Chapter II

Outsiders

I awoke this morning with a cold sweat. The air around me was thick and pricked at my skin like ice sickles. It wasn't the joyous, lively feeling I get during the winter season, because it was currently summer, but a… It was just something I'd never felt before.

Some Sonarans are born with the gift of Sight, but it is very rare. I didn't think it would ever happen to me, but how else could I explain such a strange occurrence? All day the Sun didn't seem as bright, and the air wasn't as clean. It felt like something had changed… I didn't like it. I don't like it.

I decided I'd go to the elders of our village, and ask them for guidance, and a blessing. "What did you feel after you awoke?" It was Delilah who spoke these words. She was sweet, and aged with such delicacy you couldn't really tell it was happening.

"I felt… cold..?" The only time I'd used that word was during the winter season, but it was summer. Even in the streams you might feel such chilliness, but not in your own home, in your own bed…

Delilah nodded towards me and then towards Bella, and Christa. "What did you dream of?" I shivered as I remembered my dream, the dream where I stood at the bottom of our hill, and gazed at a tall Black Stallion. He gazed back. The hairs on my neck stood up as my mind continued screaming, begging me to run. But I stood there, and I stared straight back at the Black Stallion. The same Black Stallion that took my sister.

"I dreamt of…" Would it really be wise to put our loving village into such a frenzy..? "I dreamt of… horses… a white mare… lying in a cool puddle after an evening's rain." So I lied.

At first, Delilah didn't say a word, but after a few thoughts and mutters, "You may go." I bowed politely and walked out of her home, onto the streets of our small village. For some strange, vague reason, I felt as if I should've told her of my dream… but I decided to brush it off, just for now.

Today was a Wind day. We called it the Wind day, because it's a time for us to relax, and daydream. All week we study hard, and every day has it's own name, depending on how rigorous and difficult the tasks are. But today was simply Wind. Simply breezy, calm, easy-going Sonarans.

After taking a dip in the stream a little outside our town, I began to feel refreshed and rejuvenated. The dream had long since vanished from my mind, and I didn't feel like there was a dark cloud following me. I could feel the Sun, as bright and silky as ever, and I felt a bit silly for taking it for granted.

Later that evening, when the Sun was highest in the sky, I spoke a few prayers. First I asked for guidance, and then courage to stay strong no matter what. I was on top of the hill with Phaedra, and that was when Mother called to me. I perked up, drifting out of my daze, and followed her smooth lavender voice. "Do you mind picking some berries from the field, darling?" She sweetly smiled.

"Of course Mother." I returned the smile and took the basket I'd weaved myself two summers ago. I walked out of my home, down the cobblestone road, and onto a small dirt path that led to the very outskirts of our village. Only those who are fifteen summers and older can go to these fields, and that is because there are many, many dangers out here near the mountains.

That is where our sweet village of Sonze was. Cradled within the Mountains as they wrapped around us like a donut. No one of the outside came here, except for birds and other wildlife that are curious, so we hadn't worry. Except for the Bears and Mountain Lions, but I am old enough, and have learned the Speech to bargain with these wondrous creatures.

Squeezing the soft brown soil between my toes, I marched straight forward towards the Berry Fields where Mother wanted me to go. Phaedra neighed quietly beside me, and I neighed back. She told me of the butterfly that had landed between her eyes one morning, and startled her as she felt silly for getting spooked over a butterfly. I giggled and spoke of a story where one day I had thought there was a snake in my bed covers, but it was only Chipper, our loving cat.

The trees began to separate, and the trail was beginning to widen. We were getting close, and I could see the Mountains so clearly now, it felt as if I could reach out and touch them. If I jumped on Phaedra right now, I'd probably be there in less than a Shadow.

That's how we told time, through the Shadows reflecting on the ground, and the way the Sun dances across the sky. Right now it was four Shadows and twenty Suns in the evening, so the air was a bit stuffy, but I wasn't about the complain of such a gorgeous day.

