Caged - Unleash the Beast

Chapter 12 - Heart Ache

Jackie braced herself, she knew that the landing wasn't going to be graceful nor was it going to be a proper landing. They were about 100 metres away when Jasper had told her, now that distance was closing in to 5 metres. They were going to have to jump otherwise the Rainbreaker Tribe warriors would catch them before they had the chance to make it too the border. Jet was the first one to leap, the panther soared through the sky, at first Jackie thought that they were going to land properly but they didn't. When Jet's front paws hit the ground, her legs gave way from the sudden weight. Normally she would be able to land and not have a problem with her les giving way but since she was injured they did. Once Jet's legs gave way everything else came tumbling down, Jackie included. Jet rolled forward, before sliding along the ground causing Jackie to be thrown off and left to roll along the long grass. Jasper had landed with some trouble, but didn't do anything like Jackie had done. The Rainbreaker Tribe warriors pulled their big cats to halt, they all just looked at Jackie and Jet who laid everywhere. The one that had yelled out for them to stop simply mumbled something under his breath before leading the rest of the patrol away.
"That was a close one." Jasper stated as he looked to where Jackie had ended up.
Jasper had a crease in his forehead, Jackie wasn't where she last was and neither was Jet. Jasper suddenly felt alone and turned his big cat towards the camp only to bump into Jet.
"What the hell!" Jasper stated, as he jumped slightly. "You gave me a heart attack!"
"Now you know how I felt." Jackie stated before mounting Jet again.
"I have to admit, I had that coming." Jasper rolled his eyes.
"Come on, let's get you home." Jackie smiled before following Jasper's lead.
When they came into camp some lights flicked on to see who was outside, warriors greeted them whilst others simply shuffled their kids off to bed. When they came up to Dylan's house the veranda light was flicked on and the door opened, the house offering warmth and comfort. Dylan smiled at the pair before beckoning them inside, Jackie didn't hesitate. Jasper chuckled before joining them, the house was warm and acted like a protection from everything outside. Jackie sat down in a chair before letting out a sigh of relief, she could relax for a while.
"You don't look to well." Dylan smirked as he joined her.
Jackie death glared him at the remark before playfully punching him in the arm, at that point Jasper didn't know what to think. He was about to step in before Dylan raised his hand to tell him to stop.
"It's okay, Chief Talon and I go way back." Dylan simply said.
Jasper nodded before sitting down at the dining room table, he seemed slightly left out.
"Come and join us Jasper." Jackie beckoned him.
Jasper looked to Dylan, he simply nodded before allowing Jasper to join them. Jasper smiled to Jackie before sitting down in the spare chair.
"Run into trouble?" Dylan simply asked.
"We didn't run into trouble, we actually tried to stop the trouble." Jackie shrugged, she smiled at Jasper who smiled back.
Dylan shook his head, "Always trying to be a hero."
Jackie punched him in the arm once more, she was a little offended by the comment. Dylan rubbed the spot where Jackie had punched before he noticed Zeke joining them, Zeke smiled politely before sitting down at the dining room table. Jasper was about to get up and give Zeke his seat before Zeke simply shook his head.
"You know where you slept last time." Dylan said as he stood up.
Jackie stood up to, "I think I can recall."

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Rider woke to Jake moving around the house, it was morning, which meant that he could meet Jackie at the border. He hurried out of bed and got changed before rushing down the stairs. Jake was startled when he turned around to find Rider was beginning to make toast.
"What is your hurry?" Jake asked, shaking his head.
"Would you like to come with me to meet Jackie at the border?" Rider simply stated, not worrying about the question Jake had asked.
"Sure." Jake shrugged, now he too was in a hurry.

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Jasper woke Jackie up, she squinted as the sunlight came through the window and shined on her eyelids.
"Come on, you want to get home don't you?" Jasper simply stated.
This caused Jackie to hurry out of bed before shooing Jasper out of the room, she got changed and raced out the door almost causing Jasper to fall down the stairs. Jackie raced into the kitchen to find Dylan had cooked breakfast.
"Someone's in a hurry." He chuckled before placing a plate down for Jackie.
"Wouldn't you?" Jackie snapped back.
"Easy tiger." Dylan warned her, he gave her a playful smirk.
Jackie rolled her eyes before stuffing herself with the breakfast, Jasper had not long joined them and did the same. Jackie looked at Jasper, he seemed miserable and gloomy. Jackie decided that she would ask him what was wrong later, after they had finished and cleaned up their plates Jackie said her goodbye even though they would see them in 2 days. Once they had left the camp, Jackie pulled Jet to a halt.
"What seems to be the problem?" She looked at Jasper, her eyes brows raised.
"It's nothing." Jasper sighed before trying to continue on.
"It is not nothing." Jackie told him, she followed.
"Yes, it is. So just leave it!" Jasper snapped at her.
Jackie was taken back, she never thought Jasper had a bad side to him but, obviously she was wrong. She followed Jasper the rest of the way, keeping her head down and not daring to say another word. She looked up at the sky ahead to notice that its last of the sunrise was disappearing as the sun blazed higher. No clouds were around so there was little cover from the burning heat of the morning. A few birds flew past, each with its own technique.