Abraxis

Chapter One-Sand Storm

"Oh come on! You're telling me that Tom Cruise is not as hot as George Clooney?" cried my best friend, Samantha Owens as she spurred her horse into a trot. I shifted my weight in the western saddle and adjusted the grip on my reins. My horse, a sixteen hand black and white quarter horse gelding named Flash, picked up the trot of Sam's horse, matching every stride perfectly. Next to me, was my third best friend, Laurie Thompson, was on a red dun quarter horse named Ginger. The three of us trotted along the tawny and rust colored open plains. Small dust clouds were kicked up by our horses' hind hooves.

"Exactly," Laurie retorted back good-naturedly. "Tom is like this smug Neanderthal."

I smothered a snort and shook my head. This was a conversation that went on since the three of us started our vacation. I tended to stay out of it, but that didn't last very long because naturally right away I would be brought in to the subject. My name is Ellie Davis. I'm 27 years old with shoulder length ash blond hair with dark brown streaks in it. My bangs went straight across my forehead. I had blue eyes. Samantha had shoulder length wheat colored brown hair and green eyes. Laurie had curly auburn hair and violet eyes. The both of them always say that I they were jealous of my eye lashes, that were thick and made my eyes stand out. Samantha's 29, and Laurie's 26. The three of us had decided to take a vacation to Virginia City, Virginia. Samantha had been a bit Bonanza fan and of course, wanted to come here. We'd rented three horses from a recreational ranch just on the outskirts. There had been a path that was made that went around the entire property. The owner warned us to stay on the path. Of course, with Sam being the 'adventurous' type, had made us wander off the path. I was more the 'logical' one, but also the open minded one. Laurie was the 'pretty' one, the one who always worried about her looks, and of course, the ones guys always wanted to date. Sam was attractive too and was married, but her husband divorced her and went with someone else. Laurie's husband had been killed as he was a fireman. Me? Never been married, never had a date. Nice huh?

Above us, the sky was a lovely blue color with fluffy white clouds. A few birds had taken flight and their bodies were black against the sky. I was dressed in jeans and a red plaid shirt. I had on a cowboy hat which was pulled down over my eyes shielding them from view and the sun. Sam was dressed in jeans and a pink tee shirt, and Laurie was in dark blue jeans and a white poplin shirt. My hair was fluffed around my shoulders.

"Ellie? What do you think? Who is hotter?" Sam asked me.

There you go. Told you I'd be pulled into it. Sighing I turned my eyes onto them.



"Right now I don't care. What I care about is finding our way back to the ranch," I said irritated. They grumbled something and we walked on. The only sounds that were heard were the thuds of our horses' hooves. The temperature had to be at least 103 with the full heat index. I reached up and ran my sleeve across my forehead. Our canteens were half empty now and I knew that if we didn't find a way back shortly, we'd end up dying of thirst. My horse suddenly stopped and wouldn't budge.

I gently clicked my tongue and tried to get him to move, but he wouldn't. Sam's horse stopped right next to mine and did the same thing. Then Laurie's.

"What is wrong with them?" Laurie asked trying to get her horse to move also. But they were not budging.

"I don't know. Maybe they see a predator?" Sams' voice shook slightly with fear.

I leaned forward in the saddle and peered into the horizon. There was a large cloud like object that seemed to be moving toward us.

"Somehow I don't think so, Sam," I said as realization dawned on me. "I think they sense the sand storm. Look."

I pointed to the cloud and watched as it strangely continued to move toward us at a fast pace. I'd never seen anything like it before. Sand storms never moved that fast. Before I knew it, it was upon us. My hat was whipped off and now hung around my neck from the cord. My hair was whipping around in several directions. Visibility was poor and I could feel the grains of sand hitting our faces and arms.

