The wind brushed against Tommy's face, making his nose and cheeks turn a bit red in color. The cold had gotten worse since the day before, and Tommy knew winter was beginning to approach.

They were making their way out of the village, Wilbur having found a map. He said they were going to go toward east until they found a place they could stay.

Everyone was on board, even Karl- he had decided to stay with the brothers on their journey, claiming he didn't have a family who lived close anyway.

They had been happy to accept him, especially Tubbo. Tubbo and Karl had been getting to know each other well.

Tommy was a bit jealous. It wasn't his fault- he had never had any friends besides Tubbo, Techno, and Wilbur. He wasn't used to sharing them.

They were entering the woods. They had a bag with them they had bought from a store- it had food in it. Techno and Tommy also got to get a dagger.

The trees spread high above them, spreading quite unwanted shade. It was already cold and it just made goosebumps rise to Tommy's skin.

Days passed for the travelers. They followed a stream so they were never low on water and Tubbo along with Karl kept pointing out edible plants. Techno managed to craft a bow that actually worked. Tommy didn't understand it but somehow Techno managed to kill things for food- he even got a young buck. Tubbo got to keep one of the small horns- the other one had already been gone.

"It's cold," Tubbo said, his face red from the frost nipping at him. "I wish we had covers. Or fire." He was holding his small red blanket over his hand- it seemed to do a job of keeping them warm.

They were walking through the forest, the world quieter than usual. Most of the animals, including chirping birds, had stayed in their nests; it was a particularly cold day.

"Me too," Tommy groaned, blowing a warm breath on his cold hands. "Why don't we stop for fire? You know how to make fire, right Techno?"

"Yeah," Techno agreed. "Wilbur, can we resume walking tomorrow? It's freezing." His voice was more quiet than usual. Phil was still heavily on his mind. Did he think it was his fault for leaving him behind?

Wilbur had unconsciously become leader of the crew.

"If you know how to get a fire going," Wilb nodded. "I'm freezing too."

"Yes," Karl said with a smile. "I can help you pick out the right types of wood." His foot had slowly been getting better. Now he could walk on his own, but he still had a limp.

The group settled on the fire. Tubbo and Karl gathered wood while everyone else helped make camp. It didn't take a lot- all they did was find a good settling place.

Tommy watched them, feeling an emptiness along with guilt in his chest. Despite everything he still felt the situation weigh on his shoulders. If only I had let the soldiers take me at first, he thought. They would be at the house with Phil.

Everyone would be safe. They wouldn't be on the run. Tommy took in a slow breath, telling himself not to think like that. He might loose himself if he did and do something stupid.

He brushed his hand through his golden hair, feeling it halt on the roots. Tommy took his hand down, shoving it in his hoodie pocket as he watched his family.

"Hey, I'll be right back," he told them, feeling the need to be alone. "I... I need to go to the restroom." Without waiting for reply Tommy padded off, the cold biting at his cheeks.

He walked through the wood, cold leaves crunching under his shoes. He didn't try to be quiet and wished there were birds to listen to- just something to distract himself from his thoughts.

He missed Phil. He missed Dad.

Why did the soldiers have to come? Why did they take Phil? Why hadn't his family just handed him over? Why did the queen order people after him?

Tommy should have tried harder. He should have tried to fight against Wilbur to let the soldiers take him. Would his family all die because of him? Was Phil already dead?

He could feel fear open up inside of him, making his eyes widen. What if Phil was dead? It would all be his fault. He wouldn't have tried hard enough.

"Tommy? Are you okay?"

He heard Karl's voice from behind him. Tommy turned around, his light blue eyes falling on the brown-haired boy. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said, his voice soft.

"You've been out here for a while. I came to check on you."

Tommy gave a small nod, trying to swallow down his fear. Phil wasn't dead. He couldn't be dead.

But he could be dead. The soldiers wouldn't have even hesitated to kill him. Of course there was a chance he was dead- it was bigger than the chance of him being alive.

He could feel his eyes well up with tears. Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, he told himself. Not in front of Karl. Tommy took in a shaky breath, closing his eyes.

It was too much. He could feel two tears slip from each eye. Tommy wiped them quickly with his sleeve but the damage was done.

"Tommy, it's going to be alright," Karl said- his arm was suddenly around Tommy, holding him as the boy shook.

"I-I don't k-know what to do," Tommy stuttered, terror running beneath his skin. "P-Phil's probably dead, an-and it would be my fault." More tears escaped his eyes at his words. Vocalizing them made them true.

He was only fourteen. This was more then he could take.

"You don't actually believe that, do you?" Karl asked, his voice soft. "Of course it isn't your fault. None of it is anyone's fault but the Kingdoms. This isn't your fault, no one blames you."

Tommy nodded, swallowing. "Sorry," he muttered, wiping his eyes again and clearing his throat. He hated that it was Karl who had seen him like this.

Wilbur? He would understand. Techno? He would make it awkward, but he would also understand. Tubbo? Tubbo would really understand.

Tommy barely knew Karl.

"The cold is just having a weird affect on me," he said in an attempt to protect his pride.

Karl nodded. Tommy didn't know if he was just agreeing for the sake of helping Tommy or not.

"Let's go back," Karl said, patting his back softly. "The fire will help you. Techno should have gotten it started by now."

The young blonde nodded, annoyed with himself for letting his emotions escape like that. He probably looked so weak. Karl must have thought he was pathetic. Feeling the need to look stronger, Tommy straightened his back.

They came back to the camp and warmed up by a small cracking fire that was being fed wood. It grew, a long trundle of smoke rising above it.

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