaming, with a smirk, as he fished his phone out of his pocket.

"Steve! Shut your pie-hole, I'm in the middle of something!!" I whisper shouted.

"How do you know my name?! Wait a second-??!!"

"Shut up!!" I said.

"Why do you sound like Lake?" He asked. I ripped off my cloak and threw it on the ground.

"'Cuz I am!! I don't have time for this," I mumbled, rolling my eyes.

"What are you?" He asked, with a freaked out expression on his face.

"Half-troll.... now, you got your answers, do you know where Toby is and where he might be?"

"N-n-n-n-No."

"Well then if you'll excuse me." I grabbed my cloak and ran quickly past him. With my cloak back on I continued down the sidewalk. Fully aware, Steve had continued to follow me.

Toby? Where are you?