AN: sorry I haven't updated in so long, but I've been working on a few projects and starting a few new stories, and a oneshot (don't ask when I'll get around to typing and posting them) so plez forgive me! Anyways, here's the next chapter!

Chapter 6: Take and Worry

Sam looked up at the sky, and saw storm clouds gathering. "Good," she said out loud, talking to herself, "They won't be able to find my tracks if it rains." She looked back the way she had come from, and saw nobody. They were now near the Phantom's territory, so Sam halted Ace and led the horses out of the river.

The Phantom was starting to fidget. Sam quickly changed the saddle to Tempest's back (AN: for those of you who don't remember, Tempest is 4 yrs old). She then took off Ace's bridle and put on his halter on instead, clipping on a lead rope as soon as it was on him. Then, she hopped into the saddle, and waited for the Phantom to lead her to his secret valley.

Jake was starting to worry now. He had ridden 5 miles downstream, and Wyatt had ridden 5 miles upstream. There was no sign of Sam, or the horses. He glanced up at the sky for the fourth time in 10 minutes. A major storm was getting closer and closer to River Bend by the minute. Would he be able to find Sam, before it was too late?

Sam was soaked; it had started to pour about a mile from the entrance to the secret valley. Dang, I should have brought some blankets with. Oh well, she thought, too late now.

As Sam entered the tunnel, she worried about the herd, and whether a new stallion had taken over. When Sam, the Phantom, Ace, and Tempest entered the valley, Sam was relieved to see Sundance, the Phantom's lead mare. When no stallion came forward, Sam was certain that they herd had stayed in the valley the whole time the Phantom had been with Sam.

Sam looked at Sundance. She was a light gold-brown color. She had taken up being the lead mare after Honey had been taken and returned to her owner. The two looked almost alike, except Sundance wasn't nearly as tall as Honey. Sundance was only about 14.5 hh. Honey had been more than 15 hh. Sam let Tempest and Ace loose, making sure that the entrance was blocked, so that the two horses couldn't wander back home.

Hopefully, she thought, I won't ever have to go back………

Jake was miserable. He hadn't been able to find Sam, Ace, Tempest, or even the Phantom. He hadn't even caught a glimpse of any of the mares that belonged to his herd. He went back to trying to listen to the science teacher talk about nothing.

One week later……………………

How long can I last, Sam thought, I only have enough food to last a few more days. Sam sat down next to the herd and tried to think of a plan………

Sam wrapped cloths around Tempest's hooves and made a makeshift "muzzle" to put over Tempest's nose when they were near the other horses so that Tempest wouldn't wake the other horses at River Bend. Sam emptied the saddle bags few remaining contents onto a high ledge so that the horses couldn't get it. Dusk was falling, she had to leave soon…….

Sam halted Tempest at the end of River Bend's bridge. Sam quickly hopped off and tied the reins to the rail. Then, she crossed the bridge, hoping Blaze was asleep, and thankfully, he was.

Sam walked up to the house and slid through the front door. She stood there for a while, making sure that nobody was awake. When she was sure that everybody was asleep, she walked over to the cupboard and filled one of the saddlebags that she had brought with her. Then she carefully set it down and filled the other saddlebag. She set that one down with the first saddlebag and went to the living room. She quickly found what she was looking for. The old quilt was still there. She grabbed it and the two saddlebags, and then slipped, unnoticed, into the night……………

Well, that's chapter 6!! Anyways, uh…. Plez R&R! And thanks to all that have reviewed!!