Chapter 1

Found

The most important thing you need to know about red berries (though not the only one) is: if they grow in small clusters, they're probably poisonous. But if they grow as single ones, keeping their distance from each other, they're most likely just fine to eat. Lucía knew this by heart, same way we know it'll rain if it's cloudy, or it'll be hot as hell (like that day) if the sky is this clear and bright.

That's why she didn't even have a look at those bushes over there, besides the rocks, but went straight to the ones that bordered the creek: black and blue berries, usually the best, so she started picking them up and collecting them in a basket.

Then there was a noise of some sort, like a rumor of strides in between the leaves.

No one around, so she carried on with her task. Not like she could get her mind off of it: there was somebody, something else out there, very close.

When the basket was half full, she waited, piercing the afternoon air with her hearing. Some birds chirping to the left, the arroyo flowing on the other side. And when the sound was upon her, way too present and evident, she had to greet its source:

"Hola! What are you doing here all by yourself?"

The magnificent horse approached as if it knew her, shaking its head and neighing, its short, black fur shining like the whole animal was carved onto some precious stone.

"You're so beautiful." She petted it on the neck, grazed the silky mane. The saddle wasn't like those of the vaqueros; it was a rich one. "Are you lost?"

The response was a loud whine, a painful one. Then it trotted away, only to stop on its tracks and stare at her. It seemed… no, it was nervous.

She didn't hesitate. Everyone knows what a horse with no horseman usually means.

The way got dustier and the landscape more desolate, as they advanced more and more into areas less walked through.

"You will have to slow it down, honey, if you really want me to go with you." She was almost running at this point. And it wasn't her imagination: the steed did slow down its pace, turning to look at her every now and then, tenaciously guiding her through the twists and turns of these arid corners of the world.

The top of her head started to feel like a hot iron, so she threw her shawl over, tied it below her jaw and continued the trudge. When they made it to the side of a low hill, her companion started to get agitated again.

"What is it…?" she asked in a low voice, not so much to the horse but to herself, foreseeing the answer, trying to avoid the undergrowth and thick roots at each step. The wall of stone was at arm's length now and-

"Santo Dios!"

Anyone's first instinct at this sight would be to run for help, and it was also Lucía's, but this other thing pulled her in the opposite direction. This man was lying on the ground, with blood smeared all over his face and forehead and, she took a closer look, yes, the head too, there was also a knife impaling one of his arms. And she couldn't call anyone because, damned be her luck, it was El Zorro.

It had to be him, how many men run around with a mask on and wearing only black? She'd seen him a couple times from the distance, and of course she wouldn't be able to recognize his features or the ones that were visible at least, but there was no doubt it was him, also the horse… if she went for help, they'd patch him up only to hang him the following day, and some help that would be.

Was he even breathing?

She knelt by his side. Close… closer… yes, there was a weak stream of warm air escaping his nostrils.

"Zorro? Can you hear me?" Silence. "Stay alive at least, then."

That's when she noticed something she hadn't seen before: he was sweating. A lot, his temples and forehead were dripping. She dared to check with the back of her hand: he was burning up.

And maybe it was the touch of her skin what woke him up. Sort of.

He jolted all of a sudden, sat up a bit and looked at her:

"Your eyes… are green" he slurred, then his eyelids gave up again.

"Nononono, please! Please Zorro, wake up, you have to help me out."

There was only a mumble and more budging.

"Horse!" she called, then felt entirely stupid when remembering: everyone in town knew the name of Zorro's horse: "Tornado! Please!"

This had to be the smartest and most faithful animal in existence because in a jiffy, it approached its master and, wonder of wonders, slowly sat down on the ground, folding its elegant legs first, then completely letting itself fall.

Lucía wasted no time. She took off her shawl and wrapped it around his head where the wound seemed to be; there would be time to take a closer look later on.

"My sword…" she heard him mutter, but paid no mind. Gathering all of the strength she had and the one she didn't, she threw his good arm over her neck, then tried to lift him up, to pull him at least, to drag him to the vehicle.

"Caray, you weigh a ton!"

After some good ten minutes of struggle, she had managed to place him on the horse like a bundle, his long legs hanging over one side and his good arm, over the other.

It was now she who was sweating from all of the effort, but it was all rewarded when Tornado stood up, nice and slow, carrying his wounded friend.

She made sure he was well balanced there, didn't even want to imagine him sliding down and rolling to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Then, rein in one hand, the other one holding him in place just in case, she started going.

The berries were left behind, pouring out of the basket and scattered all over the ground.

(…)

Note: hi guys! This is a little idea I had as I was lying in bed trying to sleep and wondering what other Zorro idea I could have for a fanfiction. This just popped up. Now, I know it's not the most original idea in the world, but I sure am enjoying writing it, and that's what matters, right? Please forgive any inaccuracies with… well, with everything, especially berries classification and medical stuff; not sure if someone in this condition should be moved at all, but let's bear with it for the sake of the story. Also, English is not my native language, so I'm trying! This is based on Guy Williams's Zorro btw, from the 1957 Disney series. Thanks for reading!