I was cleaning out my backpack, that just seemed to have more and more surprises coming out of it. I had found my little lighter, Sonja's white lighter, some bandage, and a tarot card stack.

I always played with tarot cards when I was little, which is why I didn't believe they would predict the future. I would always get different answers such as temperance, justice. Hell sometimes I got moon.

Had those cards predicted that I would fall off of the place I lived and met a prince to fall in love with. No, no they did not.

"What are you up to?".

Speak of the devil.

Andor sat down by me. He came through the bedroom window, which was a lot faster than the door.

I shuffled the deck, admiring the watercolor on each one of the cards. They really were gorgeous. I hope the priest didn't miss them to much.

"Wanna play a game", I smirked up at Andor.

He squinted at the tarot cards, not seeming real fond of the idea. He picked up the high priestess card to admire. "Is this actually painted on".

It was nice to have him around when art was involved, because he was as addicted as me.

"How else would it be made", I questioned.

"Most things are print pressed here with ink and stone", he put the card back down on the deck. Then his sea blue eyes moved to me and I could feel my face flush.

"Aren't these really dangerous?", Andor asked.

"Yeah", I let out with a normal monotone, "but one guy told me I was just a cog in fates machine, so I like to get back at him".

Andor gave me a really tired look, but he was still smiling. He could never be mad at me. "So you decide to piss off fate?"

I grinned at him, placing the deck of cards right between us, "yep".

Andor tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "How does this work?"

"Pick up a card and tell me what I got"

"Can you go first?", he asked.

"Don't be scared", I teased.

He rolled his eyes, but his eyes were very weary of the situation. "I'm not scared".

I sighed and picked up a card off of the deck. He got tower. "Okay", I showed him the card.

Andor shrugged. "I don't know what that means Hope"

I groaned and let the card glide down to the ground.

Andor laughed. "I'm sorry I'm no fun".

I pushed his shoulder. "No your not!"

I picked up the card again and started to explain. "The tower card means you have a shifting foundation. You're growing up and everything is different", I paused to see Andors face that had gone ashen, he had my card in his hand but he was still looking up at me. I guess he was pretty scared at how accurate the card was. "You've had a revelation, a sudden change".

Everything was quiet. I wasn't sure how mad Andor still was about him and his dad's fight, but he seemed pretty bummed out still.

"Hey", I let out softly. I held his cheek in my hand. "Are you okay?"

He grabbed my hand and looked at me with tearstained eyes. He shrugged and pulled me into a hug.

I ran my hand through his hair as he rested his head on my shoulder.

His heartbeat was beating so fast against my chest, I could feel that he was tense and scared.

My heart ached, literally ached, feeling his tears soak under my shirt. I just wanted to help but I couldn't.

I always beat at myself that I had a shit life. What could get worse than having no parents?

If I had ever learned anything from Andor it was that a situation didn't name the extent of pain.

The castle was awake with shadows and monsters. Fog laced in gloom surrounded the court yard. The moon was full and red.

Everything felt surreal.

Pointed fingers were laughing at me. The painful bickering leant on in my ears. My skin was cold.

I felt left for dead.

Kids were crying. My head was aching.

Yelling. Yelling a fighting for control. It was spiraling to insanity as I stood on the sidelines.

Just couldn't help. I had to stay still.

I'm being selfish. Selfish for my loved ones.

That makes it better, doesn't it?

I wasn't helpless, I wasn't being helpful either. The thought of abuse rang around, yelling at me to stop being worthless.

I had let this happen once. I couldn't let it happen again.

Then at the corner at my eye I witnessed a moment in time.

Screaming, crying.

Stay out of my way!

This is the plan!

Tear stained cheeks, bloody nose-.

*****

My speeding heartbeat woke me up.

The satin sheets felt grimy under me. Everything felt fake, and wrong.

I turned to my side to see Sonja, sleeping under a curtain of her caramel hair.

I'm so glad she's a heavy sleeper.

