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Thomas had scooted out of the bathroom at the first sound of footsteps. That last thing he needed on his plate was for someone to see him pathetically sitting on the floor, knees and hands cut. He now stood near the main room, wrapping his hand with a bandage with two of his fingers, slowly and carefully. The feeling of the soft fabric seemed to make the pain lessen, but he still regretted going out half an hour ago. It wasn't the fact that he got a little scratched up, a three year old could deal with that. No, Thomas was starting to feel stiff in the neck, and sore in the calves. To go out at night into the city one had to be on the top of their game, but every time Thomas moved he creaked and groaned. It wouldn't look good if he sat out his first night gathering supplies. People did it, but no one had ever backed out of their first mission. Thomas wasn't in any place to go down in his Colony's history as the first. It was a matter a deep pride, family and his own.

The croaky old voice of the eldest, most renowned elder in the Colony rang out, clear enough to be understood. It was time. Thomas was near his future now, but he didn't feel so ready anymore. His neck cracked when he turned to take a glance, and his knees refused to be bent past near perfectly straight. He was in no shape for this, and he would look even more stupid since his father had specifically warned him against doing anything outside the building. Thomas definitely kicked himself for it now, especially since he dreaded to see the look his dad would give him once he saw the state he was in. He had seen that look many times before, but Thomas didn't believe he'd ever get use to it.
Nonetheless, he had to obey and get into the main room for the meeting. Thomas was going to find out who his partner was, and what they were missioned to get tonight. Just his luck he'd get paired with his lovely new friend, and have to gather lame things like food -- which was the easiest thing to acquire. He made his way into the crowded room, scanning it to find the black-haired girl. He still did not know her name, but he figured he would learn it soon, even if he was lucky enough to not get her as his partner.

"The time has come to again partner up and send off another group of eager teens," the old toned voice of the elder spoke up, his brown eyes hidden by the wrinkles and closed off look his eyelids created. One had to look hard to be able to stare in the old man's eyes, but once they found them they got lost in their depths. There was so much in those squinty optics, it mesmerized Thomas. "I am proud to be able to stand here, promoting our youngsters like the Colony elder in my time did so long ago . . ." Oh joy, here he went. The kind old elder had a way of delaying the point of the meeting, he could literally ramble forever.

Thomas was fiddling with the knife on his belt, shaking his sore hands ever so often as if that would dial down the pain. It wasn't the pain that was bothering him though, he felt it, but his nerves were starting to get to him more and more. It was inevitable, he would be paired with his new, black haired friend. Tonight was going to be a complete disaster. Even if the two could stop disliking each other for a single second Thomas was still stiff as a board. Nothing seemed to ever want to go his way, but honestly he never usually blamed anyone but his own self. His new friend wasn't even getting half the blame in his mind. He disliked her, truly, but if he had just stayed put he wouldn't have bumped into her so often, one of the times being very literally.

"Jade," the elder called up the next name. Thomas jolted to attention, looking around to see what girl would move up to the wrinkled old man. A black-haired girl moved forward, and Thomas awaited his name to be called next, he knew it was coming. When his new friend had taken her place beside the elder, the old eyes scanned the room till it landed on him, and his thought became a reality -- yet he was not surprised.

"Jade, your partner is.. Thomas."

Thomas' stomach didn't drop, he didn't grind his teeth together. He had gotten all that out of this system when he realized that his luck would hold, and he'd be paired with this . . . Jade. So his eyes didn't reveal any of what was going on in his mind, he contained himself well. Thomas moved towards his elder, all eyes now on him. Years of planning did not prepare him for the embarrassment he would feel in the moment. Thomas hated being center of attention, a revelation to anyone he told that to. For some reason everyone thought he loved the spotlight, and it stumped Thomas why -- yet we all know the reason is quite evident.
The elder greeted Thomas with a firm handshake, gesturing for him to stand next to Jade, his new partner. His mind eased a little since he need not worry about who he was getting for a partner, yet an entirely knew feeling bubbled up inside him now, and Thomas couldn't get himself to look Jade in the eye. "So," he whispered, his eyes looking at the elder. "Your name's Jade."

