Fated - The Scorpion & The Butterfly

s e v e n

This ones a bit short but more of a filler!
~x

The Scorpion

"Z! Wait up!"  Rosie called from behind me as she caught up on her horse. "You can't go on our ride without me!"

We both laughed and I smiled at her. "I wouldn't dream of it Rosie."

Her horse was a gray dapple named Dusty, she'd worked hard to convince her parents to let her have him. She took care of him like he was a baby.

I didn't have my own horse, though she'd argue and say I did. I'd always ride Rusty, he was a reddish brown bay. She'd named them Rusty and Dusty on purpose, the two were inseparable.

"I know of a new trail we haven't taken before. Wanna check it out?" I asked her as we both trotted along on our horses.

"Absolutely!" She was quick to agree which forced another smile on my face.

I tossed on the couch as I dreamt of the day that changed not only my life, but Rosie's too. It always came in flashes.

"Zack!"

"Rosie! Watch out!" I yelled out as a wild coyote lunged at Dusty causing him to spook and buck. Rosie screamed as she was thrown from the horse. I jumped off Rusty and pulled the pistol from my waist. I had never needed it before but never went on a ride without it, these woods could be dangerous and unpredictable. I knew it would probably spook the horses more but they'd find their way back home.

I took aim and shot at the coyote. I missed. My adrenaline was pumping and I was shaking. Just as I expected both horses took off in the other direction back towards the Ranch and the coyote, back the way it came.

I ran over to Rosie where she laid in the dirt. Her butterfly necklace laid not too far away. It had caught on the saddle as she fell and broke off. She had hit her head pretty bad on a rock and I tried to shake her awake but she was out cold.

"Rosie!" I jolted awake, my heart racing. I relaxed after a moment, realizing it was just a dream. I tossed my head back on the couch and stared at the ceiling. I was covered in sweat and smelled like alcohol. Again.

I couldn't help but to think I was turning into my father. Poor bastard hadn't even realized I'd taken off when I did until after I turned eighteen and by then, there was nothing he could do about it.

I always wondered why I hadn't ever heard from Rosie after that. We were best friends just like those damn horses. I thought she just hated me for leaving.

But, that first day at the Cafe made it obvious. She'd forgotten about me. It made me sick but it was my own fault.

Neither of her parents ever cared much for me, especially her dad. I'd always have to sneak on to the Ranch where she would have Rusty saddled up waiting for me so we could go on our usual ride together.

I always wondered how Alan never found out. There was always a subtle feeling her mother, Persephone knew though. Moms just have that sense I guess. Mine didn't though. All she cared about was herself— leaving me with that son of a bitch for nearly eight years.

I'd endured as much as a could from him, but it got so much worse after the accident. I couldn't do it anymore. Everyone blamed me. When they wouldn't let me see her at the hospital that was it for me. I had to get out of there.