Forever Home

Part 7

     One day, I decided to go off trail and take a refreshing drink from a waterhole that was bigger than the first one I came across. It was midday when I walked up to the glistening blue water. I bent my head down and began to take in the nice cold water. At that moment, I felt a sudden sharp pain in my lower back. I pulled my head up and neighed loudly from the pain. I nearly choked on the water. I looked back to find the same mountain lion latched onto me with his front claws buried into my skin. I started bucking immediately, trying desperately to shake him off somehow. He only latched on harder, which hurt worse. I shrieked and bucked harder. The violent jerking only made his claws tear scars into my skin. I kicked my back hooves and landed a couple blows on his stomach. He roared and fell off. Blood began to seep down my sides from the deep gashes.

On instinct, I bolted away and tried to reach my maximum speed. I only got a couple yards before my injured leg went out from under me. I fell to the ground with a flip. The lion was chasing me from close behind and took this opportunity. He pounced on me and reached for my neck. I kicked him multiple times in the jaw as I lay there on my side, unable to stand up. He clawed at me, attempting to land a couple blows and weaken me even more. As I lay there defending myself, the sudden realization that this was probably the end of my life hit me like a bullet. It pierced my heart, and I suddenly couldn't breathe as I panicked. I neighed loudly as another sharp pain ran through my body, both emotionally and physically. As the lion and I wrestled in a heap of claws and hooves, I began to cry. My thin legs were getting tired. I couldn't keep kicking at the much stronger predator.

Part of me believed that the lion enjoyed torturing me slowly like this. In reality, he could probably tear me to shreds in a matter of minutes. But he was holding back on killing me. I figured it was most likely for his amusement. He liked the fight. Eventually, I stopped fighting. I lay there and closed my eyes, preparing for the painful bite that would land on my neck. I felt and heard the lion lunge for me, but the bite never came.

I opened my eyes and saw a flash of gold and black bolt past me. I followed it with my eyes. The figure stopped abruptly and stood over the lion a couple yards away from me. The stranger was another horse. He must've kicked the lion off of me, because the predator was struggling to breathe and stand. The horse's blow most likely knocked the wind out of him. The stranger neighed loudly and stomped on the lion multiple times. I heard the crunch of his ribs as the sharp hooves came down on him over and over again. After only a few stomps, the horse came over to me with panic and concern heavy in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" His voice was deep but smooth.

I attempted to stand at his words, but fell back over due to the amount of pain that overwhelmed my body. I looked down at myself and noticed all the blood. How was I still alive?

"It hurts," I managed to speak with a raspy voice.

I was extremely weak and every movement I attempted to make shot pain through my body. I was so close to death, and even now, I just wanted my misery to end. My face was wet with tears. The horse looked down at me with amazement. I was sure he was as surprised as I was at the fact that I was still alive.

"It's okay now. You're safe. The lion is dead," he comforted.

I lifted my head and looked at where the lion last was to see a limp body. It was crushed and covered in blood. I attempted to stand again, this time finally making it to my hooves. My legs trembled and I almost fell over multiple times. The horse let me lean on him.

"Are you alone?" he asked.

I nodded my head, "I got separated from my herd and mother a long time ago. I've lost track of the days. I've lost everything."

I cried more. The horse began to walk forward and I did the same. I continued to lean on him for support. I needed it so much right now.

"I'm so sorry to hear that. You can stay with my herd. I'm the leader."

"Thank you. What's your name?"

"Oh, right, of course. My name is Ryder," he stuttered.

Ryder? My eyes went wide at the name. This was my father I was leaning against.

"My name is Angel. My mother's name is April," I hinted.

My father stopped in his tracks.

"April..." he repeated.

He looked at me with his eyes wide and mouth agape.

"You're my daughter?!" He seemed ecstatic.

I nodded happily as we continued to walk. I finally met my father. He even invited to me stay with his herd. Just standing by him, I felt at home. His warmth was just like my mother's, and it felt good. A wave of relief flooded my body. A huge weight was lifted off of me at that moment. I was finally safe. My father cleared his throat and tried to contain his excitement.

"Well then, Angel. Consider this your new Forever Home."