The Sun and The Moon
A/N – The attention this story has gained already is astounding and I can't thank you, my lovely readers, enough!
I hope you all enjoy this next instalment.
Trigger Warnings for the Chapter: Hints of depression.
Chapter 1 - Sunrise
May 28th, 1996 – Austwick, England
Jasper groaned as he flopped down on the bed in such a human-like manner that he knew Emmett would have been in hysterics if he'd seen it. The former-soldier wiped the last races of deer blood off his lips and closed his eyes. It was still three hours before school would be out for the day but he just didn't have it in him to be there today. He would have killed someone. He just knew it. He'd left to go hunt and now all that was left to do was wait for the inevitable questions that would bombard him when his siblings got home. Well, at least Carlisle and Esme won't be back from their anniversary trip until tomorrow.
He hated feeling like he was letting down his adopted parents and he knew it would just be worse tomorrow. He wasn't even going to attempt heading to the school. Not tomorrow. Not on the 29th of May. It was a disaster waiting to happen. He could already hear the concerned questions and the barley-concealed disappointment when he once again brushed off their worry with the obviously false 'it's nothing'.
Still, he'd rather deal with that then try to explain just why that day was so significant to him.
Jasper opened his eyes; the bright golden colour they had gained from the animal blood diminished slightly already by the dark thoughts. He tipped his head to the side, spotting The Box on the mahogany nightstand and the conflicting emotions rose up inside him again. I have the time but do I really have the strength to do it?
He grabbed the box and tentatively lifted off the lid. He ignored the items from yesterday and instead picked up two old newspaper clippings from inside. The paper itself was coffee-coloured and wrinkled and tattered with time but still legible. He allowed himself to be pulled away to the past as the dates on the top immediately brought back the memories of cheering crowds, loud music, dark skies and the heat….
…
April 17th, 1860 – Waco, Texas
The roar of the crowd was like nothing Jasper had ever heard before. All around, country girls and boys from many towns around the state gathered in the stands with banners, posters, food and drinks as they waited in enthusiastic anticipation for the event to start. Jasper fiddled with Jimber's deep-red saddle and halter, excited and nervous for his first ever competition. Next to him, in a navy saddle and halter was Thunder. Jasper peered around the horse and saw Harry fixing up his riding boots while humming a song that he'd never heard before. Jasper chuckled. His friend really did have a great singing voice; not that he'd ever admit to it.
The dark-haired teen suddenly looked up with a bright grin. "Can you believe it Jazz? We're finally here! I thought your Pa was going to say no again this year for sure!"
Jasper chuckled at Harry's enthusiasm. It never ceased to amaze him how the other boy was always so full of optimism and excitement about everything he did. It was one of the qualities he admired most in the other though. Jasper would describe himself as neither being optimistic or pessimistic. He was a down-to-Earth, realistic type. What was meant to be; would be. Harry though always looked for the light, even on the darkest of moonless nights. It was endearing.
It had been nearly a decade now since they first met but it felt like so much longer to him. Looking over at Harry now, it was almost impossible to recognise the small boy in the paddock. Now he was a strong young man, only the teensiest but shorter then Jasper himself. He had the same broad shoulders, calloused hands and sun-kissed skin that all the country boys, Jasper included, had. Although he thought that there was something a bit different about Harry. What it was he had never been able to place….In any case; Jasper saw his friend every day but he couldn't help but feel his stare linger just a bit longer today.
Harry never had been one for formal attire; hating dressing up with a passion to be exact. However, today he was wearing a whole new outfit for the occasion. A brand new, pure-white cotton shirt with a turnover collar that, Jasper couldn't help but notice, had not been tied at the top yet; dark-brown trousers with a shiny new belt and polished brown riding boots. A simple, dark-brown morning coat was laid gently over a hay bail next to the teen while he got Thunder ready for the day. He even had a new pair of glasses that, if you had asked Jasper, seemed to make his eyes stand out even more than the old ones.
Jasper gulped, tugging his shirt collar and wondering when it got so hot in the stables?
"Y-Yeah, same. So, what time is your run?" he asked, anxious to get his mind off its current train of thought. He and Harry were competing in the same events, show jumping and cross-country, but because Jasper was fourteen now and Harry was still thirteen, they'd be in different age divisions. Today was the show-jumping for Harry's group while Jasper would be doing cross-country. They were both the only representatives for Houston in the juniors.
