Chapter 24: "Annoyance"

Karina watched Theodore limp off into the woods looking uncomfortable with his broken leg. He had sounded so angry and she wasn’t sure what she had done. She was having the best dream, or shadow world, where Kari and Theo were getting together. Maybe she had been doing something in her sleep.

Her face went red. What did she do? And now he was mad, or at least clearly he was upset. She fought an urge to run after him, but couldn’t make her feet move. She was so embarrassed. She looked down at her short pants and loose shirt. Maybe he found out she as a girl. And maybe that’s what made him upset. Maybe she just lost him as a friend.

She kicked her pack over, then stopped to put clothes on quickly. She needed to hide herself. She was getting way too comfortable with Theodore. Maybe if they could pretend nothing happened then he would still want to be friends with her. She finished dressing, fed the horses, and was eating breakfast when Theodore came out of the trees. He still looked upset. She ducked her eyes as he sat heavily on the fallen log.

“Morning,” he said.

“Morning,” she mumbled.

After a minute he asked, “Did you sleep well?”

She nodded. “Did you?” She kept her eyes looking away. She learned never to look in someone’s eyes when they were mad.

“Yeah. Waking up was a bit rough,” he said and scratched the back of his head.

He didn’t really sound mad now. More annoyed and maybe a little amused. Karina chanced a glance at him. He wore a half-smile. Her eyebrows furrowed. What was so funny? She offered him her bowl of granola, fruits, and nuts.

He accepted it and started eating.

“How’s your leg?” She asked.

“It hurts.”

“I was thinking you can ride Cherry and I’ll ride Zag. We can probably be at Mr. Gratner’s by late evening.”

“You really don’t remember do you?” He asked.

“Remember what?”

“This morning.”

“What about it?”

Theodore shook his head. “What were you dreaming about?”

Her face went scarlet. “Nothing. I wasn’t dreaming.”

“Alright, nevermind. And if you want, I’ll ride Zag.”

Karina shook her head. Why did he want to know about her dream? Maybe she had done something and he had figured out she was a girl. She pushed passed it. “No, I’ll ride Zag. He can be a bit of a butthead. Cherry will keep you safe.”

“Okay, but we’ll need to figure out how to get me up there.”

“I think if we use that log, it will work.”

“Okay.”

They packed their stuff and Karina took the tent down. She saddled and packed the horses, then took them down to the creek for a long drink. When she returned, Theodore sat on the log waiting.

“Ready?” She asked as she lined Cherry up next to the log. The mare stood patiently waiting for Theodore to mount.

“Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve ridden. At least six years.”

“It’s okay. All you have to do is sit there. Cherry will do everything else.”

Theodore breathed a sigh of relief. He looked fairly nervous about riding, but he would be safe on Cherry.

“Just jump up and lean over the saddle, then swing your leg over. I’ll try and pull you over from this side.”

Karina stood on the other side of Cherry. Theodore scrambled up and she saw his pained face as he leaned over the saddle. She pulled his arm until his hips were over the saddle and then signaled him to swing his leg over. After some very painful to watch struggling, he finally settled in the saddle.

Karina stifled a laugh then positioned Zag at the log and sprang easily into the saddle.

Theodore scoffed.

Karina shrugged. “It’s harder with a broken leg.”

“Let’s just go.” A hint of the annoyance crept into his voice.

Karina pointed Zag along the path and started them north toward Riverpass city.

Copyright 2019 Ava Altair

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