Glitter Trail
By Solo Rider
Chapter Five
Sam hung onto the horn desperately as Ace sprinted across the playa. His mane whipped her face as she leaned forward, but Sam didn't care. All she cared about was escaping the truck that was coming up fast behind them.
To her right, Sam could see Alan and Target swerve off behind a big rock, Pawnee and Darklight following close behind them. Jake followed him, leaving Sam and Katiy out in the open with the truck.
Underneath her, to Sam's horror, Sam felt Ace start to slow down as the gelding became tired. He was sweating like Sam had never seen before, and she knew he couldn't keep this pace going forever. With wide-eyes, Sam looked over to Katiy, who was galloping not too far away from her.
"Sam, jump off of Ace onto Compromise, it's your only chance!" Katiy called, nodding to the little bay paint, who swerved closer to Ace. Soon, Compromise was so close that Sam was brushing the filly's coat with her foot.
"No, I can't leave Ace!" Sam cried, clinging desperately to the horn. If she left Ace, whoever was in the truck might hurt him!
"Sam, it's your only chance! Jump now before they get you!" Katiy yelled. As much as Sam didn't want to, she knew she had to. The truck was almost upon them now. Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, Sam jumped.
She landed with a thud on Compromise's back, and nearly fell. Only by grabbing the filly's white-streaked mane did Sam manage to stay aboard the filly, who started galloping faster, leaving Ace behind.
Glancing back, Sam saw Raven cut Ace off and lead him away from the truck. The truck kept going, ignoring the two horses. Sam let out a breath of relief and turned to look back in front of her.
Since Compromise didn't have anything on her but a faded purple halter, Sam just let her follow Socks and Katiy.
Katiy and Socks leaped onto a barely visible deer trail, Compromise followed them. Sam hung onto the paint's mane as she jumped over a log to get onto the trail, and went as fast as she could up a shale hillside. By the time they reached the top, Compromise was soaked with sweat, but other than that, it didn't show that she was tired. She ran just as fast as she had before as she followed Socks down another trail, away from the awful truck.
Katiy didn't stop Socks or speak to Sam until they were several miles away from the truck, in the middle of nowhere. Finally, Katiy slowed Socks enough so Compromise could catch up.
""That, is why we didn't want you guys involved."
Hours later, after darkness had fallen, Sam and Katiy rode into Riverbend ranch. All the lights in the house were on, and Sam knew that there was a search party out for them.
Out in the ten-acre pasture, Sam counted eight horses, three more than there should've been. Squinting, Sam could just barely make out Star's bright white patches.
Even though she was exhausted and scared, Sam couldn't help but smile. If Star was here, that meant that Jake and Alan were here too.
By the time Compromise and Socks halted in front of the big ranch house, Dad, Gram and Brynna were already outside, waiting for them.
Dad pulled Sam off of Compromise without saying anything, and immediately pulled her into a big bear hug. Sam hugged him back, finally crying, realizing how easily she could've died.
"Oh Dad, I'm sorry!" She cried, not exactly sure why she was apologizing. Dad didn't care though; he just nodded and hugged Sam tighter.
"Jake told us what happened honey; it's going to be alright." Dad said. Sam just nodded, though deep in her heart, she had a feeling that Dad was wrong.
Katiy slid off of Socks' back and stood on shaking legs. Immediately, Brynna reached out and helped Katiy steady herself. Katiy whispered her thanks, and Brynna nodded.
"Come on, let's get you two inside." Brynna said. Katiy hesitated and looked back at her two horses.
"Don't worry about them dear; Pepper will take care of them." Gram said. Katiy didn't look convinced, but she let Brynna lead her inside.
Inside, sitting at the kitchen table were Jake and Alan. Both of them looked exhausted. Neither of them said anything though, they just stared at Sam and Katiy.
"Sheriff Ballad is on his way out here, but I'll call Gold Dust and the Three Ponies to tell them the search is over." Brynna said. Dad nodded in agreement, and turned to Sam and Katiy as Brynna reached for the phone.
"Tell me everything, right now, everything you know." Dad said, staring at Katiy.
Author's Note: Sorry for taking so long to update, I had a writer's block on this story, and things going on with my own horses. And sorry for the crappy ending.