Harry, oblivious to the other boy's shift in demeanour, checked his watch. "Two fifteen so…..ten more minutes?"
Jasper was saved from having to think of something more to say when a voice called out to them from the open doorway. "Goldilocks? Snow White? How are you two princesses going? You ready for the competition?"
Jasper groaned in frustration, turning around to scowl at the newcomer. Dallas stood there, leaning casually against a wooden pillar with a smug smirk. He, like Jasper and Harry, was dressed in fancy clothing for the day. However, he wasn't competing this time and had only come along to spectate. His brown hair was brushed and styled too Jasper noted. Normally Dallas went for the 'wild and untamed' look as he called it. Jasper shrugged it off, not really caring what the older boy was doing.
"If we are Goldilocks and Snow White, who are you? The Mad Hatter?" Harry shot back.
Dallas flipped him off, looking more amused than anything. "Ha Ha, very funny you little nuisance." Dallas shot back.
Harry smirked, "You know you love me Dal."
Dallas mock-glared, standing up fully as he accepted the challenge from the younger male. "You wish. Honestly Jazz, why couldn't you pick a better friend? This one is a pain in the arse."
Jasper rolled his eyes, knowing this debate would go on forever if he let it. "What do you want Dallas?"
The cheeky grin on his brother's face morphed into a more serious yet still caring expression as he replied. "Just wishing you two good luck is all. I remember my first time out there. It can be pretty daunting. Just remember to breathe and focus on what you need to do. Shut everything else out and you'll be okay."
The younger teens shared a surprised look; stunned that Dallas, who loved nothing more then to tease them at every moment possible, was actually giving them advice.
"Thanks Dallas," Jasper murmured while Harry nodded in agreement.
Dallas waved off the thanks and left to find his seat just as Harry's name was called.
"Well, here goes nothing." Harry muttered, looking nervous for the first time since they got here. Jasper honestly had no idea where his next actions came from. It just felt like the right thing to do and he hated seeing his friend upset so he went with it.
Harry tensed at first as he was pulled into the hug but quickly relaxed, returning the gesture with a grateful smile. "You'll be great Harry. You and Thunder are the best show-jumping team in Houston. I know you can do it," he whispered into his friend's ear.
Harry gave him a quick squeeze before pulling back and jumping up onto the grey-and-white stallion's back. "Thanks Jazz. I'll see you out there when it's over yeah?"
Jasper dipped his head in acknowledgment. "Absolutely."
Harry had just reached the exit when he twisted round in the saddle and looked at him, the early-afternoon sunlight making his green eyes sparkle like gems. "You'll be brilliant out there too Jazz. No one can out race you and Jimber. I'd say best of luck but you really don't need it. See ya later!"
As Jasper watched the dust settle as the thundering hooves faded away, he couldn't help but think that Harry's eyes really did look like emeralds.
…
August 3rd, 1859 – Houston, Texas
"C'mon slowpoke! It'll take forever to get there at the rate you're going!"
Jasper quickly went from a run to a gallop as he heard the indignant shout from behind. He smirked, always finding it amusing to 'ruffle Harry's feathers' so to speak.
Today was the first time the two friends had been allowed to go for a full-day ride by themselves. They were heading well out of town to the massive forest that stood on the very outskirts of Houston. Harry had heard one of the girls in town mention a huge waterfall at the end of a trail there they wanted to find.
Jasper reached the top of a hill overlooking the town below. He smiled fondly as he gazed at the towering sycamore that stood proudly at the top. He slipped off Jimber's back, tying the reins to a low-hanging branch and climbed up onto one of the boughs.
Harry arrived not a minute after and copied him, settling down on the large branch with barely a centimetre between them. They both pulled out their water bottles and had a drink. It had been a hot and dry summer that year and the heat had barely died down during the autumn months. The grass was still a dull brown and the leaves on the trees were brittle and withered. Jasper remembered how his father had been concerned about the possibility of a drought with how little rain they'd had over the last few months. Luckily the river by their home had stayed running though. With winter on the way, Jasper hoped thy might see a few more storms.
"Remember when we first found this spot?"
