Chasing Dreams

Chapter Five-Alone

Closing my eyes in pain I massaged my head in an attempt to soothe the ache. My surroundings drew me back to reality and I scrambled to my feet, sending the world spinning. My feet slipped out from under me, sending me into the mud once more.

Liberty still lay beside as I rose, this time more successfully. She let out a grunt as she made a try at getting up. Stroking her wet neck, I took in her injured form.

After figuring out what was causing her to be unable to rise, I readjusted my position at her side to avoid injury in the event that she decided to kick out. Tugging at the wire slightly to see if it would budge made my hand to bleed and much to my disgust the wire didn't budge. With a sigh I looked out into the rain, praying for a miracle.

Liberty had caused the wire to tightened around her legs in her futile attempts at rising. My head had ceased its pounding, but I failed to come up with any ways to help the chestnut filly. Her sides heaved and she kept trying to bite at the wires. In one last attempt at standing, she finally made it and stumbled to her feet, her once coppery coat marred by mud.

"Easy, baby. That's a girl" I cooed softly to calm her, as she tossed her head, showing the whites of her eyes in fear. Snorting she took a step back, I noticed that the wire had broken when she finally got up, though her legs and sides were still bleeding crimson in the dank atmosphere.

Wild eyes met my own and I reached out my hand hopefully. I smiled despite our predicament when she took a hesitant step forward, sniffing my hand carefully. Lightning lit up the sky as I managed to stroke her once sleek shoulder. I twined my fingers into her mane and began to walk forward with her at my side, her halter had been lost some time ago.

The earth beneath our feet was slick and with great heed we began our way home. Easing our way through the trees and branches, I made sure to take our time and keep to the sure ground. As I stepped onto a seemingly solid surface near the edge of a slope that we would to need to descend Liberty threw her head up in alarm. Turning to soothe her I didn't realize until it was too late that the ground was giving way beneath my feet. My eyes widened in surprise as I tried to grab something, anything to prevent my fall.

Liberty reared up violently in fear sending me backwards off the side. I hit the ground hard with a gasp of shock as the wind knocked out of me. My descent didn't stop there though and I continued rolling down the hill head over heels, until I finally came to a stop.

Wincing I closed my eyes to stop the world from spinning. Sitting up proved to be worse and I soon lay back on the wet leaves allowing rain to splatter my face. Taking a shaky breath I pulled myself up more successfully and steadied myself using a large tree trunk. Everything ached and my breaths came in rasps with the way my ribs ached.

Flicking the hair that had come loose from my ponytail out of my face, I struggled to get to Liberty, limping as I went. She came down towards me at a brisk pace, leaning back onto her hindquarters as she practically slid down. Thankfully she came to a rest before she could run over me and gave me a questioning nicker. Maintaining a calm appearance, I managed to get her to let me get close enough to touch her again without scaring her. She finally consented to me being there once more.

We began to walk side by side, my arm over her withers in order to keep my balance. The rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle, but the ground remained wet and unsubstantial. It was then that I realized exactly how hopelessly lost and alone we were.