where you are

the next morning

Jaxx

I had woken up later than I usually do and rode my horse to the Miller's ranch and began looking for something to do in the barn when I heard him walking inside.

Garrett: getting a late start today aren't you Jaxx?

Jaxx: yes sir, I didn't sleep well last night.

Garrett: she wouldn't want you worrying yourself to death about her, I'm sure she's just busy with school.

Jaxx: maybe so but that doesn't help that she's not here...

Garrett: come inside and get some breakfast.

*Kaia*

I had been watching my dad while waiting for him to go inside with Jaxx so I could go hide up in the loft of the barn so I could surprise Jaxx. After I climbed inside, I watched as he come back to the barn thirty minutes later and brush the horses. I found a few pebbles near my feet and began throwing them at something that would make a sound while he tried figuring out where it was coming from, I seen his dad walk into the barn and I stopped throwing the stones...

Jaxx: do you hear a sound light something is falling on a piece of metal?

Jake: it's probably someone putting shoes on a horse.

I heard my dad calling for his dad and he immediately walked back out and I began throwing the pebbles again but ran out before I got he looked up into the loft.

I listened to the sound of the brush against the horses coat before I figured out a new plan to get his attention. I waited for him to start riding back to his home when I began following him but he heard me stepping on dry leaves while I pulled the horse alongside me.

Jaxx: who's there?

Forgetting that I had my hair inside the hat I was wearing, he held both of wrists with one of his hands and placed a knife against my neck, I instantly felt the cold blade touch my skin which made me panic and I felt something warm running down my neck to my chest...

Jaxx: why are you following me?

I didn't answer in fear that he would hurt me worse than I already was, I tried to free my wrists but struggling only made the cut bleed more as he inched the blade closer to my neck.

Jaxx: do you talk?

I felt him throwing me to the ground which made the hat fall from my head, my only instinct was to apply pressure to my neck to slow the bleeding down as I felt him roll me over with his foot before crouching down ready to put the knife to my throat that was still bleeding.

Jaxx: whoever you are, you're trespassing.

Kaia: it's me Jaxx...

Jaxx: Kaia...?

He helped me sit up and looked at the cut and putting medicine on it.

Jaxx: you shouldn't have snuck up on me...

Kaia: I didn't think you carried around a knife...

Jaxx: I've been carrying it around since you've left...

I didn't say anything else as we rode the opposite direction of where the camp was and hung out near the river while catching up with each other...

Jaxx: it's good to have you back, I really missed you.

Kaia: I missed you too but I will leave again after Christmas.

I seen him look down before giving me a look of disappointment...

Kaia: what's the matter...?

Jaxx: you don't get it do you?

Kaia: get what?

Jaxx: you're needed here...

Kaia: this isn't the life I want for myself, I don't belong here...

Jaxx: so everything you have learned here, means nothing to you?

Kaia: that isn't what I meant...

Jaxx: I knew exactly what you meant...

I watched as he quickly stood and climbed on the horse's back before riding away in a hurry. I stood up and slowly climbed onto the horse I had with me as he slowly walked back to the ranch since we weren't far away from it. I seen my dad sitting on the porch with my mom as I walked into the barn to unsaddle the horse and put him into his stall and locked the door before joining my parents.

Salem: what's wrong sweetheart? you look like you lost your best friend

Kaia: I think I have lost him...

Garrett: give him time to think, he'll come around sooner or later...

Kaia: that's the thing dad, I will be leaving after Christmas and I think he took what I said to heart.

Salem: he's been frustrated about something lately, I'm sure he will realize what you meant, just let him make the first Kaia...

I headed back to my cabin after telling them both good night. I haven't eaten much since I got here and it felt like it was turning out to be a bad week.