Majesty

8. Familiar

It took only a few hours for Kyla to try walking again. Laying helpless on a bed was far more frustrating than fighting with the crutches. She gradually grew accustomed to the clumsy cast, and after several days of practice she was able to maneuver deftly with the crutches. The upstairs bathroom and Mindy's bedroom were easily accessible without assistance, but she needed Mindy's steady hand with her to tackle the stairs.

On the third day after the doctor's visit, Mindy helped Kyla reach the bottom of the stairs safely where she stopped to take in her surroundings. On her left was the kitchen and dining room, painted an oddly blue color that clashed with the sunny orange living room and brown couches that sat in front of her. Kyla determined with an inward smile that Mindy had room for improvement in her interior design skills.

She followed Mindy out the front door and hobbled onto the porch, letting the screen door slam closed behind her. When she looked up, she stopped short and stood motionless, ignoring Mindy's questioning gaze. Everything looked... strangely familiar. From the looming stables to the fenced pasture to the gravel driveway ahead. Had she been here before? That didn't make sense, Mindy had never met her previous to her accident.

"What is it?" Mindy asked eagerly.

"I don't know."

The tree. She could not tear her eyes from the towering tree overlooking the yard. It looked just like...

She almost fell backward as it clicked in her mind, but she caught herself against the wall of the house. Her dream! This was the -

Mindy's curious eyes penetrated her thoughts and demanded an answer to her unspoken question. Kyla ignored it and instead changed the subject, requesting a tour of the stables.

Mindy quickly complied and led her past the field where a young colt grazed. He spotted them and came cantering over, thrusting his head over fence with a snort and pressing his nose into Mindy's hand.

She laughed. "This is Streak. He is such a sweetheart. He lives to love and he's always desperate for attention. I'm keeping him quarantined in this pasture for another week before I introduce him to my other horses. Can't risk them catching anything he might have from his owner's ranch."

Streak's coat was mostly a liver chestnut color with a single white patch running from his withers down one leg, creating an oddball appearance that fit well with his playful personality. Kyla scratched his neck and watched his tail flip back and forth happily. When she turned away to follow Mindy into the stable, he stomped in protest and snorted his disappointment.

Mindy led her to each stall and told her stories behind each horse. Precious was emotionally scarred from abusive owners who may have harmed her unborn foal. Mocha and Toffee were twins, Rocky Mountain Horses, whom Mindy had helped save from the slaughterhouse and now rode daily, mostly for pleasure. Cloud was a gray quarter horse who was injured in a fire and now blind in one eye, but he enjoyed the company of Mindy and the other horses. Trixcy was an old roan mare that no one wanted anymore. She had bonded closely with Cloud and calmed his more skittish tendencies.

Kyla was enthralled with each of them and took a special liking to Streak. She would have stayed outdoors for hours, but finally consented to Mindy's urging to return inside and rest on the couch.

Mindy plopped herself on the cushion beside her and asked determinedly, "What is it, Kyla? I know that look. What are you hiding from me?" The ever-present twinkle in her eyes showed a playful prodding, but Kyla knew she expected an answer.

"I don't entirely know," she admitted, "It's just that everything seems... familiar. Too familiar."

"Were you raised on a ranch?"

"Well, I thought of that, but I don't think so. I have no memories of it." That was a lie. Inwardly, she was certain of her past home if nothing else. But she didn't want Mindy to know every detail that she did before she could figure out a little more. She could still picture the little girl she saw in her dream last night and it haunted her not to know who it was.

The girl was running, arms flying, toward a house. A man stood on the porch, grinning, and swept her into his arms. She giggled in delight and waved to Kyla. In her dream, Kyla broke into a run and outstretched her arms for safety, shuddering at the demonic laugh behind her. Suddenly, everything grew eerily dark and mysterious. She tripped and fell on her face, then looked up to see the farmhouse and stable burst into flames. The man and girl vanished and a hand grabbed her hair. She screamed. The towering oak, outlined by the burning house behind it, turned toward her and shook wildly. A laugh echoed through the rusting leaves. The figure of a black horse flashed across her eyes and she snapped awake, drenched in sweat.

Now, Mindy saw the fearful look in her eyes and touched her hand reassuringly. Kyla remained deep in thought, replaying her dream.

"Another nightmare?" Mindy asked solemnly. Kyla nodded and closed her eyes.

"Every night there's another one. And each one is worse than the last. I'm afraid to go to sleep at night."

"They're just dreams, Kyla; they don't mean anything."

Kyla nodded again and hoped with all her heart that Mindy was right. Still, with no real memories to dwell on and no future to look forward to, the only thing that occupied her mind at night was the hidden clues in her nightmares. They had to come from somewhere. Didn't she hear one time that dreams reflect and distort events in real life? Why else would the ranch outside haunt her dreams when she had never seen it before?

Or had she?

"Dwell on the present," was Mindy's advice. "If you don't have good memories, make them."

Kyla blinked. Well, that's a good idea. At least it would be if my leg didn't keep me from having real fun. Oh, how she longed to ride again! When's my next doctor's appointment? Next week? Maybe he can at least tell me how long I have to wear this stupid cast. I want to start living!

"I have an idea!" Mindy looked suddenly exited. "It's almost time for lunch. How would you like a picnic?"

A picnic?

"And while we're there, I can introduce you more officially to Dark Night!

Kyla tried to hide her excitement, but Mindy saw the joy in her eyes as she nodded. They walked together to the kitchen and where Kyla sat and watched as Mindy made preparations for the picnic.

A new thought struck Mindy regarding Kyla's disability. How would she get her into the cave? The easiest access to the mustangs' favorite grazing area was through a hole large enough to crawl through, but too small to manage with a cast and crutches. Should she call Mr. McCarter? Or maybe go up the mountain? She should've thought this through more thoroughly  before suggesting it.

"Miss Mindy?" Kyla's face was framed with worry. "Will it be safe? Wild horse herds aren't exactly predictable. And from the stories you keep telling me about Dark Night, he's certainly not very friendly. Won't they run away? Or worse, stampede us?"

"Stampede us?" Mindy shook her head. "Kyla, if they don't want us watching them, they'll just leave. Regardless, we'll be a safe distance away from the herd, so don't be worried."

Kyla looked skeptical, but she nodded anyway and was soon sitting beside Mindy in the truck. On her lap sat a basket of food and in her mind lay the prospect of an adventure. New memories. Wild mustangs. This was exactly the kind of adventure she wanted.

She was awfully unaware at the time just how much of an adventure this simple picnic would become.