Wild Horses: The Valley

Chapter 07

 Buck ran. He ran until he couldn't anymore. He could hear his friends telling him to slow down, but Buck couldn't.

He had been running full speed for half an hour. He just couldn't believe what had happened to Mistake.

Buck continued running for another five minutes before he fell. Sand flew up and onto him as he fell. Panting, Buck rested his head on the hot, dry ground, shaking.

Storm and Aristico caught up to him. "Hey sport, finally ran out of energy huh?" Buck looked at Storm, then rested his head back on the ground.

"You MUST be thirsty!" Aristico yipped. "Bit back is a really nice oasis!" Buck looked up hopefully. His mouth was dry. "Was a shocker you actually didn't stop to drink!" Aristico went on." At that point you have been running for, I think 27 minutes!"

Buck blinked, trying to get up, but he just fell again. Buck's knees were knobbled and sore and he just couldn't.

Sympathy filled Storm's eyes. "Aw, really tuckered yourself out." he neighed softly. "Just lean on me, we will get there."

Buck managed to get up with Storm's help. As soon as he got up, he leaned on Storm's blue-grey coat for support and together, they walked to the oasis.

Five Ish minutes later, they arrived at a beautiful oasis. Ancient palm trees surrounded a lake of blue, crisp water.

Buck then had regained enough strength to walk to the edge of the water. He instantly began drinking large gulps of water.

Buck could feel his strength coming back to him. Turns out he was over-dehydrated. Buck trotted over to his friends, who were basking in the sun.

"Feels GOOD to be free!" Aristico yipped. Storm smiled weakly at Aristico, then turned to Buck. "Had a lot of time to think about what happened to Mistake." he neighed.

"Yeh." Buck agreed. "I-I can't believe it. They are gonna torture him like how they did to my father."

Storm glanced down sadly, knowing what he meant, but Aristico cocked her head. "Torture?" she asked with widened eyes.
"Yes." Buck whimpered. "My father was a noble horse. He fought back against the CowArmy and they took him and.." he paused before continuing, a tear rolling down his cheek. "Slowly starved him. They let him have water once a week and food once every two."

Buck took a big breath before continuing. "Everyday they would use all his energy in abusive and terrifying ways. It slowly killed him."

"He's DEAD!" Aristico yelped, jumping in shock, her tail tucked under her white legs. "No," Buck neighed quietly. "He went- insane, he's in the Forbidden Stables."

"Ohh.." Aristico whined awkwardly. "Sorry.."

"Um, Storm?" Aristico suddenly asked, her gaze jumping to the pacing arabian. "NOOO!" Storm screeched. "MISTAKE IS GONNA DIE!"

The palm trees rattled. Buck hoped it was just from Storm's loud scream. Storm continued hyperventilating. "NO!" he screeched again. "NONONONO!"

"Shut UP!" Aristico barked, smacking Storm in the face with her shaggy tail. "These deserts are filled with one of the only remaining wildlife, Sand Sabers."

Buck froze. Sand Sabers were deadly creatures, they had sandy pelts to blend in with the desert, and huge, huge fangs sprouting from their mouths.

Storm even shut up, flopping to the ground in grief. "N-No." he whinnied hoarsely, closing his blue eyes and swishing his dark tail over his flank. Soon, small snores came from Storm. He had fallen asleep.

Buck gazed at Aristico, he was longing to sleep as well, running that long and far had exhausted him.

Aristico let out a sigh, resting her head on her small paws, closing her eyes. Buck settled on the ground, he was too tired to sleep-stand like normal, so perhaps he could just lay down for a day.

Buck's eyes flickered as he slowly let sleep devour him.