Johnathan woke up to the sound of his younger brothers snoring. The sky was turning light pinks, and purples as the sun rose into the sky. What a nice sun rise he thought as he stretched breathing in the fresh forest air. He was wondering why he was out in the middle of the woods until it hit him like a ton of bricks. He shook Jackie vigorously to wake him up from his sleep.
“Wake up we both fell asleep father as probably already left, and mother will wake and find that we are missing, then she’ll come looking for us we need to go no!”
“Hm…… but if dad already left then we should go home we don’t know where he could have gone.” Jackie mumbled wiping the sleep from his tired blue eyes.
“It’s okay I looked at the map that dad was studying for the past few days I know the general direction of where he is going,” he said as he picked up his bags and walked slowly down the path, “this is actually even better father will see that we know the terrain, and hunted him down he’ll surely be impressed. Then he will have to take us with him on more expeditions. Just think about it Jackie it is going to be fun nothing could go wrong. And we could stick it to all the people that think us kids can’t do anything; I’ll show them I’ll be ten soon I’m technically almost an adult.”
Jackie watched his older brother walk down the path holding his head up high. The sight strangely reminded him of how his father looks when ever he leaves to go on a mission, even though Johnathan resembled their mother. The thought of leaving their mother weighed heavily on his little mind. He honestly could not figure out whether he should go or not as his eyes traveled to his old worn out boots. He gazed back up to see Johnathan waiting with his hands on his hips and tapping his foot. If I don’t go Johnathan will be mad, if I do mom will be sad, but then again big brother said that they would be proud of us; mother did tell me my job was to keep big brother out of trouble, so mother and father will surely praise us. What could possibly go wrong I’ll have my big brother and father to protect me. After coming to this conclusion he skipped to his brother and they both began their journey out of the territory of Luna Stella.
“How are we going to cross that brother?” Jackie asked as they arrived to the river that served as a border on the other side was a meadow.
“We are going to cross it.” Johnathan stated.
“But there isn’t a bridge.”
“Thats the point we will have to swim across. When we're older we’ll be able to jump across just as father does. This is our first obstacle to the town that father is headed to.” He said smirking.
“But I can’t swim.” Jackie whispered his blue eyes clouding with fear.
“Don’t worry trust your big brother, we’ll find a shallow part and I’ll carry you across.” He said putting a reassuring hand on the black haired boy’s shoulder. “And if I accidentally drop you I’ll be the only child and get more things; so it’s a win win either way.” He added with a mischievous smile as he dodged Jackie’s little fist.
“Thats not funny brother!” He snapped as he chased the older purple haired boy down the side of the stream.
“This way little bro I know just the place we can cross; can’t you move any faster or I might leave you to cross by yourself.” Johnathan chimed as he jumped out of the way as Jackie threw things at him and led him to a part in the stream where the current looked slower. Then he knelt down so he could try to carry him on his back across the stream. He stepped into the water and was hit with how icy the water was and that it was deeper than he had anticipated. Johnathan had to fight to keep his and his brother’s head above the cold surface as he struggled to paddle across the stream. Climbing out of the stream was just as difficult as swimming. They laid on the ground shivering cold. Johnathan panting from the effort of he had used.
After he caught his breath and they warmed up Johnathan pulled Jackie up unto his feet and led the way in the direction that he believed was the way to the village that their father was headed to. Jackie sighed, shivered, and wrapped his arms around himself to keep warm as he followed behind his brother.
“How long have we been walking?” Jackie questioned after some time had passed.
“Maybe a few hours.”
“.......I’m bored.”
“Don’t start.” Johnathan quickly shut his little brother down before he could start pestering him. Returning their walk to silence which only lasted for about ten minutes.
“Are we there yet?”
“No.”
“How much longer?”
“I don’t know.”
“I’m hungry.”
“We’ll eat lunch when we get farther.”
“I’m tired. Can we take a break.”
“Not yet.”
“I’m still hungry.”
“We have apples and snakes eat one of those, but only one those our are only means of food for the next few days.” Johnathan said as he walked in the new found silence. Why didn’t I think of this sooner.
“I’m still tired carry me.” Jackie whined after he finished his apple breaking the silence again. Causing Johnathan in inhale sharply.
“.........”
“Brother.”
“.....”
“Carry.”
“......”
“Me.”
“...”
“I’m.”
“..”’
“Tired.”
“.”
“Johnathan! Ugh!!!!!!!!!!” Jackie wailed collapsing on the ground dramatically.
“Enough! Jackie get up and stop whining. We should be there in another hour or so we need to move now because if we don’t we won’t caught up and father’s mission will be complete and we will get in trouble. Do you want that!” He fumed at his little brother his voice shaking in anger and irritation at the younger ones antics. Then turned and stormed off. “Are you coming or not.” He snapped over his shoulder.
“Fine, you stupid big brother.” Jackie huffed as he stood up and stomped after him.
For the duration of their trip there was silence. Yet the angry energy left as they both looked at the beautiful scenery of the meadows they passed and the forest. Then a baby rabbit hopped by and Johnathan caught it so that Jackie could pet it and all was forgiven between the two brothers. Then they sat down and had a small lunch.
“Wow, we finally made it so this is what a village looks like,” Jackie exclaimed excitement clear on his young face as he skipped around Johnathan as they walked into the village. It wasn’t fancy but had many houses and buildings next to eachother. Small vendors and food stalls littered the area too. All the buildings were earthly colors and it seemed like a nice place.
“You’ve never been to a village? Probably cause you're so young.” Johnathan teased.
“Neither have you we’ve only been to the small one near our home.” He retorted sticking his tongue out.
“I know after this we can ask father and mother to take us to Luna Stella. How does that sound.”
“That sounds great big brother I can’t wait.” Jackie hopped up and down.
“What cute little pups you are. Looking all wide eyed at the world. Makes me wish I could see it like you. Yet aren’t you a little far from home shouldn’t little pups still be nursing with their mother?” An old voice croaked behind the brothers scaring them out of their conversation.