Jasper looked up, noticing the almost wistful shine to his friend's eyes as he watched the town below. Jasper did in fact remember that day. They'd been nine-years-old. After a big fight between Jasper and his parents, he and Harry had decided it would be a good idea to run away. Naturally the boys hadn't gotten far. Once they had reached the tree, they had clambered up into its branches and stayed there. The world had looked so big to them up here back then. Now it seems bigger than ever.
Jasper's parents had found them that afternoon and scolded them something fierce for their foolish actions. Although they were told to never wonder off this far again, they had officially declared this spot theirs. Harry had named it Sky Hill, "Look how high up we are Jazz! It's like we could touch the sky from here!", and the name had remained since. They came back here all the time now; a crudely drawn sign declaring it Sky Hill, had been hung from a branch by Harry and Jasper could still see it there today. It was weather-beaten with chipping paint but it had still stood the test of time.
The spot was a sort-of safe haven for them They would go there to share their most important secrets, their hopes, their fears, their dreams. Jasper had learnt more about his best friend here than ever before. They'd made a pact to never speak of anything they talked about at Sky Hill to anyone else. They had stayed true to this promise ever since.
"Yeah, my parents were pretty angry that day. I don't think I'd ever heard Ma scream before that day."
Harry laughed, "Yeah, she was scarily mad. Guess it was a pretty stupid thing to do though, huh?"
They chatted for a few more minutes before getting back on the horses and taking off for the forest.
…
It was early afternoon by the time they got there. The teens slowly walked the edge of the forest, trying to find the path they needed. After five minutes, Harry found it and they went at a trot down the unfamiliar terrain.
They kept going for nearly two hours, animated conversation flowing back and forth as they discussed everything and nothing; from the two fillies Austin had Harry training, "The twins are learning pretty fast. Falling Rain is a bit saddle-shy but Falling Feather is doing great. With a bit more work, they'll be ready for their new homes by next spring.", to Jasper's next competition, "I'm only racing against Owen and Clark from the next county over. Honestly, it won't even be a challenge!".
They swapped story after story, feeling more carefree then they ever had before. Jasper thought that he could really get used to this. Just Harry, the horses and himself; exploring new places without a care in the world.
He took of his hat and wiped the sweat from his skin as they went deeper into the bush; the trees so thick here they couldn't even see the sky. He noticed Harry do the same and frowned. It really is getting hot today. I thought it should have been cooling down by now…..Oh well, we have plenty of water and we should be at the falls soon. The horses can get a drink there.
It was only when Jasper could just hear the faintest hints of what sounded like thundering water up ahead that he noticed Harry had fallen behind. He pulled Jimber around to tease Harry again about being a slowpoke when he noticed his deep frown and tense shoulders. "What's wrong?"
"Tell me what you can hear?" Harry said bluntly, still surveying the bush around them with unease.
Jasper was slightly taken aback by the odd question but answered nonetheless. "All I can hear is the falls…"
"Exactly! No birds, no insects, no animals at all." Harry stated. As if agreeing to the statement, Jimber shuffled from hoof to hoof while Thunder stomped the ground, tossing his head agitatedly.
Jasper sucked in a sharp breath before listening himself. Harry was right. The forest around them had gone deathly silent, as if it too were holding its breath, waiting for something to happen.
Jasper remembered what his father had told him about a situation like this. The forest is always full of life Jazz. No matter where you go, you'll always be able to hear the wild deer running, bees buzzing in the trees or a bird singing up above. If ever the forest goes silent around you, get out of there as quick as you can. It's the first warning you'll get that danger is about. It might be the only warning you'll get too so never ignore it.
"This isn't good, Harry. We should…", Jasper didn't get to finish as a giant buck sprung from the trees. Jimber whinnied in fright, rearing up and sending the stunned blond flying to the ground. Thunder lunged back, Harry just managing to hang on as the startled deer bolted past without so much as a falter in its stride.
"Jasper!"
The youngest Whitlock groaned in pain as Harry helped him sit up. It had been a long time since he'd taken a spill off a horse like that. Fuck, that hurt…
"Jasper, are you okay?"
He looked up into wide, frightened green eyes and tried to look reassuring. "Yeah, I think so. Don't reckon anything is broken."
