Double update! Shock horror! U better go back and read the previous chapter first lol

Chapter 67

'Woah boy.' Jessie smiled as she halted Warrior later that morning, glancing over at Cindy as the girl brought her gelding to a stop atop the rise overlooking the ranch. 'You alright Cindy?'

'Yeah.' She replied, patting Cruze's shoulder then urged him on next to Warrior. 'I think that gallop was just what I needed.'

'A good ride does wonders for a person.' She agreed. Warrior nodded, playing with the bit and she chuckled as she looked over the landscape. She breathed in deep then sighed with satisfaction. 'I come here when I need to clear my head. Everything seems clearer out here, it gives a new perspective on things.'

'I can see why, it's beautiful up here.'

'It never ceases to take my breath away.' She glanced at Cindy. 'How are you going?'

'I'm alright, I guess. Jack hasn't heard anything else about Grandma. I don't know if that's a good thing or not.'

Jessie smiled sympathetically, taking her hand. 'She'll be okay.'

'I know.' She replied after a moment then pulled her hand away and gave her gelding a pat. 'Where are we going to go now?'

'We should probably head back-' She glanced at her watch. 'It's almost lunch time. We've been riding for two hours already.'

'Hasn't felt like it.'

'Time flies when you're having fun.' Warrior stepped forward eagerly as she turned him towards the path back to the ranch. 'You and Cruze still getting along?'

'You bet. He's the best thing that has ever happened to me.'

She laughed, patting her stallion. 'I know what you mean. This guy has been the best thing that's ever happened to me too.'

'I thought that was meeting me.' Cindy teased with a grin.

'Oh you-' She shook her head in amusement. 'Alright, I'll reword it. The best thing after meeting you and Jack and Lisa.'

'Better.' She had that cheeky glint in her eye as she looked at her. 'Race?'

'No, I don't think so. Sorry Cindy. These guys need to be cooled down, besides, we've already had three.'

'Oh alright then. It's probably getting too hot anyway.'

'Yeah, it is getting quite hot. It's going to be another scorcher.'

'I'll be glad when this heat wave is over.'

'You and me both. How much longer can it last?'

'No idea.' Cindy sighed, stretching in the saddle. 'Ow, ow.'

'You okay?'

'Yeah, just a little saddle sore.'

Jessie chuckled. 'Sorry. I should have remembered you're not used to sitting in a saddle for so long.'

'It's not your fault. I'll live.'

'Woah, easy boy!' Warrior suddenly stopped, throwing his head up and half-rearing as something black-ish grey darted between the bushes beside the trail. 'Steady boy.'

'Woah Cruze!'

'You okay Cindy?'

'Yeah, I'm okay.' She replied, turning Cruze around in little circles like Jessie had shown her to do so if her horse got upset. 'What was that?'

'I don't know.' The leaves rustled again, the form dashing through another bush as Warrior snorted, pawing the ground. Jessie looked around, seeing it again, circling them. 'Easy boy.' Her heart was racing as her hand reached for her rifle. 'Cindy, when I tell you, get the hell outta here.'

'What?'

'Go! Get out of here.' The form leapt for Cruze just as Cindy spurred the gelding into a gallop, the canine's teeth snapping in thin air. Warrior snorted, spinning around to face the animal as Cindy disappeared down the trail. The canine growled, its hackles up as it looked at her and the stallion. Jessie raised her rifle, looking down the sights at the wolf as it stalked closer, taking aim. Three, two- A picture flashed into her min, a picture of a wolf lying at Lillian's feet. A wolf that she played with, a wolf she'd grown up with. The wolf growled again, snapping its teeth as it stalked closer, the stallion backing up and pawing the ground. Slowly she lowered the rifle, placing it back in the scabbard as she held Warrior in at a halt. 'Adashi?'

The wolf pricked its ears, her hackles suddenly going down as she stared at the girl. Something inside her stirred, something she hadn't known for a long time. She knew her, but she was hungry. Oh, so so hungry. She started to growl again, stalking the horse. The horse was huge, she knew that but she needed to eat. She had a growing pup to look after.

