Hope & Skydancer (Book 1)

Chapter 15

The night was perfect for a ride. The air was warm, the moon was full. Everywhere you look, you see a firefly, gracefully blinking it's neon green light.

Skydancer's hooves made a perfect thudding noise along the trail. Hazel rode Daisy right beside me, smiling through the night.

We stayed silent for a while, just taking in the beautiful summer night.

"It's beautiful." I finally broke the silence.

"Yeah. That's why I love to ride it." That was all that was said for a while. We continued riding through the woods, with a gentle breeze blowing over us.

I've missed this.

"Thank you." I really meant it. I wouldn't be out here if it wasn't for her.

"For what?" Her question surprised me, granting her a questioning look.

"For this."

"You don't nee-"

"I mean it. Thank you." We left it at that as we emerged through the dark woods.

We walked out into a clearing. The stars above us were absolutely stunning. I could see billions of stars, twinkling in the midnight sky.

The two of us broke out into the trees again. The stars disappeared as branches blocked my view. But, all of this seemed so... Familiar?

"Where are we going." The long silence was broken by my question.

"You'll see."

We came out into a wide open field. To the east, an orange glow began to show over the horizon. Hazel brought Daisy to a gentle lope. I followed her actions as we headed toward the glowing horizon.

To my left, a stream trickled, sounding like running water as it made it's way downstream.

Then, I remembered where we were.

"This is the place I used to go every morning, to watch the sun."

"Yep, and that's exactly why we are here."

"Why?"

"To show you what you've been missing."

We halted our horses by the cliff. It was an amazing sight. The sun began to peek over the far off mountains. The sky strung out with dark blues, purples, and oranges.

"I really have missed this. How bout you girl?" Skydancer threw her head up and down. "I'll take that as a yes." Hazel began to giggle at Sky as I turned. "Thank you."

"For the bazillianth time, you don't need to thank me."

"Yes I do, and bazillianth is not a real number" I burst out into laughter.

Hazel made a fake pouty face, as my
laughter became harder. Eventually, she gave in, joining in with loud laughter.

There we sat, together. Together at our favorite spot, watching the sun come up over the horizon.

This is the life.
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For the following weeks, I rode privatly. I rode at night, or hidden on the trails. I rode everywhere that kept my riding a secret.

Only Hazel knows of my riding. Most mornings, she and I will go to the cliff to watch the sun and hang out together. Each morning, she helped me through another milestone in riding.

Today, it was a warm, sunny summer day. Hazel and I were on a hidden back trail. We galloped through the pines, jumping logs and maneuvering the trees. I felt like my old self, riding around for no reason with Hazel. It was great.

The two of us halted atop a hill. You could see everything. I peered down toward the farm, watching horses gallop through the pastures. I even saw Faith playing around the barns. The whole scene was alive and beautiful. It seamed as if nothing could disturb it's beauty as I watched.

I was wrong.

I peered down watching someone, whipping their horse. Hard. I wish I was closer and could see who it was, but all I saw was a whip coming down on a beautiful bay stallion.

Damian. It was Ceci's horse Damian who was being whipped. No body is allowed to touch him but her, so that only means one thing; Ceci is whipping poor Damian.

"We can't let her hurt that beautiful stallion. He doesn't deserve it." And with that, Sky and I galloped off, back toward the farm.

"Now we are talking!" I heard Hazel's voice yell behind me. The two of us stormed out of the woods and back toward the ranch.

We got closer to Ceci whipping Damien. I saw lashes across his back, some bleeding. This filled me with rage.

"Stop!" I yell at her. A surprised Ceci turned my way, stopping what she was doing and glared.

"I can do, what ever I want." Her glare became more intense.

"He doesn't deserve it. You are abusing that stallion."

"MY stallion. He belongs to me so I can determine what I think he deserves. So back off,cripple!" She lashes the whip at Sky's leg. She screamed in pain, rearing up. I slipped off the saddle and onto the ground.

"That's what you get for interfering with my business." She turned and led Damian away.

I heard Faith run up behind me. She looked me over for injuries, as Hazel went to catch my frightened horse.

"I'm ok, girl." I patted Faith, as we sat together in the dirt. "She will get it someday." I mumble to myself.

Faith shot me a look that said 'Let's get her.' I almost fell backward laughing.

"That's my girl." I whisper in her silky ear.
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A/N

Sorry I haven't been able to update lately. I've been so busy with my Regents Exams and whatnot. But now it is summer, so I should be able to update. I also wanted to say that my essay is officially up. You can find it in my works.

P.S- the picture on the side is of Daisy

Read, Vote, Comment, and BE AWESOME

DR