Another chapter up! sorry this one's a tad short, and just a warning, im pretty sure the next one is even shorter ;~; dont eat me... Thanks to all who reviewed and followed, though there werent many, thats to be expected :D thanks!
The next day was even colder than before, signalling the oncoming blizzard was not far off, and was gonna be big. I had on a similar outfit from yesterday; dark blue denim jeans, a black and red plaid worker's shirt (meaning it was really thick and made for a guy), same boots, same gloves and scarf, and I had my hood up that was from my shirt.
Today I was going into town to do some errands and also see if anyone had lost a horse. Though I doubt anyone had. Despair wasn't an average horse, meaning he didn't have an average rider.
As I saddled up Ruthad and attached the wood sled onto him, I heard Despair huff in frustration. Without looking at him, I smirked, "Don't worry, I'll let you out when I come back. I don't lie." This seemed to satisfy him and I went to gently pat his neck. I frowned as I noticed none of the hay had been eaten and the water hadn't been touched. "Despair, you need to eat, you're starved." He just shook his head and walked to the other side of the stall. "Alright fine, but when I get back, and none of that hay is eaten, I'm not letting you out." He just glared at me in response. Sighing, I climbed up onto Ruthad and we trotted out and down the road, the sled sliding easily behind us. Soon the forest surrounded us on both sides with nothing but path in front and behind us. It always slightly scared me, going through this part, because it reminded me too much of my nightmares, only this time I was with a companion.
Silently, I listened to the sounds of Ruthad's hooves hitting the frozen ground rhythmically, trying to sooth my palpitating heart. Sensing my miniscule fear, the Canadian purebred whinnied softly. I pat his neck, "Don't worry boy, I'm alright." We kept on in silence until the small town was in sight. As we trotted along the side of the street, the locals all smiled and waved. I returned the favor and ignore any tourists passing through that gaped at us. It wasn't every day you saw a woman riding a large sled pulling horse casually going through town.
We came to a stop at a light and waited for it to turn green. Suddenly someone walked up beside us. I smiled down at the old man.
"Hi Mr. Rider. How are you today?" I asked politely. Mr. Rider helped me get settled when I came here. He was my closest friend that wasn't an animal.
He smiled back at me, "I'm doing just fine Iris. You comin' to get provisions for the storm?"
"Yes sir, mostly. I'm also here to report a found horse. Do you know of anyone who could've lost one?"
He shook his head, "No, but I'll ask around for you. What breed is it?"
I thought for a moment, "He seems like a Clydesdale." Really I didn't know what to call Despair, but that seemed like the most reasonable thing.
"Alright. I'll do some investigatin'. Though you know as well as I do we aint the type of people to lose their horses easily. But anyway, if you need anything, just come by and give me a ring!"
The light turned green and we continued onward, waving a goodbye to Mr. Rider and going on until we stopped again at the supermarket. Sliding off Ruthad, I pat his shoulder and walked in.
"Iris! Oh my gosh, I haven't seen you in forever!" Macy squealed. She was the cashier here, and the only employee at the moment. She was from Germany, and I loved her accent. She had pixie cut light brown hair and dark brown eyes. In her 40s and was a little on the chunky side but just about the happiest person you'd ever meet. She happily bounced around the counter and pulled me into a big hug.
"Macy, I can't breath!" I choked.
She squeaked and let go giggling, "Oops! Sorry hun!" She smiled widely and leaned back on the counter. "So what do you need?"
"I'm just here to get some things before the snow comes in."
"Alrighty, just call if you need help!" I nodded and walked into the aisles, grabbing a hand basket on the way. I went through and got some canned meals, powdered milk, a few new lighters, and granola bars for emergencies. I didn't know how long the blizzard was gonna be, so I got extras of everything just in case. When I walked back up to the counter, Macy was musing over a video game she was holding.
"Which one is it this time?" I smirked, setting the now full basket next to the register. Macy rolled her eyes and handed the game to me.
"My little brother told me to get this one. Really, I don't get it! He plays and finishes every single game i get him in a day!" I laughed and looked at the game but froze. On the cover, under the words Darksiders II, was a horse just like Despair. Something weird was definitely going on here. "Hey, Iris, you alright?"
I blinked and silently se the game back down, "Yeah, I... I'm fine..." Quickly she checked out the items and set them in a box. Using my right arm (my left one was still sore) I picked up the box, and, after saying goodbye, I set the box on the sled. I was about to mount Ruthad again when suddenly a small boy came running up to him. Startled by the stranger, the big horse neighed and backed up, his ears pinning back.
"Woah Ruthad. Calm down." I told him. I could tell he was still uncomfortable around the child, but he knew not to hurt him, even if it was an accident.
The mother walked up behind the boy, obviously not being from around here, "Oh, honey! You found a horsey!" The boy reached up to touch Ruthad's neck, but again, the horse backed up.
"Mommy, I want a horse, right now!" The midget whined.
My eyes widened as the woman turned to me, "How much do you want for it?"
My mouth hung open, "Excuse me?" She seriously just said that? The nerve of this chick!
She looked at me like I was stupid, "I said how much do you want for the horse? My son wants one like this one. It won't be easy to find, so why not have one as majestic as this?"
Angrily, I took hold of Ruthad's reins and started leading him away, "Sorry, he's not for sale."
"No, one moment! I'll give you whatever you want for it!" She tried to follow me but I kept walking.
I stopped, "I swear to God, are you always this stupid or are you trying especially hard today? Ruthad is not an 'it' and he's not for sale!"
She glared at me, "Did your parents not teach you any manners?"
I glared back at her, "No, they didn't." Without waiting for an answer, I climbed onto the horse and we quickly went back to the cabin. I led Ruthad back into the stables to be greeted by Despair, who was snorting and pushing up against his stall pathetically.
"Hold your horses, Despair," I joked, obviously the horse didn't get it. I looked into his area and smiled as I saw the hay pile had a small dent in it. "Good boy~" I pat his head and opened the door. Instantly, he ran out into the field. But I started laughing as I saw the hay had been hid in the other corner of the stall. "Smart horse!"
Rolling my eyes, I took the box off the sled and began to walk to the house when something cold landed on my nose.
A snowflake? But... The storm wasn't supposed to happen yet! I looked up and gasped. Dark snow clouds were closing in around us... And fast.