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The new boy’s one eye was such a vibrant bright blue it was almost blinding. The other eye was so dark grey it was almost black. Both of them stared at Rhys through tight slits, tense and unwavering. He passed him in the hall without saying a word.
He was being yelled at. The new boy. Rhys crept up to the door and listened. Vague accusations thrown around. Stealing food. Lying. Threats of punishment. Rhys peeked through the gap in the door to see the boy’s eyes again. Unwavering, staring down the adult screaming in his face. Visage tense, yet eerily calm. He accepted the punishment without a word of rebuttal or defence.
Deep in the night, Rhys gingerly jumped out of bed. His small feet were silent on the wooden floors. He knew he was good at this. Across the hallway. Past the kitchen. Pry open the window with practised motions. Climb out and pass the courtyard, climb into the window to the pantry, like he had done many times before. It was easier this way than trying to pick the door. This way you didn’t get caught. Take only a little, so they don’t suspect anything. His spoils tucked under his shirt he scurried back across the courtyard while scarfing down a stale piece of bread, so after all of this, his rumbling stomach wouldn’t be the one to reveal him. Back into the dorm. Delicately move a floor panel under his bed to hide his score. Then fall asleep with cold feet, beating heart, but less angry stomach.
Everyone left the room in the morning. Rhys grabbed the boy and held him back by his arm. He closed the door and pressed an apple into the boy’s hands. “Don’t show anyone.”
The blue and grey eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What are you doing? What is your game?”
Rhys sighed. “You cant keep trying to steal food. They are going to make it harder and harder for all of us. I know how to do it. I can show you.”
“You took this?”
“Yes. We do it all the time. Me and the girls. Val and Amy. We know the ins and outs of this place. They don’t like us, so we get creative. We got each others backs.”
The tiefling’s eyes softened for the first time. “Can I..”
“I have a feeling they don’t like you here either. Do you want to have our backs as well?”
The boy’s grip on the apple tightened. He hadn’t eaten it immediately like Rhys had expected.
“Yes. Yes I can have your back.”
“I’m Rhys.”
“Kili.”
Kili stepped over to his bed and touched his blanket that was scrunched up to a pile.
“You can come out.” He whispered softly.
To Rhys surprise the blanket moved, lifted and revealed a small black and white tiefling, one eye the same dark grey as Kili’s, the other bright white, yet so soft and shy when it landed upon Rhys.
Kili handed the apple over and the small tiefling bit into it immediately, obviously so hungry.
“And this is Kelari.” Kili introduced. Rhys was too stunned to reply.
“Rhys got that for you. We’re gonna have each other’s backs.”
“Thank you Rhys!”
The voice was so sweet, Rhys heart sung.
“Always.” he replied quietly.