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Previous part: The Waterfall
Next part: Some Sort of Dependence
I woke up sweating and breathing heavily. Another nightmare. Strike stood by my side, his eyes worried, his posture uncertain. He'd woken me up again it seemed. "Are you all right?" he asked me. I could tell he wanted to come closer but he remained where he was. I'd become strangely good at interpreting his expressions lately. Maybe it was because I'd never been this long with someone in a way like this before. "I'm fine", I responded, lying had started to come easy to me as well. "You looked like you were having a really bad dream", he pressed, trying to get some more out of me. "Don't worry", I told him and looked up at the sky. It was still early but I did not want to go back to sleep. My nightmares had started to become more frequent again. At first being with Strike had gotten me so distracted I didn't really have nightmares anymore. At least not the really bad ones. This had been a bad one though. I was reliving the first time my stepfather had forced himself on me. I shuddered and shoved the memory back into that dark box in my mind.

Strike still seemed like he wasn't about to let the issue go so I needed to take action. I got up on my hooves and took a step back from him. "Well I'm awake now. Are you okay to go?" I wondered if I would get away with this. We didn't usually leave this early in the morning. Strike gave me a confused look, turned his eyes towards the sky and then back to me again. He gave a little shrug and then smiled. "Can't wait to start the day huh?" he grinned. I made a noise in reply and made my way towards the little creek we'd slept near. Strike was quick to follow and I saw him appear next to me in the reflection of the water. Since when did this become so normal? I'd been alone for four years before Strike found me. And yet in a matter of just a few weeks I'd grown accustomed to having him by my side. Using him as a distraction. Lying about myself in the process. I quickly dunk my nose underwater and started to drink. The thoughts for the moment away, but the heavy weight on my heart still lurking.

As we'd finished getting ready I turned to Strike for directions. He tilted his head to the side and gave me a particular look. "Seeing that you're so eager to get going, you get to take the lead today", he grinned at me. I stared at him blankly, that had not been what I'd expected him to say. "But I don't know any place we could go", my voice was matter of factly. Even with all my years of travel I'd never paid enough attention to recall of any place I could take Strike. It didn't help that I didn't know this area either. "It doesn't matter. Just lead, I'm sure we'll end up somewhere", he said and I could hear there wasn't going to be much of a chance to change his mind. It was odd how much that sentence reminded me of my mindset of when I was alone. Travelling without a goal. Moving just for the sake of not standing still. It was my turn to shrug and with that I turned and started walking. I knew where we'd come from so instead I went in the opposite direction. As I peered back over my shoulder I could see Strike wearing a victorious smile.

I really didn't have any idea where I was going. Changing directions without knowing why, suddenly picking up the pace. It was a weird way of travelling but Strike didn't say anything about it. Instead he asked me questions about my travels before we joined up. When I told him I didn't remember much of what I'd seen and where I'd been he'd given me another weird look. Slowly but surely he was figuring out something was wrong with me. He just wasn't able to pinpoint what it was. I longed for him never to find out but I wondered how long I could keep up this charade. I'd already decided I would rather leave then tell him about myself but I found myself not wanting to part with him. He'd become more than just a distraction. He'd taught me how to have fun and how to appreciate the nature around me. I knew why I liked spending time with Strike. I couldn't quite figure out why he wasted his time with me though.

I didn't like to linger on that thought. To clear my mind I set into a gallop. Looking back over my shoulder I saw Strike following my movements with a start. "Are you okay for a sprint?" I raised my voice so that he would be able to hear me over the wind. "Of course", he called back with a laugh and quickly caught up with me. His long legs carried him over the land with ease. I knew Strike was faster than me but I still put extra effort into my movements, at least trying to keep it interesting for him. He smiled at me from the side and I smiled back tentatively. When I turned my eyes forward there were black edges to my vision. Suddenly my head felt heavy and the black edges grew larger. Maybe I should have tried to sleep a little longer. I miss stepped my front leg and stumbled. Panic flared up inside me like a torch and I struggled to regain my balance. I heard Strike call out to me to slow down. I would have told him that I'd have slowed down if I'd been able to do so in the first place. But I was far too busy falling now. My front hoof had landed on uneven ground and that was it. I slumped through my front legs and the rest of my body tumbled over. I was to shocked to even scream as I'd somehow rolled over and slid backwards on my side until I stopped.

I knew I should be in pain but I didn't feel it yet. Instead my body tingled all over and I trembled. Strike came to a halt beside me. Fear and worry in his eyes. "Are you all right?", his voice was loud in my ears. Somehow that made me laugh. "That's the same question you asked me this morning", I chuckled but he didn't join in. I wasn't used to others fussing over me. Worrying about me as if it mattered how I felt. It didn't matter. That much I knew. Without looking at Strike and ignoring his protests I hoisted myself up on my legs. The pain came through and I cringed at the stabbing in my back. "Wait, Shimi. We've got to check you for injuries. Stay still", Strike's voice was still tainted with concern but also an edge of sternness. Stubbornly I kept moving. I could still walk but I had a slight limp in the leg that had made me stumble in the first place. That would be annoying if that was a long term thing. Not as annoying as Strike fumbling beside me trying to get me to stop and check me for injuries.