I hated it here. I just wanted to leave. Get my team and get out of here.

Tom wasn't safe. Who's to say we're not next?

Sonja mindlessly threw her arm around my chest in her sleep.

I felt safer now, which was good.

She was my first priority and she always would be.

Nightmares or not, I couldn't let her worry.

Not here and not ever.

There was murmuring outside of a my garage door. It was making staying asleep until 12:00 p.m very difficult.

Not that the bulky mattress and my coat I used as a blanket helped.

I grabbed my glasses and laid them on my face. I stretched heading for the garage door, grabbing my coat and inching it on my body.

My back ached from the stone floor and my feet hurt more for having to constantly walk on concrete. My life, like normal, was a disaster. Now it was clean disaster, though.

I had organized everything last evening before I passed out. I just decided to not work on the glass sword, because all the drama including Tom was enough for one day.

I opened up the garage door. The Mianites were standing there. So was the king who was selectively glaring at Hope.

I couldn't find Andor, so me and Hope we're basically screwed for whatever this was.

"We're going to the courthouse", Tucker said calmly, but his face was laced with a horrified expression.

Oh Lady Ianite. Not that place.

We were definitely screwed.

The King walked off, the town herald walking behind him like a scolded animal, without saying hi to me. The courthouse was only up the street, a tad bit closer to the docks, from my house.

Sonja and Tucker hassled behind them, whispering there own team secrets to each other. Hope and I were a little less ambitious to keep up with the crowd and lengthened behind.

"Where's Andor?", I asked quietly.

Hope glanced over to me with her normal curious and anxious brown eyes. She tossed her blonde bangs behind her ear. "Oh", She spoke up, but still stayed to a low monotone, "he is still asleep. That memory potion is starting to work and he can't sleep very well".

Wait excuse me?

I squinted my eyes at her with suspicion. "How do you know that?"

Her eyes widened to a question she didn't want to answer.

I was still glaring at her. Trying to be persistent without tripping on the path.

"I'm not answering that question, Jordan", she gave out in a placid tone.

Well then-!

"Unless you don't want an opinion in this case, I would stop taking my time and hurry up", The Kings gruff voice barked out, "I don't have time for your fruitless matters".

Hope gave me a sassy eyebrow raise that was really indicated to the king. Her face said "not like I want to fucking be here anyway".

I have and odd stare back that meant "wouldn't have to be here if they woke me up anyway".

We hurried up, not wanting to tip over that can of worms.

The court room was empty, unlike when we were on trial. Everything was empty, except for the king, the herald, us, and Steve who was sitting in the jail cell.

He seemed casual, even though I was pretty sure this was a situation to be worried about.

"Uh sir", Tucker spoke out, "where's the jury?"

"We don't need one", the king answered sternly.

"Ex- fucking- scuse me", Hope whispered. I would have laughed, but this was not a funny moment.

Still Steve sat there, picking at his baseball cap. He seemed casual, like this was a normal everyday thing. Like Hope and Tom getting a run in with the law. Like this was enjoyable.

The king took his time to sit down, but the herald sat down hastily. I think he was still scared for his life, and hoped he would be useful to the king for as long as possible.

"Now", the king spoke up. Even though there was no reason to speak up. His words echoed off the court room walls, since the place was practically empty. "We are here today to speak up for the crime of the local farmer, Steve".

"Okay sure", Steve mumbled, "crime".

The king didn't slam his fist at Steve's comment, which surprised me. Maybe he had enough power looming around him that the king didn't quite care for what Steve was saying.

"He burned down, former local resident, Tom Syndicates house yesterday", The king continued.

"Dingos shit!", Steve blasted out in his Australian accent.

The herald held his pistol, but the king lifted his hand, telling the herald to keep patience.

"What proof?", Sonja asked politely. Polite enough that the king didn't freak out.

"I have an eye witness that stated he saw the farmer waking from the smoldering ruins of Tom Syndicate's house".

"Why do you even care about Tom's house", Hope yelled out, "you kicked him out of the town!"