Harry studied him critically for a few seconds before relaxing and offering him a hand. Jasper took it appreciatively before allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
"Shit!" he swore as put weight on his right leg. He quickly lifted the wounded appendage off the floor and put all his weight onto the left. Harry grabbed his shoulder to help steady him; looking alarmed again. "What's wrong with your leg?"
Jasper grimaced as he gingerly tried to stand on it again with the same result. "Dunno. I don't think it's broken but it sure hurts a hella lot to walk on."
"Fuck," Harry cursed under his breath, looking around as if hoping to find some clue of what to do. He ran a hand through his hair, a sign of anxiousness that he had possessed as long as Jasper could remember. "Okay, okay. If I can help you onto Jimber's back, do you reckon you will be able to ride home?"
Jasper looked down at his leg dubiously. He was certain that doing so would hurt, a lot, but they didn't really have a choice, did they? "Yeah, I think so." Suddenly another thought came to mind. "What do you think spooked that deer so badly?"
Harry paused as he turned around, intending to grab Jimber and bring him over to Jasper. "I have no idea but I don't want to hang around ta find out."
Jasper couldn't have agreed more.
Harry helped him up onto Jimber's back in record time and they got ready to leave. His leg did indeed ache terribly but it was bearable. Right then it wasn't what was bothering him most. He tugged off his coat and rolled up his shirt-sleeves, feeling far too uncomfortable with the overwhelming heat. What is going on….?
A strong breeze from deeper in the woods suddenly blew their way and Jasper let out a deep cough.
With startling clarity, he suddenly realised what was going on.
The empty forest.
The heat.
Smoke.
Fire!
Harry's horrified gasp and panicked eyes made it clear that the other boy had realised the same thing. We need to go, now!
Jasper briskly unrolled his sleeves and yanked on his jacket again. It was hot but he knew if a fire was around, he'd need to protect his skin from the extreme het as much as possible. Dallas had told him about fire's like this; remembering his own experience with one when he was four. The heat and the smoke are the biggest killer's in a fire. If you're smart and act swiftly, the flames won't get you but the rest? They aren't so easy to avoid. Keep covered as much as possible and find something to protect you from the smoke.
They wasted no time once they had their clothes sorted. They raced back down the path, all too aware of which way the wind was blowing now. I hope the fire won't cut us off at the exit. I don't know how else to get out. We're over two hours in at cantering speed, if we gallop maybe….
"…Help!..."
Harry immediately pulled Thunder to a stop, forcing Jasper to do the same. They both looked at each other, the unspoken question of 'Did you hear that?' requiring no verbal response. They waited, anxiety growing as the air grew thicker around them. Looking over his shoulder, Jasper swore he could see a glow in the distance.
"…Maybe we just imagined it?" Harry finally ventured when after two minutes, there were no other sounds to be heard.
Jasper shrugged. "IS ANYONE OUT THERE?" he shouted, wanting to be sure before they left.
"….Help! Help us!"
That was all the proof they needed. They turned to the left, where the pleas for assistance came from, and studied the area. The trees were thick and the area was dark, helped partially by the growing levels of smoke. Still, there was little shrubbery here to make it too difficult to get the horses through. They'd have to walk though.
No words were needed as Jasper lead the way, Harry falling into step easily. They travelled deeper into the forest, attempting to calm the increasingly agitated horses as they went. They would stop every now and then to call out to the voices, becoming more and more worried as they heard just how young the two people sounded. "Can't be more than eight I reckon," Harry murmured, emerald eye's shimmering in concern.
The further they went, the harder it became to see and breathe. "Where are they? We can't afford to stay here much longer or we'll be trapped."
Harry was about to answer when one of the voices suddenly screamed, the sound much closer then before. Harry turned and bolted in that direction, throwing caution to the wind. Jimber automatically went to follow, staying on Thunder's heels the entire time. It wasn't even a minute later though that Jasper had to sharply tug the reins, yanking Jimber into a rear to stop him crashing into the frantically scrambling Thunder.
"Harry?!" Jasper shouted, alarmed. Finally Thunder found his footing and stepped back. Not sure what had caused the problem, unable to see much in the dark, he cautiously walked Jimber closer.
"I-I'm okay. Didn't see the ravine until we nearly fell into it," Harry replied, voice stammering slightly as he recovered from the scare.
