The Black Army (BVB)

Chapter 22- The Sunset

Chapter 22- The Sunset

After a few hours, Andy stood up and looked at Abbie, his blue eyes seemed full of pain.

“We gotta head out soon,” he whispered.

“I’ll do your war paint quickly! Go outside and change into a horse,” Ashley instructed. Abbie nodded and quietly walked outside, shifting into a horse. She looked at herself in Ashley’s big mirror that he kept outside his tent. Her Jinxx scar was almost gone. Her ears laid back and she looked down, trying not to cry. Ashley came out and painted the black make-up onto her skin, tracing over the scar and adding thick rings around her eyes. He put hand prints over her heart and on her shoulders, and the Black Army symbol on her hindquarters. He finished in fifteen minutes, just in time. The sun started to slowly set. Andy came out with both of their bags and clipped hers to her back.

            “You can ride me,” she whispered, looking at Andy.

            “Are you sure?” he asked.

She nodded. “One last time.” She flashed him a weak smile. He nodded and put his bag around his shoulder, then pulled himself onto her back.

“Gather up the troops now. Head out as soon as it’s completely dark out. No sooner, no later,” he instructed Ashley, who nodded.

Abbie took a deep breath and walked towards the camp exit. She looked at Steph, Michele and Angela, who looked back at her. They all looked nervous and scared. She flashed them a weak smile, and they waved. She picked up a trot and soon passed Jess, Jared, Josh, and Nick’s tent. They all waved and smiled at her. Jess looked like he was going to cry, but he smiled anyway. She increased her speed to a collected canter. Andy tightened his grip around her barrel, making her feel safe and secure.

“I’ll see you soon, Jess! I love you!” she called back as they raced out of camp. Andy smiled and pat her neck.

“Yes you will,” he whispered. She smiled and increased to a hand gallop, the scenery nothing up a blur. Andy told her where to go and gently guided her with his legs. She took a deep breath and sighed. She loved the way he sat on her, balanced and with a firm grip.

“Talk to me,” Andy said, his voice shaky. She could tell he was starting to shake and his grip loosened.

“Are you ok?” she asked.

“Yeah, fine. Just fine. No worries.”

“Andy I can feel you shaking. Are you nervous?”

“Maybe a little.”

“Well don’t be. Think of it as a performance… only with more blood… and if you fail then the whole army and everything we stand for is in danger.

“Gee, that makes me feel better,” he remarked sarcastically.

“Don’t worry. Even if you die, I can heal you and everyone else,” she reassured.

“Oh joy.” He nudged her sides, telling her to increase her speed.

“Something wrong?”

“Nope, we’re just running out of time.”

“Time for what?”

“Never mind. Just… can I ask you something?” he asked, his tone serious.

“Yeah, anything,” Abbie replied, nodding.

“What is it about me that you like? I mean, some people think I’m just an aweful person, but you seem to think I’m… friendly,”

“Oh, wow. Um… I don’t know. You’re funny, an awesome and caring person, hansom, tall, you’re eyes are amazing,” she said, getting into a trans and almost completely forgetting that he was sitting on her back, “the way you sit, balanced, yet with a firm grip, is perfect. You’re simply perfect, but at the same time very imperfect. I guess that’s what I like.”

“Wow,” he said, smiling.

Abbie blushed. “Did I seriously just say that out loud… and to your face?”

“Yup.”

“Great.” Abbie sighed.

They finished their run in silence. Abbie wasn’t sure what to talk about. She just poetically described one of her best friends like she loved him right to his face and called him perfect! She couldn’t believe herself sometimes. They soon joined up with the others. No one spoke to them as Andy got off Abbie and took his place. Abbie spotted Jess and looked at him longingly. He looked at her, his eyes almost pained. She reluctantly took her place next to Andy and looked straight ahead. She needed to clear her mind and get ready to fight. She held up her head elegantly and took high, graceful steps. The sun was slowly starting to rise. Had it really been that long? She didn’t feel as exhausted as she should, but she was greatful for that. The place where they were supposed to fight slowly came into view. The Wretcheds stood their, looking at them. She took a deep breath and tried not to shake. If she had thought it was real before, she was wrong. The training, the talk of battles, the war, all of it, had just gotten real.