Shivers ran up the girl's spine. Didn't she recognize her? 'Adashi!' She called, lowder and more authoritatively this time. 'Adashi! Down. Lie down girl.' The wolf snarled, looking at her for a moment longer and their eyes locked on each other. She didn't dare breath, her heart pounding. What if she was wrong? What if the wolf went to attack? Suddenly the wolf dropped to the ground, whining and whimpering. 'Adashi!'

The girl leapt off the stallion, running to the wolf. 'Oh girl. Hey, hey.' The wolf sat up, whimpering softly as she licked the girl's face. 'Hey, hey girl. Where have you been?' She patted the wolf, hugging her tight as Adashi nudged against her, still whining and whimpering. 'Hey, hey. How have you been? Where have you been?' She ran her hand over the wolf's sides, the poor thing was so emaciated, every bone visible underneath her dirty coat. Her teats were swollen too, she could guess from how she looked she had had pups not that long ago. 'Your hungry, aren't you?'

The wolf whined again, following at her heels as she walked back to Warrior. Looking inside her saddle bag she pulled out a sandwich and some jerky. Adashi sniffed, pawing at her leg and she knelt down to give the food to the wolf. 'Here you go. Her.' The wolf eagerly snatched at the jerky, devouring it in one bit then took the sandwich in her mouth and darted off again into the trees. Jessie shook her head as she stood up, Warrior walking up to her shoulder. 'I wonder where she's been all this time.' The stallion nudged her gently and the girl ran her hand down his neck as she looked towards the direction the wolf had disappeared. 'Poor girl. She looks so hungry. We'll have to bring her something to eat.'

Mounting Warrior again she looked towards the brush one last time then turned Warrior towards the ranch. 'I wonder what's happened to her.' She wondered out loud, the sound of Warrior's hooves on the trail ringing through the trees. Adashi had taken off not long after Lillian had died, Robert had gotten himself drunk one night and kicked her out of the cabin and she hadn't seen her since. She'd grown up with Adashi, she loved that wolf. Maybe it was another miracle, just like finding Cougar after Lillian had passed had been. Maybe there was a reason why the wolf had just appeared out of nowhere.

'Oh Jessie-' Cindy exclaimed breathlessly, riding towards the girl. 'Are you okay?'

'I'm alright.' She replied, slowing the stallion to a walk. 'There's nothing to be frightened of. It's just a wolf I-'

The girl's eyes were as wide as saucers. 'A wolf?'

'It's okay, she knows me. She belonged to Lillian.' She glanced back around at the trail but Adashi was nowhere in sight. 'I wonder where she's been all this time, she disappeared a couple years back.'

'But can you have a wolf as a pet?'

'She's not a complete wolf, her grandfather was an alaskan malamute. Lillian used to breed wolf-dogs, she had a couple of pure wolves she'd raised from pups before it was illegal to own a full wolf and bred them with her sled dogs.'

'Sled dogs? Aren't they a thing of the past?'

'They were still being used widely only thirty years ago, and they're still used up north. It's just more of a hobby though these days then an actual means of transportation.'

Cindy nodded. 'I saw a sled-dog race on tv not long ago, seems like something fun to do.'

'We'll have to do Skijoring sometime then.'

'What on earth is that?'

'Skiing but being pulled by a horse, or a dog, depending on what you've got. It's a lot of fun.'

'If you say so-' She didn't sound too convinced. 'Isn't it dangerous?'

'Not as long as you know what you're doing. I've done it with this boy, haven't we?' Jessie asked, patting his shoulder then glanced at her watch. 'Man, it is getting too hot way too early.'

'I feel like a nice cold ice block.'

'How about I take care of Cruze for you and you go get us a couple each?' She questioned as she dismounted outside the barn, leading the stallion over to the rail to be tied up. 'I could use one too.'