I laid my ears back and looked at him. "Strike", I don't think my voice had ever been this hard with him. "I am fine. It doesn't matter", I told him without emotion. There it was again. That look in his eyes that told me he was seeing the real me and it confused him. "You're bleeding", he said a bit thrown. "It's fine", I replied. At that his expression changed from confused into something else. "It is not fine! You're bleeding and limping and you need to stop so I can help you", anger, that was what I saw in his face. One of the few expressions I was actually familiar seeing. Seeing it on Strike though, was completely different from seeing it on my stepfather. And yet it still triggered the same kind of defense system in me. "I don't want your help!" I snapped and started walking away from him in a brisk pace. The pain in my leg grew more intense but I bit my lip and ignored it. I didn't want to separate from him but this was too close for me. I could almost laugh at how messed up my head was. I could hear him sigh and then trot after me until he was at my side again.

"Why not?" he demanded. Because I don't want you to touch me. "Don't you trust me?", he added when I stayed silent. I trust no one. More silence. "You're not making this very easy, you know", he sighed. I know. My pace slowed as my leg started to throb more and more. "Does it hurt?" he asked me and I refused to look at him. Slowly I nodded my head in silence. "There was a river not too far back. Let's go cool your leg", I was surprised at how gentle his tone was. Even more so that he was still willing to help me. I did not deserve his help. Or his kindness. I must be very selfish though, because I still followed him to the river. "Thank you", I mumbled quietly. Those weren't the only words on my mind but I was afraid to speak the others. Fearing what the answer might be. I looked at him as he lead the way. Why are you here?

To be continued...

New Shimi part!

Wow it's been a long time since the last one 0.o I honestly didn't think it had been that long until I just checked it. I'll try to get the next part out a little faster. Writing his story is getting easier as I'm slowly getting where I was wanting to go.
Shimi's nightmares are returning and Strike is starting to see that Shimi's more thank just a little shy. Have some insights into Shimi's thoughts in this part c: I might do a little part written from Strike's point of view next. That would be quite interesting I think.

Gotta be honest, I am not thrilled about this drawing. I didn't use a reference because I wanted to focus on expressions. And I guess the expressions turned out well enough but I'm not really happy with the anatomy and shading. The background was super random but it grew on me as I worked on it. So it's not a bad piece but definitely not one of my best.

I do hope you guys will like the story and drawing! I would love to hear what you think about it

Shimi, Strike & Art: Me Paardjee
No references used.

Description
Previous part: The Waterfall
Next part: Some Sort of Dependence
I woke up sweating and breathing heavily. Another nightmare. Strike stood by my side, his eyes worried, his posture uncertain. He'd woken me up again it seemed. "Are you all right?" he asked me. I could tell he wanted to come closer but he remained where he was. I'd become strangely good at interpreting his expressions lately. Maybe it was because I'd never been this long with someone in a way like this before. "I'm fine", I responded, lying had started to come easy to me as well. "You looked like you were having a really bad dream", he pressed, trying to get some more out of me. "Don't worry", I told him and looked up at the sky. It was still early but I did not want to go back to sleep. My nightmares had started to become more frequent again. At first being with Strike had gotten me so distracted I didn't really have nightmares anymore. At least not the really bad ones. This had been a bad one though. I was reliving the first time my stepfather had forced himself on me. I shuddered and shoved the memory back into that dark box in my mind.

Strike still seemed like he wasn't about to let the issue go so I needed to take action. I got up on my hooves and took a step back from him. "Well I'm awake now. Are you okay to go?" I wondered if I would get away with this. We didn't usually leave this early in the morning. Strike gave me a confused look, turned his eyes towards the sky and then back to me again. He gave a little shrug and then smiled. "Can't wait to start the day huh?" he grinned. I made a noise in reply and made my way towards the little creek we'd slept near. Strike was quick to follow and I saw him appear next to me in the reflection of the water. Since when did this become so normal? I'd been alone for four years before Strike found me. And yet in a matter of just a few weeks I'd grown accustomed to having him by my side. Using him as a distraction. Lying about myself in the process. I quickly dunk my nose underwater and started to drink. The thoughts for the moment away, but the heavy weight on my heart still lurking.

As we'd finished getting ready I turned to Strike for directions. He tilted his head to the side and gave me a particular look. "Seeing that you're so eager to get going, you get to take the lead today", he grinned at me. I stared at him blankly, that had not been what I'd expected him to say. "But I don't know any place we could go", my voice was matter of factly. Even with all my years of travel I'd never paid enough attention to recall of any place I could take Strike. It didn't help that I didn't know this area either. "It doesn't matter. Just lead, I'm sure we'll end up somewhere", he said and I could hear there wasn't going to be much of a chance to change his mind. It was odd how much that sentence reminded me of my mindset of when I was alone. Travelling without a goal. Moving just for the sake of not standing still. It was my turn to shrug and with that I turned and started walking. I knew where we'd come from so instead I went in the opposite direction. As I peered back over my shoulder I could see Strike wearing a victorious smile.

