Sam's sobs overcome her and she felt as though everything that she had held in for the last month was coming out. All the stress, and moments when she thought she would have to leave River Bend, and all her feelings about Jake, was flowing out through her tears. She had been happy, finally sure she could stay, and Jake had seemed happy, but Jake's words had made her realize that things weren't really all resolved. There were still things she needed to figure out, and feelings she needed to sort out. Through the sound of her sobs, Sam heard a splashing sound. She looked up and there stood the Phantom, nodding his head as if to say ,"What's wrong?" "Hey. Boy." Sam whispered, slowly standing up. The majestic stallion swung his head from side to side, "It's okay boy." Sam soothed as she slowly waded in to the shallow water. The stallion stepped toward her, then swung around to her side, inviting her to mount on to his solid back.
"I wish I could," Sam reaching out to touch his silky silver mane," But it's not a good idea for either of us."
The majestic stallion let out a disgruntled grunt, as if to say "I don't get it." Sam almost laughed. The Phantom edged towards her, nuzzling her, inviting her. "I don't know, boy." But as Sam looked in to the Phantom's eyes she knew in her heart she was already giving in, "I guess this one last time." Sam whispered," But you have to promise to take good care of me!" Sam added jokingly. She knew the Phantom would take care of her. He was the only one who wouldn't misjudge her, wouldn't throw confusion at her, and certainly wouldn't tell her things that hurt. Just in that moment Sam felt as though the Phantom and her were the only ones in the world, and Sam wanted to keep that feeling as long as she could. "Come on," Sam whispered quietly, as she wrapped her fingers around the great horses mane, and prepared herself to swing on to his wide back," Let's go." Then Sam sprung her self on to the back of the Phantom, and for the first time in weeks she felt as though she was truly free.
The Phantom galloped peacefully through the starry night, and Sam wondered if she had ever felt so at peace. Her heart and soul felt calm, and the aching in her gut had completely healed. As she and the Phantom galloped across the open range, by starlight, Sam felt as though they could go on forever, and she would never have to face what she had left behind. The minute Sam had leaped onto the Phantom's silky back, she felt as though she had left behind all the pain. She had left behind Aunt Sue's judging, she had left behind her Dad's constant worry and protectiveness, she had left behind Gram and Brynna's concerned looks, and most of all, she had left behind Jake's painful words, which had left the deepest scar of all.
As the open range turned to sage brush and trees, the Phantom slowed from a gallop to a graceful walk. As Sam's thought's came back to reality she realized that she couldn't just run away, as wonderful as it felt. Soon enough they would come searching for her and then she would really be in trouble, maybe even sent home with Aunt Sue. And she knew deep inside, that she couldn't run away from her problems. They would still be inside o her, haunting her, wherever she went. So she had to go back, to heal the scars, rather than run away from the pain.
"I'm sorry, but I have to go back." Sam whispered, leaning towards the Phantoms ear. As if he understood the mighty stallion slowly turned and headed back towards the La Charla. Sam felt a pain of anxiety growing in her chest, but she knew what she had to do. She was going home, and eventually everything would be okay again, with everyone.
As the Phantom's hooves thudded across the desert floor beneath her, Sam heard the La Charla as they drew nearer. They just had to go to go through one more patch of trees, and Sam would be home. But suddenly, as they entered the forested area, the Phantom's ears went back, and his stride faltered in a nervous trot.
"What's wrong?" Sam whispered in his ear. The stallion let out a shrill whinny of fear in reply.
Then, suddenly as if echoing his neigh, a high pitch scream rang through the air.
Sam could feel her heart thudding as she realized what the terrible scream had come from. The cougar.
"Come on, we have to get out of here." Sam said, hoping the Phantom would understand. But the next moment the terrifying scream split the air again and the Phantom rose high on to his back legs, rearing towards the sky. "No!" Sam said, but her scream was cut off as her fingers came loose from the Phantom's mane, and her body flew through the air, landing hard on the rough ground. For a minute, everything was all black, but then Sam came back to reality and realized that she was on the ground…. And the cougar was only yards away.
A low growl came from the cougar as he stepped towards Sam. Sam stayed deathly still, although fear shook through her. The cougar let out another growl and crouched, looking at Sam as it would an injured deer… as prey. But then, suddenly, the Phantom let out a shrill angry neigh, then charged the cougar, challenging it for his human. The cougar swatted it's claws and growled, but Sam could tell that it would soon run from the angry stallion. With one last growl of frustration, the cougar crawled away, defeated.
Once he was sure that cougar was gone, the Phantom walked over to where Sam was laying on the ground, and nuzzled her gently with his nose. "I'm okay boy." Sam said, proving it by slowly standing up and brushing off her jeans," Now get out of here before everyone comes looking for me." The Phantom gave her one last nuzzle with his soft muzzle then galloped away with a good bye call.
Sam felt lonely as she stood there, watching the Phantom's white shape fade away. She slowly turned, and saw that the bridge to River Bend was only another 300 feet. But 300 feet was a lot when you have a soar ankle, butt, and back. Sam sat down for a moment, deciding that rest was a good idea for just a few moments, so she would have the strength to walk back.
Sam was sitting on the cold ground, getting ready to stand up and make the journey back home, when a voice suddenly split through the air, like shot gun, sending a pain through Sam's head, "Sam!" Sam could tell it was Jake. Then another voice," Samantha!" This time Sam recognized her Dad's voice. Sam thought for a minute. Should she call out, or should she start walking back towards the ranch, and hope she got there first? "Sam!" Jake called again, "Sam!" Wyatt's voice echoed. The desperation in their voices, and the pain in Sam's bones made the decision for her. " I'm here!" Sam called as loud as she could. It was quit for a minute and then Jake's voice, getting closer, shouted," Brat? Where are you?" OVER HERE!" Sam screamed at the top of her lungs. She was running out of strength and it was better scream loud once, then waste her breath over and over. "Is that you, Sam?' Wyatt's voice was near, and Sam looked up as Jake and her Dad came riding in to view. "Right here." Sam said, waving her hand. Her voice was so weak and hoarse she wasn't even sure they heard her. But when they saw they loped towards her and then jumped off their horses and ran towards her.
"Honey, are you alright?" Wyatt asked, bending down next to her, checking her for injuries. "I'm fine." Sam replied, "Just really tired and a little sore." "Well, we'll talk about what tomorrow," Wyatt said, as he helped her stand up," For now let's just get you home and to bed." Sam stood up and slowly regained her balance on her wobbly legs. "Brat." Was all Jake said, but Sam could hear the relief and emotion in his voice, and for a moment Sam thought he was going to cry. But Jake was a tough cowboy. He didn't cry, but he did embrace Sam in a hug that felt like it sucked all the air out of her. Jake let go, and Wyatt lifted Sam, onto Ace and climbed up behind her. "Why are you riding Ace?" Sam asked. " We thought he might be able to smell you," Her Dad replied," We were really worried about you sweetheart.' The last thing Sam saw before her eyes closed, was Jake's clenched jaw, and the look in his eyes. The last thought as she fell asleep, was that she was right, she couldn't run away from her problems, all she had done was create more.