The meeting ended. The teens dispersed with their partners, and everyone began preparations for the night. It was crawling up quicker than any expected.

Thomas tipped his imaginary hat once more to Jade, then turned his back and walked off. She didn't like him. He didn't like her. This seemed to be the beginning of an absolutely beautiful partnership, he couldn't see how this could ever blow up in their face. The elder must have some grudge held over him or something, because Thomas didn't think his luck could be this bad. When he found that bee hive just outside the Colony building, and tried to reach it only to slip on the foot ladder he was stepping on, breaking his leg, knocking the tree, and having the hive fall on his head, yes, his luck was better then. Thomas would give anything to switch partners with somebody, yet something told him Jade wouldn't appreciate being put up for bid like some nice painting at an auction.

He found himself wandering onto the Colony's kitchen. The stove didn't work, the fridge wasn't on, and a wet dog smell hung in the air no matter what the women did to fix it, yet Thomas preferred it here than with his parents in their shared room. The elder's wife worked here, cooking for the entire Colony family, and Thomas loved to just sit and watch her prepare sandwiches or salads. She was a kind soul, hard not to fall in love with. She always had such encouraging things to say, whether she was sweet about her approach or feisty and mad. She got so mad when Thomas smiled during one of her famous lectures, but he couldn't help himself. Her cheeks turned such a bright red, and she started waving her wooden spoon -- or anything she was holding at the time -- and her tiny mouth would just start rambling on about how stupid he was, and how he should grow up a little. She was an adorable old woman when mad, and it made it worse when she realized that half way through her spitfire.

"Thomas!" the elder's wife's worn voice exclaimed, her small feet wobbling their way towards him. She was a stocky woman, with stubby legs, and saggy arms, but her face was pleasantly plump and her nose was like a tiny button. Thomas loved her more than words could describe. "Hey, Mrs.Stray," he smiled, squeezing her tightly. "D'oh," the elder's wife sighed, hitting him on the shoulder with a spoon. "Call me Maria, you." Thomas grinned from ear to ear, his silver eyes twinkling as he let her go, only to embrace her again. He didn't quite understand how he could dislike Jade, but love Maria Stray so much when their personalities had so much similarity. They were both headstrong, and hotheaded, and very opinionated. "Maria.""'Tis better," Maria murmured, waddling back over to the counter, continuing to spoon out day old salad into separate bowls. "I saw your little partner girl, very cute young un she is, don't you think so?" Thomas couldn't tell her his dislike for her, he'd get a cuff on his shoulder for that comment, so he shrugged his shoulders, snatching up an apple. "Yeah, I suppose . . . .""You suppose," Maria smiled, shaking her head. "You youngsters today are so indecisive." Thomas nodded, in full agreement with that. As he got older he had found it more difficult to make decisions, mainly because his decisions were becoming more and more real. A kid only has to worry about which friend they want to play with that day, whereas a teen has to develop thinking for himself, and start making decisions his parents no longer can for him.

The elder's voice rang out once more, this time calling only the newly made rebels. "I should go . . ." Thomas sighed, biting into his apple for the last time, before putting it down, and running off. He would have hung out with the older woman for hours, yet 'duty' honestly called.

"Suzanna, Brian," the elder's voice croaked, being a lot more slow than was his usual. "I give you the task of food gathering." Yes! Thomas breathed out his relief. At least one thing was going his way. Quietly, and still rather slowly, the elder moved sideways, facing the next pair of teens. "Juliette, Nathaniel, you are to gather pillows and blankets, we are down to are last for each family," he commanded, his weak voice still so demanding. How the elder still had so much control in his tone, and the confidence he had carried through his younger years amazed Thomas. Once more the elder moved on, until he came to face to face with Thomas and Jade. "Jade, Thomas, you are in charge of gathering medication and bandages, we have run low since that illness last month." Meds and bandages. Thomas could live with that task, for certain.

