You Can't Tell Me What to Do Anymore (Jack Lex)

The older lady took a closer look at the baby and gently touched her cheek. "Let's try the bottle, keep her warm and see what comes. I don't think you have to go home. We have some things here and maybe it'll all be over in a day."
Her gentle smiled made the small girl look up into her grandmothers loving eyes while she kept trying to put Faiths fingers in her mouth.

The bottle that Faith soon gave her calmed her down but for the rest of the day she wanted to be hugged and carried around while her brother was happy playing with the blanket on the floor and some old toy cars, that he mostly chewed on or shook around.

Occasionally their grandmother came by but had to clean and cook while her husband was out and about fixing up other peoples broken appliances as a second income.

When evening came she looked into the living room again to see how Faith was making out. "How are you doing? I'm going to start dinner in a second. Would you like to join us?" She offered glad that the girl had helped her so much. "I'm thankful for your help and I'm sure Jack is as well."
For a moment her expression got serious while she looked out the window across the fields in the north, where district 11 was.
"He should almost be there if he didn't run into any trouble. Tonight and tomorrow they'll have to camp in the bush but in three or four days they'll have a solid roof over their heads. My father used to do the cattle runs as well."
Leaning against the counter she offers Faith a smile. "I'm not a big fan of those runs as you can see." Her voice was cracking up because she was truly worried.

--
To wait and see whether or not Brian will shoot the horse is hard but I have to let the kid learn, so I wait. Finally he does it.

When I return with some of the horses I found I shoot him an angry glare to let him know what a mess he caused, not that this helps anybody but I'm pissed off and he should know that.

It takes almost two more hours to find even the last horse and cow before we can ride a little further and find a spot to camp before the sun sets.
While I let the dog take care of keeping the herd together I start gathering fire wood up on a hill where we can keep an eye on our surroundings. This night is moon lit and bright so the task will be easier and no predator will be able to sneak up on us so easily.
For a while we don't speak but when it's time to eat our meager meal we've roasted over the fire Io finally say.
"You cost us almost half a day and one fine horse. Tonight you'd better be careful. The wild animals like sneaking around at night. We have to keep the fire going and a good eye out. You'd better aim and shoot right from now on."
After I shove the last bite in my mouth I draw a blanket closer around my shoulders and lean my head back onto my backpack, that I'm using as a cushion. The ground beneath me is pretty hard.
"What do you do when you're not trying to become a cowboy?" I ask to start a conversation because I'm not tired just yet.

The sound of a minor illness for little Briar was music to Faith's ears. It was nothing that Faith couldn't handle, especially with their grandmother around, but still something preferably avoidable. "I hope." Faith responded to Mrs. Lexington's estimate of it being over in a day with warmth and a bottle. As soon as the suggestion of warmth was given in no time Briar was coddled in her blanket before being fed a bottle, it was warm for her and comforting.

At least Josh was showing signs of no sickness as he played among his toys on a blanket spread among the floor. Only having to deal with one needy baby was certainly a blessing. Every time Briar was put down for a single second a whimper would escape and soon turn into a loud cry until back into Faith's arms. Mrs. Lexington was piled with work among her home but luckily Faith was completely able to handle it.

Watching Josh and cuddling with Briar was as much entertainment as Faith needed, with no desire to return home, and only wanting Jack to be safely here with them. Wondering off into what the twins father was doing, Faith attempted to only considered the best as hard it was not to predict the worst occurring. Her train of thought was cut off by a welcome to stay longer and join Mr. and Mrs. Lexington for dinner, which was exactly what Faith needed in more ways then one. She had no desire to return home, and also needed a distraction from estimating what was going on with Jack beyond the fence.

"I would love to, thank you." Faith accepted with, of course, a smile as she slightly turned to see Mrs. Lexington without disturbing Briar. It was always a pleasure to hear that she was needed and someone was thankful for Faith's help. When the small talk of Jack is brought up, Faith couldn't help but peer down at the two bundles of joys that resembled him so perfectly. Baby Briar had finally managed to drift off to sleep, giving Faith the first opportunity to set her down to sleep. Putting padding on each side of her to make sure no accidents would occur Faith quietly slipped up to join Mrs. Lexington in the kitchen.

