Chapter 2

Amy was lying in the paddock overlooking the barn and house. She closed her eyes and smiled as the warm afternoon sun caressed her body. With her eyes shut, the earth's sounds were amplified in Amy's ears. Cicadas buzzed in the forest behind her and the variety of birds found around her home chirped to each other like a harmony of musical instruments playing Mother Nature's song. Amy sighed contentedly as the whinnying of horses joined the tune. She mentally named the sounds of Spartan and Pegasus's unique noises as they talked back and forth to one another. The soft breeze caused the long thin grass to sway slightly, running along her arms and legs, making it feel like a loving hug. Without realising it, she was imagining those strands of grass as strong arms surrounding her.

A shadow fell across Amy, blocking the light from the sun but somehow increasing the warmth. She slowly opened her eyes, revealing a shadow blocking the light. Happiness filled her heart as Ty's sweet, sweet face looked down at her. He was lying on his side, leaning over her, with his arms having replaced the grass. He leaned down, the heat increasing as his cheek rubbed against hers.

"You're beautiful you know." He whispered into her ear. Her heart fluttered at the sound of his voice. Their eyes connected as he pulled back slightly to look at her. Only a few centimetres separated them. Instead of fluttering this time, Amy's heart started beating faster as the silence continued. It felt like a magnetic pull was stopping her from looking away and really, she didn't want to.

"Amy." He breathed almost so silently she didn't hear him. A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth as his voice washed over her. It had been a long time since she had heard him say her name.

"I've missed you." She breathed back.

A small frown appeared on his face, slowly dissipating the warm atmosphere that cocooned them. The look made Amy frown as well. She didn't like seeing him upset. She wanted to reach up and smooth away that frown but for some reason she held back.

"I didn't want to leave." He said the sadness in his voice evident. Amy's heart broke at the sound, wishing she could make his shadows disappear. She looked deep into his eyes and a tear sprung, unbound into her eyes. Ty's gaze followed it as it tracked its way slowly down her cheek, eventually falling onto the ground beneath her. It was so quiet Amy could practically hear the tear hit the grass below her head. Ty's gaze remained where the drop had fallen. Amy desperately wanted him to look at her. He remained frozen, his eyes not moving. Her brow creased as fear took hold. Time passed, how long, Amy wasn't sure. It seemed like eternity before she couldn't take it anymore.

"Then why did you?" she asked quietly, fearing the answer. Ty tore his eyes away from the ground beside her and forced himself to look at her. Amy gasped as she saw the pain expressed across his face. More tears welled up in her eyes as the pain seemed to fall out of him and tumble into her. Her breath came out in short sharp stabs as her heart began crushing. Panic consumed her as she fought for breath. Ty's arms tightened around Amy as she struggled for control.

"It's my fault Amy." Ty cried, "All my fault." He held let go of a sob as Amy continued to bow under the pain. Still, despite the struggle within her body, Amy still wanted to heal the darkness within him.

"What's your fault?" she gasped. Tears appeared in Ty's eyes and started running freely down his face. The pain increased as Amy saw them.

"The way you feel," cried Ty, "It's my fault for the way you feel!"

His chin fell to his chest as a different pain seemed to rack him. Amy so desperately wanted to reach out and hug him back. To take away the pain that ran through both their hearts. She closed her eyes and willed her arms to rise. Sweating in concentration she could feel her hands slowly lift off the ground. Just as her fingers scraped his familiar leather jacket, a sound pierced the silent air. Both their heads whipped around looking for the source.

"No!" whispered Ty as he seemed to realise what the beeping was, "Not yet! Please, a few more minutes!"

"Ty?" questioned Amy. He his face looked down at her with a feeling that filled her soul and melted the pain. Her breath came easier until she realised that Ty seemed to be fading. In fact, everything around her seemed to be fading.

"No!" she screamed, reaching out trying to grab him, to bring him back. But her hands just passed through thin black air.

"No!" she screamed again as the blackness closed in around her.

"TY! COME BACK!"