The Pain We Face

Out For a Ride

"You know what happened to your sister, so I suggest you move." Carl says coldly.

"I'm not scared of you." Tina says.

"You should be." Carl says getting in her face. Tina smiles evilly at me then turns to Carl and kisses him. My jaw drops open. I bolt out if the house and run to the barn. I hear Carl calling after me, but I ignore it.

I run in to the barn and grab a saddle, and bridle. I walk to Baby Bear's stall and put the tack on her. She seems excited to go for a ride, but I just need to think right now. I lead Baby Bear out of the barn. I hop on and walk down the trail. Carl comes running out.

"NIKKI WAIT!!" He yells. I think about stoping but I have Baby Bear go in to a gallop. I steer her in to a small path in the woods. Once Carl is out of sight and hearing range I bring her back to a walk.

We slowly walk down the path. I know that wasn't Carl's fault, Tina kissed him just to make me mad. But I was just so stunned, I just had to get away for a little bit.

After awhile I come across a deer, and it looks like it's been bit by something. It was probably bitten by those worthless pieces of rotting flesh that are messing everyone's life up. I bring Baby Bear to a stop and hop down. The deer just looks at me. I slowly walk up to it, and it doesn't move. It lays down right before I get to it.

"Hey, your going to be ok." I say calmly. I lightly touch the deers head. I kneel down and inspect the wound. It's not gong to make it, the bite is too big, and the deer will bleed out. I sigh and sit down next to it. It's death might as well be calming. I pet it's head and neck, while it's breathing gradually gets heavier and heavier. Eventually it's eyes close and it's breathing stops.

I pat it's head and stand up. Baby Bear is eating some leaves off to the side of the path. I walk over and hug her neck. She nuzzles my back. I've known this horse for almost four years, and we've grown close. I sigh and hop back on the saddle. We slowly walk back home. I've been gone almost two hours. Once I get back, everyone is by the fire eating. As soon as Carl sees me he runs over. I hop down and hug him.

"I'm so sorry." I say.

"Sorry for what?" He asks looking at me.

"For running off...." I say looking to the side.

"Aw baby it's fine. You had to think, I get it." He says kissing my cheek.

"Thanks. But I'm going to put Baby Bear away, then I'll eat breakfast." I say. He nods and walks back to the fire. I smile to myself and take Baby Bear to the barn. I take off the saddle and bridle, then quickly brush and feed her. Once that is done I walk back to the fire, I notice that neither Tina or Tonya are there.

I shrug it off and sit next to Carl. We have oatmeal for breakfast. Of course my portion is bigger than everyone else's, and I feel bad about it. I see Daryl, so he must have came back while I was gone. I smile to him and he smiles back. I finish my breakfast and walk over to Daryl. I crouch down next to him.

"Did you get them?" I whisper so only he can hear. He nods and pulls the pack out of an inside pocket in his leather jacket.

"Thanks." I whisper. I walk back to my seat.

"Soooo Jett, you turned fourteen today..... Wow." I say to him. He looks up from his food and nods. I stand up and walk over to him.

"Happy Birthday!" I say handing him the pack of hockey cards.

"Woah!! Thanks!!! How'd you get these?!?!" He asks opening the pack.

"Daryl found them." I say walking back to my seat.

"Thanks Daryl!!!" Jett says.

"You like em?" I ask sitting down.

"Uhhh yeah!!! These are awesome!!!" He says looking through them. I smile, and Carl puts his arm around me. Everyone just talks for a little bit, then Carl and I go back inside. We get to our room and Carl sits on our bed.

"Can I talk to you?" He asks

~~~~~Authors note~~~~~~

Hey guys!!! This chapter was really short, sorry about that. Anyway.. What does Carl have to ask Nikki?!?!?! Ooooooo I feel evil leaving you on a big cliff hanger. Lol. I might not be able to post as often, because of school and stuff. But I'll post as much as I can. Pleaseeee vote for this chapter, and leave a comment. I love reading your comments. Much love <3