***Alastair***
It had been a couple weeks since Alastair had learned about Nachima's monarchy. Since Wilhelmina had been working a lot, he didn't get to use her laptop that often. When he did, he only got it for very short bursts.
Between that and having to look for a needle in a haystack, he couldn't learn anything.
When he went into the kitchen, Wilhelmina was at the table with a mug of tea and reading off her strange watch.
She didn't bother to look up. "Morning."
"Morning."
He set Honey on the floor and made her food before he joined Wilhelmina at the table.
"How has your work been going?" She sipped her tea. "I haven't gotten to see you much, because I've been so busy."
The boy ruffled his hair. "I didn't get to learn much."
"Well, what were you able to learn?"
"The first king was betrayed by his friend."
She flicked her screens to the side. "Why did you want to learn about that?"
"I don't get why the Key Keeper betrayed his friend."
"What is there to get? Key Keepers do that."
"Stop lying!" Before Alastair knew what had happened, he zapped her, knocking the young woman to the floor.
The boy fell to his knees. Kayleigh. Kayleigh. Kayleigh! What have I had done? I didn't want to do that!
Alastair stared at his hand which continued to spark. Tears streamed down his face. Why did he do that? Why couldn't he control his powers like the others?
Honey whimpered and nudged him on the back with her nose.
"S-stay away, Honey. I might shock you too," the sobbing boy cried.
She barked and ran over to the unconscious Wilhelmina. The puppy got closer and pulled on her sleeve.
"W-wait, is she alive?" he asked with a faint relief.
The puppy growled as she tried to pull Wilhelmina.
The squeaking of the front door opening caused the boy to jump.
Alastair ran over and snatched Honey up and ran. As he did, a young man with red hair like the man from the convenience store stared in shock.
"Wilhelmina!" he yelled, running over to her. He squatted and grabbed her wrist. The guy let out a sigh and smiled slightly. "Good, she's still alive."
Alastair only had one thought as the young man picked her up, cradling her like a baby. Please take care of her. With Honey in tow, he sprinted for the door.
"Hey, you, wait!" the young man yelled as he stood up.
***
The boy closed his eyes and didn't turn back. The young man probably thought that Alastair had tried to kill her. He felt bad, but he couldn't go to jail. Not when his job wasn't finished yet.
Alastair ran and ran until he couldn't run anymore. Until his legs ached. Until he fell to his knees.
Honey whined. 'Are you okay? You don't have an owie, do you?'
He screamed as he cried. All he wanted was to do his job. Was that too much to ask? Did he talk to Wilhelmina wrong? Del and the others could work, so why couldn't he?
Honey licked his nose. 'It's okay, okay? No more owies.'
The tears wouldn't stop as Alastair rocked back and forth. For now, he just wanted to cuddle with Honey. This puppy was all he wanted. She was better than any of this world's humans. The boy cried until his tears ran out and fell onto his back.
Honey licked his cheek. 'Night-night. I promise to keep you safe.'
He laughed as he stroked the top of her head. "I don't need a nap. I'm just gonna close my eyes for a minute."
It was cloudy when Alastair woke up, so he couldn't tell how long he slept for.
He yawned. "How long was I asleep for?"
'Puppies can't tell time.'
The boy bit his lip. What should he do now? It wasn't like he could go back to Wilhelmina's after what he did.
Should he go home? Alastair shook his head. What was he thinking? Vi and Del wouldn't do that, so why should he?
He hit his forehead. How could he forget his backpack?
Honey tilted her head. 'What's wrong?'
"I have to get my things."
He scooped Honey up and ran back the way they came.
Hopefully he could get his things without too much fuss. He didn't want to cause a scene.
***
Since the back door was locked, Alastair had to go through the front door. He tiptoed into his room and grabbed his backpack. He then tiptoed back into the living room.
The young man burst out of the kitchen. "Princess Wilhelmina was kind enough to give you a roof over your head and food to eat when you needed it and how do you repay her kindness? By knocking her unconscious! How dare you show your face here again!"
Alastair felt like he was going to choke it was so quiet.
"Don't you have anything to say for yourself?" He tackled the boy, who was several inches shorter than him, into the wall.
He flung his arm back when Honey bit him.