I really didn't have any idea where I was going. Changing directions without knowing why, suddenly picking up the pace. It was a weird way of travelling but Strike didn't say anything about it. Instead he asked me questions about my travels before we joined up. When I told him I didn't remember much of what I'd seen and where I'd been he'd given me another weird look. Slowly but surely he was figuring out something was wrong with me. He just wasn't able to pinpoint what it was. I longed for him never to find out but I wondered how long I could keep up this charade. I'd already decided I would rather leave then tell him about myself but I found myself not wanting to part with him. He'd become more than just a distraction. He'd taught me how to have fun and how to appreciate the nature around me. I knew why I liked spending time with Strike. I couldn't quite figure out why he wasted his time with me though.

I didn't like to linger on that thought. To clear my mind I set into a gallop. Looking back over my shoulder I saw Strike following my movements with a start. "Are you okay for a sprint?" I raised my voice so that he would be able to hear me over the wind. "Of course", he called back with a laugh and quickly caught up with me. His long legs carried him over the land with ease. I knew Strike was faster than me but I still put extra effort into my movements, at least trying to keep it interesting for him. He smiled at me from the side and I smiled back tentatively. When I turned my eyes forward there were black edges to my vision. Suddenly my head felt heavy and the black edges grew larger. Maybe I should have tried to sleep a little longer. I miss stepped my front leg and stumbled. Panic flared up inside me like a torch and I struggled to regain my balance. I heard Strike call out to me to slow down. I would have told him that I'd have slowed down if I'd been able to do so in the first place. But I was far too busy falling now. My front hoof had landed on uneven ground and that was it. I slumped through my front legs and the rest of my body tumbled over. I was to shocked to even scream as I'd somehow rolled over and slid backwards on my side until I stopped.

I knew I should be in pain but I didn't feel it yet. Instead my body tingled all over and I trembled. Strike came to a halt beside me. Fear and worry in his eyes. "Are you all right?", his voice was loud in my ears. Somehow that made me laugh. "That's the same question you asked me this morning", I chuckled but he didn't join in. I wasn't used to others fussing over me. Worrying about me as if it mattered how I felt. It didn't matter. That much I knew. Without looking at Strike and ignoring his protests I hoisted myself up on my legs. The pain came through and I cringed at the stabbing in my back. "Wait, Shimi. We've got to check you for injuries. Stay still", Strike's voice was still tainted with concern but also an edge of sternness. Stubbornly I kept moving. I could still walk but I had a slight limp in the leg that had made me stumble in the first place. That would be annoying if that was a long term thing. Not as annoying as Strike fumbling beside me trying to get me to stop and check me for injuries.

I laid my ears back and looked at him. "Strike", I don't think my voice had ever been this hard with him. "I am fine. It doesn't matter", I told him without emotion. There it was again. That look in his eyes that told me he was seeing the real me and it confused him. "You're bleeding", he said a bit thrown. "It's fine", I replied. At that his expression changed from confused into something else. "It is not fine! You're bleeding and limping and you need to stop so I can help you", anger, that was what I saw in his face. One of the few expressions I was actually familiar seeing. Seeing it on Strike though, was completely different from seeing it on my stepfather. And yet it still triggered the same kind of defense system in me. "I don't want your help!" I snapped and started walking away from him in a brisk pace. The pain in my leg grew more intense but I bit my lip and ignored it. I didn't want to separate from him but this was too close for me. I could almost laugh at how messed up my head was. I could hear him sigh and then trot after me until he was at my side again.

"Why not?" he demanded. Because I don't want you to touch me. "Don't you trust me?", he added when I stayed silent. I trust no one. More silence. "You're not making this very easy, you know", he sighed. I know. My pace slowed as my leg started to throb more and more. "Does it hurt?" he asked me and I refused to look at him. Slowly I nodded my head in silence. "There was a river not too far back. Let's go cool your leg", I was surprised at how gentle his tone was. Even more so that he was still willing to help me. I did not deserve his help. Or his kindness. I must be very selfish though, because I still followed him to the river. "Thank you", I mumbled quietly. Those weren't the only words on my mind but I was afraid to speak the others. Fearing what the answer might be. I looked at him as he lead the way. Why are you here?

To be continued...

New Shimi part!

Wow it's been a long time since the last one 0.o I honestly didn't think it had been that long until I just checked it. I'll try to get the next part out a little faster. Writing his story is getting easier as I'm slowly getting where I was wanting to go.
Shimi's nightmares are returning and Strike is starting to see that Shimi's more thank just a little shy. Have some insights into Shimi's thoughts in this part c: I might do a little part written from Strike's point of view next. That would be quite interesting I think.

Gotta be honest, I am not thrilled about this drawing. I didn't use a reference because I wanted to focus on expressions. And I guess the expressions turned out well enough but I'm not really happy with the anatomy and shading. The background was super random but it grew on me as I worked on it. So it's not a bad piece but definitely not one of my best.

I do hope you guys will like the story and drawing! I would love to hear what you think about it

Shimi, Strike & Art: Me Paardjee
No references used.