Fury

[Fraroc]

Looks like the wait wasn't as long as you probably thought! Here it is!


Chapter Thirty Four





Jack simply could not believe his eyes….While having his routine cup of coffee as he does every morning before he goes to groom his horse, his eyes began to trail around the kitchen and then became fixated on the calendar….What he saw on that calendar did not fail to shock the living wits out of him….The date was January 2nd, 2015….

“God, I still can’t believe it’s 2015…..We’re soon going to be coming up on THREE entire years since I hired Mike to work for me….”




As he walked out the door into the cold, brisk, Colorado winter morning, all he could think about was his stablehand….

“Mike Schaefer….what can be said about that guy? He’s one of the most loyal, trusting, honest, hardworking, and reliable people I have ever met in my life. He’s grown so much over the years….Once a hot-headed and violent street rat, now a friendly and caring young man and an amazing horse trainer.”




He unconsciously continued to think out loud as he brushed Buddy’s dark brown coat with a comb…

“Could that kid…possibly be my protégé? I’m going to be 50 this year and I know that I’m not going to be working forever….Someone will have to take over this stable when I do retire. He seems perfect for the job! He really cares about the horses, he’s an excellent rider …..You know Buddy, Ever since I lost custody of my son...I’ve began to think of Mike as my very own….I know it sounds horrible, to completely ignore everyone else in that gang, whom I all love dearly…..It’s just that…I saw something in Mike from the very day I met the guy, in June of 2012. He was fierce, angry, and had a chip on his shoulder, but I knew he had potential….Definitely made the right decision to hire him despite the rap sheet.”




Later in that same day, everybody was going about their duties at the stables. Mike and Jason were helping Jack out with grooming the many horses inside the stable while Marissa and Jennifer were taking turns giving their horses some much-needed exercise….Their routines were interrupted by Karilla calling out to them.

“Hey guys!”
“Hey, Karilla” Jason replied.
“I got something here you might all be interested in. Meet me inside the quarantine pen at 3:00.”
“Alright, see you there, sweetie.” said Mike.




Many hours later, three in the afternoon had come….The entire gang met up in the quarantine pen, as per Karilla’s instruction….

“Ok so….today when I was in town, I found this advertisement for an amateur jumping competition right here in Crystal Falls! There are currently accepting three more participants and I had wondered, there are six of us here....and maybe we can find out who is interested in participating in this competition….I’ve decided that I’d do it if no one else is interested, but I’ll ask all of you first. Mike, are you interested in it?”




“Well, here’s the thing…I’d try it out but you see, Fury is an Arabian horse and even though Arabs are amazing when it comes to endurance, jumping really isn't their forte. I think that alone would be a major disadvantage to us and also, I’m not going to force Fury to do something he won’t like, so….count me out.”
“Alright, Mike’s out. Marissa and Jenny? What about you guys?”




“Here’s the thing, I was never really interested in jumping, I had already confided in you guys that barrel racing was more my thing….so no.”

Suddenly, Jennifer spoke up.

“You know what? Screw it, I’ll do it.”
“Okay, so we got Jennifer….That leaves you two boys. Kevin? Jason? What say you?”




Kevin and Jason both took a moment to think the proposition over before coming to a decision.

“You know what? I’m game. I could always learn a new skill when it comes to riding.” Kevin answered.
“Yeah, I’ve jumped before and I’m pretty good at it if I say so myself. I’ll do it!”





“Perfect! So we’ve got Jennifer, Jason, and Kevin as volunteers! Now, this competition is not until the summer. So we’ve actually got more than 6 months to prepare for this, more than enough time to practice and brush up on our skills! Alright, you call can go now.”




Within seconds, only Mike and Karilla remained in the quarantine pen….

“So anyway, I’m gonna run out to the equestrian center to hand in the form confirming Jennifer, Jason, and your brother’s participation.”
“I want to come with you.”
“Why?” Karilla asked.
“I was going to stop by the leather store, they’re having a sale and I’m thinking about getting a new jacket.”




The couple set out for town…..While Karilla was busy at the equestrian center, Mike headed to his target, the leather store. Suddenly out of the blue, he feels something collide with his left shoulder…another man, approximately his age.

“Hey! Watch it, buddy! Wait…..I know you from somewhere.”




The muscular man turned around to face Mike, the expression on his handsome, bearded face instantly changed to one of surprise….It seemed rather evident that he recognized Mike.

“Holy sh*t….Are you…Mike Schaefer?”
“Yeah….and you’re Richie Klein!”
“Oh my God….Dude, I haven’t seen you in years! How’s it going, bro?”
“Pretty good, man.”

Richard Klein and Mike Schaefer have a personal history together. In the period between the time Mike graduated from high school and three years ago when Mike got arrested for assault, Richard and Mike were considered the best of friends. They were both in the same fraternity in college and had similar high school backgrounds. Both were immensely popular and played sports and alternatively, both were notorious for being complete assholes to other people.

“So, Mike…now that we’re reunited finally, want to meet me at the bar tonight and have some beers? Maybe afterwards we can go score some weed behind the old warehouse!!”
“As much as I appreciate you offering to hang out with me, I’m going to have to decline….I just, don’t live that way anymore.”
“What do you mean, “you don’t live that way anymore?””
“I’ve been sober for about three years, man. I don’t smoke weed or drink anymore.”




“You don’t mean to tell me that THE Michael Schaefer is now straightedge…”
“Well you better believe it, because I am…..Richie, I’m not that person anymore. People change, bro. I have a decent job at a horse stable, I’ve made so many new friends, and I have a girlfriend now for about three years.”
“A girlfriend? Well, that explains it, doesn’t it?”





In the middle of Richie and Mike’s tense conversation, Karilla approached her boyfriend and questioned the circumstances.

“Hey Mike! Who’s this?”
“I’m guessing that THIS broad right here is your Yoko Ono?”
“EXCUSE ME? What did you just say I was?!”
“Don’t you EVER talk to my girlfriend like that!”
“Yeah well, I don’t think you’re in the position to give me orders. You’re lame now, Pony Boy. You used to be fun and you used to have balls, now you’re completely castrated by this broad here. Heh heh….The pitbull I once knew became a little lapdog! I’m outta here. See ya later, losers!”




Richie walked away from Karilla and Mike in a huff…Having arrived just a few minutes ago, Karilla never got the entire story on what exactly just took place.

“Mike? Who the HELL was that asshole?”
“He…well....USED to be one of my closest friends….not anymore, it seems.”
“Yeah, no kidding…..”


Hope you enjoyed this chapter!