Chapter 5
Without Spirit
We held on to each other for quite a while. Soon the glittering stars blanketed the sky and darkness feel upon the earth. I could feel how terrible Spirit felt, but I wondered what Rain was feeling, or where she is even going or what is happening to her. I too felt horrible. I had broken it up, and now was wondering if Spirit even felt it was worth it. Was I worth it? I didn't want to think about that right now, but I couldn't help wondering. Spirit let go at long last and looked through tears that stained his face. I didn't know what to say. There was nothing I could.
He spoke only two words, "Rain's gone."
"Oh, Spirit. I know, I'm so sorry," Then I started to tear up, "lets go lay down."
Spirit said nothing, but he did follow me to a quiet place that was away from the others. It was eerily silent. Having Spirit not talking was almost worse than if he was yelling at me. I wish he would say something. I let myself fall down on the soft grass and Spirit laid beside me. I put my head over his withers, but he didn't seem to respond. 'Spirit, if you only knew how much I care about you and how much I'm sorry' I thought to myself.
Rain's Point of View
….Then I galloped off into the sunset, not even glimpsing back at the two. I cried so hard, and I laid down not knowing what to do with myself. I didn't even know where I would go. So, I just lay there, my heart hurting so badly, I hit the ground with my fore hoof. Hot tears burned my eyes and cheeks. I yelled, "Why!" The only answer was a soft echo coming from the canyons. Then I got an idea. There was a herd called Saharias: Mustangs of the Canyons. I haven't a clue what kinds of horses were there, but I really didn't care anymore. So, I got up and set off, for hopefully a fresh start, a new life.
Lady Fire's Point of View
The next morning I woke up alone. I rose quickly and looked around. Spirit was standing on a rise watching over the herd. I walked over to him, but he kept staring ahead. Then Esperanza came slowly plodding up to him, with her head hung low. What could it be now?
"Spirit, this is not going to be easy, but…"
"What? There couldn't be anything worse happen to me right now."
"Spirit, the herd has replaced you. They want you out. Sun Runner is now leader."
Sun Runner? His own son? How could this be? Sun Runner was a handsome stallion, really just becoming a stallion. He was a very dark golden color, almost a brown, with dark chocolate socks and a small white star.
"Goodbye mother, watch over the herd, make sure they're safe." But Spirit stood still.
Then Sun Runner came galloping up the hill. Spirit still held his position. I became anxious my front feet making small lifts off the ground and I looked between the two. My anxiety growing each time one of Sun Runner's hooves hit the ground. I kept almost jogging in placing, the trouble of indecision pulling at my muscles. Instinct told me to run away, but I fought it so I could stay at Spirits side.
Then Sun Runner reared in front of us and with a mighty call, "You Spirit, no longer belong here!"
Spirit shot off with only one strike under Sun Runners belly leaving a large gash, crimson blood dripping off of his golden coat. I spun on my hindquarters and went after Spirit, but Sun Runner cut me off.
"Get the hell away from me!" I screamed and hit him on the shoulder, but he kept herding me. I pushed my hardest and watched Spirit run off into the distance tears falling from his face.
"NO! LET ME LEAVE YOU, YOU TRAITOR!"
Then I mustered up all the strength in my body and focused it on his shoulder and knocked him over. This gave me that split second of time to run, so I took off, Spirit just a speck on the horizon and I galloped after him. After all we had been through, I'm not giving up now. I kept my eye on him and galloped until my legs could no longer carry me. My fine black coat soaked in sweat and a white lather covered me. I was so close, but my legs gave out.
"Spirit…" I yelled, but it was so quiet I doubted he could have heard me.
My shoulder hit the ground first with a loud thud. My back end followed. My whole body slide a few feet and I just let it happen and didn't try to do anything to stop it. I looked up at Spirit once more, and found him looking back at me. I smiled in my heart. I lifted my head, and I let out a soft whinny. My head dropped to the ground and I couldn't feel a thing, I was numb all over and then, darkness.
"Oh, Lady. Lady, please wake up. Lady, I was going to come back for you. Please Lady, you can't leave me."
"Huh…" I said drowsily. I saw a blur of Spirits face. I was so confused, could this really be happening to me?
"LADY! Oh, I thought that you….Lady, you're okay," Then he nuzzled me on the cheek. I stood up, feeling so dizzy and light headed, so I relaxed back down on the ground.
"Lady, what's wrong?"
"That's kind of a hypothetical question, don't ya think?" and I chuckled a bit.
"I guess so," Spirit smiled, "I have to get you to water. Come on Lady, I know you can do it."
With Spirit's strength and love in my heart along with my strong spirit telling me I was just not yet ready to give up yet I had enough strength to get me to water. I got up, just about tipping over again. I finally got someone strong to lean on to carry me until the healing is done. So we slowly walked over to pond. The cool water almost stung my sweat, steaming coat, but nevertheless it felt good. I took a long drink from the cool, sparkling waters. Spirit looked down at me and I looked back up at him. We were forced between a rock and a hard place, but we had each other and that was all that mattered. He looked at me lovingly with his deep chocolate brown eyes that sparkled and glinted in the morning sun, and all I could do is stare back. My heart pouring out all the love I could give. We stood there for a while, and when I finally began to feel better I got up and stood beside Spirit. My was coat dripping wet also glittered and scattered the morning light, droplets falling as began to trot alongside him. Spirit and I perfectly fitted together, believe it or not we are each other's halves, but there is always that thought in the back of our minds about how we hurt Rain.
Rain's Point of View
My hooves pounded the ground rhythmically as I set off for the red rocky canyons ahead. Soon I felt the dry sand muffling the sound of my feet underneath me. Everything here was so dry and almost lifeless. Small dry plants sprouted up through the grains of sand. I stopped and pulled up one of these plants to eat, but it tasted dry and dead in my mouth. I swallowed it quickly when suddenly a strange horse came up from behind me. I spun around. He was a gorgeous captivating stallion. He was a beautiful red chestnut with a large snip right in between his nostrils. He also had two white socks running up his front legs. His muscles were bulging under the reddish hide. His muscle also finely toned for the scorching hot conditions. His legs were longer than the valley horses and he was also thinner and more finely built, but was still a strong stallion. I stared at him and he stared back at me. I wasn't sure what to do, so I kept standing still.
Finally I broke the silence and spoke with a curious tone, "Who are you?"
"You're on my land. Who – are – you?" The red stallion spoke.
"My full name is Rain Renovation. Most call me Rain. Now, who are you?"
"I'm Red Illusion. I'm leader of the Saharias: Mustangs of the Canyons. What are you doing on this land? I'll give you one chance to leave, and that is now." He spoke with a heavy and mighty voice.
"I…I would like to stay, Red Illusion." Then I bowed shortly.
"Very well…Follow me."
I slowly followed behind him anxious to see my new homeland. One without the hurt, without the tears, and most importantly…without Spirit.
A/N: I hope you guys remember Red Illusion! He was that bachelor stallion from the Calvary way in the beginning. Hmmm….something to ponder about. And yes, now I will be switching between Rains and Lady Fire's point of view. At one point, they will kind of…join…I guess you guys will just have to stick it out with this story to find out:)