"We're almost there." I neighed to Phaedra as she sneezed and shook her mane. I giggled once again, finding her absolutely beautiful and lovely. Finally, after a Shadow's walk, we made it to the tiny outskirt of our village, right where the trees stop growing, and the fields become grassy and brown. There wasn't any dirt between my toes, because it was luscious grass that now tickled my feet. Phaedra and I sauntered up and down bushes and bushes of many different berries, examining and plucking and even sneaking a few bites.

My favorite berries were the big red ones. They were bright crimson red and shined in the light like an evening star. It looked as if there were a whole bunch of little berries packed into one big tasty berry. I smiled greedily as I took six, three for myself, and three for Phaedra. Then I plucked as many as I could, and filled up half the woven basket with them. We also plucked some blue berries, and a purple berry that some call a grape, but purple berry sounds much more beautiful. Then there were the green and white ones, and even the big red strawberries.

After we felt like we picked enough for Mother, we stopped, and sat rested in the middle of the field were a small patch of grass, just big enough for the two of us, grew bright green. I placed the three red berries, I'd saved earlier, in front Phaedra, and took out the other three for myself. She munched slowly and merrily, as I did as well, to savor the sweet taste. I laughed with delight as she made a silly face to get some out of her teeth. I copied her and she snorted and shook her mane.

"Aren't they delicious?" I giggled, she snorted back. "Who would've known such delicacies were in such a little village such as our known! Don't you agree?" She neighed in a high-pitch tone as I held my stomach with laughter.

She neighed again, but this time she stood up and shook her mane. I continued to giggle, thinking that she was playing a game. Phaedra stomped her hooves into the green grass and it came out of the ground, along with some soil. My laughter slowed as she began walking backwards, shaking and nodding her head. "What's the matter..?" I smiled, oblivious to her distress. If Phaedra were in her human form right now, she'd be screaming, and that's what it sounded like… a scream…

Phaedra's cry was almost blood curdling as I wrenched back with fear and placed my fingers in my ears to cover out the sound. She stood on her hind legs and reared up into the air, almost kicking me in the face. "Phaedra! Calm down! Easy girl!" I waved my hands into the air as she lowered herself back down the ground, but continued to back up and continued to shake her mane.

"What is it?" I gazed deeply into her eyes, hoping to find some sort of answer to her problem. At first I thought she was staring back at mine, but that's when I noticed she was looking behind us. I twirled on my toes, rounding around to inspect the mountains. Curiosity struck me as I saw smoke at the top. Black smoke. I didn't notice it at first, but even the wind was becoming chilly. The clouds covered the Sun and even became a light gray.

A crack went off, and I knew that there was a disturbance from above. Something just wasn't right. Phaedra seemed as if she had enough of this and let out another cry as I cringed and watched as she galloped away. The intense atmosphere around me had me glued to my spot, as if I were in a cage. Another crack went off. And another. I even began seeing streaks of light cry from the sky.

I gazed up at the sky, and then back towards the mountains. A flash of black zipped around at the top of it. Fearing the worst, I began walking backwards, not taking my eyes of the mountain. Slowly, I turned my body, and ran across the field towards the entrance of the trail.

I could see it, just ahead of me. Rain began to fall and my straight pink hair stuck to my forehead and covered my eyes. I let out a cry as I trip from trying to push my hair out of my face, and slowly pulled myself up from the mud. The entrance was just ahead of me. I know I can make it.

Another scream fell across the open field, but this time it wasn't Phaedra. I pulled myself off of the ground, completely forgetting the basket of berries, and turned towards the mountains. The Wind blew ice sickles down my neck, and sent shivers through my body as I watched a masculine Black Stallion rear up, and scream. My hands shook and my breathing was uneven. My eyes were wide open and mouth agape. I took a few steps back, and whipped around to run back to my village.

I knew I wouldn't make it in time, but I ran and ran, and I didn't stop. I could hear his powerful hooves stomp down the mountain as other voices came into play. They were voices of the Outsiders.