In a Forest, Under a Tree Where Many Plans Were Made

Chapter Eight

🌲A Long Two Weeks🌲

The next day, Summer woke early. Jack was already working on the house.

"Jack!! How long have you been up?"

"About an hour."

"Jack!" Sighed Summer exasperatedly.

"Okay that is IT. We ARE going to Radnok! You are working WAY TOO HARD!"

"Summer! It will take ages to get to Radnok and what do we have to gain?" Argued Jack. He was pretty sick of this same debate.

"We can get proper things to build the house with! More food, things to help with furniture, clothes... Jack we have to go! And your mother and father, we could find out about them."

Jack had to admit, Summer had some pretty good points.

"Beautiful, I just don't think we can afford..." He kept up his argument.

"What's to afford! A few weeks? And so much to gain! Please Jack! You need to!"

"Fine. We'd better start packing then." He gave in.

Summer squealed in delight. "Thank you Jack!" And she pecked him on the cheek. Jack blushed and smiled slightly. Though she had been giving him kisses for years, it still sent an adrenaline rush through him.

They didn't pack much. They carried in their pockets a bag of berries, and the only things in their bag was a loaf of bread each and one blanket. Jack carried the tent under one of his strong arms.

The first week was fine. They had eaten one loaf, just a thin slice in the morning, noon and night, but it still went. But they still had the second loaf, and the berries they ate as snacks in between. But they rationed their food carefully, very carefully.

Summer was excited about going to Radnok. Not only because of Jack and his past there, she was ashamed to admit, but because she was lonely.

Of course, she had Jack. But what she really longed for was for female company. A girl to giggle with, and whisper secrets in her ear. Summer was secretly hoping she could take some people with her. Perhaps she and Jack could even stay in Radnok. But if people came with her and Jack, they could build a small town, to replace Kryston. Summer hoped and wished for this everyday.

Little did she know, Jack also longed for another man. To discuss 'manlier' things with. Oh, you know what I mean.

He wanted a friend as much as Summer. He also wanted a new town.

But they kept to themselves, fearing conflict.

The second week of their journey, Summer grew very hungry. Her stomach growled and yelled for its cravings to be met. 'Pork!' It screamed. 'Fresh fruit and dripping gravy running down your chin! Delicious deep fried goodness! Sweets and ice cream! Feed me!!' It begged and begged but its needs could not be met.

'I am greed, I shall tear at your soul need and need and need.'

The saying had never been more true.

Eventually, hunger overcame Summer so much that she keeled over. Jack feared her dead for a moment, then realised she had only fainted. He went to hunt, leaving her in the tent he had set up again. It seemed they would be getting to Radnok later than what they ha planned.

He hunted for pork, and picked fresh fruit. He managed to make a passable soup too, from wild vegetables growing. He put the soup in a grass bowl Summer had weaved on their journey, and it was so tightly weaved it could hold water or soup without leaking.

When Summer awoke, he pressed the bowl into her hands and told her to drink. She was wary: food and Jack was not a good mix. He was the most awful cook, but the soup was quite good.

"Thank you. Sorry for passing out. We're going to be late to Radnok now." Summer said apologetically.

"It's okay. Not like anyone was expecting us anyway. I'm happy you're okay now."

And with that, the couple fell asleep outside at the fire, in each others arms.

The next week was tiring. It was all uphill, and fatigue was battling their willingness. But they could not turn back now.

Eventually they arrived. On the outskirts of Radnok, all sleepiness forgotten, Summer jumped into Jacks arms with joy. Tears came to the mans eyes, as he saw his old house. Who lived there now? What had happened after he'd left?

But the duo remembered their tiredness, and collapsed into sleep under and old tree.

It had been a very long two weeks.