A girl and her Horse

Chapter 15- Canter

It took about two days for everyone to figure out life again. All the tainted meat went to the new beast of the farm, and many chains had been snapped in trying to rework equipment for the Blazer to help. There was only one thing nobody could get disposed of, and that was what was left of the horse. Watson was over more than anyone wanted but at least he helped with eventually with the removal of that one corpse. He still insisted to sell Jaslo or to move due to some sort of hunters. Levi shot it down every time, Deb ignored it to her best ability, and Alex kept sketching out possible hiding spots in her journal. Jaslo never seemed to be swayed by much, and even as the week came to an end nobody knew what her stance was. Had it been a week already? Alex walked into the barn and tossed down some fresh straw before sitting down in it. Jaslo walked in and pushed some of the bedding around with her front, making a nest before laying down and sighing loudly.

"It's so much quieter now, I still can't get my head around it," Alex spoke, looking over to her large friend.

"Ya learn to love it," Jaslo said dryly. She didn't bother to look over to the teen, but just looked right out the open doors of the barn at the sky.

"Sunset's still pretty at least." Alex was trying to get some emotion from her pal. After that ordeal with the last Hound, the blazer had been rather silent. Seeing how even this didn't get some comment or agreement, she roughly shoved the back of the AutoBeast. Jaslo tilted her front to look over the best she could, not saying anything until she was shoved again.

"What is it ya want from me, kid?!" Jaslo clicked her jaws in annoyance.

"You've been so DRY to everyone! What's up?"

"Jus not liking the thought that Hounds are here. There's more and I dun like reliving my past."

"So it's just mope and flashback type deal then? You aren't mad at any of us?"

"Why would I be mad? Ya'll jus tryin to live and I've brought nothin but DEATH to ya!" The two seemed to recoil from this, and Jaslo straightened back out to face the doors again. Alex hugged her legs into her chest, watching as it felt like time had stopped.

"I'm sorry. I've heard it many times that ya ain't your past but... I was made, built, to be a weapon. Everywhere I've gone, others get hurt and die. I have to jus keep fighting and I'm so tired of it. Guess I am the shadow."

"Don't take the name of our old horse-"

"No, this was before. In arena matches I was called Dark Horse, Shadow, Dragon, and Demon. Shadow was started because one vehicle stated 'Your future is as dark as your hide, a shadow of death' and..." Jaslo stopped, pulling her lip over her fangs as she turned her front away with a low whine.

"It's so weird to see how bad they mess you up in the short time I've known you." Alex didn't bother pushing the topic more, and just stretched out in the straw.

"Shouldn't ya sleep in your own bed?"

"Last time I left you alone, things happened and I couldn't wake you in time. I'd rather be here."

"And ya complain every time cuz ya get straw and dirt in your shirt."

"Shut up." They both shared a chuckle before the silence set in again. The teen got up and shook herself clean of the dust and straw. Giving the Blazer a gentle pat on the hood she said nothing else before walking out and to the house. Jaslo watched her walk away, folding her mirrors back with a low nicker. It was more painful to not hear any call in return. Forcing herself to sleep, a tear streaked down her front. A single tear, as alone as she was.

Levi was always the first to wake and the first to leave the house. To his surprise, he wasn't the first this time. Pausing mid stretch by the back door he watched as the Blazer was trotting around the field. He was absolutely mesmerized by how a vehicle like creature could move on its tires like short legs, and move so smoothly as well. It wasn't just the trot, but he watched as she picked up to a full gallop and lunged over fences while turning sharply in some areas. She was training herself, and he smirked before walking out to the old corral. Deb and Alex soon came to the windows to see with much effort and the eventual help from the Blazer herself, Levi had expanded the ring and after placing a few crates he stood back with pride. It didn't take long for him to be stuck in the middle of a circle as the beast galloped around him, and he didn't mind at all. Eventually he timed it right to jump out of the area and go back to other duties he had, but Alex soon came out and just watched.

"So why the circles?" Alex asked as the Blazer slowed to a trot. Jaslo stopped and walked over to her with a heavy huff.

"If we come into battle again, I need to get myself back up to shape. Spent too long layin around...getting round..." The slight chuckle at the end got Alex to shake her head.

"Should also practice carrying someone on your roof. You seem pretty bad with that."

"Well, it's not like there are humans to be raised with where I'm from! Why? Ya gunna help with that?" Jaslo smirked, not expecting the smirk back with pure determination.

"No! Nonononono and NO! I am not actually gunna do that!" She frowned and backed away from the teen. Alex climbed onto the railing, sitting on the top and motioned for the vehicle to come. Slowly Jaslo walked back over, lining up with the metal fence so the teen could easily step onto her roof.

"If ya fall and break sumthin, make sure I ain't fully blamed."

"I will, now let's try some simple strides!" Alex leaned forward, pushing down on the support bars for the roof racks. Jaslo obeyed the best she could, the small added weight was throwing off her strides just enough to make her kick out every couple of strides. Once that was fixed and a few jumps were made without either stumbling or falling, Alex had the best idea to add more weight. The two's antics gained the watch of the true adults from the house, who were both amused and worried about all the objects being used. Thankfully nothing had been damaged too badly and nobody was hurt, until Alex went to pull some of the added weight off. It was one of the straps falling down Jaslo's rear that brought out the most feral of movements. The AutoBeast flashed all her teeth, jumped straight up and bucked, only to land and buck a few more times with a throaty hiss before stopping. Everything had been thrown off and Alex just stood there with wide eyes.

"You jumped... two of me... but up."

"I can jump, it's not new news."

"Alright you two! Quitting time!" Deb called from the house. Alex didn't even bother to clear anything from the grounds, and she went running to the house. Jaslo shook herself off, bounding over the fence before trotting towards the house. Things still felt weird but at least she knew carrying a human wouldn't kill them both.