Chapter 14: Trouble in the Night

Benny woke to a horrible smell that filled the barn. He heard the cries of the other horses and he immediately opened his eyes. His eyes widened and his heart pounded when he saw what filled the barn. He could see blazes of fire everywhere and Lance's father rushing the horses out of the barn. Most of the horses were out already except for him, Star, Turner, Break Away and a couple others who he didn't know. The flames crept closer and closer and everytime it made him more nervous that he would not get everyone out in time. He heard the desperate cries that belonged to Break Away who had broken away from the man and he galloped pasted his stall and out the barn. Benny snorted at his manners of escaping. Then he realized that it might have saved one extra horse since the man did not have to leave and come back.

Finally, Lance's dad reached Turner and began leading him quickly to the pasture. Benny watched intensely as the flames crept through Turners stall next to Benny. He knew that he would never make it in time. He turned to Star on his left who was trying to act as brave as she could.

"Star, kick back! Kick the wall, they should be weak enough to break down, we need to get out!"

Without hesitation she kicked furiously at the barn wall that had been blackened by the fire drawing nearer, parts were on fire but she kicked through the pain. Benny did the same to his wall and immediately his back hoof shot through to the other side.

Lance's father had returned before Benny could make his escape, but he refused to leave without Star. Her wall would not break and he knew that by the time the man made it back she would be burned within the flames. He threw his head up in the same manner as Break Away and Benny was grateful that Lance's father only had him by the halter, so it would be easier to get away. The man kept his grip and pulled on his halter. Benny followed him until he reached the edge of the barn and then bolted from him which released the father's grip. He ran to the outside of the barn and found where Star's stall was from the outside. When he heard her cries for help he charged at the barn. He threw his body into the wall which made it come crashing down. Luckily both him and Star made it clear of the rubble.

They ran away from the barn and into the woods. Benny followed Star as she lead him away from the barn, he worried that she had planned to run away but followed anyway. When they ran so far they could no longer see any flames and no smoke Star finally began to slow her pace. He wanted to return to the farm but he thought that Star had other ideas.

"Star, we aren't running away are we?" he panted.

"Well, for the night we are. You don't really want to go back to all the smoke and psycho horses do ya?"

"No thanks, I'm good here," he laughed. After about five minutes he finally gained his breath back and he also realized how sore he was. He looked to Star and realized that she was acting just as sore. He nudged her with his muzzle, and they stood leaning against each other enjoying the beautiful night.

"Ben," Star said softly. "Thank you."

"Of course, I wasn't going to let you burn in that barn."

"No not just that." Benny looked at her confusingly. "You've completely changed my life. I had been living in anger at everything for so long until you came, you fixed me."

"No, you did that. I may have helped but you were the strong one who changed."

She smiled and pressed her muzzle to his neck, and Benny arched his neck around hers as a human would hug another. They stood that way for what seemed like forever.

"I need you," Ben thought for a moment, then pulled away from her shocked.

"Do you mean.."

"Yes." Ben Stared at her, thinking. Finally he smiled and nudged her nose. What was originally or horrific terror earlier turned into the most beautiful night Benny had ever experienced.