Jasper was tired.
He was sick and tired of all of it, and he had been for far too long.
In complete truth, so was the Major, but he was less likely to admit it. Yes, to the outside world looking in, Jasper and the Major were one and the same, but scratch at their surface, and they were two very distinct personalities. On that fateful night, when Major Jasper Whitlock of the Texas Cavalry was stopped by three sisters on a dusty track, he would never be alone again. The moment the eldest sister, Maria, bit him, his personality was torn in two, and the Major was born.
If Jasper was the epitome of southern gentlemanly charm; the Major was a harsh, clinical weapon ready to be unleashed on all who stood in his way. A loyal dog ready to serve his master. All the military training sans conscience.
But even the Major had grown weary of Maria's games. Even for someone as hard of heart as the Major, the cracks were beginning to show with every ricochet of emotional shrapnel that hit him from his victims.
Jasper sat alone in the dilapidated house, surrounded by scattered flames; the remnants of Maria's latest task.
"When will it be enough?!" Jasper bit out into the emptiness. He heard the Major growl deep within his core and summoned all the strength he could muster to keep the Major locked up.
Jasper knew he could bury the master deep within himself permanently if he wanted to. He also knew it would take an immense amount of concentration and energy over a very long period of time to do so, which is why he never had. No, it was better to share control. Besides, the Major protected him from the emotional impact, and for that, Jasper was forever grateful.
"When will enough be enough?" He repeated this time softer and begging for an answer. "We owe her nothing more. This was never our war to fight..." Jasper paused for a moment contemplating his next words carefully.
"We could always leave."
This time there was the slightest grumble, but nowhere near the reaction he had been expecting. Taking this as a sign of acceptance, Jasper sprang to his feet and took off through the barn door, ripping it off its hinges as he went. He didn't know where he was going; all he knew was that he had to put as much distance between himself and Maria as he could.
And so he kept running.