Prompt: “We’ll become Legends. One way or another.”
In a flash of alarms, on-foot pursuits from wily guards, and attempts at a silent act; screaming laughter, burning lungs, and tired muscles; they collapsed onto a hill over a mile away.
Two young boys lie on their backs, side-by-side to stare at the night sky, dirt on their faces, hands, and knees. Bare, blackened feet from running as far and as fast as their legs could carry them. Their khaki slacks filthy with grass stains and dirt. Their matching black, long-sleeved shirts, seemingly unaffected by their daring escape, were coated in a thin layer of dirt. They had shoes, but neither boy ever found shoes necessary, “They make my feet feel trapped,” James once said. That’s all it took to convince Tony shoes were evil.
“We did it,” Tony whispered, grinning so wide his cheeks hurt, which matched his sore legs and burning throat and lungs. Tony blindly grabbed James’ hand and squeezed with the little strength he had left over. James gripped Tony’s hand back.
“Did you see sister Sara’s face? She was so angry!” James whistled through gaped teeth, panting. Sweat glistening his forehead, a smile gracing his face as well. Tony nodded enthusiastically in response. The two boys lie near silent for a while, staring at the stars and holding each other’s hands; the only sounds filling the air is their panting as they try to regain their breath.
The boys, only having met a mere four months ago, were completely inseparable from the first time they spoke. James had been in Father Kelly’s Home for Wayward Boys for as long as he could remember. Tony had only arrived four months ago to the date, going from orphanage to foster home to a new orphanage like a pattern. No one ever said it out-right, but he believes it’s his skin color that’s everyone’s problem. But not James’. James was one of the kids that didn’t bully him when he first got to Father Kelly’s. James befriended him the very same day and they became instantly close. They did everything together; eat, sleep, play, laugh, dream. James had dreams of being free to do what he pleases, with no-one telling him what to do. Tony was tired of the discrimination and the bullying; he wanted to escape the cycle that seemed never ending for all of his eleven years. After a month of careful planning, they executed their escape. Their first attempt was quickly foiled. Along with the second, but they were determined. “Third times a charm,” Tony had said whilst James was down after their second failed attempt. Tony was right, third time’s a charm. They’re out.
“James…?” Tony spoke softly, still staring at the sky.
“Yeah,” James replied in a whisper to match Tony’s gentle tone.
“Where do we go now?” Tony received no reply. He looks over to his partner in crime beside him, staring with eyes full of wonder to find James was watching him as well. James appeared to be in thought.
“I don’t know,” James finally said after a long pause, a glint of fear in his eye.
Tony offers a comforting smile, and squeezes James’ hand once more. “Adventure?” Tony says with a hint of excitement in his voice. He’s always loved the adventures he read about in story books. James smiles a little at Tony’s optimism.
“Adventure.” James gives a solemn nod, and takes both of Tony’s hands, standing up and pulling the other boy with. Tony’s eyes shine with wonder and moonlight, James can’t help but smile even more. He isn’t completely sure why, but he decides he likes knowing Tony’s happy.
Tony pulls James into a hug, “One problem.”
“What’s that?” James asks curiously, pulling away from the hug so Tony can see his confusion on his face that goes with the sound of it in his voice.
“We don’t have a goal!’” In the books Tony’s read, all of his favorite heroes were on a quest. Saving the princess, traveling the world in search for a greater being, saving a civilization of fictional creatures. But he and James didn’t have a plan. They didn’t know what they wanted to grow up to be. They just had each other and the clothes on their backs. James just smiled again and chuckled, pulling Tony into another hug.
“We don’t need one.” James tried to reassure him.
“But how will we know what to do?!” Tony was clearly unsatisfied. “We need something.”
“Okay. Then we make a difference.” James said, sure, “We’ll become legends. One way or another.”
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