Thomas had pulled black gloves from his back pocket, sliding his fingers through each finger space, and strapping them to his wrists. He clenched and unclenched his hand a few times, turning it over dreamily. He could hardly believe this was happening. That the last day of being just a regular kid was over, and he was obviously a rebellion from the law. It was an exhilarating feeling, and little butterflies started to flutter inside the pit of Thomas' stomach. He would never tell Jade about his nerves, he felt that even if she did understand she wouldn't say it. He would just be stepping into one of her traps, making himself vulnerable to one of her smart remarks. It was clear form the start neither one of them were going to be compassionate or easy on the other, and Thomas had excepted that straight off.

Jade turned to him now, an unusually happy smile spread across her face. It was the first time Thomas had ever seen her smile, and it was rather unsettling for a moment or two, as he tried to figure out why she was acting so creepily. The sixteen year old came to the satisfying decision that she, impossible as it seemed, was just as excited as he. Chances were she wasn't near as nervous, at least if Jade was not looking at the big picture, like Thomas was. He never minimized himself to what was right in front of him, Thomas thought every situation through, coming up with several endings for various things. It made one have a variety of emotions and feelings at once, which was just how he liked it. It prepared him for defeat or disappointment, and readied himself so he did not act so immaturely for exciting and joyous things.

"Yes," Thomas said slowly as his answer, switching his gaze from Jade to the exit of the main room. Walking out of the large area would bring he and Jade to a hall, and if when they walked down the left side of that hallway they would come upon the creaky, loosened door hanging by just a thread by its top screws and hinges. It seemed rather too surreal, really, that this moment had finally come for Thomas. Yet it had, and he had to force himself forward, as he was still in complete unbelief.

Bahbump

Thomas followed Jade, his dislike for her dispersing in the moment. Excitement buzzed inside him as he pushed passed the swinging, loose door, and tramped after his partner in sync. This was all too much, too real, too … soon. No, no, this was the day Thomas had been waiting for for nearly his entire life, this was what he wanted.
And everything was perfect.
Too perfect.

A cool nighttime breeze swept pass he and Jade, inviting them to venture farther. It was rather appealing, and on a night that seemed so calm and quiet Thomas couldn't help be filled with peace and certainty. His guard was never lowered, of course, but the nervousness he had once felt left quickly. The long, dirt road, which travelled in the direction of the city they'd raid tonight seemed to be vacant, lost in the night sky. It was exactly what a rebel wanted, anything they could wish for on the nights they were gathering supplies, but Thomas did not train a long and hard ten years for him to be naive when this day came. Soundless, even this far away from the city, meant the beast was lurking, and the city folk were sleeping soundly. What helpless people they were, letting a monster like that awful beast stalk their alleys searching for Thomas' kind. It made him red in the ears to think of such cowards like those in the city, who lived uppity lives, allowing a cruel fate to be brought upon the unlikely of their bunch, the rebels and the homeless.

"Let's go," he sounded, warning signals all throughout his tone. Jade did not did to be brought to alertness, but this was what was expected with a partner, he had to have her back. It did not matter that they did not care for one another, he and the black-haired girl were forced to set aside all their differences and similarities alike, and be partners … in crime if you will. The Leviathan was out there, in the shadows, waiting, and Thomas knew no matter what he sacrifice himself for the girl beside him. It was what partners would do. It was what rebels would do. It … it was what he would do. one foot in front of the other, carefully and slowly at first, Thomas walked down the unpaved road, that led to that terrible city. He, as all rebels, wished to never have to set foot inside such an unworthy, injustice city, but the colony depended on their goods for their survival. The nearest town besides this one was much too far for a whole colony to walk to, let alone a nighttime raid group of rebels.

The midnight breeze picked up, till it more than swayed the trees on the side of the road. Thomas wasn't afraid, yet his neck hairs tingled. It was knowing that was getting to him. He knew somehow they would encounter the beast, be the first of any of the rebels to do so for that matter. It would be embarrassing to return to the colony if they did, that is if returning was in his or Jade's future. "I do not like this," he murmured softly, taking a swift glance at the city's entrance sign. He fiddled with his pocket knife, popping it out, then pushing it back in. He left the gate open for his partner to give him a smart remark, but Thomas desperately hoped she didn't. The matters were serious, and if his senses were correct, and they did run into the Leviathan, perhaps not making it out alive, he'd like to go down with someone who had his back.

