Him
I looked up as a black horse came running into camp. It looked a lot like the one I had given Rose an hour ago– it was the same one! I leaped up and jumped on it's back, riding to the village. In technical terms I wasn't allowed to go there, but they had to count this as an exception. I was immediately surrounded by a group of well-armed men. "Where is Rose?" I asked the closest man. "I lent her this horse this morning. The horse turned up half an hour ago with no rider. She rode in this direction, have you seen her? "
A man about my age, maybe a few years younger stepped forward. "Yeah, she told me to get the villagers ready and that the Abdul were on their way– oh, God!" The man put his hands over his eyes and started crying. "She went that way!" I looked curiously at the man.
"Abdul?"
"Just go! Hurry. It could be too late!" the man ordered. I followed his instructions and galloped off in the direction he had pointed, all the while wondering what the Abdul was. I looked at the ground and saw horse hoof-prints in the dirt. I followed them and after a few yards the horse stopped and refused to go further. I dismounted and continued to walk the trail. I almost wished I hadn't. I saw the bright blue of her dress lying on the grass and dirt at the bottom of an embankment. Looking at the dirt I saw the footprints of a man (judging by their size), Rose's footprints, and something that looked like giant cat prints. I hurried down the hill and crouched by her side. There was vomit and blood next to her. Her lips were stained with crimson. I knew this couldn't be good. "Rose! Rose! Can you hear me?" I called. She moaned and mumbled something. "Rose?!"
"Take . . . me . . . home." she rasped weakly. I wiped her mouth with the hem of my pants and tried to pick her up. She moaned. "Don't . . . belly . . hurts." I nodded and scooped her up.
"Horse!" I called. The dark horse came trotting and I lifted Rose onto it's back. I climbed on after careful not to touch her stomach. I wrapped one arm around her hips as best I could and spurred the horse.
Pain
I knew nothing after the Rider hit me except pain. Someone was calling my name. "Rose! Rose! Can you hear me?" The voice was familiar. "Help." I tried to say, but it wouldn't come out. "Rose?!" I knew that voice! It was Amir! "Take . . . me . . . home." I whispered weakly. I wasn't sure he had hear me until he wiped my mouth with something soft. I moaned. " Don't . . . belly . . . hurts." I couldn't see very well, but I saw his head bob up and down. Then he picked me up and put me on that stupid horse. I leaned my head against his chest, knowing that I had to not be afraid, just this once. I had complete faith in him.