Gideon had been making it work since the coppers came for his dad. He managed to avoid the cops so far, not wanting to go to juvie or a home or whatever else. Instead, he crashed with his dad's mates or he slept in the park, he stole cash and food and he avoided any adults. It was mostly going well for him. Mostly. He could probably use a shower and he hadn't been eating much more than candy so his stomach was a bit off lately but otherwise, not bad. Better than dad.

He was a little bruised and battered, as he often was, sniffing idly as he looked at the comics at the news agents. He was idly scanning the Beano they had on a display outside, looking at the pictures when he heard someone say his name.

Eyes wide, Gideon put the comic back and looked at Holden for a few moments before he held his hands up.

"I wasn't doing nought wrong! I didn't do anything to you, I helped." Gideon protested, already expecting that Holden would be pissed. "I didn't even nick from you!"