Chapter Twelve

Frozen Tears

The next morning, I woke up and walked downstairs to get breakfast. I noticed the door to Jimmy's office door was opened a little. I looked in and found he was still working. I sighed and worked my way into the kitchen. I cooked up some pancakes and drenched them with syrup, like Jimmy liked them.

"Dad…?" I tapped on the door. I opened it and stepped in, setting the plate down next to him.

"Thanks Dani." He said, not looking up. I sighed and walked back out.

"I'm going out for a ride!" I yelled to him. I headed outside and felt the warmth of the sun on my face. I walked into the barn and walked over to Shadow Dancer. She nickered to me and I smiled, grabbing my tack and bridle. I tied her up and brushed her off, putting the tack on her back. I then saddled her up and walked into the barn shed, changing into my breeches and a clean shirt. I walked out and pulled on my boots and my helmet. I walked over to Shadow Dancer and mounted her, walking her out to the trail. I asked for a slow canter and we cantered to the forest. I slowed her to a walk and let my reins slide, giving her slack. She tossed her head and walked on as I looked into the forest. The sun peeked through the branches and I smiled, trotting for a few strides. Shadow suddenly spooked left and I looked over. A bunny hopped out and I laughed.

"It's a bunny, you goose." I picked up my reins when something launched at me. I managed to duck and saw a figure fly over me.

"Shadow, run, run!" I shouted, digging my heels into her side. She launched forward as my pursuer chased after me. Shadow stumbled left, then fixed herself and galloped faster along the forest trail. I soon lost sight of the chaser and slowed Shadow to a walk. Something scared her again and I let her run, thinking it was my pursuer. Shadow suddenly lurched left and we fell off a cliff. She rolled over me and I heard a sickening snap. We came to a stop and I crawled over to her, thinking she broke her leg. But when I started to move, I felt white-hot pain shoot through my leg.

"Shit, I broke my leg. This is going to be fun." I murmured, looking over to Shadow. She was on all fours and was watching me carefully.

"Thanks girl." I rubbed her head as I looked up the hill we fell down.

"Well, we need to get up, but it will take a long time, as long as you pull me." I said, looking back to Shadow. She snorted as I took her reins. I pulled myself up and asked her to walk forward. She took a couple steps and I gasped in pain. She snorted and looked back to me. I clucked to her and she walked forward, stumbling up the steep hill. She almost reached the top, when she fell back down again. She pulled herself up and walked up with more confidence and determination. She pulled me all the way to the top and looked down at me. I was breathing heavy and could not get on with my broken leg.

"Not a chance in heaven or hell." I panted, looking around. Something suddenly pulled me back from behind and caused me to trip over my bad leg. I squealed in pain and looked up to a grinning mouth, fangs showing clearly. He held his hand over my throat and inched closer, fangs scraping across my neck. I shivered in fear and tried to move, but his fast hands clamped over my leg. I cried in pain again and looked back up to my stalker.

"You've made a lot of vampires mad, now we will finish this." The vampire hissed, running his fingers down my neck. I shivered at the cold touch and pulled my head away. I then clucked at Shadow to gallop on.

"Home, Shadow, Home!" I shouted at her. I watched her gallop back home and hoped that she would get there in time.