When Luck Runs Out

1

The sunny hills kissed my strawberry roan coat as I trotted over the rough hills. The ground shifted under me as I felt uneasy. The sound of coming thunder startled me. There would be a storm. Breaking into a canter, I made myself to an abandoned shed and stood there. Just at that moment, the rain pelted the building. Terrified, I danced around. The deserted scenery was no place for a six year old mare that was terrified of loud noises and with that, I am expecting.

Without a herd, it was a hard life. I had been abandoned when I was a newborn and my mother left me. I was named Lace Sky. Sooner, I was adopted by a lead stallion and his herd mare. She nursed my back to health. Still, the horror of being abandoned again haunted me. Days passed and I never heard what happened to my mother. Some said she had left, others said she had been captured and was taken away. I just wanted to know! After that, all I remember is being tied down and pulled into these box-like things. Horrified, I tried defending myself, but it was no use. The two-legged things had taken half of the herd, myself included and I could do nothing about it. Days later, we were taken out and prodded into round things, like pens. During that long time, I met a wonderful stallion named Sunshine Cliff. He really appreciated me and took watch over me. This was before I was expecting. I was only three and a half years old. He didn’t look like he was from the herd, but indeed, he had been. The time passed much quicker when I was with him. The two-legged men; as they called them, would walk around and check on us. Each time, they took a few more of us and we were fewer. The numbers decreased until it was the two of us. Cliff gave me his word that he would not let them take me away, and I trusted him. By that time, we had gotten so close and I had decided he could breed with me. He was fine with it. When the men came to us, Cliff reared and defended me. They yelled at him, stuff I could not understand, and finally, they snatched a rope around his neck and dragged him out of there. I screamed for them to let him go, but they didn’t listen. Rain started falling and I went insane, wanting him back so bad. I knew his time was up when I heard a gunshot and his voice stopped calling me. I lowered my head and prayed it didn’t happen to him. Sadly, it was him. One of the cadet’s horses told me he had injured one of the main soldiers and he was put to death. All I had from him was the foal I was carrying. Months after he left me, I escaped. Night fell and I broke out. Running as fast and as much as I can. The wind was hard and hitting me with full force. I just wanted to get away from that horrible place. Forever. I ran until I reached the vast land where I roam.

Slowly, the sky cleared and I looked out. The land was wet and slippery. I walked around and looked out, curiously. The rest of the herd had never been found, they must have forgotten about the other half and went on without us. I still search for them. Suddenly, I heard a twig snap behind me! Startled, I spun around.

“Who’s there? Show yourself!” I ordered, nearly screaming. Nothing was there. Once again, I asked. “Come out!” The wind picked up and shivers crept down my spine. The weather was horrible, even during this time of year, spring. I heard the noise again, this time I went and checked out to see what it was. Walking around the shed, I noticed a small bundle curled up in the tall grass. I smelled it and realized what it was... a foal! Slowly, I examined the foal to see if it was still alive. The warm breath indicated it was. The eyes opened on the small creature and it looked up at me, afraid.

“D...don’t h...urt m...me!” the voice murmured. I nuzzled him, or was it a her. Slowly, he stood and backed away from me.

“W...who are you?” he asked, shaking. I stood there, stunned. He could talk so clearly and he was so young.

“My name is Lace Sky. I live out here. I’m sorta stuck here until the weather clears out.” I explained. The young foal looked around.

“H...have you seen my mother?” he asked, worried. I glanced around.

“No... who’s your mother?” I asked him. The foal looked down, sadly.

“I don’t know. No one ever told me her name, but I know she was a lead mare and we lived in a large herd. Far away from here. She took me here. She said someone would find me and protect me. Have you seen anyone?” I shook my head. The foal lowered his head.

“Come with me! We’ll find her in the morning.” I told him. The foal rose his head and smiled.

“What’s your name, lad?” I asked, not sure if the foal was a girl or boy.

“Demina, and I’m a girl.” she murmured, walking closer to me. I walked over to the entrance of the abandoned building and allowed him to enter. He walked in, weakly.

“How long have you been out here?” I asked.

“I don’t know... a few days. Mom didn’t tell me how long she would be gone for.” Demina murmured, lying down in the corner. I nuzzled her and lay down myself.

“We will try to find her, I promise.” I promised. Demina smiled. “Now, get some rest.” The dark brown foal curled up and fell asleep, as did I.

The morning sun stung my eyes like rain pelting a building. I stood and stretched my legs. Looking over, I noticed Demina was gone! Quickly, I searched for the young filly. She was nowhere to be seen.

“Demina!?” I called out. In the distance, I heard a soft nicker and I ran over. The filly stood on a grassy ledge and looked out at something. But what? As I neared, I noticed she was staring at a herd.

“What are they doing?” Demina demanded. I looked over. A herd of horses stood in a large pen at the bottom of the large hill.

“Come on, we have to leave!” I ordered. Demina looked at me.

“But we can’t!” she cried out.

“Why not!?” I demanded.

“My mother is in that pen! Please, you have to save her!” Demina pleaded. I looked back into the pen.

“Which one is she?” I asked her.

“She’s the golden mare with a bald face. She’s standing next to my daddy, the paint stallion.” Demina explained. I noticed them. The mare was standing, nervously. Beside her, the paint stallion was trying to call for help.

“Demina, please, don’t make any noise!” I ordered.

“Why?” she demanded.

“Because...these men take horses and hurt them. And seeying as they have your mom and dad, I can’t get them back until their clear of danger.” I explained. “If I can get them back at all!”

“But you have to get them back! You have to! Their the only ones I have!” Demina cried out.

“We can follow them from a distance and try to save them. But don’t get too excited. You have to listen to me! Okay, Demina!?” I told her. Demina nodded. I looked back out.

“Come on, we can hide in the bushes until night fall. But Demina, I can’t use much energy. I’m expecting my own foal soon.” I explained. Demina nodded. I jolted when I heard a gunshot go off. I feared for my life.

“Come on!” I ordered, galloping towards the woods. Demina followed.

“Why are we running?” Demina asked.

“They have weapons that can harm us and we were in open view. We have to stay hidden.” I told her.

“Okay, when are you going to save them?” Demina nodded.

“I don’t know... I just don’t know...” I murmured to myself.