'Sure.' Cindy dismounted, handing her the reins to her gelding. 'I won't be long.'

The girl chuckled as Cindy raced off, loosening Warrior's breastplate and girth and took the saddle off his back then started on untacking Cruze. The gelding nudged her as she took the saddle off and placed them aside with Warriors then untied the two of them and started for the paddock.

'Morning Jessie.'

'Hey Amy.' She smiled, walking past her on the way to the paddock. 'How's the other horses going?'

'Good. I just checked on a couple of them in the back pen though and moved them back into the barn just to keep a closer eye on them. Could you keep an eye on them?'

'Sure. Not a problem.' Warrior eagerly let her take his bridle off, trotting into the paddock as she turned Cruze loose with him. The two of them took off, racing to Paint and Spartan grazing under the oak tree. She chuckled, a smile on her face as she watched them play and closed the gate. Amy was over with another horse in the round yard as she walked past, heading into the barn to check on Crystal. 'Hey girl.'

Crystal snorted, tossing her head as she looked at her, pawing the ground. Jessie sighed, her hand on the stall door. The mare was getting more and more agitated, neighing and stamping the ground. 'What am I going to do with you, hey?' The mare neighed again as the sound of footsteps walking in and she glanced around to see Brad in the aisle. Crystal backed into the wall, her eyes rolling as she watched the man. 'Hey, it's okay girl. Easy.'

'She's a bit upset is she?'

'Yeah.' She sighed, glancing at him. 'She's had a rough run, can't say I'd blame her.' Crystal snorted, tossing her head then kicked the wall with a squeal. The girl jumped. 'Don't come any closer, she's pretty upset.'

'Sorry, I didn't realise.'

'It's not your fault, she's just very skittish.' Brad backed away back towards the first stall and the mare calmed slightly. 'Those ones are okay though. Could you just see if they've got enough water?'

He nodded, glancing in the mares stall. 'Hey there, pretty girl. You're looking a lot better.' He gave the mare a pat, glancing at her water bucket. 'Sorry about that rough ride earlier but everything's gonna be okay now.' He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Ty walking in. 'So, I guess I saved them, didn't I?'

'Yeah, well don't let it go to your head.'

Crystal snorted again, Jessie sighing heavily. She was so high strung, the herbs didn't appear to be working. 'Hey, it's okay girl.'

'They're gonna need names now, right?'

She glanced over at Ty and Brad, it was their presence that was upsetting the mare so much. She guessed it'd been from what she'd been through, it wasn't any wonder why she was such a mess.

Ty shrugged. 'The warmblood one's Apollo and I think Jessie's already named one but she doesn't have a name yet.'

'Well, what about Lily?'

'I don't think Mom would like the idea of a horse being named after her.'

'You know, I wish I could have been there for her, Ty. I really do. You're right, it does keep me up at night-'

Their voices became fainter as they walked away, silence coming over the barn again. The girl looked back at the horse, wishing she could do something to help her. The mare was slowly improving more health wise but at the same time she was getting more spooked and anxious. What would Lillian do? The thought came to her like a gentle spring breeze. It was worth a shot. 'You are my sunshine-' Crystal snorted, looking at her intently with both her ears pricked. 'My only sunshine-' The mare held her gaze as she continued singing, the mare obviously trying to figure out what on earth she was doing. 'You make me happy when skies are grey-'

The mare snorted again, tossing her head then took a step closer to the girl, eyeing her cautiously. Jessie smiled but kept singing. 'You'll never know dear-' Crystal took a couple more steps forward then slowly extended her muzzle towards the girl to sniff her. 'How much I love you-' The girl was almost holding her breath. Crystal was almost close enough to touch her now, the mare still coming towards her. 'Please don't take my sunshine away.'

Jessie smiled, looking at the mare as she sniffed her arm. The mare was still tense but she could see she had relaxed slightly at least. That was something. 'Hey girl.' She exclaimed softly as she stood still and let the mare sniff her. 'See? I'm not scary. You're okay.'

