In The Morning I'll Be Better// newtmas

22

Thomas' POV:

I take in a deep breath, the autumn sun warming the back of my neck like I'm being kissed by a sun god. The birds sing in trees nearby as I stroll down the pavement, calling for mates or defending their territory. The wind is light but stifling, bringing with it the faint scent of honeysuckle from the hedgerows not far from here. It reminds me of the day that started everything up until this moment: the day Newt tumbled into my life and ruined it

I scold myself for letting my thoughts wander. I have a job to do and getting distracted won't help it settle better on my conscience. As much as I hate Gally, I hate drowning in a pool of misery and insanity even more; so this task seems like the best way of escaping the world of Newt. The bonus is that I'm treating it like a game. I got caught with Newt in my previous endeavour but this is a new opportunity to break rules and this time I'll make sure I won't get caught. Maybe if I do this I won't feel so shattered about losing Newt. Maybe. 

I round the corner to the shop, my gut twisting in anxiety at the sight of it. The jacket I'm wearing doesn't seem sufficient enough now. It's only a flimsy summer coat, thick enough so no one notices it but big enough to hide a few bottles in and be able to dash for it afterwards. I now realise that the bottles will show up easily, hidden in plain sight. No wonder Gally wants me to steal. I'm going to look ridiculous trying and make his day even better- and mine even worse. 

I huff in the indignation of it and continue my stroll toward the store.  As much as I see this going wrong, I also don't want to back out for many reasons. Firstly, that would make me look scared and that's the last thing I want Gally to tease me about. Secondly, the challenge seems a good way to test my speed for the track, considering the cross-country county championship is coming up. I don't want to be anywhere but in the top three- with Minho of course. And finally, the biggest reason is a distraction from everything that has happened today. It doesn't feel like it with how the day's gone but only this morning I received a beating that I know is illegal yet can't bare revealing to the police as the situation could only ever get worse. Why can't Newt see that?

All thoughts clear my head as I enter the shop, cool air breezing over me and washing away the pleasant but stagnant heat of outside. I've been in this shop hundreds of times so there's no need to search for anything. I make my way to the back where the alcohol is stored. 

Neat shelves run in rows, most of them completely stocked with fresh produce and more but I ignore all that and stare at the different wines and beers. Gally informed me that he wanted spirits, so that's what he'd get. First, though, I scan for security cameras. The last thing I want is to fall at the first hurdle. The closest camera is at the other end of the aisle to me but I doubt that would make much difference to its view- I'm still in plain sight of it. That settles the idea that once I've got the alcohol in my jacket, I'm just going to have to run. 

I return my attention to my loot. Only a small section of the alcohol aisle is for spirits and other such stuff but there's enough selection that I know I'll pick something right for Gally. I take a mental list of the stuff I'm going to grab- vodka, whiskey, brandy. I know that once I start putting bottles in my coat, the timer will be set to get out. I must already look suspicious as a minor hanging out with the liquor so I know I should hurry up.

I take a deep breath, knowing it's the last time to change my mind and walk out empty-handed. I know I can't. I grab the vodka first, slipping it into my inside pocket, where it's weight drags one side of my jacket down. The timer's set. I rush to pluck the other bottles off of the shelf, almost dropping one but I manage to stop it smashing. The bottles clink together in my pockets and the sag of my coat must be a massive giveaway but I don't care anymore. I'm going to get in trouble no matter what now so I might as well run.

I turn down the aisle and walk fast toward the exit, my heart hammering in my chest. Any minute now I expect some security personnel to cut me off and then it's all over. Maybe that's the main reason for Gally wanting me to do this: to laugh as I make a complete fool of myself. 

I keep going, anyway, fully aware of the alarm system in place at the door. There's no way out except through, so that's where I go. Instantly, alarms blare and I'm running, the bottles in my jacket clanking together and getting in the way. My heart races as the adrenaline kicks in and I can feel my nerves fraying like a rope. What will happen if I get caught?

I try not to think about it and keep running, the first signs of security coming out of the shop but I'm already halfway down the street. The sound of the alarms begin to fade but the shouts start to get louder. 

I risk a glance behind myself and see a couple of men in pursuit. I hope they realise that I haven't stolen much to be concerned about and give up soon as my legs hurt with the near-continuous sprint. I could try losing them by jumping over fences as I'm probably a lot fitter than they are but there's a risk that I'll smash the bottles instead and then this whole thing would have been for nothing. I decide to just keep running.

I can see the end of the street about a hundred feet ahead of me but I roll my eyes when I notice the person standing there. Gally. Of course he'd be around to see how I'd do but it still makes me uncomfortable the smile he's giving me. He's acting like of already succeeded but as far as I'm aware the security guys are still following me. I want to get away from Gally's sight and maybe shake off my pursuers.

I notice an opening just ahead of me. I know it could lead to a dead-end, a front garden or a side alley but any option seems better than my current. The men are still chasing me after all this way. I doubt they're going to give up soon and that means my only escape is to lose them. If I can even manage that with my legs weakening and my heart feeling like it's about to burst from my chest. 

I can't give up now.

As I reach the cusp of the opening at full pelt, I turn suddenly, hoping the combination of the abruptness of my change of course and their speed will catch them off guard. Yet, as I dive around the corner, I don't interpret my course being disrupted and nearly run into someone.

"Tommy?! What are you doing?"

I stop as my gaze reaches Newt and I suddenly can't move another inch.