Jasper halted Jimber as soon as he stood next to Harry, attempting to get a better idea of how bug the dip ahead of them was. "Is Thunder okay?"
Harry turned Thunder around and walked a few steps, gently petting the spooked horse as he did so. "Yeah, looks like he's okay. Just startled I think."
"JACKSON!"
Jasper looked up, trying to spot where the call came from. It was close, very close, and he was starting to get a good idea of what may have happened. That was definitely a girl, young too. I'll bet they must have been out here with their parents, got lost and fell into the ravine.
"Jasper, over there!"
The blond followed the direction Harry pointed to and felt his heart skip in shock at what he saw. Further down the gorge, barley visible in the dim, hazy lighting, were two children: a young girl around eight in a fluffy yellow dress and a boy, not much older than four. They were clinging on to the rocky walls desperately, unable to drag themselves up the steep slope to the top. Down below, sharp rocks and large boulders littered the floor, leaving little speculation as to what would happen to the children should they fall.
"What do we do? They're too far down to reach," Harry asked, fear evident in his voice. Jasper frantically looked around, trying to come up with some idea on how to get to the kids safely as they quickly rode over to the spot where the children were.
Harry dove off Thunder's back, swiftly moving to the edge and crouching down. The tearful cries of the kids tapered off as they looked up and saw someone there. The relief in the girl's brown eyes was obvious, even in the darkening forest. "Help us! Please! My brother can't hold on much longer! He already slipped twice!" the girl wailed, glancing down at the sobbing boy clinging onto a tiny rock roughly one metre below her.
Jasper watched as Harry tried to calm the girl, Penelope, and her brother. He forced himself to calm down, remembering his mother's advice from years ago. Never panic in an emergency Jasper. I know things can get scary at times but panic only ever makes things worse. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and think. You'll figure out what to do.
Don't panic, think! Jasper looked at the surrounding area. We're too far in to be able to go for help and clearly there isn't anyone else around. If there were, they would be here by now. We're on our own. The kids are too far down the ridge to be able to reach ourselves and climbing down would be too risky. We need something that can help us get to them….
"Harry, I have an idea!"
The bespectacled boy jumped up, running over to him with relief. "What is it? Jackson is starting to slip again. Poor boy is exhausted."
Jasper fiddled with the buckle on his saddlebag, finally getting it open and looking for what he needed inside. "I've got some rope in here. Can't remember how long it is but we could use it to reach the kids." He finally found it, pulling the long coil of rope out and handing it to Harry. He wanted to help but knew with his injured leg, he'd be more of a nuisance than anything.
The raven-haired boy considered the item carefully, judging the distance from them to the two kids clinging to the rock wall. "Looks long enough. If I loop it round that tree, I could climb down and get the kids. Penny looks like she could climb up herself with the rope to assist her but I don't think Jack can. I'll have to go down and get him."
Jasper felt his anxiety grow. It was a long drop down. If Harry slipped…."Are you sure?"
Harry looked at him with a comforting smile, as if sensing his worry. "I'll be fine Jazz. Tough Texan remember? Nothing can beat us!"
Jasper smiled, knowing Harry was right. He was the strongest person he knew. "Alright, be careful."
Harry nodded. He went over to a strong oak tree and tied one end of the rope around before tossing the other end over the side of the ravine. He waved to Jasper once before starting to climb down, calling out to Penny to stay where she was until her got to her.
Jasper waited for his friend to reappear, keeping watch of the area around them. The smoke was really starting to billow in now and the wind still wouldn't change direction. He covered his mouth and nose as c cough worked its way up his throat. He could feel his eyes starting to sting. Looking into the trees, he sucked in a sharp breath. He could see the flames now. The faint roar of the falls was still there although now he was pretty sure it wasn't the sound of rushing water he'd heard before. The fire was still a bit far away but with the way the wind was blowing now…..
"Okay Jack, there you go. Just wait there for me. Hold on Penny! I'm coming now!"
Jasper cast one more wary glance at the eerily illuminated trees before looking down at the little boy. The child was clearly shaken and his shirt and trousers were ripped from the fall. His hands were scratched up and bloody from trying to grip the rocks and he was sure to have some bruises later on. Thankfully though he didn't seem too badly hurt. "Hey Jack. My name's Jasper. You okay?"
