Fern Creek Academy Book 1

Chapter 7: Disaster

In the grey light of dawn, Hilary woke up, her room was still in shadow and, outside the sky was lightening in the east. A sound pierced the dawn air, it sounded as though someone was screaming, then Hilary finally recognized what it was. It was a horse screaming in fear.

Her heart started thudding loudly. Was that Rilby? Hilary ran down the stairs and opened the screen door, it banged loudly as she ran outside.

The pebbles were hard under her bare feet and the air was cold. Her thin pyjamas provided no protection from the chilling wind that ran along the driveway.

Hilary ran towards Rilby's paddock, the urgent neighing grew louder.

There he was, outlined by the moon and gleaming with sweat. Hilary dashed up the hill and stopped, wondering what to do. Then suddenly she saw it, a gleaming, silvery body, poised ready to strike.

Hilary screamed.

She ran towards Rilby, grabbing a stick on the way. The creature, startled by the sudden sound, froze. Hilary, crazed by fear and terror and desperate to save Rilby, smashed the stick as hard as she could upon the creature's head. It fell to the ground. Lifeless.

Hilary fainted.

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When she came to, Hilary slowly and dizzily opened her eyes, her head was throbbing and there was something cool on her forehead. She looked around, her mum and dad were standing over her, she lay on the couch in the living room, a blanket over her.

"Oh, thank god, she's awake," Hilary's mum had tears in her eyes.

Sam said nothing but hugged Hilary hard. The room was blurry and tiredness crept through her body.

"We were woken up by the door slamming. You weren't in your bed so we rushed outside and found you lying on the ground, with Rilby standing over you," Kate told her,"But worst of all, as we approached, we found a dead Red-Belly Black lying close by."

Sam nodded gravely,"We can only guess why you were outside at that time."

Hilary breathed slowly, she recalled to them why she'd been outside and what had happened.

"My brave little girl" said Kate fondly.

Sam broke in,"We were so worried", he said anxiously,"You should have told us and we would have called the council or helped you." he shook his head,"Why did you go outside, you ran the risk of killing yourself."

Hilary was shocked,"And let Rilby die?" she said, aghast.

Sam looked concerned "Hilary, you must try to put yourself ahead of animals."He said pleadingly,"One day, you might die saving something."

Hilary looked sullen.

"Anyway, Hilary, let's not talk about that for now."

For Hilary, the rest of the day was spent lying down and resting her head. Later, her parents had told her that she'd banged her head on a rock when she'd fallen.

Hilary slowly recovered, a week later she was quite well. Fern Creek Academy kept popping into her mind. There were three weeks to go and Hilary had to be prepared.She decided to go out to Rilby's paddock. Hilary hadn't seen Rilby for a week and felt joy surge through her heart when he came trotting over.

"My beautiful boy," she said fondly, hugging him. Rilby nuzzled her hands. Hilary brought out a carrot. He eagerly ate it up, his soft, velvety muzzle brushing her hands. Hilary haltered Rilby and led him into the round yard. She started to lunge him. Getting into a rhythm. Hilary watched Rilby's muscly leg push powerfully onto the ground with each stride. When they were done, Hilary cooled Rilby off and gave him one last hug, before letting him go off into the paddock.