Far Away

CHAPTER VI

Jack woke abruptly due to the gleaming sun rays that pierced the curtains. He swore to himself that if he ever met the princess of the sun, he would give her a good smacking. He also noticed something else. He felt his arms curl around something warm and furry. ‘What the hell is that?’ he thought. He retreated his forehooves into a much more comfortable position. He sensed movement from the ball of fur beside him.

Daring felt something heavy lift off her but now, she was cold. Her source of warmth was now beside her so she started shuffling across the bed until she hit a solid, but squishy barrier. Her eyes widened as she just realised what she had done. ‘Uhhhhh… I don’t care,’ she thought tiredly as she was about to fall back asleep into a deep slumber.

“Hey, Daring,” a rough voice called.

“Mhhh?” she grumbled absentmindedly.

“I thought we were leaving early, and now look what you are doing to me,” said the thing beside her.

Daring finally remembered what she was planning and sat up suddenly. She saw Jack trying to comprehend what has gotten into her, giving her a wide stare. Daring hopped off the bed and gathered her stuff.

“Coming?” she said.

“Ok, fine,” grumbled Jack as he tried to wake up completely.

“Let’s go!” shouted Daring, “I have a few errands to run as well.”

“Ok, ok,” grumbled Jack, “Coming!”

Jack stepped out of bed and took his saddlebags and tossed on his trench coat.

“Why were you sharing a bed with me tonight?” inquired the mare.

“I guess it got a bit cold and I acted without thinking.”

Jack obediently followed Daring out of the motel door and thought, ‘Daring, you are a real riot sometimes to deal with.’ The two companions forged their way through the bustling city streets. They soon came to a store with a shabby sign saying ‘Firearms Boutique.’ They entered and saw a wall full of guns on display and a counter with a wizened grey stallion sitting behind it.

“What brings ya here today, Daring?” he said without looking up.

From closer observation, he was tinkering on a rifle.

“Who’s this here that you’ve brung along with ya?” asked the grey stallion.

“This is my friend Jack, but we have pressing matters that have to be resolved,” sad Daring.

“Ok Daring, well glad to meet ya,” he said, pushing Daring to the side, “What’s your name?”

“Jackson, sir,” said Jack as formally as he could.

“I am pleased to meet ya Jack, my name is Ferrum, though most ponies call me Steel,” said the grey stallion, “I won’t bother you two anymore so just tell old Ferrum what you want, ok?”

Daring walked up to the desk and had a lengthy conversation that Jack couldn’t hear but she eventually came to Jack with a black rifle with a grey strap and also three boxes of ammunition.

“That .60 cal round is for the rifle, ok?” said Daring, “It packs a huge punch.”

“Ok Daring.”

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The two companions walked over to the edge of the jungle where no one was and set up a fire. The cold wheat cakes were stabbed onto a stick and toasted. What a day! They trekked through the rough hillsides until they came to the edge of the jungle.

Daring was staring intently at a map. It was yellowed and partly ripped. Jack moved next to her and wrapped a hoof around her. From what little Jack knew about archaeology and history, the map displayed an area in the jungle which contained a temple and a few other strange symbols that he couldn’t recognise. Maybe shrines?

Daring was surprised by this spontaneous show of affection towards her. She wondered what was going through Jack’s mind right now, but this felt so good. To have somepony to watch your back when danger arises. She wrapped a hoof around Jack as well and they both looked at the map, silent. They both raised their heads at the same time and found that they were now closer than ever.

“Uhh… I think that I should get some rest now,” said Jack as he put on a thick jumper Daring bought for him today. Jack started to lay down but stopped due to a certain mare holding his back.

“W-what are you doing Daring?” asked Jack.

“It’s cold,” was all the mare said.

Jack now had no choice but to forcefully remove Daring’s hoof from his back and curled up quickly next to the fire before Daring could do anything else. The last thing Jack remembered before passing out was Daring sigh and felt something stroking his mane.

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Wow… That escalated quickly.

But in all seriousness, I have school to attend to so I will be posting 1-3 (short) chapters every week, but here is something I quickly whipped up after having trouble sleeping last night.