Five Hundred Miles

0.5: A piece of bread.

Chapter 0.5: A piece of bread.

[ I fall in love the way you fall asleep, slowly, then all at once —Katniss Everdeen ]

Men and women, some with children are moving in and out of the bakery. They take no notice at all of Joshua, who is agile and swift. Joshua's eyes dart nervously around, his hand reaching for a cookie as he stuffs it under his slightly oversized cloak. He turns and smirks at me. I point my chin at him, daring him to go further.

Deliberately, he moves on to the next shelf. It is a shelf of cheese cakes and chocolate pies. He lifts a pie, pointing at it as if asking for my opinion. I turn away, pouting. I have to remind myself that I'm not part of this.

He shrugs, and grabs a few more muffins. He grins at me, as if saying 'I win!'. Hmph! He is about to step out of the bakery, until a huge hand pats his shoulder, forcing him to turn around. The smile on his face fades when the plump man behind him turns him over. Joshua attempts to run, but the man already has his collar in his hands.

Holy mother's God, he's been caught!

The muffins in his shirt drop to the ground one by one, catching the attention of the other customers. Oh shit! No! What can I do? What can I do? We can't get caught!

Without hesitation, I dash into the bakery house, plugging at my shoe. I don't know what nerves got into me, and I don't even aim, but I just throw it at him. The shoe hits the fat man in his eye, and he immediately lets go of Joshua as he clutches himself.

"Halt the children! They are thieves!" he screams.

Joshua rushes to my direction and without knowing, he picks my hand and we are running, We dash pass some blocks, banging into people frequently, but Joshua never does let go of my hand. We don't stop running. My foot aches without the protection of my shoe, and I don't think that I can run anymore.

What choice do I have? The lunatic fat man is still after us. My feet slip on something, and the next second I'm tumbling and heading straight to the ground. My hand slips from Joshua's.

I land on my knees, and next my face, Pain shoots through me, then numb fills in. At first I feel my flat body being electrocuted, but soon agony drives its way into my skin.

I feel a strong hand gripping my waist, turning me over. It's Joshua, with a face of worry. he helps me get up, and he asks if I'm alright.

But I don't answer, because I think I'm angry of him. He interlocks his cool fingers with mine. We stroll slowly until we reach a narrow alley. A couple is making out hotly at the end of the alley, the man peeling off his shirt. I shield my eyes before I watch anything I shouldn't.

Joshua presses his back against the brick wall, panting. He wipes the slight sweat tickling from his forehead as we both breathe for air.

"Damn it, Sparks." I curse softly, putting my hands on my injured knees for support, as I don't really care, Joshua smacks my hand away.

"It's bleeding, princess! Don't you make it worse!" he scolds softly.

"It's all your fault." I argue, pouting again. “Now I've lost my shoe and some skin, all because of your stupidity!"

“Don't worry, I'll get you another shoe." He says nonchalantly.

“Steal or buy?"

Joshua frowns, but there is no hint of anger in his eyes. I'm the one who's angry right here. “Are you mad at me, princess?"

So he can't tell? That's pretty dumb. “Very."

Joshua turns my body to face him, and he kneels down to examine my wound. It's sore and slightly bleeding, with some dirt on it. I'll have to explain it to Miss Collins later. “Is there anything I can do to take your anger away, princess?"