My Friend the Stranger

The autumn wind is always unique. It blows softly like spring's but with a chill as deep as winters. I never appreciated the drastic change of the color of the leaves, nor the particular wind before. I never was aware of my exuberant surroundings as I was when I was riding. The wind whipped at my hair, thrashing it about my face. It bit at my nose and stung my eyes. The feeling was ecstasy. My heart thumped quickly, matching the pace of my horse, Chocolate, beneath me. He galloped wildly, his muscles rippling like the wind. I was at the utmost ease. I trusted Chocolate to the point where I almost had my eyes closed, just listening to his pounding heels.

I don't remember much of what happened. All I remember is the pain. My mother, who was watching while I rode, told me later on that Chocolate stepped in a concealed ditch and snapped his leg. I think I remember the sickening sound of his leg-breaking, but I couldn't be sure. As he tumbled, I flew off his back and hit my head. I blacked out, but no more than a few seconds. I was in and out for a while before coming to my senses. When I woke up fully, I was in an ambulance with a brace around my neck and the most searing burning pain in my left wrist, knee, and my right ankle. I vaguely remember trying to sit up when I saw the weird angle at which my leg was situated. I was told later that I had a concussion from the fall and that  Chocolate had fallen on top of my knee and my wrist. He broke my ankle while kicking frantically to relieve himself of the pain. Mom told me they had to sedate him before they could get him off me because he had been so terrified. Poor Chocolate. The nice paramedic pushed me back onto the stretcher and with a smile, slid a needle in my arm. I blinked, confused. Then I let the darkness wash over me and lay a thick blanket over my eyes.