The Oregon trail

Rodney

Alex's P.O.V

"No! Git away from me...".

The muffled cries of my brother had me on my feet in an instant. The empty cup, I had once had in my hand, hit the ground loudly as it bounced on the hard packed earth.

I ignored the concerned gazes of The Virginian and Trampus, as I jogged past them. The two stopping their conversation as they watched the struggling bundle of blankets that thrashed on the ground.

The sun had only just peaked on the horizon. It's orange hues just beginning to ebb away at the darkness.

Dropping to my knees beside him, I grabbed Kane by the shoulder, flipping him onto his back. "Don't!" He yelled out at the same time I spoke, "It's just me,".

He dug his nails, almost painfully into my forearm as he gripped ahold of my arm. "Kane wake up," I demanded, shaking him awake. "It's only a dream,".

Kane gasped as he sat up, his eyes dancing around wildly as he looked around panickedly. "Where am I?" He gasped still half asleep, "On the trail," I answered, sitting down beside him.

I watched as the cloud of confusion slowly left his eyes, as he took in his surroundings. Memories coming back like clockwork.

Suddenly Kane threw his arms around my waist. Burying his head into my chest, his shoulders shaking as he sobbed.

I swallowed thickly, wrapping my own arms tightly around him. Resting my chin atop of his head, as we slowly rocked side to side.

"Every time I close my eyes, all I see is him," he admitted. Kane didn't have to say his name, I knew exactly who he was talking about. Jug had traumatised the both of us in very different ways.

"It was only a dream.... He can't hurt us," I soothed, my voice soft as I stroked his hair. "Do you really believe that?" He asked innocently between sobs.

My grip on him tightened.

Come heaven or high water, Jug Harriet would never hurt either of us either again. I would walk through hell fire before I ever let him near my brother again.

"Yes," I whispered into his ear.

Jug was the Devil reincarnated, a wolf in sheep's clothing. If I ever saw him again he would be staring down the end of a chamber.

"Now.... What do you say about the two of us, going and feeding that calf... Huh?" I suggested, pulling away slightly, using my thumbs to wipe the last of his tears from his cheeks.

"Alright," he agreed with a sniff, "Alright then," I confirmed with a nod.

.....

The little Angus calf didn't think twice before it dunked its head in the bucket of milk. It was practically up to its eyeballs in it, bubbles appearing, breaking the surface as it exhaled.

With a loud 'splosh' it pulled its head out of the bucket, a very noticeable white mask of milk clung to its hair, as it panted loudly, barely waiting to catch its breath before it dove back into it.

Kane giggled as he held onto the end of its lead rope. The both of us looking up as Clay walked towards us, "So this is the little fellow that caused us so much trouble?" He asked the two of us.