Once they were near the entrance to the forest, Lucky Jack triped. "What in tarnation was that?" said Lucky Jack as he got up and dust himself off. "You ok there, partner?" said Henry concerned. "Yep, I'm fine." Lucky Jack replied as he looked down. There was something green poking out of the ground. Curious, Lucky Jack digged. Finally revealing a green, empty glass wine bottle. It was in perfect condition with no cracks, only a little dirty from the sand. "Well what do ya know, our luck turned around!" said Henry delighted. "I'll take this to the stream and wash it." said Lucky Jack as he left.
After washing the bottle, Lucky Jack couldn't decide if it would useful for later. He can't just discard a treasure he had found, after a long day of failing to search for random things. "Maybe it would be for decoration?" he said to himself. Lucky Jack went back home taking the bottle with him.
At home, Henry was making lunch. He had started a small fire and gathered cacti for him and his roommate. Maybe Lucky would like roasted cactus. Henry thought. Despite knowing a few things and living with a human for a year, unfortunately Henry wasn't good at cooking. When Lucky Jack arrived, he surprised to find his best friend cooking for him. "Howdy Lucky, I was making lunch for us." said Henry. "Thanks, I was feeling a bit hungry myself." said Lucky Jack. "I decided to keep the bottle for some kind of decorations. Well, if your into fancy decor and such." Henry laughed, "Does a heifer give milk?" he joked. Lucky Jack laughed back, then noticed a concerning smell. "What's burning?" he said. "Oh no!" Henry turned around, finding an out of control fire. Lucky Jack ran out of the den taking the bottle to find water. Henry didn't know much about fires, he blew on the fire. Then Lucky Jack came back and poured water onto the fire. They both sighed in relief. "Hate to say it, I had burned our lunch." said Henry. "That's ok. What were ya making anyway?" asked Lucky Jack. "Roasted cactus." Henry replied. "Well, maybe we can eat berries again. I don't mind." Henry agreed.
They went into the forest to harvest berries. All of a sudden there was a small rumbling in the distance. Lucky Jack and Henry stopped what they were doing to investigate. They were almost out of the forest, finding a group of cowboys and a chuckwagon full of supplies. "We'll rest here for now." said one of the cowboys. "I'm going to get a closer look." said Lucky Jack. Henry was concerned, yet interested. Lucky Jack hid behind the chuckwagon and listened. "We can continue tomorrow." said one of them. "No we cain't! We have to be there by tonight!" said a lady as she hopped off the wagon. Lucky Jack knew they were distracted and he climbed onto the wagon. He found a sack, food, guns, tools and suitcases. Lucky Jack knew what to do, he grabbed the sack and stuffed with food. "Those cattle rustlers will be in big trouble when we find them. That's why we have to be at the ranch by tonight!" the lady yelled. Lucky Jack overheard the conversation. Then he had flashbacks. Henry hopped in the wagon, finding Lucky Jack frozen as if he had seen a ghost. "Lucky snap out of it!" said Henry as he shaked Lucky Jack. "Did y'all hear something?" said one of the cowboys. Lucky Jack snapped out of his trauma. "You dagone, greedy, good for-!" Lucky Jack turned to Henry finding him concerned. "Sorry partner, let's go." he said. The jackrabbits hopped out of the wagon carrying the sack unnoticed. When they were back in the forest, the chuckwagon left.
Safe and at the den once again. Henry asked Lucky Jack about what happened in the wagon. "Oh, that was just a flashback. There's nothing to worry about." Lucky Jack said sweating. Henry was still concerned. If Lucky Jack didn't mind it neither did he. "Anyway what did ya find in that there sack?" Henry asked. "I don't know for sure. Let's see." said Lucky Jack. He opened the sack, inside there was carrots, bread, a container of eggs, edible mushrooms, apples and corn. "Would ya look at that! We won't be starving for a month! said Henry happily. "Maybe we're just lucky." said Lucky Jack. They both had a good laugh.
The sun was setting, turning the sky into a watercolor painting of pink, light blue, orange and red. It was almost dinner time. Henry had planed to start a fire, this time outside the den. He rubbed two sticks together rapidly, until there was a spark. Henry stopped for a moment remembering what happened last time. "Uh, Lucky. I think you should cook this time." he said. Lucky Jack didn't mind, he grabbed a stick, a few carrots, the edible mushrooms and corn from the sack. He put the vegetables on the stick and placed it over the fire. "We could call this a barbecue." Lucky Jack joked. Henry took a stick and the food, then placed it over the fire. They ate as much as their stomachs could carry.
"Would ya look at the time, it seems pretty late. I'm going to sleep, good night Lucky." said Henry looking up at the sky. "Good night, I'll put out the fire." said Lucky Jack. Henry went inside the den while Lucky Jack put out the fire. Lucky Jack then went inside the den. He found Henry fast asleep. Lucky Jack curled up into his usual sleeping place and dozed off. Short after, he was dreaming.
