Project Holiday

Chapter Four

I nodded, grateful for Jack's explanation. "Okay, I'll gather what I need and meet you back here tomorrow morning." I thanked Serena for her help and promised to come back to the café soon. I walked out of the house and looked around, I opened the sack of credits that the nurse had given me. I still had enough for one nights logging and a lot extra. I found an inn and got a room for the night. I took the keys and went up the stairs to my room. It was a small room with one bed and a dresser. It looked old and worn but it was clean. I laid down on the bed and closed my eyes. My mind was full but felt empty at the same time. I didn't know what to expect from tomorrow or the journey to Settlement Rose. But I knew one thing, I had to find Victory.

The next morning I woke up early and grabbed my bow, quiver, and bag. I ran to the market, the stalls already opened for the day. I bought a bag full of rastions, a blanket, some more clothes, a sword, a gun with extra amo, and a water bottle. I found a blacksmith and had him sharpen my sword and check my gun. I paid him and thanked him. I went back to the inn and found Jack waiting for me outside. He was smoking his cigarette and had three others standing beside him.

"You ready for this kid?" He asked as I approached.

"I'm like 30 years old."

Jack chuckled. "Well, you get what I mean. So, Leonard, Lara, this is Holiday. She's gonna be accompanying us."

The boy with the sewing needle nodded. "Nice to meet you, Holiday." He held out his hand, revealing the sewing needle he had tied to his hand.

"Nice you meet you to Leonard."

"Call me Leo, everyone does." He grinned. Beside him, the healer, Lara, gave me a small nod.

"Hi, I'm Lara."

"Good to meet you Lara."

"So, you need to have a horse, I'm guessing you dont have one?"

"No, I didnt know I would need one."

"Thats fine, we will be going by the stable anyway. You need to have 800 credits."

"I have 2000, so I should be fine."

"Good, lets go then." Jack finished his cigarette and tossed it aside. "Follow me."

We walked to the stable, a large building with many horses inside. The stablemaster, a tall man with a bushy beard, greeted us. "Jack, what brings you back here so soon?"

"Need a horse for the trip to Rose, and one for Holiday here."

"Ah, yes. I see you've brought someone new, come with me,"

"Holiday."

The stablemaster led us to the stalls. The horses were large, most of them over 20 hands tall, their coats gleaming in the sunlight. "Which one would you like?" he asked me.

I looked at all of the horses, a black horse with a white main and tail caught my eye. "That one," I said, pointing to it.

"A fine choice. It's name is Shadow. That will be 850 credits."

I pulled out a handful and counted before giving the coins to the man . He took them and nodded. "Here's the key for Shadow's stall. Make sure you give him some water and hay before you go. And remember, take your time on the road, it can be dangerous out there."

"We'll be careful," Jack assured him. "Thanks, Aaron."

Jack took a chestnut mayor out of its stall, Leo took out a bay stallion. Lara took out a key and pressed, a hovering vehicle appeared. It was gray with a blue light on top. "That's the hovercar," Jack explained. "It travels on electricity and solar power, we would all travel on them but they cost a fortune."