The second day, I got tired of focusing on the horses beat, and my movement, so I focused on the sounds around me. It was quiet other then a soft wind, and the creek nearby. I was surprised when I focuses on it, I could even hear the creak. I heard a few birds… hawks, and some crickets. The creak of the saddle, the occasionally snort of the horse. When the sun was over my head, I began to pick out sounds that didn't belong. The sudden thumping of a rabbit speeding away. A sage brush making a little more noise then it was suppose to, and when I looked up, a chipmunk bolted away. I opened my knapsack and finished off the left over food I could find. I closed my eyes again, and kept focusing and what sounds didn't belong. It became a game to keep me occupied. I was determined to hear everything, but I knew I couldn't. A few times I looked up, and I saw small land creatures I heard nothing of. But I still tried, just to see what I could hear, and what I could find. As the sun began to sink, I focused on the air around me. The wind would pick up slow down, turn, spin, flap my hair around… but all in a smooth, easy movement. There were no sudden jerks or instant turns in the air. And when I brushed my hands a foot away from my face, I could my hand's bend in the wind on my face. Maybe that's something else the time warp had changed. My senses were sharper. Or maybe they were already that sharp, and I just never had a need to use them like this. When the sun was gone… I decided to ride the night. I found rope, and tied it around myself, then to the saddle, (something I learned from watching HILDALGO) so I wouldn't' fall off in case I dozed. But I never did. I wanted to see how far my new talent stretched. I listened to the night. There was a little more wind, and plenty of crickets. More nocturnal creatures were out, and there were plenty of sounds for me to hear. I listened, trying to figure out any sound that was out of place. I found quite a few things. More foxes were out. Even heard something that I thought was a fox, but the paw steps were much bigger. I opened my eyes, and scanned the dark land. I made out a sleek figure streaming across the land… a coyote. As the night wore on, a smell came to my nose… a skunk. I had a hand over my nose for two hours, waiting for the smell to pass. When it finally did, I began to wonder if I could SMELL as good as I could hear and see, and feel the wind. Didn't have much luck on that. But I was satisfied. I could pick out the sounds that didn't belong. Reminded me of the movie 'the quick and the dead' when the main man without a name, told the woman to pick out the sounds that don't belong in the night. I passed a few trees, and sage brush by the creak, and thought of how perfect they would be to rest. But I was going to ride the whole night. I could rest at the hotel… after I got one. I trusted the horse enough to let loose the reigns and he would follow the road to town. I hung my head, and came close to sleep as the sun rose. I never actually went to sleep… just wondered in and out of nodding off. I figured if I was on the trial for two days and one night… I would get there by morning. The ride was long, yes, but filled with sights to see. I saw wild animals… better then any zoo could give me. I saw hills… rocky terrain, WILD ground. You couldn't find a place like that and RIDE through it back then… or 2002 at least. The horse stayed on the road, and I let my arms flop. I could tell the horse was getting tired. His trot slowed, but he could still run. I didn't want him to do a slow walk, so I kept having to nudge him. He eventually got to the idea and kept a steady pace. The sun rose, and I kept lifting my head to see if I could spot the twon. A few lifts, and a few hours later, I spotted it. I nudged the horse into a faster trot, and was soon in town. I found a stable at the far end of the town, and dismounted there. I walked the horse in, looking around. There were a few other horses there, stalled with fresh hay. I knew my horse could use that right now.
"Hello?" I called.
"Be right out!" called a elderly, deep voice. I waited, and soon a dirty black man around his thirties walked into view.
"I'd like to leave my horse here. I will be staying a while, and he need's to be feed water… even a wash would do him good." I said, wondering if I had enough money. The man nodded.
"Well, for two weeks full hold, it'll be four dollars. You got that kind of money young miss?" the man asked. I looked at him. FOUR dollars? I almost laughed as I pulled out the money and dumped it in his hand. The man took the horse and led him in the stall. I left, I new perspective on the money in my pocket. Ok, first things first. Blend in. Clothes. I went into a few clothing shops, about as big as my kitchen, and took the cheapest one. I came out with a clean pair of jeans, a long white sleeve shirt, and a tan hide vest. I thought about getting skirt, and even the shop owner suggested it, after hearing I wanted jeans. But I couldn't ride in a skirt. I bought a nice blue hanky, and tied it around my neck. I didn't have much money left for a hat or boots, but I wanted to save the last little bit of money for food. I walked out of the store, tieing my long blonde hair up in a pony, and tennis shoes. A funny look yes, but it would work for now. My real clothes were folded nicely and put in a bag that man offered to me. Now I fit in. I didn't stand out to much, other then a girl wearing pants. But then again, I was no normal kid from no where.