"Quick! Lean forward!" I said as I leaned forward and pressed my face into Flash's black mane. They did the same thing and leaned forward. The horses remained standings still and lowered their heads and closed their eyes so the sand didn't get into them. After what seemed like hours, the storm passed. The sky was clear once again and the horizon and opened plains were visible once again. I slowly sat upright in the saddle now and peered around. I checked Sam and Laurie. Laurie was pressing a handkerchief over here eyes. Alarmed I turned around in my seat and placed one hand on Flash's rump.

"What happened?" I demanded worriedly.

"She got sand in her eyes. She can't see," Sam said with a worried expression also.

Now the true nature of our predicament was overpowering. Sam had taken Laurie's horses reins and now was guiding her along. Frantic, I looked around. To my surprise and relief, a ranch like house appeared to our left.

"This way come on! Maybe they can help," I said and urged my horse into a gallop. I heard Sam and Laurie behind me.



When we came upon the house I pulled my horse to a stop and quickly dismounted. I tied the reins to a hitching post and once my feet landed on the ground, I turned to see Sam do the same, then turn to help Laurie off her horse. Once the three of us were on the ground, I walked up the small 3 steps that led into the house and began knocking on the door.

"Hello? Is there anyone home? My friend is injured," I called.

I glanced to Sam. All the color had drained from her face. I looked at her.

"What's wrong?" I demanded.

"Um, Ellie? You're not going to believe what I have to say," she said slowly with wide eyes.

"What is it?" I asked.

"This is the Ponderosa,"

I looked at her like she'd seen 3 little Martians walking across our path. I rolled my eyes and turned back to the door, which opened. Sam and I looked in absolute shock. Ben Cartwright stood there.

Had I not been leaning against the door frame, I probably would've fallen flat on my face.

"Which one of you is injured?" he asked alarmed.

Ben had gray hair and was dressed in a tan pants, black knee high boots and a orange shirt with a matching light tan vest over it. Around his waist was a black leather gun belt. Sam was the first to find her voice.

"Laurie, she is," She said gently pointing to Laurie, who was leaning against me, holding the handkerchief still over her eyes.

"Come in," Ben said anxiously and held the door open for us. Somehow I managed to move. We entered the house and it was exactly like it was on TV inside. There was a staircase leading up the second floor. A cozy fireplace was off to the right and there were comfortable looking chairs and couches set up in front of the fireplace. Ben gently took Laurie's arm and motioned for us to take a seat. I sat down on the couch, not really understanding what was happening here. That's impossible! How could this exist? It was only on TV! They were just characters! I wondered to myself as I saw Sam take a seat next to me. Ben sat Laurie down on one of the chairs and crouched down in front of her.

"What happened?" he asked us.

I swallowed, and then somehow managed to speak.



"We got caught in a sand storm. Some of the sand particles went into her eyes. She can't see," I said in a thick tone.

Just then, the door opened and we looked up. My fingers dug into the arm of the couch. It was Little Joe and Hoss.

Little Joe looked confused as he looked to his father.

"These young ladies had gotten caught in a sand storm. One of them got sand in her eyes. Joe, can you please take her out back and try and rinse some of that out?" Ben asked him softly.

"Sure Pop," Joe said as he stepped forward and then gently took Laurie's arm.

"What are your names?" Ben asked.

"Ellie," I responded.

"Samantha or Sam for short,"

"Laurie,"

Little Joe smiled at Laurie, but of course she couldn't see him.

"Well, I'm Ben Cartwright, this is Hoss and Little Joe. Adam should be home from town shortly," Ben said warmly.

Sam exchanged looks with me. I just sat, frozen there. Hoss stepped in and sat down across from me. He was dressed in a light tan pair of pants, black boots and a tan vest over a white shirt. He removed his hat and noticed I was gripping the arm of the chair.

"Are you alright?" he asked in a worried tone. I looked at him.

"Yeah I'm fine why?"

"Cause it looks like you're about to squeeze the arm of the chair off," he said with a amused but concerned expression. I forced myself to loosen my grip and I sat there.

