Chapter 29

Don't Let Go

The last thing I remember before everything went completely dark, was how quickly and suddenly I was teared away from the protective aura of my stallion and flew plunging down right into the frightening, cold water. And just like that, my consciousness was gone.

I don't know how long I was in the total blackness. But after what seemed like hours, days even, I slowly regained awareness. I lazily fluttered my lashes, finding it extremely difficult to open my eyelids. The first thing I felt was that horrifyingly torturous pain in my shoulder. I let out a silent squeal of agony. It was unbearable. My head was burning with ache, there was this constant noise ringing in my ears. The whole place was spinning round and round. My senses were dulled from that sickening fall into the lake.

Where was I?

Next thing I began to notice and feel was the cold, hard ground underneath me. My entire body shivered as I found it even more difficult to draw breath. What I could make out was that the waves had carried me at the river bank, and I lay there silent and still on the shore of the lake.

I was dying...there wasn't any doubts about that. In fact, I began to hope and pray for this misery to end quickly. Everything in my body hurt and my limbs quievered...I had never been so tormented, so helpless, so cold and so utterly alone.

My eyes were closed and even though, most of my senses were gone, I still felt someone's presence. A shadow of some kind nearing me.

I wouldn't even bother with opening my eyelids if it weren't for that familiar, soft and comforting nicker. Spirit! He was here. Or was I hallucinating?

I lazily and slowly forced myself to flutter my blue eyes open and was met by Spirit's worried gaze. His face was mere inches from mine and I nickered weakly to him. It was no hallucination. It was truly him. Despite everything I've been through, I was still so very glad to have him with me. I wouldn't be able to die alone. It would've been too miserable.

"My love." Spirit whispered, his voice full of concern and he nuzzled me warmly, trying his best to comfort me.

His gentle touch was like a medicine and it send small warmth down my body. But in seconds, I felt the torturous pain in my shoulder increase and I cried out in pain, my head falling back only to be caught by Spirit, who gently moved my nose to the less wetter ground. Part of my legs were still dipped in water as I quivered in the cold winter air.

I squeezed my eyes tightly with agony and I let out a small whimper in pain. My sides were heaving in wretchedness, and it was becoming more and more difficult for me to breathe. My nostrils dilated as I strained for some air, soft groans of pain escaping my lips.

In this nightmare, I felt Spirit's tender and warm muzzle brushing over my nose ever so gently, not wanting to add any sort of discomfort to my already disastrous state.

Spirit cried out quietly, almost as if feeling all of my ache and agony. He stepped forward to nuzzle me again, rubbing his warm cheek against my cold one, letting his forelock drape over my face like a protective veil.

"How could they do this to you?" He sniffled silently, letting his tiny tears fall onto my cheek.

My heart failed as I realized how gut-wrenching and devastating seeing me like this was for Spirit. I wanted to move and show him that I was okay. I didn't want my stallion to worry so much, but I simply could do nothing except lie there in this fragile state.

I heard Spirit rear up and with a lamenting cry, squeal in anguish, neighing loudly into the wind and sky. Then he trotted out of the water, and came up to my side.

Feeling that he was once again closer to me, I nickered weakly and tried to raise my head as the stallion got down on the ground with me.

"Spirit...you're here." I strained my voice, my frail body shivering as I attempted to regulate my breathing.

"Stay still...it's alright. I'm here." He murmured quietly, gently pushing my head down with his own so that I could rest. "You need your strength, my love." He shifted his body closer as possible to mine, trying to keep me warm like a dam would to her newborn foal.

His warmth was exactly what I needed and my quivering body began to heat up again. Spirit softly and delicately placed his head over my neck, his long, draping, black mane covering me like a protective shield.

I quieted and closed my eyes. Spirit never failed to make my heart at ease even when everything seemed hopeless. I trusted him and loved him. If I was going to die, this was the best way...with him by my side. His hot temperature melted my frozen body, and I felt warmth spreading all over me.

We remained like that for...I actually don't remember how long. My breathing became more steadier, the agonizing pain didn't seem as unbearable as before. I let myself drift off to sleep, as Spirit lay snuggled up to me, determined to keep me safe and sound.

I'd gladly die like this... in his embrace.

This rather homely and comfortable atmosphere didn't last forever. At early dawn, or was it still night? I do not remember what hour of the day it was, but I heard clamoring hooves of horses and shouting of men approaching.

Spirit raised his head, snarling defensively, trying to keep whatever threat was nearing us as far away as possible. I felt bad for my stallion. He was in such a desperate state. I raised my head weakly, my eyes opening up wearily. "What is it?" I whinnied, the sound from my throat coming out so feeble.

"Nothing. It's alright, it's alright." Spirit assured in a whisper, not wanting to add stress as he threw his head back over me, keeping me close and tight to his side. I let myself relax again as he held me in an embrace.

Before I could fully ease up, I heard horses trotting up to us from behind. Men whistled, the horses neighed, and Spirit growled in a threatening manner at them, warning to not come any closer.

I felt fear creeping up to me. What did they want with us? Why couldn't they just let me die in peace?

I truly didn't have time to process anything when suddenly ropes came flying over Spirit's neck and he was forcefully peeled away from me. He neighed in desperation as I looked up, too sick to do anything else. They were dragging him away from me as he screamed, throwing all of his weight against the ropes, trying hard to break free.

"NO!" He roared in anguish. "She needs me! Rain!" He pleaded over and over.

"Spirit..." I cried weakly, my pain increasing as I noticed that he was being captured. It added to my horrible agony. "...no." I whimpered silently.

"Leave the mare, she's not gonna make it." I heard one of the mounted soldiers say to Spirit in the background.

"No! Please, no! Rain!" Spirit begged in panic, struggling against the ropes with all his might and strength.

I helplessly watched him as tears began to fill my eyes. "My love..." I let out a soft murmur, the ache now spreading in my heart as well.

With a violent pull, Spirit tugged the ropes as he dug his hooves in the ground, reaching out to touch my muzzle one last time. I felt his final kiss of nuzzle on my cheek, as a small tear leaked from both of our eyes. I knew that he was going to be taken away, no matter how hard he tried to fight. Those men were just too many for my stallion to overpower. And I was dying. Without doubt, this was our last goodbye.

"Rain, I love you!" Spirit screamed with a thundering voice of a stallion, frantically searching for my answer. "I can't leave her..." He whinnied desperately, hating our separation.

The sharp pain and the tormenting sensations from before, rushed back to me as my body began to shiver again. The coldness, the darkness, the terrifying reality of dying alone...it was too much. And on top of that, Spirit - my love was most probably being dragged to his doom... I let out a weak and a very strained cry of despair. I wanted to tell him that I loved him so much and no matter what, he should never give up. But I simply couldn't... This was all too much for me. Everything began to spin again, my vision became blurry, the stinging ache in my shoulder made me squeal in pain. Groaning softly in utmost anguish, my eyes rolled back into my head and feeling all too weak to fight against anything, I let my head fall to the ground with a dull thud.

It was over.

Everything went blank again.

This time, I believed I would never awake on this earth.

Thanks for all your support. Please leave reviews and share your thoughts. The fans of the movie might know that we are nearing to the end of this story. So I would actually like to ask you all something... would you like to read a story sort of like a sequel to this one? About Rain getting used to the wild herd life with Spirit? I think it will most likely be a third narrative and will not only focus on Rain but Spirit and his herd memebers as well. And lots of drama of course. So let me know and don't shy away from suggestions. We still have couple chapters to go on this one.