Hearing Jade agree with him pleasantly shocked Thomas. It actually felt better than teasing her till she was red in the face, and that was saying a lot. He was one that prodded at someone for the pure enjoyment of the angry, annoyed looks on their faces. It was a major reason he didn't have any friends. But it seemed he had found something different with Jade. He wanted to be on her good side, or have her agree with his thoughts and worries. It was odd, and kind of upsetting for Thomas; unnerving even. What happened to her spiteful words? She was so good with them.
Thomas let it go for a moment, focusing on the tensioning situation. His skin crawled just thinking about the beast out there, readying itself to take its first rebel victim. But Jade crept back into his mind, and wouldn't be knocked out. There was something about her, something about the equality about this moment, and the way both of them had their defences raised to protect each other that … felt right. If anything was more unnerving than having someone not bite back at him when he left the door open for it it was having the feeling of love. Thomas knew it was love, he was wise enough to not deny it, but would he do something about it? No. He just wanted it to fade, so he could go back to a partner relationship with Jade that was strictly professional. Besides Jade hated his guts, and only held her tongue because right now, they were partners.

Before Thomas was able to realize it he and Jade had crossed the city's line, and he entered with a renewed confidence. This dreadful city was good for only one thing, refocusing. He hated this place so much Thomas let go of any worries and fears and thoughts and focused on disliking the horrid people here, and taking their supplies that they had deprived from his people. "The Leviathan is lurking near us tonight," he murmured to Jade, feeling even his voice tense. It wasnt't because of the beast, and he knew it. "We need to stay in the shadows as we would usually, and try to think of this as a normal night."Even though its not gonna be. Thomas always knew his luck was bad, his odds were poor, but it never accurred to him that he and Jade would be the first to cross the path of the beast, not until they were out in the cold night air. The stench of the Leviathan was great where he was standing now, but he was able to redirect his thoughts to their mission. Medical supplies was why they were here, and medical supplies would remain his mission until something forced them otherwise.

Thomas kept his hands against the large, brick walls of a towering building overhead, his fingers sliding across them as if readying themselves to sense trouble. He had stalked in front of his partner by this time, ignoring the hard look Jade had given him when he did. She obviously liked to be in the front, but she and he quickly figured they couldn't argue, not now. Partners don't argue, at least that's what Thomas repeated in his mind. Walking sideways, with his back against the same brick building, Thomas halted as the lights of a police cars drove by. It was going by rather slowly, enough to be able to stare into each alleyway, and crevice to spot a rebel. But Thomas was confident he and his partner were hidden well enough, the city folk were ignorant to think they were up against people so easily caught. "I think the pharmacy is up here," he whispered softly, his breath drifting away in the icy air.

Quietly, Thomas and Jade had taken their time to reach the pharmacy, the thought of the mangy beast always in their mind. Of course, it wasn't the only thing on their mind, at least that's how it was for Thomas. He couldn't stop thinking about Jade, and the danger she was in out here. He couldn't bring himself to admit directly what all this meant, but the boy had said many times indirectly that he was falling in love, madly and unmistakably in love. It scared him, and made his neck hairs tingle uncomfortably. He just couldn't pay the cost of being in love right now. He wanted his life to revolve around being a rebel, proving himself to his colony and his own parents, and show success in every mission he was sent on. The black-haired girl beside couldn't be worth all that, at least Thomas told himself that to make himself about his choice.
He never asked for these feelings. It wasn't fair that he had them. Maybe, maybe sometime down the road Thomas would give into his bubbly, lovestruck feelings, but not now.

