As Tommy lay in his bed, the words from Scott the night before echoed in his head. He took the address from off the table, looking at it before stuffing it in his pocket. Tommy pressed his ear against the door, listening for the footsteps of Clay. It had been a busy day and he wasn't able to sneak out like old times. As the house remained silent he quickly unlocked the window and hopped down. He ran through the streets and eventually came to Airbender Island, light came from the main building and as he came closer he could hear voices. They all sounded happy. Tommy looked through a window to see Tubbo smiling with Schlatt, Crumb with her dad, and Puffy sitting with Asami and Bolin.

"It's kinda rude to stare," Jack said, making Tommy jump. "But, then again what do I know, you're 'the Avatar'."

"Probably more than me," Tommy sighed, sitting against the side, looking up as it started to rain. "You think I should go in?"

"Nah, you'd ruin the mood, I wouldn't want to if I were you," Jack said. "In my opinion Tubbo has been a crappy friend to you, he doesn't deserve for you to go in."

"Or maybe I've been the crappy friend," Tommy said.

"I don't know," Jack shrugged, "could be both."

"I should go," Tommy said.

"Probably," Jack said.

"Don't tell anyone I was here," Tommy said, pulling his jacket tight, trying to avoid getting wet, it would be nearly impossible to hide this from Clay.

"Didn't plan on it," Jack said, going back inside as Tommy walked away. He glanced back at the building before continuing back to his place.

By the time he had made it home he was soaking wet and the sun had begun to set, he had taken a huge risk going out before dinner but at the time he thought it was worth it. Tommy came around to the window of his room and as he moved to open it, much to his horror, it was locked. His breath hitched, he didn't lock it, it was impossible to lock from the outside. Slowly he came around front and opened the unlocked door. Standing there in the entrance hall was Clay.

"You know, I thought you wouldn't lie to me, yet here we are," Clay said, letting a silver compass drop from his hand, holding onto the chain. "I thought if I just let you sneak out you'd eventually stop on your own. Turns out I was wrong."

"I-" Tommy froze, water dripping from his golden hair. Wilbur had given Tubbo matching compasses for his birthday, and Tommy had been the one to receive the other one. He felt his heart hammer, what would happen now that Clay had found it and everything else he was hiding. "I'm sorry, just please don't-"

"I thought we could finally trust each other, but no, you took advantage of my kindness," Clay said, his voice full of hurt and pain.

Tommy flinched. He felt terrible, but he didn't think Clay would believe him anymore. "No, Clay please, it won't happen again." He started to try and bargain with Clay as he headed towards Tommy's room. "Yes, it's my fault and I'm sorry."

"Get out of the way," Clay snapped as Tommy stood in front of his door.

"Oh, okay," Tommy looked at his feet as he moved aside. He swallowed the lump in his throat as Clay took out a key and locked the door. Everything he owned was in there, well almost everything. "I'm sorry, just please don't do anything to my things. I'll do what you want, I'll listen to you."

"Follow me," Clay said, and Tommy started to glance back at the direction of the front door. He could make it. Clay couldn't bend. "Tommy. Now."

"Okay, I'm coming," Tommy sighed, it wasn't worth it, he'd get in less trouble if he listened. Clay silently led him to a room deep in the house. His heart sunk as Clay unlocked it. It was a small cramped room with no windows, a dim light bulb hanging from the ceiling, and only a pillow and blanket for him to sleep on.

"No," Tommy backed up, quickly shaking his head. "No please, you know I'm claustrophobic."

"Don't make this harder than it has to be," Clay said, "You'll be staying in here unless someone else is home to keep an eye on you."

"Please," Tommy begged, suddenly running was alot more appealing. His breathing accelerated and blood pounded in his ears.

Then he ran.

The wet clothes made it harder than he originally thought as his shoes squeaked on the wood flooring, the water slowing him down. But Clay was faster than he expected. A sharp jab hit Tommy's arm and he quickly reacted, using the other one to punch Clay, then using the time to attempt to bend a wall in the hallway. His arm felt limp; it turned out to be a pitiful excuse for a wall. He kept running and managed to get to the door.