Jack looked up with teary brown eyes and sniffled. "I wanna go home!"
Jasper leaned down and ruffled the kid's hair. "I know buddy. We'll get you home, okay? We just gotta wait for Harry and your sister. Then we can go."
Jack sat down, still sniffling but not as bad as before. A strong gust of wind suddenly bought a plume of black smoke and Jasper found himself choking on the toxic fumes. Jack had let out a startled cry before descending into a coughing fit too. The heat picked up again and the previously quite hum was steadily gaining volume. The fire was getting closer.
"Harry? We need to get going!"
He waited anxiously for a reply. Instead of getting one though, he was thankful to see Penny appear at the top, quickly heaving herself up and onto safe ground. Jack ran over to her with happy sobs and the two siblings embraced. Harry hauled himself out of the ravine next.
"Okay, Penny, Jack. We need you to listen carefully. There is a bushfire here right now so we need to get out of the forest as quick as possible…"
"What about our Pa? We were camping here and wondered off on our own. He has to be looking for us." Penny cut in anxiously before breaking off with a series of coughs.
Harry and Jasper exchanged a look. They had no idea where the two kids camp was but they didn't have time to look now. Jasper spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully. "I'm sure your Pa is okay. He's probably waiting for you at the edge of the woods. We should go there."
The children seemed unhappy with the decision but they didn't argue. Before they left; Harry went to his saddlebag and pulled out two pieces of cloth. Quickly dampening them with the water bottle, he tied one around Penny's head so it covered her mouth and nose before doing the same for himself. It looked very much like they were wearing a bandana over the face. However, it was far from being a fashion statement. Why didn't I think of that before?!
"What is this for?" Penny asked suspiciously but leaving the cloth in place.
"Smoke protection. It won't help a lot but its better then nothing." Harry explained as Jasper did the same for himself and Jack. "Now that we're ready. Let's get out of here."
Penny ended up riding with Harry because she liked the 'pretty horse'. Harry helped Jack up onto Jasper's saddle and they took off for the path, Harry in the lead.
It was hard to see anything in front of them now and the sound of the forest fire had risen to a crescendo. He could see tendrils of yellowy-orange licking at the plants on his left. Jasper cursed. They still had to run parallel to the fire to get back to the horse trail. If they went running blind through the trees someone was bound to be hurt. They were nearly there though. We can make it.
That was when it all went haywire.
A loud groan split the air to his right and Jasper only had just enough time to shout a warning when a massive tree toppled, it's roots ablaze. With a thundering crash and a scream of terror from his young passenger; they were cut off from the only way home.
"HARRY? HARRY! ARE YOU OKAY?" he bellowed over the sounds of crackling and smouldering wood; unable to see if the other had escaped the falling object in time.
"YEAH! I'M OKAY! WHAT DO WE DO NOW? CAN YOU GET AROUND?"
The teen analysed their predicament. The tree was large and even with the two of them and the horses, there was no chance of being able to move it. The fire to the left meant that going that was a no-go. The bottom of the tree was on fire too. If that fell from the right….
I'll have to backtrack and find another way. There's no other choice.
"I'M GOING TO HEAD BACK TO THE RAVINE AND SEE IF I CAN FIND ANOTHER WAY OUT. YOU GO ON AHEAD!" Jasper didn't stick around to hear the reply, another ominous creak from above all the motivation he needed to get out of there.
Jimber tore through the undergrowth until they reached the spot where Jack and Penny had been rescued. The scene wasn't much more promising than the fallen tree. Fire trickled in on both sides of the narrow floor before the giant drop off. Jasper cursed. There was nowhere to go. Nowhere except….
Jasper scanned the opposite side of the ravine. The ground was more flat and clear over there. The smoke was heavy in the air but he couldn't see any signs of flames yet. The distance from one side to the other was huge though and he wasn't sure Jimber could make it…
Jack began coughing and wheezing, the little boy's eyes wide and scared as he struggled to get enough oxygen in. He grimaced slightly before schooling his features into a look of determination. Jimber could do it. He had too.
Jasper stroked the stallion next before whispering in the horse's ear. "I know you can do it boy. I trust you." Jimber stomped his hoof, almost as if agreeing with his rider's words.
