"Here Ace.." Sam said holding out her hand. Ace snorted and backed away like she was on fire. Of course, the one day Sam needed Ace the worst he was going to act like a brat.

"Fine we will play your way" Sam muttered as she walked to the barn pretending to ignore ace. Ace followed behind acting like a perfect angel. Sam wasn't sure why he followed her when she ignored him but it always seemed to work.

Sam walked right into a stall and once Ace was inside shut the door. Slipping a halter over his nose Sam began to think.

I haven't seen "The Phantom" in exactly 10 days. This could mean three things… Sam began to over analyze everything as normal.

One, he just didn't really want to come see me. Sam knew that wasn't true since the phantom had been showing up at least every other night at the river… well until 10 days ago.

Sam kept on with her list of reasons and kept dismissing them all until she came to number five. Yup. I'm sure that's it! Sam thought realizing that after all, the phantom had been spying on her. She just hadn't seen him.

Sam's heart felt as light as a piece of straw and she quickly saddled Ace and swung onto his back. She was going to visit the phantom!

Sam walked Ace over the River Bend bridge and kicked him hard in the sides signaling him to canter. Ace and Sam flew across the playa towards the phantoms hiding spot.

As they got closer Sam pulled Ace to a trot and then a walk. Looking to make sure no one was around she entered the tunnel her and Ace had gone through many times before.

After what seemed like an eternity Sam saw light and moments later Ace was standing in the midst of the Phantoms heard. Sam took in the beautiful sight before looking around for the Phantom who was always right there with his heard.

After a few minutes Sam panicked. Zanzibar was nowhere to be found! This can't be happing! Where is he? Sam thought. He heart started beating faster and her head started to spin.

He is always right with his heard. Something has to be wrong! Sam thought to herself getting more worried by the second. Just when she thought tears were about to roll down her cheeks Sam scanned the heard once more. Sam immediately calmed down.

There to her right, laying down, was a mare she had never noticed before. The mare had a black filly that looked exactly like Blackie had at that age. Then she noticed how much the mare looked like the phantom. Only, this was the female version.

But it wasn't the mare or her foal that had calmed Sam. It was Zanzibar, standing right over the mare and foal. He looked like the proudest Dad Sam had ever seen. The same way her aunt used to describe her Dad, Wyatt, on the day she was born.

Satisfied that the heard was safe Sam looked on awhile longer at the gorgeous foal and her wonderful horse. Gathering herself off the ground she stood up noticed how much the sun had already started to go down.

Better get home quick. Sam thought imaged her Dads face if she were to ride in after dark. Sam quickly mounted Ace and headed for home.

Fifteen minutes later Sam rode over the bridge onto Riverbend soil. Wanting nothing more than a hot plate of food and a steamy shower Sam un-tacked Ace and quickly went into the house.

Sam was so tired the night seemed to go by in a big blur. Zanzibar was Sam's last thought before she crawled into bed and laid her head down on the pillow quickly falling fast asleep.

Thanks For Reading! Don't forget to review PLEASE! Thanks to those who have reviewed already! Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out! My schedule is SO busy right now (horse training, work, school, ect, ect)! The next chapter will hopefully be out by Wednesday (that is if you review and want me to keep writing).

Hope you guys liked it!