I have decided to return to writing stories and such on here. If you remember me I had a story called 'Home Sweet Home', which I feel like a idiot for deleting for I have no other files of it. Anyway, here is my first chapter of a story in over four months, so be nice. And I know its short, be nice. But, I would love critique.
CHAPTER ONE :: Those Words
The wind blew fiercely and dirt blew in spirals around the ranch yard. Dark clouds loomed overhead as Samantha ran from paddock to paddock, transferring horses into the barn. "Gosh darn it!" She muttered as a feed bucket flew under her feet, causing her to lose her balance momentarily. She had told Billy the storm was heading towards them. Mumbling, she grabbed a hold of Domino's noseband, dragging the old gimpy gelding into the barn. And of course Billy was nowhere scrambling to get the horses inside as well. As she shoved the old gelding into the stall she circled back out of the barn, glancing at the surrounding acreage. More than five horses still remained in the paddocks, trotting or cantering with agitated moves, wanting the safety of the barn. "Next time you'll listen to me." She growled as Billy ran towards the paddock. She could tell by his shoulders slumping he heard, and understood.
Around a half an hour later Sam was bunked down by her radio, a mug of hot cocoa nestled in her palm. Every single animal of her property was nestled either inside the barn or in the house. But mostly, they were in the barn. Billy had tried to apologize profusely, but Sam had ignored him as she had walked straight into her house, slamming the door shut behind her. He would get an ear full later. The radio crackled with static from the storm, repeating the message to cover your animals and prepare for a storm, nothing new had been broadcasted. But, not all was calm inside Sam's body. Her heart shattered against her chest thinking about her own friends and family's ranches, praying they were safe and dry. Praying.
The radio continued to give advice of sheltering and safety as the night wore on, no phone inside Sam's house went off for another hour. Picking up the phone, Sam dialed her father's house, but no one answered. Next, she tried Jen and Darrel's house, no answer. And finally, she tried the Ely's.
Someone answered after the fourth ring. "What?" The voice on the other end sounded bushed and a little irritated. It could only belong to one person.
"Jacob Ely is that really the way to answer a phone?" She chortled for a moment, and then realized why she had called. "Is everyone alright over there?" Her voice was a little hoarse, but she managed.
She heard him snort. "Yes, everything's alright Brat." Anger bloomed in her chest at his tone. Without a goodbye, Sam slammed the receiver into the cradle. Realizing her mistake, Sam sighed before punching in the Ely's phone number once more.
"Yes?"
"Um, sorry. Did my dad call at all?" Silence followed her question. Panic built in her throat when Jake didn't respond. "Jake?"
She heard an intake of breath before he spoke. "I reckon no one called you." He muttered into the phone. "There's been an accident…" Those words were last only words she heard before bolting out the door.