The unbroken circle

Vanessa Donnelly

Slowly I take a deep, calming breath and slide my foot into the stirrup. Then I carefully grab the saddle and swing my other leg over. The pain hits me almost instantly. It shoots through my left leg, causing me to clench my jaw. Solemnly I position my body in the saddle and mentally prepare myself. I've been waiting to do this for three long months. It's almost as if the last few months have been building up to this. This moment in which my entire future depends on.

I lean over the neck of my chestnut mare and place my mouth beside her ear. "Let's show 'em, Blaze." I whisper as I rub her muscled side gently. We begin at a trot. The pain increases subtly due to the pace at which we move. Eventually the low throbbing from my leg travels to the back of my mind. This is what I've bern waiting for. I promised myself and Mason that I would succeed. I can't give up now because she didn't give up. "Gallop," I call as I lean forward over Blaze's neck.

Blaze pants into the early morning air, as do I. We work as one. We are joined by our bond; girl and rider. Blaze's neck ripples as she breathes rapidly through her nose. I pant as well. My chest burns from the cold. The wild wind whips at my back and sends shivers down my spine. I readjust my hands and turn my gaze ahead determinedly.

The white fence roughly twenty feet ahead of us looms. My grip tightens instinctively. What if it happens again? Nobody, save Mason knows that I am out here. I shake my head to clear my thoughts. I can't let fear rule my life, not anymore. That was her only fault. My mother allowed her fear to decide her fate, but I am not her. I can and I will make this. "The only obstacle that I face is myself." I remind to myself as I urge Blaze on.

The fence is now ten feet away. I can feel sweat rolling down my face. My head pounds in time with Blaze's galloping hooves. The sound reminds me of thunder. My stomach churns as we approach the fence. There are now only five feet between my victory or my failure. The thought causes me to stiffen my body automatically. "The only obstacle I face is myself." I whisper breathlessly as I urge Blaze forward once more.

"Jump!" I call clearly. The pain shoots up my leg, causing me to dig my heels into her stomach. Blaze neighs and skids to a stop. I gasp as a gust of wind hits my damp face. I feel the impact before I realize what has happened. My arms flap frantically in mid air. I hear a sharp snapping sound as my body collides with the gravelly ground. The wind is knocked from my lungs upon impact. My chest aches and my head throbs.

My entire body sings a song of constant, bitter pain. Cautiously I wiggle my fingers. Nothing appears to be broken so I attempt to lift my left arm. In response, a sharp jolt of pain dances through my shoulder.

A hot, almost burning sensation pulls my attention away from my apparently injured shoulder. The entire left side of my face is hot and sticky. I reach up to wipe my cheek with my right hand. A warm, thick substance coats my cheek and drips down my chin.

I place my drenched fingers near my nose and inhale slowly. The pungent scent of fresh blood fills my nostrils. I gag reflexively and turn my head away. My head spins at the movement and my vision wavers. Three crescent moons swim above me. I squint my eyes in an effort to focus my vision with no success. Three silver crescents still sit in the sky. I twist my head away and close my heavy eyelids.

Suddenly an intense burning sensation seers my collarbone.

My fingers travel up to my neck. I ferl around my neck for the source of the fire, but there is none. What I do find however, is much worse. A high pitched gasp escapes my tightly clenched jaw. I run my fingertips over the spot multiple times. The place between my shoulder and collarbone tingles slightly. My head begins to swim unsteadily and my thoughts merge into emptiness.

"This can't happen to me. I am not her." I whisper feebly.

"She's awake," a familiar male voice says.