A Dark Light

Chapter 20 - Sunpearl

  As I said that last sentence I started sobbing. This was just to much for me. I hated Darkstar and everything about him. I looked at Pepper beaten up on the ground. I needed somebody to take him to his father, I knew if Silverblaze knew what was happening he'd look after Pepper. I forced myself to stop my sobbing and walk across the cave. I was looking for Pepper's friend Cinnamon. Cinnamon was only a month older then Pepper and had promised Darkstar he'd be gone tomorrow morning so he wouldn't get beaten up. "Cinnamon" I said once I found him "I need a favor". He could see the distress in my eyes and replied "What is it?" "I need you to take Pepper with you when you go tomorrow, and I need you to find Silverblaze and explain why I sent him with you, he'll look after Pepper and if your not ready to be alone yet, I'm sure he'll take care of you as well". Cinnamon had seen Darkstar beat up Pepper and understood immediately. "Of course I will, Pepper's my best friend" he assured me. "Thank you so much" I told him. I then trotted back to Pepper and Sunny. "Sunny I'm going to send him with his friend Cinnamon, I don't want him to go but it's for the best". I didn't mention the part about finding Silverblaze to her. I wasn't sure how much she'd like that. She nodded understanding my choice. Pepper suddenly stirred. "Pepper?" I whispered. "Mom?" he replied weakly "What just happened?" he then asked lifting up his head. "You got hurt" I told him simply. Then I realized - he was going to leave and I didn't even know if he'd find Silverblaze or see me again I had to tell him more then that. "Darkstar attacked you" I admitted to the colt. "Why?" he asked confused. "He thinks your too old to stay here, for now I'm going to send you on a trip with Cinnamon so he can't hurt you again" I explained quietly. "Will I come back afterward?" he asked. "I don't know" I admitted. I looked at Sunny silently making her a promise. I would tell Pepper about her being his mom when I saw him again if I ever did. He was to traumatized right now to learn that, and I had to admit I was a mess myself. Sunny nodded understanding why I wasn't saying anything now. "Can you watch him?" I asked Sunny. I just wanted to be alone and Darkstar was finally letting me eat again and I haven't had the chance to with everything going on. I walked outside and started to graze. I noticed Darkstar watching from the cave entrance probably making sure I didn't try to run away or something. I hated him. I couldn't believe what he did to me, and I hated how he attacked Pepper. I was more afraid then I've ever been in my life. I didn't even know how I was supposed to raise my own foal, sure I'd raised Pepper but that was more of an adopted type thing and Silverblaze had helped. I'd never even actually had my own foal before, and Darkstar didn't seem like he'd be much of a help at all. At least Sunny seemed to understand a little. Even though she hadn't said goodbye, I was glad Winter left at this point. It was nice to know she was happy with Hawkeye instead of here right now. I wandered over to the stream and drank some water. When I was done I walked back into the cave and looked for a place to rest away from other horses, I just wanted to be alone. I found a corner and laid down. I drifted off to sleep wishing this entire day was just a bad dream.