Sighing wholeheartedly, Thomas gestured to his partner to stop, pointing a cold, red finger towards a small building. No lights were on, but Thomas hadn't expected there to be at this time of night. He inched his way over, allowing his feet to flop as he walked. He was never really one that liked tiptoeing -- thought it lame -- so call it stubbornness or whatever you will, but he purposely made his steps louder just to prove a point. Everything was still at the moment, so for a few seconds while he tramped over to the pharmacy, Thomas let his shoulders relax a little. But allowing your tension to subside was much different then letting your guard down, only a fool would do such an idiotic thing. A smirk formed on the side of Thomas' face as city folk came to mind. They were be rather funny to watch if they tried doing what a rebel did every night, clumsy and uncoordinated fools. They wouldn't know where to step, when to run across a street, and how to enter a who without leaving a trace you were there. Rebels were trained in all those things and more, which gave Thomas a rush of pride. He couldn't have asked for a batter group. The uppity style of the people in the city did not, and would never, appeal to him.

Breaking and entering, without letting anyone know they were there when they came in the morning, that was the next issue to face. Luckily, both Thomas and Jade knew how to handle this situation well, since rebels had to do it every nights they roamed the streets. Breaking in was easy, for sure, and would not take longer then five seconds for colony members, but rebels wanted to go a step further when they fetched supplies. They wanted the only evidence that they took things from a store or house owner to be a small trinket they traded for the supplies they took. That was more time consuming, but equally easy for Thomas' people. "Give me the paperclip," he murmured to Jade, grabbing his pocket knife from his pocket. Jade might possibly interject, wanting to do this herself, and there was a time Thomas would deny it. But now he strangely readied himself to let her take over, even going as far as loosening his grip on his knife for her to take.

I'm not going to let them fall madly in love THAT easily

Thomas blinked at Jade, his heart beat slowing for a moment of pause. Jade never seemed the type to tease and pry all in good fun, and the tall boy had to catch himself before continuing. She actually seemed to enjoy being here with him now, which made all his lovey-dovey feelings worse, making Thomas more cautious. He couldn't show it, not even through a smile. It'd be safer to have the hotheaded partner back than to risk her finding out about his little … crush so to speak.
He didn't want to do this, this moment … it felt so right. But he didn't really see any other option, not in his twisted way of thinking. "Please," he growled, wincing at the fierceness in his voice. It was so hard and uneasy, and Thomas actually wished that Jade would be able to see right through it. He didn't want the tension to come back between them, it felt really good to get along with his pretty partner, but love was for the wimps, the city folk. His partner and others in the colony might have wanted it, but Thomas believed that he could do a better job and have more success if he stayed single, and his heart remained untouched. The last thing he wanted was to hurt the black-haired girl, and see the hate return in her mossy green eyes, but life was full of difficult decisions, and Thomas felt he had to stick to his first morals, and not go off changing them at the first bubbly feeling. "We need to get this job done," he continued to grumble, grabbing the paperclip from Jade's hand, the guilt building up in the pit of his stomach. Jade didn't deserve this, she deserved the more fun Thomas, the one that would never pass up an opportunity for a good, childish remark to strike a smile or a look of annoyance on someone's face -- depending on who he was talking to. Now nothing but fire was in his eyes, and his lips were pressed together to form a straight, edgy line.

He turned away then, not wanting to see hurt or anger in Jade's eyes, because he knew it'd be there -- unless she was able to see through his thick coverup. Thomas was not easily found out when he hid his feelings. He was able to control his eyes, change them to look the mood he wanted, and his facial expression revealed nothing he didn't want it to. Bending down onto the sidewalk, Thomas jammed his pocket knife into the keyhole as far as it was willing, then unbent the paperclip, and steadied it enough to stick it in next to his knife. He fiddled with them gently at first, then fiercely as anger grew. All he could think of was Jade, and how he had spoken to her. He couldn't change his morals, but it hurt so much to blow her off like that, at least that's how it felt. Life wasn't fair. It made him fall in love when he had so clearly put out his plans before him. It made him eager to love someone, but at the same time never changed what he had wanted in the beginning, creating a battle of the wills inside his overloaded head. How could Thomas love Jade when he had to concentrate of being her partner and keeping her safe? He couldn't, and he repeated that in his mind to convince his heart of that.
My heart says give in but my mind says no ….
A click was heard, and Thomas was forced out of his thoughts, something he was truly glad about. "Come on, he whispered to Jade, his voice cracking a little with a sudden uncontrollable feeling. He twisted the shiny, new door knob, and pushed it open. The smells of fresh city supplies filled his nostrils, taking his mind off of Jade for a moment.
Only a moment ...