They turned back until they had a solid run-up. Looking down at his temporary charge, Jasper firmly reminded him to hold on tight before he flicked the reins. Jimber flew straight into a dead gallop and before he knew it they were up in the air.
Time itself seemed to freeze as they leapt over the ravine. Jasper felt the air stick in his throat as the other side didn't seem to get any closer. Did the jump fall short? Where they about to tumble to a gruesome death below?
He needn't have feared though. Jimber's hooves hit the stone on the other side with a reassuring thud. He thought the horse would buckle for a second before his faithful steed found his balance. "You okay, boy?" he queried, rubbing Jimber's withers soothingly. Satisfied that everything was fine for now and after checking the toddler was okay too; the youngest Whitlock allowed himself to relax marginally. There was no sign of the fire on this side; although the lack of burnt ground was a clear indicator that this could still very well change. The smoke was very heavy here though and the facemasks did little to keep the choking plumes out. That wasn't even their biggest problem though. Jasper had no clue which way to go; left, straight or right. Any way could lead to freedom or to another wall of flames.
I can't screw this up. I need to pick the correct way. How can I tell which way the fire is going…..The wind!
He quickly raised a hand and focused. He could feel the hot but light caress of the breeze coming from the right. That means the fire isn't far behind.
Making up his mind, he twisted around to face the left and then they were off. Jasper felt horrible as he felt the buckskin's sides heave. He knew that Jimber had to be exhausted and struggling with the poor air quality and heat just as much as they were. "I promise when we get home boy I'll make it up to you. Full grooming, sugar cubs and plenty of water. How's that?"
They kept going in a straight line and he was more grateful than ever that the trees were a lot more thinned out here. They'd been galloping for a full six minutes through thick smoke however when a new problem arose. Jasper could feel the weight of the toddler increase as he slumped over onto his stomach and with horror, Jasper realised that Jack had passed out.
"Not good. That's not good. Jack? Jack! JACK!" he shouted, keeping one hand on the reins while he tried to shake the kid with the other. No response. Dread filling his chest, he raised a shaky hand to the child's neck and found the pulse point. Steady.
Relieved that the brunette was still alive but very worried about his health, Jasper tried to get Jimber to pick up the pace. Knowing there wasn't much he could do while they were still in danger, he kept going whilst tugging the kid in closer to ensure he didn't slip off the galloping steed.
It wasn't long though before Jimber's pace began to falter and Jasper felt his own lungs straining to keep going. No, no, no! Not now! Black began to rim his vision and he was tired. So, so very tired.
Stay awake…
Need to sleep….
Gotta keep going…
Can't breathe…
Dark….
Hot….
Jimber….
Jack….
Penny….
Harry…
….
…
May 28th, 1996 – Austwick, England
Jasper sighed heavily, setting the papers down. He smiled slightly as he saw the photo on the first one. It was an old, grainy, black-and-white picture that didn't do the moment true justice. Still, it was something extraordinarily special to him. The picture was of himself and Harry at the Waco Races. The title of the article drew a grin of amusement from him: Houston Boys Show 'Em How It's Done!
He and Harry stood side-by-side. In their hands they each held trophies, the first place titles on clear display. Jasper grinned. He had been so proud of himself that day for winning his first ever competition. However, it all paled in comparison to the joy he felt at seeing Harry take the stand to retrieve his trophy. The green-eyed teen's competitors may have been good but they hadn't stood a chance against Harvey Potter. The look on his face would forever be ingrained in the vampire's memory as long as he lived.
The other paper brought back a lot more conflicting emotions. The headline was a lot more serious in nature this time: Hero Teens Save Kids From Bushfire! The picture was of the mother of Penelope and Jackson; hugging the children tight in front of the still burning forest. He couldn't remember if the father had been found or not and the news article didn't say. He hoped he was though. The poor kids went through enough that day.
