A Journey Of Lost Souls {Tom Holland}

Part 11

The princess's eyes fluttered open to the sound of birds chirping. Above her, green leaves swayed gently on the trees as the birds flew between them, singing their songs.

The sunlight streamed through the breaks in the branches, covering the green earth in a golden hue.

Turning on her side, the princess stared at Tom, who was still asleep. They were close, only mere inches apart, laying on their blanket. The princess took in a deep breath, letting the fresh morning air fill her lungs. She shifted so that her hands were under her head, and she was looking up at the trees.

She stayed like that for a while. Relaxed and content, feeling safe with Tom by her side. She couldn't believe how much had happened in the last few months. Everything she had been through, the abuse she faced. But, most importantly now, there was Tom. And she didn't intend to get to know him, but she did.

Now there was no going back.

Now she would never be able to let him go.

"Good morning, princess," Tom mumbled with a sleepy smile.

The princess couldn't help but grin at the sound of the voice she had fallen asleep to yesterday. Though this one was clearly still tired, as he began waking up.

"Good morning."

For breakfast, Tom and the princess ate a little bit of bread they still had from Harrison's house. Afterward, they packed their things and continued traveling.

The walk that day was long and tiring. They still had not reached the next town, and wouldn't until probably tomorrow, according to Tom.

"I'm so sorry that you don't have shoes," Tom said, grimacing at her feet. "We should reach a town tomorrow. It's small, but we can definitely get shoes for you there."

"Tom, it's fine. I'll manage. You don't have to worry," she reasoned, but deep down, the princess was so excited about the prospect of getting shoes. Her feet were scratched and scraped more than ever.

It was quiet for a few moments before the princess asked a question. She wanted to get to know Tom more, but she had been timid on asking too many questions.

"Tom?"

"Hm?" he mumbled as he cut away a large brush of grass in the way.

"Can you tell me more about your dad? Or your family? I- I don't mean to intrude... I just... I wanted to, you know, know more about you."

Tom smiled at her nerves, but he was kind, knowing that she was usually nervous whenever the conversation passed surface level.

"It's not a problem...," he said and paused as he thought for a moment. "I mentioned before that my mom died when I was ten?"

The princess nodded, urging him to go on.

"As I said before, she was great. I only have happy memories of her. At times, I'm upset I can't remember more. But, one of my favorite memories is that on my birthday every year she would take me to this ridge that overlooked the whole city of Civitasmare. I just remember being so happy. It would just be me, my mom, and my dad if he was home. We'd just spend the day together. She'd make this strawberry cake. It was so good."

The princess smiled through his whole story.

"That sounds really nice," she commented.

"Yeah," Tom sighed, reminiscing. "When she died, I was so scared. My dad wasn't there and I didn't have any relatives in the city. I had no idea what to do. My neighbors wouldn't tell me what was going to happen."