"I would expect you to know better than to open your pretty little mouth", The Herald snapped.

Hope opened her mouth. I was awaiting the not very nice words that were going to fly out.

"I would watch your mouth, young lady", The king said before she opened her mouth.

Hope sat down in the seat, which surprised me. Usually she throws her life in direct danger like she throws old sketch paper away.

"I have sentenced the farmer to a life of imprisonment", the king stated.

"Woah, woah, woah", Tucker started waving his hands around like a crazy person. "Wait king", he raised his voice. "Where's the Jury!"

Two of the heralds guards walked in and grabbed Steve from the court jail cell. He didn't fight, just went limp, making the guards job ten times harder.

The king and herald rushed by Tucker before he could argue anymore.

Hope was still pouting on the seat.

I, the only one paying attention, noticed a letter swish out of Steve's pocket to the floor.

I lifted up the vanilla envelope. Then turned to see on the back, in black ink, the words 'addressed to Tommy Syndicate'.

I opened up the letter and started reading through it.

Dear Tommy,

If you're reading this it means the dingos have got me. I'll be fine, there slammer is about as harsh as a drop bear, non existent.

In my house, on the edge of my bed frame, is a wooden chest. The key is on the bottom of my stove. In the chest will be the necessities you will need to brake me out.

One piece of the dynamite in the chest should be enough to brake open the rubbish peace of metal they call a door. I also have a lighter and some important armor in there. I need that too.

Don't just do it for me Tommy, do it for Dianite and the lively hood of your friends.

-Steve

Jordan was reading off a letter that was definitely addressed to me. He was the only person who write me a letter. That was important and there Jordan had his big nose in it.

It was difficult enough to find a way to cross the bridge without those stupid guards seeing, but now I didn't have the note.

I needed to read that. Not just for the lively hood of Steve, but for the whole god damn town.

The first time I was close to anything of a hero, and Jordan was even stealing that away from me!

I jumped through the court room window. Jordan jumped and grabbed the iron sword he was dealing with right now.

His reflexes were more than advanced now, so he was able to have the iron glinting under my neck before I could stand up.

"What is it Tom?", he questioned sternly.

I helped up my arms, smirking because my face didn't have anything else to do, "thought we were on the same team for once".

Jordan put his sword back in his holster. After a long pause and sigh, and thinking through some situations in his head, Jordan said, "You were right, okay-"

"Told you", I let out.

"But", he continued, "that doesn't mean I can't afford the king out of my good graces. Hope loves the prince. Wants to admit or not, she does".

"The Prince will do whatever the hell Hope wants him to". I was talking freely now, not truly giving a shot what I said. I think Jordan could tell from my last sentence.

"Yeah", Jordan chuckled, "to bad she's not a liar and cheat like you. She would never do that to the guy she's in love with".

I squinted my eyes at him. He was being equally as uncalled for. I could imagine he was done with the town and me. Stuck in a tight spot he never imagined he would be a part of. Side with a Dianite with more that decent morals, or side with a power hungry Mianite.

"Upset that you can't just run off to the 'good side'", I hissed.

"Look Tommy", Jordan held the very important letter loosely in his hand, "I was going to give this to you, because I felt like being a kind person, but bow I'm not sure".

"Your both stupid". Hope's voice struggled to come out of her mouth. I think she heard my suggestion.

She just sat in places so quietly and neatly, like a cat. You never knew when to watch what you say.

Her brown boots walked over to me and Jordan. "Look Tom I'm not on your side-"

"You trust the king", I gasped out of surprise.

"Hell no", she said calmly. "He creeps me out and is a horrible problem". Hope looked at the ground with her arms crossed over her chest, "you can imagine why I have a problem with that".

Jordan and I both stood in guilty silence. She definitely heard what we said.

"If you get Steve out of jail and keep the king at bay, without Andor, Jordan, or me having to get are hands dirty. Just until I figure out what's going on with his past", Hope continued, "well then you have my vote".