'Hey? Come on Jessie we have work to do.'

The mare lept back as Caleb walked into the barn, barreling backwards into the back wall. Finding herself trapped she kicked out, her hooves crashing against the wood as she squealed. Jessie turned to Caleb, it was taking everything she had to not flatten him. 'Caleb O'dell! What in Pete's name do you think you were doing yelling like that? If I had been in that stall she'd have flattened me.' Crystal reared then spun around and kicked at the walls again, squealing and roaring. 'Get out. I have to calm her down.'

She didn't wait for his reply, turning her attention back to the mare. 'Easy Crystal, easy girl. It's okay.' If she'd taken notice she'd have seen Caleb leave, his face red with embarrassment. The mare lashed out again, her eyes wild with frenzy. She was going to hurt herself if she kept it up. The girl's mouth set in a hard line, she opened the stall door and walked in, using her body language to talk to the mare. 'Easy girl. You're okay. You're okay.'

Crystal backed up, tosing her head as her tail lashed back and forth like a snake. Jessie watched her closely, using her body to ask her to go back into the corner. 'You're okay girl. You're okay.' She stood there, not going forward and not going back, keeping the mare in the corner of the box. Slowly Crystal began to calm down. 'You're okay.' She knew not to push it, the mare was calmed down somewhat, it was time to get out while the going was good. Slowly she backed up to the door and headed out, glancing up to see Ty walking in. Quickly she placed her fingers to her lips. 'Not too loud, I've just got her calmed down.'

'What happened in here?' He asked, raising his eyebrow as he saw the damage the mare had done to the stall. 'Jessie?'

'Caleb happened.' She rolled her eyes. 'I just had her coming to me, she was starting to trust me and he came in yelling like an absolute idiot and scared the living daylights out of her.' She glanced back at the mare. Crystal still hadn't moved from the corner. She sighed. 'I was making great progress with her too and he had to ruin it. Anyway-' The girl turned to him. 'What did your father want?'

Ty ran his fingers through his hair then looked back at the girl. 'He wants to be 'part of my life' again apparently and what's more, he wants me to go on a trip with him to the Grand Canyon.'

'That's- What do you think?' She asked, her eyebrow raised.

'I don't know, I don't know what to think of what to do.' He sighed. 'He's my dad but- I don't know.'

Jessie smiled sympathetically, knowingly. 'Been there. Done that. My advice; wait a little bit before you decide anything but don't slam the door in his face. He's at least trying.'

'Oh he's trying all right.'

'You know what I mean.'

'I know.' He glanced back towards the door. 'We've got to wash the horses down, do you want to come join us?'

'I guess so.' The girl looked back at Crystal. 'I'm not going to be making any progress with her. Not for a while at least. I'll give her some space and let her calm down first. Jack wouldn't be happy if I got hurt. I'll try again later.'

'You'll get through to her.' Ty encouraged as they walked out of the barn. 'You'll know what to do.'

'I hope so. I've got hopes for that horse.' Hopes of reuniting her with Lisa. She thought to herself. But she can't be the way she is at the moment, I hope I can get through to her.

Jessie sat outside Crystal's stall later that afternoon, watching the mare closely. She really didn't know how to get through to her, it didn't help either the way she was feeling over the last couple days, with everything that had happened. She sighed. Normally she didn't have any trouble at all connecting with a horse yet she was finding it impossible to form a bond with the mare. It wasn't Crystal's fault either, it was hers.

She missed Cherry, God she missed that mare. Seeing her like that in the trailer- a tear slipped down her cheek. That poor mare, having her life ended like that. It wasn't her fault, it wasn't anyone's fault but still it did little to ease the aching in her heart. Crystal missed her too, she could see that. The mare was cranky, depressed, she didn't blame her in reality. It was no wonder she was angry at the world, look what they'd done to her.

