Snippet #1696874

Tom smiled and gave Deget a quick hug. Good girl. Sweet girl. Kind, trusting girl. She trusted him, without expecting anything in return. He would have to reward her, keep her close. But how? What could he do that was so special? He couldn't give her a present; there was nothing to give. He couldn't love her; he already had a wife that he still loved more than anything in the world. Maybe a smile? A true, genuine smile that actually reached his eyes.

Ha.

Fat chance of that ever happening. He'd been trying to do that for years for his wife. There was no way he could do that in a mere few hours. But what could he do? Oh. Yes, that would do. That would do perfectly. Tom grinned as he stepped away from Deget. Yes. He would watch her, protect her. Keep her from walking into his traps or getting hurt by someone else. As long as he kept her by his side, she was safe. He would keep her safe in return for her trust. Like a pet. She would be his pet, and he always cared for his pets. His horse and his dog especially, but now he had Deget, as well.

"Soup. Soup is good. Soup is food food. Food is important. Yes. Soup." Tom paused and then mentally smacked himself. Had he really said that out loud? Wonderful. He shrugged it off and reached for her playfully, only to miss as she evaded him. And then she began babbling about Gepetto. Tom winced as though he'd been stabbed as he listened to her chatter. Was this... guilt? It was painful, whatever it was.

Poor Gepetto wasn't going to leave. The drunkard was (in his eyes) the most dangerous. The sooner he was eliminated, the better. But he wouldn't tell Deget. He would lie his way out of trouble if he had to, but he was not going to tell Deget. Instead he continued to smile at her. Let her believe, let her be happy... let her believe and have hope...

"Yep! I found something awesome!" A sharp inhale signaled Tom's sudden unease. Would she tell? Would she give away the secret in her excitement? "There are cool knives in one of the kitchens- real sharp and good for unscrewing things. If the windows have screws, we can use them!" He released a sigh and turned away. She hadn't told. Good girl. Trusting girl. She deserved a medal for that.

Turning around, Tom nearly walked into Gepetto. Poor Gepetto. Poor little Frenchman. If only he knew what was going to happen... Tom paused and then stepped around the man. "I'll be back," he called over his shoulder, alerting Deget and James of his intentions to return. As for the blond man, well, Gepetto could do whatever he wanted. And Tom? Tom went to his room to eat.