The Storm Before Dawn

Chapter 22

Why does today have to be Monday? Yesterday Dawn and Pepper disappeared, and today I have to go to school. I hate going to school today. And I can't believe my mom made me go, she knows how much I love Dawn.

After a few minutes of mr staring at the ceiling I finally decided to get up and feed the horses. As I walked into the barn my heart started racing as I thought I saw a horse in Dawn's stall. I ran over to he stall and look inside. The 'horse' I saw was a shadow from the trees outside.

My hope in my toes, I fed all of the horses and rode Star and Flash. Thus was an upside to waking up super early. When my phone's alarm went off at 7:30 I went inside and got ready for school.

Today's outfit was dark jeans and a purple flowy shirt. It was simple and would blend in. I didn't really feel like standing out today. My hair was in just a simple bun as I sprinted out the door to catch the bus.

Waving at Gunner, Onyx, Star, Flash, and Sky in the pasture before I boarded the bus. As soon as I got on Zara waved to me and I went to sit by her. She smiled at me, but we just sat in a comfortable silence.

When the bus pulled up at school and I slipped out of the bus the school day took my mind off of Dawn for awhile. At lunch it came crashing back down, and I almost had a breakdown in the cafeteria. Finally, it was the last class of the day, not my favorite, but it was the end of the day.

Math passed by slowly and when the bell rang, I hurried out to my locker and three my books in, and almost got to the bus. But then one of my teachers called me into her class room, right as the bus puffed away.

She talked to me to see if I was OK then noticed that there was no one in the parking lot and I was still here.

"Were you supposed to go on the bus?"

I nodded in reply.

"I can take you home if you want?"

"Sure, either that or I walk."

After a quick car ride, I am dropped off at home where I run to the barn. More specifically, Dawn's stall. What I find there does not make me feel any better. there is no warm greeting from my favourite horse, or even a warm body to fill the space. It is just a cold dark stall, nothing special, or even worth taking notice of.

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Unknown Horse's POV

The man returns yet again. Like he has for the last year. Today he grabs me, and takes me out of the slot. It has been three days since I have eaten anything. Today he does not go to the normal place, he brings me out side. We walk around for a few minutes before he brings me to a cold metal box.

He opens the door, and points me inside. I leap in, hoping I will get to go anywhere but here. He ties me up- way too tight- and starts the truck. The box jostles me and yanks on my head and neck. Finally, the truck stops and the man opens the back.

He untied me and I fly out of the box. Almost immediately I am taken inside and tied up again. The two people that came the other day are here and the man leaves.

Interestingly enough, they put a saddle on me. I had never had a saddle on before do I start bucking. The saddle flys through the air and the people look at me. Before I know it, my legs are tied to the posts. (Think of the movie Spirit Stallion of the Cinnemara)

They put the saddle on me again, and I try to buck, but my legs are tied up so nothing happens. They laugh at me and tighten up the cinch. I don't do anything, so one of them walk up to me and put on a bridle. Then they tie something over my face so I can't see.

A moment later I feel a heavy weight on my back. It hurts, but there is nothing I can do.

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After working Gunner, Onyx and Sky I feed the horses and clean some stalls. I quickly glance at my phone clock and realize I have ten minutes tell dinner. Doing something I haven't done in a long time, I go to the tack room and start cleaning my tack.

I get through Onyx's and Gunner's bridles before I scamper inside for dinner.

Dinner is a chicken, noodle, and vegetable yummyness. They are covered in cheese, and I love cheese. I eat quickly before going back out side. Shouldering my backpack I head up to the loft.

The loft always helps me think for homework. I don't have a lot of homework, but I can always clean tack afterwards or write in my note book.

Math homework is a breeze and I finish in no time at all. Science is a little trickier, but doesn't take me very long. It is only eight, and I finish cleaning tack and start writing in my journal.

November 2015

At school today, traitor (Ellie) was being a, well her name explains it. She told me she could kick my butt and that she was stronger. Now an interesting fact, I have never shown my dominant powerful side at school. I ride horses she plays an instrument or two. Oh wait I play the flute and piano too. So I really don't see how she is stronger than me in anyway. I want to blow up at her, but I promised my friends I would try not too. We are trying to be nice, but it is getting harder and harder.

On a more depressing note, Dawn hasn't come back yet, and I am scared she won't. Another search party went out today with no luck. I really miss her, I hope they are ok.

Joi's pregnancy is going along smoothly.

Zara asked her parents today if she could adopt Blossom. I hope they say yes.

Cheerio has an another visitor coming next week after the show. The rest of the rescue horses are doing good, I hope we get more in. I love rescuing horses.

It is 8:30 and I am going to go take a shower and go to bed. My wish for tonight is that Dawn and Pepper come back.