"You can't run forever," Clay called, blood dripping from his nose. Tommy didn't respond as he fumbled with the door, pain shooting up his right arm as he tried to use it. "If it weren't for me Tommy. You would be dead!"

Tommy quickly shut the door and used his feet to bend a wall on the other side of the door. He then started running down the streets, he had to get lost in the city before Clay could find a way out.

"He's lying," he muttered, "that's all he does. You don't owe Clay anything." Taking a shaky breath he kept going into town. He took out Scott's card and tried to make out the address, but it wouldn't matter, it wasn't like he knew Republic City all that well anyway. Eventually it got to the point where he had to ask a nice couple walking in the rain for directions. As he reached Scott's apartment he slowly reached to knock, his hand shaking.

"Hello?" Scott opened the door soon after he had knocked. "Tommy, what are you doing here?"

"Do-do you think I could stay the night here?" Tommy said, shifting from foot to foot.

"Yeah, come in, come in, I have some friends over," Scott said, stepping out of the way. "I'll dish you some food. And find you a towel."

"Thank you," Tommy said, walking into the dining room where he practically lit upon seeing Eret. He ran over and hugged her.

"Woah, where did you come from," Eret said, they patted Tommy on the back, not bothered by how soaked he was.

"Hey, kid, are you okay," the woman who had also been sitting at the table came over to him, she had long dark purple hair.

"No," he whispered.

"Do you want to talk about it," her voice soft and comforting, but he still shook his head. "That's alright. My name's Lauren."

"This is Tommy," Eret said as Tommy had remained silent. Scott came in with clothes and a towel for him. "Why don't you go get dried off?" He nodded and took the things into the bathroom.

"Does he have any family we should tell that he's here?" Lauren said, sitting next to her husband, Bobby. "I don't want to worry anyone who might be looking for him."

"Yes, he has a brother, but I don't think we should tell him about Tommy being here," Eret said, she sat down and began explaining what they knew. "I think Tommy ran away and he needs protection from Clay."

"Is it that bad?" Scott said, putting a bowl of noodles down at an open seat for Tommy when he came out.

"I don't know, but I've never seen him act like this before," he said. Tommy came out wearing Scott's loose fitting clothes, a teal shirt and baggy jeans. He remained quiet as he sat down at the empty chair and picked at the food.

"So, uh, what do you like to do," Bobby said, trying to make conversation.

"I don't know," he muttered. "Anymore."

"We don't have to talk if you don't want to," Eret said, Tommy nodded. After the others had finished eating Tommy pushed away his untouched food and asked where the spare bedroom was.

"Down the hall on the left," Scott said, he stood up and went into the room, leaving the door open.

"Do you want me to stay and make sure he's alright?" Eret said.

"Actually, Clay might come looking for him, so it might be best for you to go home," Scott said. "It'll draw less suspicion."

"Alright, but if anything comes up don't be afraid to call us," Lauren said, she and Bobby then left after saying their goodbyes and good luck.

"Maybe try talking to him, but don't force anything," Eret said, closing the door behind him.

"I'll keep that in mind," Scott said, but he had never actually dealt with teenagers before, let alone one that might be traumatized by his own family. He really needed some good luck.

He went over to the spare bedroom to see Tommy laying on the floor with nothing but the pillow and blanket he had pulled off the bed. He appeared asleep but as Scott moved to close the door Tommy sat up and called his name.

"Uh, if I-I try to leave, I need you to stop me, no matter what," Tommy said, pulling his knees to his chest. "I don't know if I can trust myself anymore."

"Yes, I can do that," he spotted Tommy rubbing his arm, the one Clay had hurt. "Is your arm okay?"

"Yes, it's fine," Tommy said, he lay back down and stared at the ceiling. "And please leave the light on." He couldn't get the image of that small room out of his head.

"Of course mate," Scott said, also leaving the door open since Tommy had originally left it like that. He went and locked the apartment door, cleaned up the leftovers from dinner, then went into his own room.

Healing arc???? Or not??? Hahaha. Only time will tell. I had to include the compass reference or gods help me I am not a dsmp fan. Of course there will be no end to references until this book is over.

Thank you all for reading. Please vote and comment it helps alot. Peace out benders and Minecrafters from around the world!