'It's not my fault, you know-' She stood up, walking back to the stall door. The mare snorted, pawing the ground viciously as she tossed her head. 'I'm trying to help you Crystal, I want to help you but I don't know how. I know your missing Cherry, I'm missing her too but you have to let me help you.' The mare lashed out suddenly, double barreling both hind hooves into the wall behind her. Jessie sighed again. 'Who am I kidding? I can't help you. Not till I can help myself.'

'How's it going?'

'Yeah, great Jack.' She gleaned up at him as he joined her, placing his hand on her shoulder. 'It's not her that's the problem, I've dealt with troubled horses before and I know I can do it, it's just-'

'She's not Cherry.'

'Yeah.'

'These things take time Jessie, you and I both know it. Don't push yourself, you'll heal in time.'

'I want to help her, she deserves a chance at least.'

'I know you do but like you said, you can't help her until you've helped yourself.'

'What do I do Jack? How do I help myself?'

'Come here-' Jack smiled, taking the girl into his arms. Jessie started to sob quietly and he stroked her head gently. 'Just let it out honey, let it all out.'

'I-it hurts Jack.'

'I know it does sweetheart. I know it does.' He kissed her hair, holding the girl tightly. 'Just let it go honey, let it all go.'

Jessie nodded, sobbing softly as she closed her eyes and leant into his embrace. She couldn't let Cherry go though, she couldn't. She was all she had left of Lillian, how could she let her go? She heard Crystal snort, heard the rustle of the straw as the mare walked up closer then felt the mare nudge her gently. Slowly she turned her head, tears rolling down her cheeks as Crystal cautiously sniffed her. She had to let Cherry go, she had to. For her own healing and Crystal's. That mare needed her, there was nothing she could do for Cherry now. It was time to let go, as hard as it was going to be.

Jack held the girl as she cried, wishing he could take away the girl's pain but he knew it was something she had to go through herself. There wasn't anything he could do except be there for her. He watched Crystal closely as the mare sniffed the girl, ready to get Jessie out of harm's way if the mare turned nasty. She didn't though and in her eyes he could see she was just as broken and as troubled as the girl was. Her viciousness was only from fear, he could see that underneath the hurt and the pain the mare had a gentle and loving nature, just like the girl. Slowly the girl calmed down and he gently brushed her tears away as the girl rested against him. 'You alright now?'

'I'll be okay.' She replied after a moment then looked back at the mare. 'What should I do with her Jack?'

'I think you know the answer honey. Do what your heart is telling you.'

'I'll give it a shot-' She sighed. 'But I don't know if it's going to work. I don't want to let Crystal down, it's not her that's the problem.'

'Take your time, take it one step at a time. You can't rush these things.'

'I know.' She chuckled. 'You've said that already.'

'Well, it's true.'

'I know it is.' Jessie looked back at the mare, the mare retreating back to the corner of the stall to stand with her head down. She glanced back at Jack after a moment. 'Any news about Cindy's grandma?'

'Nothing yet I'm afraid. How is Cindy coping?'

'I think she's alright, you know what she's like. Keeps it inside, just like me. I'm trying to help her though Jack, I'm doing my best.'

'Just remember that in taking care of her you need to look after yourself. You've got a very bad habit of always putting others first and not tending to your own problems.'

'Makes it easier to forget mine if I focus on someone else.'

'Yeah.' He glanced at his watch. 'I'm going to have to go Jessie, I need to go over to Stumpies and I should have already been there.'

'I'm sorry for keeping you then-'

'It's not your fault, he can wait a little longer.'

'What's the problem?'

'Something killed two of his calves last night-'

A shudder ran up the girls spine and she didn't hear the rest of the sentence. Adashi. Oh no. 'What does he think killed them?'

'Not sure but you know it's common knowledge you have a mountain lion-'

'Cougar didn't do it.' Her eyes flashed angrily. 'You tell him that. She was with Cindy all night.'