A picture of himself and one of Harry were featured below. Jasper was still amazed to this day that he survived the fire. It had all been thanks to Harry and Jimber in the end. Despite both his riders passing out, the clever horse had kept going. Harry, after making sure Penny would be okay, had paced the edge of the forest looking for them. Luckily he had heard Jimber staggering through the bush and guided the exhausted equine to safety. He and Thunder had ran for help to a near-by farm and brought the couple that lived their back with him. When they had returned they'd found a curious, and likely hungry, puma had wondered too close and Jimber had stood up to the big cat all by himself. The puma might have not been too daunted by one horse but when three more had come along, it fled pretty darn fast. "What'd I tell ya Jazz? Nothing but overgrown scaredy-cats!"
He hadn't woken up till a day later at home to a frantic mother and gravely concerned brother and father. When he'd asked about Harry, his father had pointed to the bed-ridden boy's left. He'd turned to see the boy slumped over in a chair next to him. Caroline had huffed in mock annoyance as she'd said that Harry had refused to go sleep in a proper bed until he saw him wake up first.
He shook his head with an exasperated sigh, placing the delicate papers away. Harry was always a stubborn fool. Stubborn but truly amazing.
It had taken two weeks before Jasper's leg was healed and many more before the last of the smoke damage to his lungs and throat had disappeared but Harry had been there every step of the way….
He got up and hid the box back under his bed, where it usually stayed. Pacing around the room, he checked the clock on the wall. 3:03pm. 3...2….1…
"Yo Jazz? What happened back there?"
The civil war veteran groaned, recognising Emmett's voice easily. Although the muscly man sounded flippant, Jasper could sense the worry coming off him in waves. The same could be picked up from all his siblings as they filtered into the house. None of them came into his room; they knew better than to do so without an invite, but that wouldn't stop the conversation; whether I wish it would or not.
"It's n…" he began with the usual excuse.
It seemed though that Edward at least had grown tired of it. "Don't say it's nothing Jasper! Enough is enough. We do this every year and it's always the same thing. 'It's nothing' just isn't good enough anymore."
Jasper growled back warningly. He could easily sense that his eldest brother's annoyance came from the right place but right now was not the time to have a conversation like this. He couldn't do it. Deep down, he knew he'd break if he did and the ex-soldier was too stubborn and prideful to let that happen.
"What's going on?"
Jasper only just stopped the furious hiss escaping. Just. Of all the times for Carlisle and Esme to return home early…
"Jasper ditched school today; left just before lunch." Rosalie offered, sounding bored on the surface. Jasper could tell she was just as fretful as the rest of the family though.
"Did something happen today Jasper? Are you okay? Is there anything…?" Esme began; the ever-caring mother coming forth full-force.
Jasper gently cut her off. He was grateful to her, really. He was grateful for them all. They had pulled him out of the dark place he was in before and given him the second chance he never thought he'd get; the one he hadn't believed he'd deserved. He knew he should tell them but….
"I'm fine Esme, really. I just need some space."
Before the others could say anything, he sped out the open door and didn't look back.
It's for the best really. It was all my fault. If they knew, what would they think of me then?
…
Carlisle heaved a great sigh before reaching for the novel on his desk. Jasper had left over an hour ago. They, as they always did, let him go. They, as they always did, debated for ages over what to do about this annual issue. And they, as they always did, reached no conclusion.
He knew this couldn't keep going on. Carlisle was perceptive; living as long as he had did that to you. He knew that Jasper was hurting but he wouldn't let them in. He wasn't like the rest of Carlisle's adopted children either. He'd been to war and proven to be an extremely strong-willed, stubborn and proud vampire. He couldn't get Jasper to talk to him easily. However, he needed to try something. Some wounds never healed but with time and a little help from others, they could get better. Maybe a break will clear my head. I'll decide what to do about Jasper later.
Just as he turned the first page, his phone began to ring. Carlisle picked up the black, flip-phone and answered quickly, recognising the hospital's number on the screen. "Hello, Dr Cullen speaking…yes, I'll be right there."
He slowly lowered the phone, meeting his wife's surprised and worried expression with a grim look. Jasper would have to wait till later. This could be very bad….
A/N – A bit more insight into Jasper's younger years. I really wanted to emphasis with this chapter just how much later events in his life really effected who he became. Hence why Jasper may appear a bit OC.
I was asked about Harry's magic and decided to address that question here. Harry won't have magic in this story. However, there will still be many parallels between this story and the Harry Potter story we all know and love. What that means? Well, you'll have to wait and see :)
Merry Christmas to you all!