No one hurts puppy! Alastair zapped him before grabbing Honey and running off.
How could the boy hurt someone again? Why did Vi and the others make it look easy?
***
When Alastair stopped to catch his breath, Honey whimpered.
He frowned. "What's wrong?"
'My owie...'
The blood drained from the boy's flushed face. Her leg probably got more hurt when she got thrown back...
I should get her to a vet... Wait. Would they really help her when Alastair didn't have any money? What should he do?
Honey continued to whine in pain.
A blonde lady with purple eyes was on a wooden bench with a to-go coffee cup.
Alastair's legs ran over to her.
She sat her cup on the ground by her feet. "Is something wrong?"
"P-please..." His voice shook. "Help. Help my puppy."
She held her arms out. "Let me see."
Alastair set Honey in her lap as gently as he could given he was holding her with one arm.
She grabbed his arm. "Let's go somewhere drier. It's pouring cats and dogs."
The boy stared at the sky. I don't see any cats or dogs other than me and Honey.
A blinding flash.
"Hey!"
They landed in a living room.
"Come sit with me." She tapped the nearby couch cushion. "So, what happened to her leg?"
"There was a tumor that got cut off a few days ago. She got thrown back too... She might have fallen on that spot..."
She took the puppy's leg in her hands which gave off a faint violet glow. "I can't do much for her leg, but this should at least make her more comfortable."
Honey sighed and laid in her lap. She licked the girl's nose. 'My owie doesn't hurt anymore...'
The girl laughed. "You're welcome."
What a relief! Sad puppies made him sad.
She carefully put Honey on the other couch then went into the hallway and came back.
"Let me look at your arm."
The boy cradled it close to his body defensively. "Why?"
"I want to change your bandages. It isn't good to leave the wet bandages." She looked into his eyes. "I'll be as gentle as I can."
She slowly unwrapped the bandages and then set them on the coffee table. After that, she wrapped his wrist up with fresh ones. "How does that feel?"
Alastair sighed. "I feel better."
She held up a sling. "Do you think it would help if you didn't have to hold your arm up?"
He furrowed his eyebrows.
She slowly put it on him. "Is that better?"
Alastair nodded. He didn't have to hold his arm up anymore.
"Would you like some snacks or coffee or hot chocolate?"
"Hot chocolate?"
She got up. "I'll be right back. I'd like to have some cookies myself."
It wasn't long before she came back with two mugs and some fudge stripe cookies.
"Allow me to introduce myself."
Why was she being so formal all of a sudden?
"My name is Amethyst Melissa." She looked into his eyes. "Hannah told you that, right?"
She said your name was Ame...
"I was assigned to be your Gatekeeper in this world."
Alastair slapped the coffee table with his good hand. "Am I really supposed to believe that? You were supposed to meet me when I got here two weeks ago!"
Ame sipped her drink. "I didn't think you'd still be here."
What in Kayleigh's name was that supposed to mean?
"I was hoping you would go home if I left you out in the cold long enough."
Electricity pooled in the boy's cheeks. "Why in Kayleigh's name would I do that when I have a job to do?"
Before Honey could jump off the couch, Ame picked her up and laid her on Alastair's feet.
Ame just stared at him. "Is this job that important to you? I've seen too many KKs get hurt. I can't do this anymore."
Well, maybe my arm would be okay if you had actually done your job...
"I have a job to do. I'm not leaving 'til I do it."
Ame put her head in her hands. "I'm not letting you leave this house until the rain stops."
Why was she changing her tune like this?
"I can't in good conscience just send an injured child home to his mom."
"I'm not a kid!"
She sighed. "You're still just seventeen."
He stomped his foot. "I'm leaving!"
"I can't let you do that."
Alastair scoffed. What could she do to stop me?
He scooped Honey up and opened the door with his bad arm before running off. It was hard to run with his arm like it was, but he just wanted to be away from that lady. If she didn't care before, why should he?
Before he knew it, they had ended up in a park. He saw a nice big tree they could hide in and ducked into it. Good thing, too. My legs hurt...
'What's wrong?'
Alastair cried. He just cried and couldn't stop.
Honey licked his cheeks before snuggling her head against him.
He threw the sling off and cuddled her until he fell asleep. I don't need anyone but a puppy! Not anymore!