"Do you need any help?" Faith offered in return to the kind gesture to stay for dinner. "Briar finally fell asleep." While listening to Mrs. Lexington's estimate on where Jack was Faith instinctively began to cut up some vegetables. All Faith wanted was for Jack's trip to be over with gazing outside the kitchen window as if suddenly he would appear, but it was much too early for that, they might not even be there yet.

"They stay in District Eleven?" Faith asked with a bit of pity because that meant even longer before his return. "When do you think he'd be returning?" Was her follow-up question, all she wanted was him to be back. That was it. At least she was accepted, actually welcomed with open arms, into the Lexington's home. In a weird sort of way Jack's departure gave Faith the chance to get to know his parents, especially Mrs. Lexington's who was growing on her every second...in a way becoming the mother she never had. "Yeah, I'm not either." Faith agreed to the dislike of these cattle runs.

---

It was bad enough that Brian hated doing something incorrectly, making mistakes, and messing things up, nearly every male had that problem. But everyone makes mistakes as hard as it is for him to remind himself, especially with the dirty angry looks plastered to Jack's face whenever looking at him. Kicking the dirt to knock off a bit of steam he directed his attention towards helping Jack collect the runaway animals. Herding the animals together was much more difficult with lack of communication between the two of them, taking up a lot more time until they can finally hit the (non-existing) road again.

Because of the earlier delay the continuing journey for tonight was nearly finding a good, protective place to make camp at. Still no words were ready to be exchanged and with Jack collecting firewood Brian felt the need to take on a tasks if he wasn't going to be directed to do something. With guilt from earlier his new goal was to make sure that none of their animals was going to be harmed for the reminder of the trip, well at least for tonight. Collecting dozens of long twigs he fenced in the area for as much as he could for one night. Not in the way that it would keep animals out or in, but if getting to close or one of their animals decided to wander off a twig would snap with plenty of time to prepare for their next move.

"I will." Brian responded to Jack's demand of making sure another mishap wasn't going to happen again. He really wanted to blurt out that having a life-taking weapon was a bit intimidating, but that wasn't manly and the last thing he wanted to encounter was being laughed at. Using a twig to halfway play with the fire and keep it burning, avoiding eye contact and keeping an agitated voice was Brian's only solution to getting through tonight. But silence and tension wasn't good energy for this trip that still had a lot of times ahead of them, luckily Jack broke the silence.

With a shrug Brian attempted to figure out what exactly he enjoyed doing during his spare time. For a sixteen year old there wasn't much to do, go to school, hang out with friends, flirt with girls, what else was there? It's not as if District Ten had much to offer, it wasn't four with a beach, or one of the lower districts that were treated a lot better with actual things to do. "What everyone else does I guess." Brian shares deciding to lose his anger over what happened today, this trip was going to be too long to be upset the entire time.

"What about you? You were saying something about kind of having a girl before the interruption." Maybe knowing a little bit more about Jack could bring them on same level, understand one another more in order to enjoy this trip a little more.


((OOC: I'm on break now so I shall be cranking these things out much faster. Also do you know if I can change Faith's face claim? I wanna pick another cute red head that has more variety of pictures to post.))

Mrs. Lexington was by far a very wise person to look up to in more ways then one with knowledge of successfully caring for a family, her sick family, and even just from experience. Forcing herself to snap her gaze from the window Faith know it'd be quite a few more days and looking now wouldn't do any good just as the Mrs. Lexington was saying. "I can tell." Faith laughed at herself for a second before biting her lip, even if Mrs. Lexington was smart enough to see her feelings for Jack didn't mean she should stop trying to hide it. "I've just never had someone close to me go on a trip to another District before." She tried to cover it up with the blame of their close friendship as she gaze down down at vegetables.

A small blush arose to Faith's cheeks as Mrs. Lexington adored her care for his departure. Clearly the friend cover-up wasn't effective. Brushing the, now very long, red locks behind her ears she carried the tray over to Mrs. Lexington so she could give instructions of the plan she had for them. "There's not a lot of good guys in this district anymore." Faith told, though the older women was probably fully aware of that.

---

"I won't." Brian mutters because he could of sworn his lecture, or punishment was over with. It was bad enough having to take the last of that horse's breathe.

