A Horrible Dream (Post Three)

"You boys having fun?"  She went to stand next to Jack, leaning against him as he put his arm around her shoulders.  Marla's already short 5' stature was dwarfed by his 6'2" body but she didn't seem to care.  In fact, visually, she seemed the polar opposite of Jack.  He was tall, pale, and spindly while Marla's short, elegant frame and dark brown skin made her seem exotic in comparison.  "It has to be more fun than what's going on out there..."  She made a gesture towards the other room with her head.

"Oh, you know, just making plans for what will happen next on this exciting excursion into the wilderness."

The three of them shared a brief chuckle before Jack chimed in: "I was hoping that the sun might come out tomorrow or something.  I want to use that boat!"  He pounded his fist on the counter a little harder than intended, judging by the wince and startled look that jumped to his face.

Marla broke out in laughter, wiping a tear from her eye before gaining her composure.  "Aww, what's the matter, did tough guy get a boo-boo?"  She formed a pout and laced her voice with mock concern.  Jack stuck out his tongue in retort.  He received a finger jabbed in his side for his efforts, causing him to flinch before turning to go after her.   Marla squealed before running from the room, taunting him with every step.  The two of them never seemed to be able to act their age for long when together.

Soon, Jack let out a cry for help as the sudden activity seemed to awaken everyone else.  Sam came to Marla's rescue, latching on to Jack's waist in a feeble attempt to weigh him down.  Beth, the final companion on the trip, had a death-grip on Jack's right ankle.  "Hey, no fair, three against one!"  Jack struggled against the two girls while Marla made faces and taunted him from the landing of the stairs.

Placing his beer down, he ran into the room to Jack's rescue.  "I got you!"  He grabbed Beth by the waist and hoisted her, trying to free Jack's ankle.  She screamed and struggled against him, finding a new anchor on the arm of the couch.  Marla yelped and bolted up the stairs as Jack charged her, Sam hanging on for dear life and laughing all the way.

Beth wiggled and squirmed, trying her best to slip free.  Her flailing feet came close to connecting with his head several times.  He struggled to contain her, determined to keep her out of the chase.  After a while it became clear that drastic measures were in order and the bare soles of her feet presented the perfect target.  Beth is a very ticklish girl and he was determined to take full advantage of it.  As soon as she realized what he was trying to do, she redoubled her efforts, screaming between peals of laughter.

It didn't take long for Beth to give up, crumpling to the floor in a panting, still giggling heap.  "That was a totally uncalled for cheap shot!"  She glared up at him between gulps of air, taking a moment to brush her now messy brown hair out of her face.

"You gave me no choice!  What, are you going to write to the Geneva Convention and complain?  'Cause I don't think it would do you any good."  He sat back on the floor and folded his arms across his chest, watching her closely.

She huffed and glared at him harder, holding her breath as she squinted at him.  Suddenly she burst into motion, pushing him away with her feet and scrambling towards the stairs on all fours.  By the time he righted himself, Beth was upright and rushing up the stairs.  He made haste after her.