Hi everyone! First story update of 2017! Let's get it started with this chapter. I wanted to get in one more before I go back to school.
We turned our heads to where the shot came from. On the western edge of the ranch, there was a growing cloud of dust. Emerging from that cloud...my eyes widened in disbelief.
The Calvary! And the Colonel was leading them!
"Oh no," James whispered from beside me. "Maria..."
"They found us?" I answered for him. "How?" He didn't answer. Instead he took Rain's reins up.
"James wait!" I begged.
"Stay here, Maria!" he ordered. "You're not getting hurt on my watch." With one last glance at me, he kicked Rain and sped away.
"James!" I called again. Knowing it was no use, I grabbed the reins on Spirit's bridle, we took off after them. He was the one not getting hurt. I caught just a glimpse of him and Rain weaving through the different buildings of the ranch. Spirit nearly fell over as one was set on fire. I couldn't believe this! The Army was destroying this beautiful place that my best friend and I had called home for months. I looked ahead of me to see a soldier pointing his gun at us. Until Little Creek came with a hatchet in his hand and knocked the soldier off his horse, which ran away. I smiled and Spirit neighed his thanks before we took off again. My eyes were set on the Colonel who was by the river. I stopped Spirit for a moment to plan our attack. But a shout interrupted my thoughts. My eyes widened in horror as I saw James leading Rain at full gallop right for the Colonel, who brought up his gun. Then suddenly, Charles came out of nowhere on horseback.
"Son, no!" he shouted. The colonel shot at James, anyway. It barely skimmed Rain, but it was enough for her to rear up and fall backwards into the River, James still on her back. Charles led his horse to jump into the river after them, but he slipped off his saddle and desperately clung to a rock. The Colonel pointed his gun at him, and that's when I took action. Or rather, Spirit took action. Sensing my thoughts he ran to the Colonel and slammed himself into the side of his horse, knocking the Colonel off. Without a seconds hesitation I yanked Spirit over and we ran on the bank of the river, trying to catch up to James, who was still on Rain's back. She saw us and brayed, fiercely paddling in the water, fighting against the very strong current. I noticed up ahead that there was a drop off. We had no choice.
"Jump, Spirit!" I said. He did, and we plunged into the raging rapids, right next to James and Rain. Tired from clawing at the water, Rain allowed us lift half of her body onto Spirit's back. I guided her head to the back of the saddle. "There you go girl." I whispered to her. I looked around frantically for a place where Spirit could get out of the river. He tried to plant his hooves into the silt below, but the current was too fast and we continued further downstream.
"Maria!"I heard James shout with fear. I turned my head around, my now soaking wet hair whipping me in the face. Fear completely overtook me as I saw the reason why the river was so fast; a waterfall. But Spirit, having no fear stopped swimming. With a frightened neigh from Rain, the four of us plunged over the waterfall. James tried to grab my hand, but missed.
When we landed, much to my surprise seeing as how there were no sharp rocks at the bottom, I was perfectly fine. The rest of the river was actually pretty deep. It had to have been, for my only injury was a soreness in my back from when I landed. Suddenly, I felt myself be lifted up. I originally thought I was simply floating to the surface, but I felt something solid between my knees. When my head broke the surface, I found myself on Spirit's back, and my lungs were gasping for air. I managed to wheeze out a "Thanks, boy." Spirit swam over to a log where we caught our breath for a little while until my eyes caught two shapes at the end of the river. I led Spirit off that log to float. When he saw that the figures were Rain and James, lying side by side, he frantically swam over to them. The river became shallow enough to where he could quite clumsily gallop over. I slid off his saddle and ran over to James, who was lying on his back, halfway in the water. Hw wasn't breathing. I placed one hand on his chest and the other I buried in this thick brown waves. "James!" I called to him. "James, can you hear me, sweetheart?" Almost instantly, his eyes shot open and he started coughing immensely. He was getting the water out of his system. When he did, I could tell he was even more exhausted than before.
"Maria? Is that you?" he whispered, touching my face to make sure I was real.
"Yeah, it's me," I answered, grabbing his hand and holding it. "I'm here." Suddenly, I heard Spirit neigh in agony, rearing up. I shot to my feet and grabbed his reins to calm him down. "Whoa, Spirit! Easy boy!" I said, choking on tears. It hurt me to see him like this. I turned my attention to Rain, whose nose was in the water. I lifted her head and placed it so that she could breathe. Spirit gave it a nuzzle before walking around to her back. My horse collapsed down beside her in exhaustion, cradling her head with his own. Tears threatening to spill from my green-brown eyes, I made my way back to James and collapsed bedside him as well. I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his cheek. I soon gave in to sleep.
(Maria): We lay beside them that night. Hoping, praying, that somehow they would be ok.
I was awoken by a whistle and someone saying, "Hey, there's a couple of horses and people over here!" I sat up and looked around. James followed suit and we turned our heads around to see army men throw ropes around Spirit pulling him from Rain. He neighed in protest and began fighting like he always did. Some ropes were also thrown around me.
"Maria, no." James said. "They can't-"
"It's ok," I said. My voice shocked me. It was a lot more robust than it usually was. James didn't seem to notice it, however. "They want me and Spirit. Not you and Rain." Knowing he was going to lose me, he pulled me into a searing kiss. It was the first we shared with our tongues touching. I was yanked away from him by the men. Spirit fought to try to get to Rain, but only managed a nuzzle before being pulled away. James and I grabbed each other's forearms and slid our hands away until we could reach no further. I grabbed Spirit's mane to let him know I was there.
"Leave the mare and the boy," the same man from before said. "They're not gonna make it." Hearing that my heart shattered into a million pieces. Casting one final look at James, his brown eyes making contact with mine, his freckle covered face glistening with tears, I turned away to be led by the men who had a hold of Spirit and I. Then, I heard splashing in the water. Charles had come of nowhere and was kneeling beside James.
"Son," he said, hugging James, choking on tears of his own. "Steady girl, easy Rain." he said again as he stroked the mare when she nuzzled him. My tears finally reached their breaking point and rushed over my eyes and face. "You saved my life, Maria." I heard Charles say before getting out of earshot. My sobs could become heard, however, as we were led away, snowflakes beginning to fall.
Ok, yeah, I know. This chapter is sad. I cry every time I watch this scene. But it just had to be done sooner or later. And speaking of sooner or later, I will now be updating on the 2nd and 20th every month, unless I have like a test to study for or something. But, as always thanks for reading and please feel free to leave a review. They just make me so happy. I love to know what you guys think. Till next time! XOXO -Blue.