Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat echoing the tremors of uncertainty. There, in the distance, stood a figure, a mysterious silhouette draped in a mask and an unusual hat. All she could discern were his eyes, which locked onto hers with an u...
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With the break of dawn, the events of the previous night seemed like a distant dream, yet the memory of the mysterious man's eyes lingered in her mind. Emily opened her eyes and lay still on her bed, almost reluctant to rise and face the new day. Her mind was a swirl of conflicting emotions and thoughts. Was it possible that she had imagined the whole thing? Could her exhaustion and the weight of the anniversary of her father's death have played tricks on her mind?
Moments stretched into what felt like an eternity as Emily lay there, trying to piece together the fragments of the night before. She pondered the possibility of her mind conjuring the image of the mysterious man, but there was a lingering doubt that gnawed at her. She couldn't shake the feeling that the encounter was real.
With a determined face, Emily finally sat up in her bed. She took a deep breath, inhaling the cool morning air that filled her room, and resolved to face the day ahead. "It must have been my emotions playing tricks on me," she murmured to herself, trying to find a rational explanation for the strange incident. "Yes, that's probably what it was. It has to be." Determined to move past the unsettling encounter, Emily decided to take a cold shower. The frigid water cascaded over her, awakening her senses and providing a momentary reprieve from the turmoil in her mind. As each drop fell, she imagined it washing away the lingering unease, hoping that the chill would also clear her thoughts.
After the refreshing shower, Emily returned to her usual routine, seeking comfort and stability in the familiarity of her daily tasks. First on the agenda was feeding the horses. The sight of the young and spirited Hazel greeted her, and a warm smile crossed Emily's face. Hazel, the youngest of the three horses Emily took care of, was a breathtaking light chestnut Morgan breed with a unique and striking feature – the flaxen gene. This particular gene gave her mane and tail an elegant off-white colour, contrasting beautifully with her chestnut coat. The flaxen gene added an air of sophistication to her appearance, making her stand out among other horses.
Hazel was only four years old, but was Emily's favourite. The connection between the two of them ran deep. Just as Emily lost her father, Hazel experienced a similar tragedy when her father, Robusto, passed away in the same year. According to the veterinarian's assessment, Morgan horses are known for their loyalty and devotion to their owners. Robusto's death affected his youngster deeply, and she mirrored Emily's own sorrow. Emily saw a reflection of her grief in Hazel's eyes, forging an emotional connection between the two souls. Their bond grew stronger over time, especially as Emily took it upon herself to care for the young one on her own.
In Emily's family, before her father's death, each member had a special role in caring for one of the three horses - Robusto, Nala and Spike. Emily's father lovingly tended to Robusto, while Emily herself took charge of caring for Nala, Hazel's mother. Emily's mother, a calm and strict woman, looked after Spike, a black Frisian horse with a majestic long mane and a calm and soothing nature. Now, with her father dead and her mother gone, Emily was left alone to take care of these beautiful creatures, but she didn't mind, it is what helped her survive.
Emily's gentle touch and soothing strokes as she brushed Hazel's coat provided her with a sense of peace. The rhythmic motion of grooming the horse served as a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to momentarily escape the whirlwind of thoughts that had consumed her earlier. As the day continued, Emily found herself immersed in the rhythm of stable life. The sights and sounds of the horses, the smell of hay, and the feel of their soft fur against her hands helped ground her.
It was Friday, a day typically filled with work that Emily enjoyed, but today, she felt a sense of relief knowing she had no obligations. It was May 31th, which meant it was Founders Day and everyone's day off. She needed time to process the strange encounter from the previous night. Making up her mind, she decided to take Hazel out for a ride. On the left side of her home lay vast open fields, bordered by a row of apple trees – the perfect space to release some pent-up energy by galloping on her horse. Hazel's swiftness brought joy to Emily, and they ventured further down the fields than usual. Emily noticed they were getting dangerously close to the forest, but this time, she didn't mind. Instead, she tightened her grip and made Hazel run even faster, entering the forest for the first time in 8 years.
As Emily and Hazel ventured deeper into the forest, the atmosphere began to change. The sunlight filtered through the canopy of leaves above, creating a dappled pattern on the forest floor. The dense trees formed a protective embrace around them, muffling the sounds of the outside world. All that remained was the distant murmur of the stream, which served as a guiding beacon for Emily and Hazel. The path they followed was a narrow trail, barely visible beneath the layers of foliage that had fallen over time. It seemed as though the forest had a life of its own.
As they continued along the trail, Emily loosened her grip on the reins, giving Hazel the freedom to choose their path, and they moved deeper into the heart of the forest. Eventually, the trail gradually sloped downward, leading them to the source of the gentle babbling sound they had heard earlier. It was a small, crystal-clear stream, meandering through the heart of the forest. The sight was serene, and Hazel wasted no time in quenching her thirst, bending her head to drink from the refreshing water. Emily, too, felt the calming effect of the stream and the surrounding tranquillity. She dismounted, allowing herself to sink into the soft grass, feeling the coolness against her skin. The forest seemed to embrace her, cocooning her in a sense of peace and solitude. For a while, Emily remained there, absorbing the sights and sounds of the forest.
Suddenly, the tranquillity was shattered by the rustling of nearby bushes, and her heart leaped with instant paranoia. After the eerie encounter from the previous night, her mind couldn't help but conjure ominous possibilities. Although her initial thought was it might be an animal, doubt kept creeping inside her head. Standing up and scanning her surroundings, she saw nothing at first, but then another rustling sound confirmed her fears, especially when she noticed Hazel's alert stance. Panic began to rise within her, and she considered mounting Hazel and fleeing from the unknown threat. However, just as she prepared to climb onto her horse, her fear turned to relief as she saw two white rabbits playfully chasing each other. She chuckled at her own overactive imagination, scolding herself for entertaining such irrational thoughts.
Yet, her relief was short-lived. Just behind the rabbits, she caught sight of the figure once more. The bright brown eyes that stared at her seemed to pierce her very soul as the figure whispered: "Now." Her body tensed, and a creepy tingling sensation ran through her entire being. Frozen in place, she couldn't find the strength to move, her voice stuck in her throat. The fear became overwhelming, and she knew she had to act quickly.
Summoning all her courage, she climbed onto Hazel's back and commanded the horse to run with urgency, a desperate plea for escape. As Hazel galloped through the dense woods, Emily's heart pounded loudly in her ears. The forest became a blur as they raced through the twisting paths, her eyes struggling to discern their route. The figure appeared once more, almost tauntingly, in between the trees, and repeated, only this time louder: "Now!", which sent shivers down Emily's spine.
She urged Hazel to go faster, pushing the horse to its limits. She could feel the powerful muscles beneath her, propelling them forward at breakneck speed. All she could focus on was reaching the open fields, where she hoped they could finally elude this strange pursuer. Just as they glimpsed the edge of the forest and the promise of escape, the figure reappeared, ominously lingering near the exit. This time, it remained silent, and Emily's heart sank with dread. The figure's nod seemed to convey a dark message, and as quickly as it had appeared, it vanished into thin air.
The adrenaline-fueled ride finally brought them to the safety of the open fields, where Emily and Hazel could breathe a momentary sigh of relief. The forest's tranquillity had been shattered, leaving her with a lingering sense of foreboding and an unshakable question: Who was that mysterious figure, and what did it want from her?