At least then Jack finally allowed a shift in the conversation when Brian directed it towards his life with curiosity. The simple explanations bring a smile to Jack's face as Brian could tell her was reminiscing in his head though he wasn't sharing them. So love does really existed within the districts, but then Brian put two and two together that this was the friend he was talking about earlier, especially when he brought up 'you wouldn't know what I mean' again. "Try me." Brian offered, actually desiring to understand for his own personal benefit, but also because it seemed as if Jack didn't fully understand himself.

If Faith had the opportunity of only caring for the Lexington's twins and helping them among the house, she'd take it without hesitation. It was peaceful there, unlike her actual home where she contained nearly the same chores, but Mrs. Lexington especially was so joyful to be around; unlike the step mother awaiting her arrival. It wasn't until walking home that Faith realized her lack of preparing dinner tonight, that was the only concern and if she simply had something ready her absences would of gone unnoticed. Opening the front door of her home she had already predicted what would be awaiting her, which of course was correct.

"Where have you been?" Was Faith's greeting from her step-mother, as her Father waited for answer with less concern. They both were aware of Jack's departure so the lack of Faith's company didn't phase them as much...until a chore was put into the evil step-mother's hands.

"I was helping out an older couple." Faith simply answered, it wasn't a lie and a good excuse. "They invited me for dinner as a gratitude towards my help." This placed a proud smile of her Father's face, he had raised her well as far as he knew, with no knowledge on who exactly her daughter was assisting. On the other hand Trish wasn't pleased with her step-daughter's lack of contributing towards her own family before helping others.

---

A bit of anger was beginning to rise up in Brian, Jack didn't have knowledge of his home life or reasoning's to what he did. Sure Brian was a typical teenage boy, but just as everyone else in the district, he still had to focus on his family's well being and more importantly income. "Money." He simply responded before listening to Jack's bit of a lecture for the young guy.

"In Love's a pretty big feeling." Brian said a bit shocked by his word choice, it sounded like a forbidden crush but love had yet to be mentioned. After a bit of silence Brian toke it upon himself to fill it. "My family needs the money to." He explained in a mono-tone voice. "I don't have children or a lover to support, just family." He wanted to add you're not the only one suffering in this district but instead simply bit his lip.

After missing a meal leaving the house became more and more of a task for Faith; leaving after completed chores during the day was an ease, but arriving at night led onto numerous questions. Even the chore list grew when helping an older couple effected the quality of the house and numbers of meals the step mother would have to create. One would think someone reaching twenty wouldn't contain these restrictions, but Faith didn't have the power to resist. Instead she focuses on the tasks at hand and hurried to help the Lexingtons as much as she could.

One of these days that Faith was finishing up her chores in order to dash over to help Mrs. Lexington and surprising knock filled the empty, silent household. Her Father had yet to warn her about a guest, but still she was the only one occupying the household, forcing her to take a break from her chores. A relatively young man stood in the doorway, good-looking and intelligent looking, lacking the features of hard-working farmer. "Faith Campbell?" He asked with a grin.

"Yes?" Faith responded automatically linking it so another setup her Father had created, until he introduced himself as a vet. "You look awfully young to have that possession." She rhetorically questioned as she led him out to the barn that held there only horse currently. It was nearly the end of Jack's journey and it was making Faith slightly bitter without the good company, especially towards young men that only seem like a trap made by her Father.

---

It could be a cultural thing, but seeing healthy horses get slaughtered for meat seems like a waste. Chicken, cows, turkeys, all other animals seemed responsible to form a meal out of, but the use of a horse, transportation and a good companion, only felt wrong. A weak, sorrow head nod was the only gesture Brian gave to agree with Jack.

"I agree." Brian finally cleared his throat and spoke, now that they had their pay the sooner they left the better. The higher districts as twelve, eleven, and ten held the poorest of the poor, the ones desperate enough to do anything to put food on the table. After everything that occurred following Jack's directions was the smartest, and safest way to go. "You got it." He replied swiftly getting up to bundle up the remaining of their supplies.

There was plenty of water to fulfill their needs throughout the journey with the task of cleaning some river or lake's source, but the food supply was running slim. Stopping by the butchers Brian purchased a few slivers of various meats for them to enjoy on the road back, staying cautious he only slipped out the necessary money to pay for the food instead of revealing all that he held. By the time the food was wrapped in a brown bag, the horses were ready to go. "Food the road." Brian held up the goodies, hoping to cheer up Jack, as well as make the trip back a little more enjoyable.