'I know she was, I'm not saying she did it. I'll go over and see what he says, take a look at the carcases and we'll go from there.' Jack knew that the girl's reaction was going to be instantly worried about her cat and he couldn't blame her. She'd been through enough already. 'I want you to stay close to the ranch though when you go out riding and make sure you have a firearm with you when you do. We don't know what's out there yet or where.'

Jessie swallowed with difficulty. She knew what it was. It was Adashi. She was only trying to look after her pup though, who could blame her actions? It was what wolves did. 'Alright, I'll stay close.'

'Good girl. You sure you're okay now?'

She nodded. 'I'm sure. You go, I'll be alright.'

'Okay. I won't be long.'

She nodded again as he left, sighing as she patted the top of the stall door. She'd deal with Crystal later. She felt too tired and drained to even think of working with her yet. She heard Jack leave then made her way to the house, looking for Cindy when she was inside. 'Cindy?'

'Here-' She replied, walking downstairs where she'd changed into some old work clothes. 'Amy wants to wash the horses down, you coming?'

'Yeah, I'll come.' She stopped the girl as she tried to head out the door. 'You doing okay?'

'Are you?' Their eyes locked for a moment then the girl looked away. 'Sorry Jessie.'

'It's okay Cindy, I understand. You know you can come talk to me anytime.'

'That goes for you too-' Cindy added, slipping her arm around the older girl's waist. 'Big sis.'

Jessie chuckled as they headed back out into the heat. 'Little sis.' Amy, Mallory, Ty and Caleb were bringing one of the horses around to the house as they walked to the barn, the two of them joining them as they got ready to wash the gelding. 'What would you like us to do?'

'Grab a sponge-' Amy chuckled, tossing one at each of them. 'And start washing. This one's dirtier than Caleb's boots.'

'Hey!' Caleb protested.

Jessie giggled, taking a place beside Mallory as they started cleaning the horse. She was sick of the heat, it was so hot. Way too ridiculously hot. 'At least this guy is cool.' She exclaimed as Amy hosed the gelding down. 'I can't believe how hot it is.'

Mallory sighed, wiping the horse down with the sponge. 'I'd give anything for a snow cone.'

'I'd give everything for some ice-cream.' Amy added while she hosed down the geldings back.

'I'd give anything for January.' Ty agreed.

'I'd give anything for-' Cindy started then was interrupted by Caleb.

'Yeah and I'd give anything for earplugs.'

Somebody's cranky.' Amy exclaimed.

'Your damn right I'm cranky. Six more horses means six times as much work.'

Ty rolled his eyes. 'Nice math, genius.'

Jessie sighed, leaning down next to Cindy's ear. 'Here we go. Seems like the heat's getting on everyone's nerves.'

'Yeah.' She giggled then glanced at the hose Amy had. 'They might need a little cooling off.'

'Coming from the guy who didn't graduate high school.'

'Caleb!' Amy exclaimed

'Well-'

Mallory glanced around, a cheeky grin on her face. 'Is it just me or is Caleb not smelling so Odell-icious these days?'

Everyone chuckled, except Caleb. 'I think you're right Mallory.' Ty agreed. 'Something does stink.' Caleb tossed his sponge on the ground, going for him when suddenly both of them were sprayed with water.

'Hey! Hey guys!' Amy continued spraying them till they broke it up, lifting the hose as she took her finger off the sprayer's trigger. 'Come on-' She dared them. 'there's more where this came from.'

'Oh it's on Fleming.' Caleb exclaimed, ducking under the horses neck and went for her, Amy squealing as he tried to take the hose from her.

Jasmine chuckled as Amy raced around with Caleb chasing her, looking at Cindy. 'Someone's cooled off now I see.'

'Yeah, I think so.' Cindy laughed then shreaked as Mallory dripped water from her sponge down the back of her neck. 'Hey!'

'Come and get it-' She teased, tossing the sponge at Ty who picked up the bucket of water beside him and ran after her with it, squealing as the water hit her back. 'Hey!'

