Call of the Horses

Chapter 7

I brush myself off and pick up some things that fell out if my bag. I decide to head into the forest directly parallel to the train tracks. Pine needles and dead leaves crunch under my feet making it easier for people far away to hear me.

I decide to climb a tree to see where I am. I pick a tall pine tree and drop my bag at the base of the trunk. "Fly stay" I instruct to the collie, and all she does is lie down.

As I get higher, I realise that I've never climbed a tree before. I decide that I've climbed high enought so I perch on top of a thick branch and take in my surroundings. The forest goes on for ages, but I could hear the faint sound of cars in the distance. That means there's a road nearby which means a town must be close as well.

I quickly climb down my tree and put the bag back on my back.  I start to walk towards where I think the road is and Fly happily follows. I start to whistle to myself and I think to myself at some piont that I heard a horse neighing, but quickly ignored it.

Soon, my stomach started to growl so I take refuge under the shade of a nearby tree. I take this opportunity to see what food I brought with me.

I had grabbed cans of beans, corned beef, multiple cans of soup, a packet of chips and another full of dried fruit. I had also packed two water bottles, four cans of dog food and a block of chocolate.

I open a can of soup and share it with Fly, not wanting to waste the dog food. I take a sip of water and cup my hands and pour water into them so Fly can have a drink.

We set off again fully refreshed. We walked for maybe an hour and a half when we walked straight into a fence. Istopped in front of it and wandered who ownes the property beyond the tall wooden fence.

I climb up and over the fence while Fly goes under it. Just as I set both feet on the ground a herd of horses gallop across the paddock and up the nearest hill. Greys, chestnuts and bays galloping madly, but they looked happy. I decided to follow them, maybe they were galloping home. I climbed the hill and stood upon a rock ledge over looking a valley which slowly slopped downwards and then back up.

On the top of the next hill lies a farm house with a big wooden barn sitting next to it. Surrounding the barn were three wide paddocks filled now with playful horses.

I looked at Fly and she wagged her tail in excitment and approval. We start to make our way down into the valley. Just as we get to the base of both hills I find a stream running down toward a tangle of bushes.

I wash my face in the fresh water along with my filthy hands. I grab out my hair brush and brush out the knots and tangles from it.

Then, just as we're about to set of again,  a shrill whinney erupts from my right. Moments after, as if on cue, a beautiful buckskin gelding rushes out of the trees and leaps the creek with one small hop.

Soon after, another horse comes galloping through. This one is all tacked up in western gear and on top is a teenage boy maybe my age urging the horse to go faster.

"We got him now" I hear the boy yell. He doesn't notice me gaping at all the commotion happening before my eyes. That gelding the boy was chasing was absolutly breathtaking.

It's black mane and tail flying in the wind while its muscular golden body powered over the land and dissapearing into the forest again. I must see that horse again.