Afterward Faith felt the rudeness she most of radiated to this stranger, especially after hearing his mature, kind response. "Of course, I shouldn't have assumed. I'm sure you'll be able to." She apologized in her own sort of way. Being a healer herself it wasn't respectful to jump to conclusions, certainly Faith would want to be going on house visits to care for the sick by the time she was 22.

It was a bit humorous to be called Miss Campbell, not even noticing it was a term for whether a woman was wed or not. Did this guy really predict that Faith was already married? This eliminated the idea of it being a setup planned by her Father. "I'm too young for either of those titles. Just call me Faith." She advised with a giggle, bringing up the question in her mind if she'd ever get married. "I didn't catch your name." Faith realized after giving her preference on what to be called.

"Mhm." Faith answered, after all it was the only horse in the barn, let alone the entire farm in general. "Work has been going much slower without her help." She commented as she leaned against a wooden fence that contained the animals.

It was refreshing to watch a gentlemen, believing this District only held one, but the vet was able to gain her horse's trust within seconds. "One of the front ones." She informed after the question of which leg her horse may have a break on. "She switches off with the limping, it might be both." Faith continued as she watched his nurturing hands examine her horse, but whenever his head was turned all Faith's vision made out was Jack, just to be disappointed was the an unfamiliar face turned around.

Things get a little more serious and the vet has to remove his jacket, politely asking for Faith to put it somewhere. "Not at all." Faith reassured taking his jacket to place on a hook near the door. Returning to her previous spot, she wasn't sure if she was suppose to keep an eye on the vet the entire time, or if it'd be okay to simply walk out until he was finished and ready to leave. Something about being with this guy only reminded Faith of the amazing guy nearly finished with his journey, soon to be returning.

---

"Yeah tell me about it." Brian agreed because he could feel the eyes stuck on his pocket the entire process of leaving. But still out here it didn't feel that safe, with all the myths of wanders and the ones that can actually escape beyond the fence. Jack was certainly right that they now only had one more task. "I'm glad we have no animals besides these beauties to look after." He patted his horse he was referring to. Making an escape from danger was much easier on the returning trip.

It was a surprise to hear singing suddenly arrive from Jack, who didn't always seem the happiest. But singing, and the song that he was singing, made it clear that Jack was happy to be on the way home. Certainly Brian was as well, and he simply listened with a smile as to share the same feeling.

"My family of course." Brian answered Jack's question about who he'd be going straight for. It was inspirational to hear his desire to see his children and very close friend, as if it could actually be possible for Brian to become that type of guy. "So what are you going to do about Faith when you get back?" He curiously asked, this could very well be their last encounter with one another, and he had to know what would be happening with their friendship.

With only one horse on the farm it she was very important for it's progress, meaning the income as well. Maybe now that it was beginning to warm up Mr. Campbell will consider finally purchasing a few more as he's been discussing for a while. "I guess that's better then it being broken." Faith replied to the Doctor's estimation and treatment, but even a week would greatly be effecting the work process.

When Doctor Bagwell turned to tell Faith he'd be done shortly she toke that as a gesture she could finally leave. The sooner she got back to her chores she could return to the Lexington's home. "I'm going to get back to my chores if that's alright with you?" Faith asked though she assumed he'd be fine with it. "Come knock on the back door when you're finished and I'll give you your pay." She told on her way out.

---

It was about time that Brian did something right, because it seemed that his comment about seeing his family impressed Jack with the maturity...or maybe he was just in an exceptional mood. But even still afterward no sly comment remarked Brian's question about Faith, but instead gave a simple answer.

The might in Jack's answer, along with his laugh, brings on the estimation that he's probably going to admit something. "That's fine." Brian respond to Jack's demand of not sharing anymore. It was better then nothing, though Brian was still curious about what will happen. "Maybe I'll find out on the next trip." He told right before Jack toke off as if he couldn't get home any faster. Brian couldn't blame him, who else wouldn't be in a rush to reunite with the ones they love, and Brian quickly toke the same pace to catch up.