I awake to breath on my face. A dark featured boy looks into my eyes. His lush brown eyes stare into mine, and a lock of dark hair falls into his face. He starts, realising I am awake.
'Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you -' he breaks of'
'Kreiger! where is she?!' I shout. My vision slides in front of me and I stumble.
'Kreiger!' I shout again
'Woah, woah it's fine,' the boy soothes me. I still struggle violently.
'It's okay. Your horse is over there, tied to the railing.' He states.
'Is she hurt?' I ask, 'the dog -' it all rushes back to me '- the dog, it was huge, is she ok? it ran at us and Kreiger spooked, and -'
'It's okay, it's okay! Lucy was just being protective. She wouldn't hurt a fly' He says to me again. There's something in his eyes that stops me.
I know immediately that I can trust him. But I have never trusted anyone except my mother. I look at him suspiciously. I pull myself to my feet. Thankfully my head does not spin.
I struggle over to Kreiger. She nickers at me. I stroke her face.
'It's alright girl it's alright, you're fine, they won't hurt you, you're safe now.' I say to her.
'How long have you had her?'
'A week.' I say, somewhat suspiciously.
'Wow. You have such a strong bond.'
'Until I got chucked off...!' I say, unsure of his meaning.
'You work well together,' he clarifies 'she loves you.'
I smile. I haven't smiled properly since my mother died. My eyes fill with tea rs at the memory, and I turn away to hide them, burying my face in Kreiger's mane.
'What's wrong?'
'Nothing. It's just...... never mind.' I sigh.
'Ok. Follow me!
I reluctantly drag myself onto Kreiger and follow him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I find myself in a farmhouse kitchen. An aga sits in the corner, and the room opens into a lounge dining area. I have never seen such wealth in my life. The room is huge! I glance outside - Kreiger is still waiting there.
'My parents are away on a trip,' he explains. 'You can stay here for a while.'
'Thanks.' I say again.
I pretend to be interested, but I have no intention of staying. I will eat my fill then leave again. I gaze at their mantelpiece, and a picture catches my eye.
It is the boy, riding a black horse. He has no tack, and he fearlessly urges the horse on. I turn to him.
'What's your name?' I ask.
'Aiden' he replies.
A/n
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out I didnt know what to write for a long time, and my life has been super busy and stressful lately and I haven't had much time. This chapter ends a bit abruptly, but I thought I'd publish it and get it over with.
