Humans Alone (G/T)

Chapter Eight

Michael slept sounder that night than he has since the Masonin's originally invaded. The blanket given to him was warm, the pillow was soft, and he was comfortable despite being on the ground. He enjoyed it and was thankful that Heath was this kind to him.

"Michael," A deep voice whispered in his ear, and he groaned and tried to ignore it. He didn't want to get up yet. "Michael, come on. We have to start packing some fruits and saddling the horses so we can start this trip."

With another groan, Michael slowly opened his blue eyes and looked up into Heath's large face. The Masonin was hovering over him with a gentle gaze, a slight smile perched on his lips. "I'm tired," Michael mumbled a little more childish than he had planned. "But give me a few minutes and I'll be up."

Heath straightened his body up and left the human alone in the hut, preparing small bags of fruit that the horses could carry on this walk. If only they had their technologies set up, this would be so much easier. 

Sitting up, Michael rubbed his eye with a huff before standing up from where he lay. A long walk, with two giants. One that wanted to kill him, and one that was sort of controlling of what he did. As he tried to take a step he hissed in pain and his leg nearly gave out. Right. Wolf bites. 

Instead of walking out, he limped out of the half-open hut door, spotting Heath over by where the stables were and managed a weak wave with his good arm. "Heath?" He called out, easily catching the Masonin's attention.

"Michael. I figured since you're hurt you can ride one of the horses. Choose whichever you want, even if they have packs. They're well trained and kind beasts." Heath said with a smile, kneeling in the grass and very gently stroking one of the horse's backs.

Michael quietly nodded in response, scanning each of the breeds with a small smile. He could get a horse and take off. Leave Heat and Donnie far behind and just go. But then he felt a pang of guilt in his heart at the fact he even thought about that. Curse his conscience. 

After only a moment of thinking, he chose the Clydesdale and hoisted himself up onto the back of the beautiful horse. "Atta girl. There you go." He praised the animal, patting the side of its neck and using his good arm to grab the reigns. "Hey, Heath? Why do you want to do this? Why are you walking so far just to try and help us, humans?" He asked, trying to make conversation to break the silence.

Heath pondered his question for a brief minute before looking back to Michael. "Because if not all humans knew about the baby, then it is not right for them all to be punished. And you, you're innocent enough. You even have a daughter we should look for too. So on the way, keep an eye out for that little girl." 

The thought of finding his daughter made Michael's heart swell with joy. That would be weight off of his shoulders, and he would know that she's alive. "Yeah...if we found her that would really be amazing. So, where's Donnie? He's coming too I assume?"

"He wasn't here when I woke up and he's still not back. He knows where we're going, and I left a note telling him to do the chores while we're gone. I'm not too worried, he's a decade and seven years. That's old enough to be a responsible young man." Heath said as he picked up three long ropes attached to the three other horses Michael was not on. 

"I guess that's true. I hope it's not my fault." Michael knew it really was, but he didn't want to say it. He knew that Heath knew about Donnie's dislike of humans. 

Staying silent, the Masonin began to walk away from the hut with the three horses following behind him, and he could see Michael on the Clydesdale out of the corner of his eye. He didn't know how to respond to him. And he felt bad that he couldn't just say 'Oh, Donnie's harmless.' When they get home, he'll need to knock more sense into his son. 

Michael held the reigns of the horse calmly, a slight smile on his face. It's been so long since he's been able to ride, but at least he could remember how. He let his mind wander as he stared at the scenery, feeling safer and more able to look with Heath nearby to protect him if needed. He even had his knife back, since his own satchel was around his shoulder.

But Heath's silence bothered him. He didn't like not hearing anything, nor did he like wondering what the Masonin was thinking. Did he make him mad somehow? Or annoy him? What could be going through that large head?

Taking a deep breath through his nose, Heath looked at Michael. "It's best when we get there you keep the talking to me. It's a three-day journey, but we'll be there in no time at all if we don't make too many stops beside to rest and eat. Does that sound fine?" He asked the human calmly.

"Yeah, yeah that's fine." Michae; nodded and smiled at the Masonin, turning back to looking at the trees and admiring the blue sky. He allowed himself to enjoy the cool breeze. To feel the warm sunlight heating his face. It's been quite a while since he could enjoy such trivial things, and he never thought he would miss them until the Masonin's invaded.