Jordan's face softened hearing the terms that Hope laid out. I think he agreed.

"Yeah", he sighed and handed me the note, "here".

I reached for the letter, but Jordan pulled his hand back.

"Give me a few days", he let out slowly, "then I promise in two days I will give it back".

"You better", I said with a wry tone.

I hopped out of the court room and headed to Steve's house. I hope it is still safe.

"I should have been there. I could have helped him".

"Stop", I gave out, "your going to put a trench in the floor if you keep doing that".

It was now Andor's sixth lap around his bedroom. I swear the guy ran on gasoline. He just kept on going, and going, and going-.

"He was the closest thing alive I have to a family", Andor spoke, still not looking me in the eyes.

"He is", I corrected.

"Yeah okay", he laughed nervously, "until my father buries him alive, too".

"He won't do that", I tried my best to comfort him. "He's using him to scare Tom".

"To scare you", he was now staring into my eyes, "because I love you".

I love you. That hit me like a rock. He had never said it, and from that point the thought never past by my brain. We were only seriously together for around a month now. Don't you think it was early.

"Oh", I squeaked out, trying to ignore the words that just came out of his mouth. "Well yes I guess it could all lead back to me-"

"It's my fault", he started pacing around again, like what he just said was casual.

I WAS NOT FEELING CASUAL!!

"Your not the one who put him in jail. That was your dad!", I said with a louder tone. Maybe that would get the idea into his head.

"But it was basically me". He then proceeded to dramatically drop onto the bed from the left where I was sitting. "Everything is all my fault".

"Well", I sighed, " I wouldn't give yourself that much credit. Maybe being a horrible son helped the cause, but other than that your basically useless-"

Andor lightly poked my leg, but I think it was supposed to be harder than what the end product was. "Your not helping".

I laid down right beside him. "I was trying to show you how stupid you sound".

"Thanks", he lengthened on the word bitterly. "Maybe I'll just leave".

"You could jump into the ocean", I laughed. "That would solve all your problems".

"No the ocean is horrifying", he let out. I could hear his heavy breath from here. He was upset and not admitting it once again. "I rather be buried alive with Steve".

"Well damn", I answered pompously, "what did the ocean ever do to you".

"Steve always told me that a long time ago, when the water wasn't so polluted it was clear".

"So", I questioned. "That sounds pretty".

"You could see the whole way to the bottom. So people could see the creatures that laid under the ocean-"

"Still sounds like a nice little scuba trip"

Andor sighed, because I was being so difficult. "People didn't swim because of how horrifying the creatures were".

"And you believed him".

Andor grabbed my hand and squinted his blue eyes at me. "I was ten".

I laid my arms around his neck as we were facing each other. I stared into his eyes, trying to mentally sketch them in my brain. All the different shades of the same beautiful winter ocean blue.

"Tom would probably kill your father before he would let him kill Steve", I murmured the words out as my exhausted brain started to shut down.

Andor ran his fingers through my hair, making me more drowsy. His breath landing on my nose.

"That's what I'm scared of", he whispered.

I was knocked out on my mattress, but it was all worth it. I finally got my glass sword almost done.

I still wasn't finished, but I was almost there.

This plan I thought out of has no reason to fail. I just need the materials to make it.

It had been now one day and I should probably give Tom back the note before he freaks out and burns me to a stake.

God, what time even was it?!

I woke up at a fairly good time for going to sleep around two. It was ten now. If Tom even was awake he wouldn't have his daggers sharpened yet.

I stretched my arms and grabbed my coat from the mattress.

I squinted my eyes, making out a foggy picture of something stuck to my garage door.

I stuck on my glasses, still trying to transform the blurry picture into something that I could see.

It was a letter, with black ink. The same black ink that was on the back of Steve's letter.

Dear Sparkles,

God damn no please Tom-.

I am very deeply sorry for what is about o happen, but you seem to be to blind to notice that what I am trying to do is for the good of the town.