I arose from the ground and brushed the leaves off my sweater. My small leather pack sat right at the base of a tree. Picking it up, I grabbed two apples out of it and walked over to Sugar and Whisper. Sugar stretched out her head and stole the apple right out of my hand.
“You could have said please!” I said to her laughing, Whisper neigned and I gave him his apple.
“Whisper said please!” I testified to Sugar.
I walked up the mossy stairs up to my ‘room.’ The structure was basically a cave, without the bats. It had a couple blankets where I normally slept, some tables I made out of logs, and a couple of candles scattered around the room. I went over to one of the tables and got my bridle and saddle out of it. The back of the saddle was engraved ‘Alice Harlin,’ My mothers name. Its so feminine, so beautiful. She was so beautiful.
I packed up my things and headed out for my little adventure. Our goals for today were to collect supplies for this upcoming winter. We might as well be prepared with plenty of food, water, and wood for the fire.
Sugar and Whisper were ready for the journey. We were going about a half mile to the creek, where there were many animals. The water was so clear, you could see all the way to the bottom. After that to the dense woods, there would be plenty of wood there. I couldent get any sticks around my house because they were all damp from the rain, they sadly wouldent lite a fire. I rode sugar straight to the creek, where I filled my canteens to the brim. The wound up horses had plenty of time to play around the creek while I collected the water. Aside from that I found some raspberry bushes and plenty of dandelions. I plucked all the leaves and berries I could fit into my pack. Roasted dandelion leaves with some berries would be a nice dinner tonight.
Once I rounded up the playful ponies, we headed to the dense part of the forest. When we got there, I dismounted Whisper, and started putting twigs and sticks in small piles where there was a free patch of grass. By the time I knew it, there was a huge pile of sticks, all shapes and sizes. I was very happy with my work.
I got some twine out of my pack and started tying the twigs in bunches. I completed my first bundle when I heard a stick snap. I looked up, and saw both horses silent, looking deep into the woods. I didn't know what it was, and I didn't want to find out. So what any normal person would do is I took out my hunting knife, and looked around. I didn't see a bear, or a cougar, or a raccoon. I didn't see anything, until another branch snapped. Then I knew immediately what it was. A pink body and green eyes to go with it. This is bad.
“Hello?” She yelled. “I see you over there! Are you lost?”
I was terrified, frozen you could say. I have been out here for three years, and I'm not going to be caught now. My instincts took in, I gave a quick whistle to Whisper and hopped on his back. Sugar reared up and gave a loud neigh. We were off, as fast as his four hooves could take us. Home we go!
By the time we got back, I then had realized that I only got one bunch, which would barely last us an hour. I knew it was too risky going back there today, I would just have to stick it out for a couple days. I unpacked the canteens and dandelion leaves from my pack, and set them on my bed. The fireplace had a couple logs in it, and I set the twig bunch next to it.
The sun was shining and a soothing breeze, I just had to for a jog. I left Sugar and Whisper at home, so I could just be alone for a bit. I jogged around the lake and back. It felt very refreshing to just run. After I had gone jogging I decided to go for a little swim, with Sugar and Whisper by my side. I knew Whisper loved the water, but I wasn't so sure about Sugar.
I trotted on Whisper to the lake and Sugar followed behind us. Once he layed his eyes on the blue water he got very excited. I nudged him on and he jumped in. By the shore it was only like a foot deep, but in the middle it was like twelve. I got off Whisper and let him go enjoy himself. I hopped over to Sugar who was still on the shore, unsure of what to do. I got on her back and nudged her. She finally got enough courage and jumped in full force, because whenever Sugar does something, she does it with all she has. Thats what I loved about her, she reminded me so much of my mom.
Once we made it home from our swim, I let the horses graze and ran to my room. I was absolutely exhausted. My stomach growled, reminding me about the berries and dandelion leaves. Time to start cooking! So I started a fire in the pit, and roasted away. When the dandelion leaves were chard, I put them on wood piece I used for eating, and garnished them with raspberries. That meal was amazing, one of the best I have made.
As exhausted as I was, I knew I had to go say good night to Sugar and Whisper. So, I grabbed two apples and walked into the pitch black to find my ponies. They both stood by a tree and greeted me with a neigh. I reached out and Sugar grabbed the apple out of my hand. Whisper didn't want to wait either, so he grabbed his too.
“Goodnight guys!” I said loudly while walking back up to my room.
I plopped down right into my bed. I could feel my eyelids growing heavier, but as I was laying there, I couldn't stop thinking about that girl I saw. She was trouble, big trouble.
