Destiny

Chapter 22

When i awake its early morning. The sun has barely poked out from the horizon. My muscles ache from being slumped over Destiny for so long so i sit up and stretch. I look down at Destiny. Shes still breathing.

Only then do i notice the mass of people around me. Police swarm the scene taking picture and doing a lot of other things that my groggy mind can't seem to comprehend.

Mom is crouched next to  me. I guess she shook me awake but i don't remember seeing her. Dad is talking with an investigator who is jotting everything he says down in a notebook  and Hannah is standing in the middle of the mess, still dressed in her pajamas and yawning.

"We need to get you checked out" Mom says, a note of concern in her voice. I hold Destiny closer. "I don't want to leave her" I say.

So instead of taking me to the medical team, the medical team comes to me. They assess my bruises, cuts and scrapes and declare that i'm fine but may be sore for a few days. I'm not focused on them but more on the vet that they've called in to examine Destiny.

I can see that destinys contion isn't good just based off the Vets reaction. He looks upset and calls his assaints over. 

"I want to do a closer examination at the clinic" He tells them "Get the ambulance"

Within minutes a white vehicle pulls up next to Destiny and the Vet gives her a painkiller and then they use a sling to hoist her into the vehicle.

"We will get back to you hopefully by tomorrow" The vet tells us as they close the door of the vehicle. The vet climbs into his car and drives away followed closely by the car carrying Destiny.

I can feel my heartbreaking as they drive away with Destiny knowing I may never see her again.

The morning drags on. Mom takes Hannah and I back to the house while Dad stays to answer any questions the police may have.

I spend the day sitting in my room and just staring. It feels like i've lost her just like i lost Hershey.

I can hear Hannahs voice from across the hallway. Shes singing some song but I can't make out the words as the wall muffles them. 

Dad comes in later, completely exhausted. The police are finishing up the investigation and are starting to pack up and leave.

"Do they know who did it?" I ask when Dad walks in the door.

"I described the man i saw running. You went in the opposite direction so you didn't see him but someone with a shotgun was running from the scene.

"Who do they think it is?" Mom asks from her spot on the couch

"That hermit guy that visited us a few weeks ago. Turns out that he lives a few miles from her and owns a few horses. I guess Destiny was one of them and he wanted her back. Its obvious he abused her. he probably tried to steal her and when she ran, he shot thinking he would rather have her dead."

Dad doesn't say anything more about it and no one asks anymore questions. Tonight everyone goes about their business with a gloomy and scared feeling. Knowing that the intruder hasn't been caught yet frightens everybody and every time i think of Destiny a sob catches in my throat.

I lay on my bed that night still worrying.

"She will to fine" I whisper to myself and Daisy who is curled up at the end of my bed "She will be fine" I whisper again and slowly drift off into sleep.