The evening's air rippled through the two women's hair as they strayed further from the road and deeper into the woods. The sky growing persistently darker each passing of a tree or exhale of a breath, as the horse they rode slowed to a brittle walk.
"Don't you think it's 'bout time we head back?" One of the women questioned the other. "It's gettin' pretty dark."
"Since when are you afraid of the dark?" The deep brunette chuckled in response. "Besides, I know we're close. I can feel it."
"Shh... Keep your voice down." The other whispered. "Something's got the horse spooked, and he doesn't spook easy."
The more content of the two looked to their horse's ears and smiled. Watching as one laid back while the other twitched to it's left. Her eyes following it's direction.
"Here, take the reins." She quickly dismounted and found the ground, still grinning. "It's close."
"I don't think this is such a good idea."
"Why not?"
Just then, their horse exhaled loudly. Ears thrown back and nearly rearing as it took a few steps. Apparently just as anxious as the woman who now rode him alone.
"Clearly somethin's got him spooked and I'm not one to want to find out what that thing is." The one quickly replied, gripping the reins tight. "Please, let's track it down another time and get back."
"He's probably just in one of his moods." The other reasoned. "And we're so close. It's prints are still fresh."
"Please..."
The brunette bit her lip. Tapping her foot on the ground and fingers on her holster, she thought about her blonde friend's request.
It's true their horse was spooked, but that meant they had to be near, right? And she's been tracking this animal down for far longer than she'd like to admit. It was turning out to be a brute, but it was sure one she'd like to add to her collection.
She glanced back up to her friend, who desperately wanted to flee the darkness of the woods and sighed at the sight of her despair. She was about to haul herself back up on the saddle, when the sound of foliage being brushed drew in her attention.
Her eyes immediately scanning their surroundings as their horse stomped it's hooves.
And then, she saw it.
"There you are..."
The blonde, who was currently seated upon and patting their horse, didn't catch sight of the other as she disappeared into the woods. She turned back only to notice she and their shared animal were now alone.
"Chu?" She hushed into the darkness. "Chu?! Where'd you go?!"
Their horse grunted and began to step about restlessly as she tried her best to calm him. A flock of birds springing from the trees ahead of them only further fueling his agitation, and her nerves.
"Whoa boy! You're fine, it's okay. Shh, shh it's okay."
His ears flattened back immediately, alarming her.
And that's when she heard it.
The sound of running.
Before she even had time to react, their horse reared. Startling her, which resulted in being thrown off with a scream, and hitting the ground with a formidable thud.
The sound of him galloping away and her aching groans drowned out that of someone approaching rapidly, until they were right over top of her, and bashing her head with the butt of their rifle.
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Whiskey Sunsets | Chaelisa
FanfictionIn an unforgiving land, where outlaws and gangs run rampant, seeking wealth, freedom, and chaos, Lalisa seeks to keep those she cares about safe. She's no hero, far from. She's done bad things, but who hasn't? The land they roam is just as wild an...