"This is probably going to sound rather strange," Sam said slowly. "But we honestly don't know how we got here."

Ben looked at her confused. "Are you three lost?" he looked from me and onto Sam.

Sam and I exchanged looks. I cleared my throat again and began speaking.

"In a matter of speaking, yes. See, the three of us are from New York. We flew to Virginia for vacation and rented the horses from a ranch. We wandered from the path and then the sandstorm had come up…and then here we are," I said looking from Hoss to Ben.



"You flew?" Hoss asked confused.

"Yes on an airplane," Sam said.

The two of them looked even more confused. I leaned toward Sam.

"Airplanes didn't exist…er, during this time. Nor did cars, electricity, IPods or anything like that. This is the 1800's now," As I said those words, I was still in shock over what happened. Sam just gave Ben and Hoss a sheepish grin and I waited.

"Do you three have any relatives here in Virginia City? Any place to stay?" Hoss asked.

I shook my head. Looks like the Sheraton hotel is out, I thought with a bit of resignation but I watched Ben and Hoss.

"Well, the hotels in town aren't the best so you're going to stay here," Ben offered softly as he smiled at us. Strangely, we felt cozy here, welcomed and comfortable. I smiled back.

I felt Hoss' blue eyes on me. Just then, Little Joe came back with Laurie, who was able to see again. She was laughing and talking with Little Joe. Well someone's obviously comfortable here, I thought and flashed Sam a knowing grin.

Little Joe was dressed in dark pants, the same black boots and a dark blue shirt. He too had a holster around his waist.

"Great. It's settled. Joe? Take Laurie, Sam and Ellie upstairs so they can get settled in. I'll have someone from town stop by with some clean clothes," Ben said brightly.

I stood up but was wobbly. Hoss immediately bolted up from his seat and gently grabbed my arm to steady me.

"If it's alright I think I'll get some fresh air," I said softly as I flashed Hoss a smile.

"Of course. We'll be having dinner in about an hour," Ben said softly.

I nodded and watched as Laurie and Sam headed up stairs. Ben gave Hoss a pat on the shoulder. Little Joe vanished up the stairs and I headed outside. I stood on the porch and leaned against one of the hitching posts. Flash was standing in a relaxed posture, with his hind leg bent and his hoof resting on its tip. He flicked his tail and I reached out and rubbed his forehead. I was still trying to understand this whole thing. I inhaled deeply and could smell the mountain air. The sun fell across my face. The air smelled crisp and fresh and a gentle breeze whipped my streaked blond hair forward. I reached up and tucked a few strands behind my ears. My mind began whirling around.

Oh my God…could that sand storm have been like some kind of portal? Like Back to the Future, but transported us into the past or some alternate reality? I wondered. Of course that was 

probably way out there and impossible, but it does explain a lot. I was so deep in thought that I didn't hear someone walking out onto the porch behind me until they were right next to me. I looked and jumped from being startled. It was Hoss. He crossed his arms on top of the hitching post and turned to me.

There was a silence before he spoke.

"I'm sure your husband is probably worried about you," Hoss said softly.

I smiled and glanced at him.

"No because he doesn't' exist. I'm not married," I reached out and rubbed Flash's forehead again.

"What about Laurie and Sam?" he asked sounding a bit shocked at my statement.

"Laurie's husband was killed in a fire and Sam's husband left her, he divorced her," I said.

Hoss shook his head in disbelief.

We stood out there for a bit before someone came riding up on a dark bay horse. It was Adam Cartwright. Hoss beamed at Adam as he dismounted and tied the horse up between Flash and Ginger.

"Hey Adam, this is Ellie. We have some house guests. They're lost,"

Adam smiled and extended his hand out. "Hello Ellie, it's nice to meet you. I hope you're enjoying the Ponderosa so far,"

I nodded and smiled but felt my legs give out as I fainted.