In the dream.
Lucky Jack found himself in a unfamiliar forest. It wasn't the same one he now lives in with Henry, but it reminded him so much about it. Next thing he knew, the forest was on fire! He ran away from it's blazing wrath! Unfortunately it was catching up to him! He heard laughing that reminded him of the cattle rustler. Running beside him was Varn and Rebecca. Everything was happening so fast, he didn't think where Henry was.The fire spread all around the forest, blocking their way to escape! "I'll lead y'all to safety, follow me!" Lucky Jack said confidently. His friends followed him. Luckily they were out of the forest and safe, without any injuries. "We're ok?" said Lucky Jack relieved and confused. He turned around, Rebecca and Varn was relieved and safe. "I don't how ya did it partner, but you sure are a quick one on your feet. If ya know what I mean." said Varn with a happy grin. "You're welcome, I'm just glad y'all are ok." said Lucky Jack. "No need to worry about us, we're fine as a fiddle." said Rebecca. "Anyway now what now?" she added. "I don't know, I guess it's wherever the trail may lead." said Lucky Jack. They walked off into the unknown. Knowing that they couldn't go back to Echo mine.
"How about we rest here for tonight?" suggested Varn. Lucky Jack and Rebecca agreed. They went to sleep.
Lucky Jack was the first to wake up. Instead of waking to see his friends still asleep, he was in a cage. "Well, look who's up." said a familiar and unpleasant voice. Lucky Jack couldn't believe who was talking to him. A large figure leaned to get a good look at Lucky Jack. Lucky Jack tried to open the cage. The mysterious figure laughed at him. Lucky Jack was angry. "Where's my friends!" he yelled. 3 cages appeared with sheets covering them. The strange figure uncovered the cages, revealing Varn, Rebecca and Henry inside of them. They looked terrified. Lucky Jack was terrified as well. "Fire up the grill boys, we're having a roast jackrabbit feast!" said the mysterious figure laughing as 3 other mysterious figures were walking near them...
Now.
Lucky Jack woke up. It was now noon. Henry was nowhere to be seen. Was it all real, but I escaped? Lucky Jack thought. "Good morning Lucky, I know it's a bit early. But, ya might want to look at this." said Henry. He lead Lucky Jack near the exit out of the forest. "What's all this?" Lucky Jack asked. "Hide here." said Henry pointing to a bush. They both hid themselves in the bush. "Listen carefully." said Henry. Lucky Jack peeked, finding what looked liked two cowboys discussing something. One was hammering a poster on a tree. "I've been getting reports about a cattle rustler stealing cattle from ranches at night." said one of them. "Any evidence?" asked the other. "Some claimed hearing strange noises, like some kind of singing." replied the cowboy. "I think he's the Sheriff of Chugwater." Henry whispered. "What does the criminal look like?" asked the other. The other cowboy handed over an old picture. "It's an old picture, some of the ranchers described him. They claimed to saw his face, but ya never know." said the cowboy. "So it that why your hanging up reward posters all over town and other places?" asked the other cowboy. "Yep. I want you to do some investigating tonight. I'm sure you can catch him, you sure are the best dang bounty hunter in the West!" the cowboy replied. "Will do." said the other. "Once we get back in town, I'll discuss with you where he robbed from." The men got on their horses and rode off.
Lucky Jack and Henry stepped away from their hiding place. Henry looked at the poster. "Uh Lucky, could this be the same bandit who took your home and your friends lives?" asked Henry a little frightened. Lucky Jack looked at the poster. "It could be." he said unhappily. "How long have you been hearing them?" asked Lucky Jack. "I woke up early this afternoon, I was hearing what sounded like horses nearby. Then it was like two men talking, one sounded like an old guy. which I'm sure he's the Sheriff of Chugwater. The other gives me the chills, he seemed strict in mysterious. Then I went to find you, then you were awake." Henry explained. "That explains a lot. I hope they find that land grabbing bandit." said Lucky Jack. "Me too, partner." said Henry.
Hello everyone sorry that I kept you waiting so long. I'll be honest, I've haven't been writing as much. No, I didn't forget about the story or decide to abandon it. Let's say I haven't been thinking up ideas that would give some more backstory to my OCs. It's all a work in progress. And I have many ideas for new stories. You can read about the information once I edit my profile. I'm probably going to give this story break so I can work on my other one. You never know, it's just a little stressful updating two stories and worrying if I don't update. But, don't be sad. Usually I take turns updating one story at a time. But, we all need a break you know. Like now, I'm probably working on The Willies story. I hate it when I don't give my OCs any information or backstory. So always stay tuned in so you won't miss a thing. Did I mention I now have deviantART, my profile name is "Ironicallyforu". By the way, yes I added Sam and Rico. I couldn't help myself. I won't keep you any longer, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Goodbye.
