Adventure Awaits

Chapter Two: Mystery in the Fields

For breakfast the next morning, the Bakers had Great Aunt Anne's Famous Pancake Special. They were the best ones in Tennessee!

     After eating her last egg, Scarlet washed her plate and sat on the chair across from her uncle and aunt, "Anne? Ed? I was wondering...well, hoping...do you still have Nightshade in your stables?" Nightshade has been Scarlet's favorite horse since she was just a pony. It had been a long time since she'd seen her.

     "Yes, of course!" Anne replied "But the little old thing hasn't gone for a ride in...well, in four years. Hasn't been herself lately..." her voice trailed off. "Four years!?" Scarlet exclaimed. Ed nodded, not taking his eyes off the morning paper...again, "We've been far too busy with the farm, work, that... we just haven't had the time," Scarlet was getting tired of listening to her great aunt and uncle's excuses. So she headed for the door.

"Wait." Great Uncle Ed commanded "Before you play with the horses, you must do your chores."

Scarlet scoffed, "Yes, sir,"

     She marched out and into the pastures with a basket and a hoe. Then began picking the fruits from the trees and the corn from the fields. Then pull at all of the weeds with the hoe. Scarlet wipes her forehead, which was covered with sweat beading down her face, "Oh man...smeared my make up!" Then she heard laughter from behind her, "Why'd you even put on make up? No one's gonna see you... that, and it's ninety degrees!"
    
     Scarlet whirled around and coming from the camouflage of the tall grass came a boy who was about her age. "I'm sorry, who are you?" she demanded. "I'm Lucas," Scarlet scoffed, as if to tell him he didn't answer her question "I'm what you'd say 'the Farm-boy,'" he waited "I'm like the helper, stable-hand? No? Well, I work for your great aunt and uncle." Scarlet rolled her eyes, " That's nice."

     "Do you need some help?" Lucas asked, taking a few steps closer. "No," she groaned "I can handle this myself. So just go away... Farm-boy!" Lucas shrugged and disappeared the same way he had come. Scarlet just rolled her eyes and continued to work.

Suddenly the hoe hit something other than a weed. "What's this?" she examines it closer. But she didn't want to dig it up because she already broke one of her nails and didn't want them ruined anymore then they already were.

      With a sigh, she gets down on her hands and knees and began digging down to the mystery object. It looked to be a kind of jewel. Perhaps a sapphire of some kind. It glistened in the sunshine. There was a creamy-white color to it and it had tiny scratches and dirt blotches.

     It was a pearl! This could be worth something... Scarlet thought to herself, rubbing it between her thumb and forefinger. She eventually decided to make it into a ring. Scarlet liked making jewelry. Obviously not like any professional, no... She bought pre-made bracelets or rings and decorated them with gems or other things for herself, her family, or her friends. Sometimes, she even sold them.

     Scarlet finishes up her work, unpacks the fruits and vegetables, and then takes the pearl up to her room. She took a bag out of her suitcase containing the bracelets and things she needed. She pulled out a ring and a pair of tweezers and sat at her desk. She carefully placed the small pearl in its holder. After it was all done, she slid it onto her middle finger. I like it, she tells herself, smiling. After dinner, she goes to sleep.

     It was before the rooster crowed, but the sun was up. Scarlet couldn't keep trying to sleep, so she dressed and walked to the stables and saddles Nightshade for a ride without letting her great aunt and uncle know. Secret, after all, are only secrets if kept. Nightshade was a dark color and had a beautiful long mane. Scarlet reached out to her, she was a little uneasy at first, but Scarlet eventually earned back her trust. Before heading out, she caressed her mane and muzzle. Scarlet didn't know where she was going, she was just enjoying the scenery; the trees, the grass, the sky...

     Then about a half an hour later, she realized she should probably be heading back. She sighed, "Giddy-up, Nightshade!... I think that's what you're supposed to say..." Not a moment had passed before she heard a faint, "Yes, master." Scarlet tugged on the reins, "Woah!" she was silent for a long time, and then shook her head "What? It's... just the...air getting to me. Let's get back, Nightshade." snapping the reins she hollered, "C'mon. We'd better get back."

     "Okay, here we go again." Scarlet fell off her horse, then ran in front of her, "N-Nightshade!?" she exclaimed "D-D-Did you just...talk!?"

A.N/ :O What just happened? Lol, it'll make sense, hope you guys are liking... bye!