'You in?' Cindy glanced at Jessie.

'I'm in.' She laughed, grabbing another bucket. Cindy shreaked as she ran, chasing after her with the bucket and emptied it on her. 'Gotcha.'

'Got you!' Ty exclaimed, dumping a bucket over Jessie's head then turned to run as the girl looked for something to get him with. Suddenly he had the hose in his face, Caleb showering him now that he'd gotten the hose off Amy. 'Take the hose!'

Mallory grabbed the hose back as Amy threw another bucket of water over Caleb, showing every single one of them as she laughed gleefully. 'You can't stop me now!'

Ty and Caleb looked at each other then ran for her, the girl trying to run but they were too quick. Catching up to her they both picked her up, running over to the watering trough and dumped her in it. Mallory squealed then laughed as Ty grabbed the hose and went for Cindy and Jessie. 'Run Jessie run!'

'Hey! Hey!' Jessie laughed, Ty showering her as she and Cindy ran then a mischievous glint came into her eye. Spinning around she ran at him, running for him as he tried to hold her off by pointing the hose at her. 'Oh you're not going to stop me-' She reached him, wrestling the hose out of his grasp after a short struggle. Ty shrieked as he saw it was a lost cause then turned tail and fled, the girl chasing him with the hose. 'Now you're in for it!'

Mallory laughed as the others kept chasing each other around, Ty running to fill the bucket from the other spout as Caleb, Cindy and Amy went for Jessie. The three of them tackled the girl, wresting the hose from her then the girl shrieked as Caleb absolutely soaked her from head to toe.

'Caleb, enough! Enough!' She squealed, trying to keep the water and her wet hair out of her eyes. 'I surrender, I surrender!'

The others stopped laughing after a moment, taking a breather to rest from their water fight and Ty ran over, not able to resist one last chance to dump a bucket of water over the girl. 'There, that'll do it I'd say.'

'You look like a drowned rat-' Cindy giggled. 'You all do.'

'You look like a drowned scarecrow.' Jessie laughed, placing her arm around the girl. 'That was fun.'

Amy frowned, looking at the shirt stuck to the girl's skin. Under the thin fabric she could see purple lines running all over the girls arms and chest. She stepped closer, the two girls still laughing with each other and gently flicked the girls wet hair to the side. The girls back was even worse, a huge patchwork of purple scars. My god. She gasped. There was barely an inch of skin that wasn't covered in a scar of some description. 'Jessie-'

'Yeah?' She asked, still giggling as she looked up at her. 'What?'

'Your back-'

Jessie looked down, her face going pale as she saw the scars clearly on her arms underneath her wet light grey shirt. She looked up, seeing the look on all their faces then fled as tears started running down her face. They knew.

Cindy stood in dump amazement as the girl ran through the barn, disappearing into the back pasture. What was that about? What was wrong with her? What was with the scars? 'What- What's wrong with her?'

Ty walked over, placing his arm around Cindy. 'She's alright Cindy, it's nothing serious-'

'But those marks-'

'They're scars Cindy.' Amy said softly, glancing at Ty. He was the only one who wasn't surprised at all. 'You knew.'

He nodded. 'Jessie promised me not to tell.'

'What on earth happened to her?' Caleb asked, raising his eyebrow. 'Looks like she's been through a meat grinder.'

'Listen here mate-' Ty left the girl, facing up to Caleb as he placed his hand on his shoulder. 'You keep your mouth shut to her.' Caleb backed up and he glanced at the other three. 'That goes for the rest of you too. No one needs to know about this.'

'Does Jack know?' Mallory asked after a moment, stepping out of the watering trough.

'He does.'

'But what happened to her-' Cindy asked, tears in her eyes. Amy walked over, the girl letting herself be hugged. 'What happened to her?'

Ty joined them as Amy hugged the younger girl and he placed his hand on her shoulder. 'Cindy, give her some time, she'll be alright. She'll tell you when she's ready.'