Thomas nodded, but said nothing. He felt too awkward with Jade now, sort of like his mind was covering up his true feelings. The Battle of the Wills was still going strong in his head, but outwardly the boy seemed to have it all together. He carried himself confidently, refusing to duck down like he had something to hide. If he and his partner were found out, so be it, but Thomas was not going to go down discovered in a fetal position. Going through the store's supply thoroughly, the dark-haired boy pocketed several small bottles of medication, and stuffed larger things in his jacket. "We should find a bag, cause we can't carry all this ourselves." The words rolled off his tongue awkwardly, and Thomas couldn't help but think it sounded as strange to Jade as it did him. Ever since he snuffed out the little spark between him and his partner, Thomas had been uneasy, and practically bit his tongue to keep himself from saying something, but he had to communicate with her now.
But his words meant nothing. They were the words of someone needed to communicate with his partner because of the task at hand. That was it. Thomas buried any other meaning deep inside, locking it all away with a key.
He carried on through the store, keeping a keen eye out for some object the carry supplies in, but luck did not seem on his side. Of all the nights. Thomas sighed, exasperated, and reluctantly looked to Jade to see if she had found anything. She was not in his range of sight, so Thomas sidestepped to peer around a large shelf, stuffed full with newly stocked items. "Jade, I've had no such luck, what about you?" His hands unknowingly clasped to the edge of the shelf, his nerves tensed. It had only been a couple of seconds, but Thomas grew worried for no spoken reason. He would have felt ridiculous for it, but bad thoughts of Jade in danger were the only things that went through his mind.

;; More muse than I thought, but this is it. Sorry for taking so long

Thomas nodded, trying to catch his breath again. He had hardly noticed he stopped breathing, but as soon as the boy saw her he felt lightheaded, gasping for air. "Right here," he murmured softly, walking gingerly over to Jade. He opened his jacket, grabbing the bottles and bags and packages that were stashed in the pockets and sleeves. Thomas felt his hand hover over the baggy Jade held, his hand vibrating. He was reluctant to put his items in the bag, then back up and finish up their task, but Thomas convinced himself he didn't know why.
He knew.
But he wouldn't admit it.

Dropping his supplies in carelessly, Thomas backed up then turned abruptly. He just wanted to get this over with so he could go to the room he and his parents share and just … be alone to his thoughts. The boy needed time to figure things out. Jade deserved more than he could ever give, and he believed, or wanted to believe, that with all his heart.

Sighing, Thomas rummaged through the shelves for Midol and Tylenol, and such like that. He would leave it to his girl partner to gather up the 'girl supplies' and bandages and such. He remembered a special medication several of the elders had to take on a regular basis and Thomas dug for those next. When he didn't come across the medicine, he became frantic, and when Thomas became frantic, which was rare, his mind swelled with stupid, worried thoughts. Maria Stray, his closest friend, was one of the elders that needed that medication to keep up her heart rate. Just thinking about the disappointed look on her face scared him; made him frustrated with himself. "Is there a doctor's office around here?" he asked his partner quietly, not even realizing he said it. "Yes, yes, of course there is …" His mind was gone by that point, his thoughts were wrapped only around getting medication for Maria. Her sweet, old face with its cherry top nose and jolly eyes crossed his mind continuously, and it left an empty feeling in his gut. Thomas was determined to get her what she needed, and when he was determined he saw it through. "I must get her …" He never finished his sentence. He walked dreamily over to the door, opened it, and walked out. He never even heard the door's bell ring its soft tune. Heavy-footed, Thomas walked down the street, not caring if he was in the shadows or not. The medicine was stuffed in his jacket pockets, and everything after that went blank for him.

A loud growl sounded from afar, and its voice echoed with such fire. It was angry and blood-thirsty, sensing the presence of Thomas. The beast knew he was on its streets.