The Black Army (BVB)

Chapter 16- A Day Off

Chapter 16- A Day Off

Abbie woke up the next morning in Andy’s tent, a soft, warm blanket over her. She yawned and sat up, stretching her arms out. She wasn’t on the grass this time. It took her a few seconds to realize that she was in Andy’s bed and even longer to figure out that there was no Andy.

“Hey sleepy head,” Sammi smiled at her. She was sitting across the room in Andy’s chair. She hugged her legs against her chest and she rested her chin on her knees.

Abbie ran her hand through her hair and looked at Sammi questioningly.

“The guys had an early meeting today. I think it’ll last all day, so we have the entire day to ourselves!” she exclaimed. Abbie nodded. “Oh, and Andy moved you to his bed. He said you looked cold and uncomfortable,” she added. Abbie stood up and stretched, yawning again. Going for the ‘walk’ with Andy tired her out. She needed to work up her stamina again.

“So, what do you want to do?” Sammi asked, a pleasant smile painted across her pale features.

“How about we practice?”

Sammi wrinkled her nose. “Really? You want to spend the one day we have off practicing?”

Abbie nodded. “Unless you have a better idea.”

Sammi shrugged. “I don’t know. We can do something away from the camp. You know, something to take our minds off this war.”

Abbie smiled. “Oh really? How about we go for a ride!”

“In what, the car I have parked outside the tent?”

Abbie cleared her throat and moved her arms over her body. “Horse.”

“Oh, right,” Sammi giggled, standing up. “Oh, but don’t let the guys see you, or tell them that we’re doing this. They didn’t want me taking you outside of camp.” she winked.

“Don’t worry about me,” Abbie replied, walking out of the tent and checking to make sure no one was watching them. Sammi tip toed after her. They stayed silent and stealthy, like two sleek panthers stalking their prey.

Once they were safely out of the camp, Abbie grew into a horse.

“You’ve done this once before, but a warning, I’m fast,” Abbie grinned. Sammi smiled and nodded as she heaved herself onto Abbie’s back. She gently held onto Abbie’s mane and let her legs practically hung down her grip was so loose. Abbie had to remind herself that everyone was different, though she had to admit she loved how Andy sat on her. She felt safe under him. Sammi tapped Abbie’s sides, bringing her back to reality.

“Sorry,” she whispered.

“No worries. I was just reminding you that we aren’t supposed to be doing this.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take the blame for this,” Abbie assured her before taking off at a walk, then increasing her speed to a trot quicker than she had last time. Before she knew it, she was cantering at a comfortable, even, fast canter. Sammi’s balance shifted with each rocking motion, carefully staying centered. They soon entered a wooded area, surrounded by trees that gave off cool shade and the sound of animals living their daily lives could be heard from almost everywhere.

“Balance instead of strength, I like it,” Abbie said over the wind.

“Hmm?” Sammi asked, as if Abbie had snapped her out of a day dream.

“The way you sit. It’s different from others I’ve had on my back.”

“Oh, um,” Abbie could hear that she was smiling and blushing by the sound of her voice. “I guess I’ve never had a lot of leg strength, so I use my balance instead.”