From loneliness to alone

Chapter 5

After the initial panic went away, I thought about what to do next. All I had was the little food and water I brought with me, but I don't know how long Zena can go without water, she already tired herself out so I should go look for some water, I don't want to end up completely alone.

So that's what we did, we went to seek some water.

We continued to walk to the forest, I was holding her rein while she was leading the way.

Their were a lot of different noises, of bird singing, the blowing wind that was rustling leaves all around us. A lot of noises came from all sides, but I wasn't overwhelmed, in contrast I felt at peace. Even the normally annoying insect weren't annoying me in the slightest.

When at the end of the day we still hadn't found a water place, I decided to try my luck on water from moss, so I stepped off her back. Grabbing a hand full of moss, I squeezed it into one of the trays I brought with me. While doing this Zena continued to look at me curiously, so when I thought I got enough, I offered it to her.

This whole time, I had the rein around my arm so she wouldn't run away and leave me here completely alone. She didn't seem to mind and drank the water as gracefully as a horse always does.

I did need some sleep so while thinking about how uncomfortable the saddle and halter could be, I decided I would let her free even though I didn't want to end up alone.

First I would do the saddle because otherwise she could run away with it still on, after that was the halter. Zena was looking at me the whole time so when I pulled the halter over her ears, I really thought she would run away, but she continued to look at me.

I didn't want to make a temporary bed so I decided to just lay on the ground. What surprised me however was when Zena laid next to me, although it looked like she was ready to run any moment, she laid against me.

Even though summer are normally really warm, I hadn't felt this kind of warmth, it spread to my body while she didn't even lean on me, so it wasn't heavy.

The next day I woke up to that same warmth, although I also had some sore back, that would probably get better during the day. I was still laying down when I could feel Zena's eyes looking at me.

She looked ready for another day so I stood up so we could continue our way. I however hadn't really thought about what to do now, I didn't remember how to put the saddle or halter on, on my own. Zena however answered that when she looked at a fallen three where she stood next to and then to her back.

I was unsure of it, but I stepped up to sit on her back. I though it would feel unsteady, but she had a broad back and what I think are her shoulders didn't move that much even when she was walking.

So for the rest of the day she continued walking to who knows where.

As we walked I think even further in to the woods, I noticed the amount of insects increasing, which means their would be some water place nearby I hope.

I don't know how Zena knew that I wanted to go to a place like this, or that she wanted to herself, but I was glad she went this way, because at the end of the day we found a beautiful waterfall.

I decided to go a little back into the forest to just lay there and try to sleep after eating what little food I had left, Zena had eaten some grass and after that laid down as well.

I hadn't felt this understood my whole life, because the moment I started to feel cold, she laid closer and I warmed up instantly.

When the next morning came it was foggy, which made me feel a little spooked out, she continued to stay close to me while I was seeking some food to eat for the day until I wasn't spooked out anymore.

After I had found my food, which consisted of some insect and plants I knew weren't toxic for me, we went to the waterfall to enjoy the view while we ate.

While looking to the waterfall together with Zena week after week after week, I began to think about my life.

I was living to survive, but together with Zena it didn't feel that way. We stayed together every day and when I felt lonely, she would come close and lay her head on me.

Throughout the weeks, I had gotten better at riding so once each week, we crossed, going the fastest she could, through the forest. I felt alive and free, but most important I hadn't felt lost, because Zena always knew the way back to the waterfall.

The thoughts of going home hadn't crossed my mind, I did however think about my game friend once in a while.

Even though I hadn't seen another human since we were in the forest, the loneliness I felt surrounded by people, didn't come ones. Together with Zena I would never feel lonely.

Even thought dangerous animals lived here, I think I'm going to be fine, as long as I'm together with Zena.

~

Around 15 years later, during a hike to clear her mind, she had found her solace of finally knowing what had happened to her friend.

Laying their in some makeshift bed with a head of a horse laying on top of a chest, was her game friend, who even though their where some changes, still looked the same as 15 years ago.

Even though she had wanted to run away, she took a step closer. Noticing they weren't breathing she took an even closer look on their faces.

A small smile was what greeted her when she looked at her friend. The horse however had positioned her head to look at the person she had spent the biggest part of her life with, her head being hugged by that same person.

Both had closed eyes, but not yet stiff body's indicating they hadn't died that long ago. Even though they had died, they looked in peace.

Together with the one that found them when feeling lost, they would stay together forever, maybe not longer in this life, but they would continue to lead each other to the places that they themself didn't know they needed, saving each other from their loneliness along the way.

~~

Endnote: That was it, I hope you enjoyed reading it.

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