Ashleigh's pov

"I don't know where she could've gone, the trail she took leads here but after that it goes onto a different property" I tell the girls frowning.

We had been riding for over an hour and the storm seems to come and go, not really leaving us at all. At one point the downpour of rain was so bad it blinded us. Luckily I hadn't bought those cheap torches that only see about 5 metres in front of you. My ones were high beam so we were able to see far ahead of us.

"Maybe she just kept following it onto a different property... it wouldn't surprise me since she seemed so upset" Blair suggests as she shines her own torch over the fence. The gate which lead into that area was shut with the sign private property so we couldn't legally go any further without permission.

"I think we should radio the barn and let them know, maybe Mr or Mrs Holloway can get approval for us to go through?" Alyssa suggests pulling up next to me on Florence.

"That's going to take for ever, but I guess your right" I sigh before picking up one of the radios Blair had bought with her. There was one for everyone with trackers on it, Darla had asked Blair to give us one each incase we to got lost or found Evelyn. Along with that she bought food, water and back up necessities. In Hugo's saddle bag there was a first aid kit along with Evelyn's waterproof jacket which she'll definitely want in this weather. Alyssa and I had some other things like food, water, more touches and batteries in our saddle bags while all the horses had there rain coats draped over them so they wouldn't get cold. Canadian weather can be harsh and I knew the Holloways would kill us if we came back with a sick horse.

I sigh, it's going to be a long night.

...

It was almost 2am. We had been riding for hours now and there was no site of Evelyn. At some point I felt like we were getting closer to finding her then we came to a dead end. Since we were now on some else's property we had to have the properties owner, Jackie escort us through the woods. Otherwise we'll be as lost as Evelyn. Speaking of which, didn't she even have her phone on her? I glance over at Hugo again and feel bad for the gelding, I think he would much rather be in the warmth of a stall. I then eye the lady wearily, Jackie had brung a gun along with her attached to her horse confirming our worries, bears were around.

"Whoa buddy, what's wrong hm? You haven't played up at all night" I question Hugo quietly as he begins to pace on the spot and shudder. He comes to a halt refusing to move, head high up in the air before backing away. A tree swayed back and forth in the cold blinding breeze before thunder cracks above us. His ears goes back flat against his head and nearly pulls me out of the saddle. I couldn't blame him, it's like the trees where trying to grab us.

"What's wrong with him?" Blair asks turning around Apollo, he to was starting to have enough of the stormy weather.

"He's freaking out about the tress I think" I said backing up Beauty to where Hugo was. After I said that Hugo let's out a loud neigh making my ears ring. It was still raining but it felt like the noise he made could travel for miles.

"Maybe you girls should head back home, I'll keep on searching" Jackie says.

The girls and I start to say no when we heard the faint sound of a scream followed by a low pitched but loud roaring noise. It can't be a-

"And that was a bear, can you girls go home? The trail will lead you back" Jackie instructs before taking off on her horse.

The girls and I look at one another knowingly. We may not want to mess with a bear but we aren't leaving either. There was literally a whole awkward minute of silence.

"Maybe-"

Again my thoughts and words were cut off again when a loud bang went off twice. All the horses except Beauty spooked at the guns, Apollo nearly sending Blair into the ground. Hugo half reared up and almost took me out of the saddle again. Once the horses calmed down Jackie's voice came through our radios making us jump.

"If you girls haven't gone to far, maybe you would like to come back. I found where your friend had been staying" Jackie says.

"Wait, so you found her?" I ask feeling hope fill my heart.

"No she's gone, I think she must've made it into the cabin and gone out the back somehow. A window maybe? Once I got here the bear was trying to break into -"

"Wait she's gone?! Well where is the bear now?" Blair asks freaked out.

"It took off down the valley, but don't worry, it shouldn't come back bothering people for a while. Having just fired the gun and it being young, it left in a rush" Jackie assures.

"If you stay where you are now we'll use the tracker and your signal to find your location" Alyssa says before quickly bidding goodbyes.

Barely 5 minutes later we found the old hunting cabin Jackie was talking about. It had been on the property longer then she can remember, and now it was mainly used by fisherman wanting a get away. The girls and I hop off the horses onto the damp grass. I could feel the rain lessen, but the cold breeze was still there along with lightning and thunder. Poor horses and Eve, hopefully she's okay. I sigh and go tie the horses up, checking that the spare radio and tracker was still working after being in Hugo's saddle bag. The gelding had gone quiet again, and luckily, nothing was broken in the bag.

The girls and I go inside to see if there are any clues on where Eve went. It was useless. Only an opened window which Jackie expected. It still didn't tell us where Eve was. I glance at Blair weirdly who is staring out the window looking shocked.

"Uh guys, wasn't Hugo tied up?" She asks turning around.

"Yes, what-" I pause and rush to the front door. There was Hugo, no longer tied where I left him. That little sneak! I rush out to go grab him but instead he turns tail and trots off in a totally different direction. It wasn't the path home, but one that looked like it would lead us to a main road. I try to approach him again when he stops but he trots off again, stopping about 50 meters away. I groan and go get on Beauty, I didn't want to risk loosing him if he galloped off.

"I'm going to try catch Hugo while you guys check in with Darla" I yell as I kick Beauty forward and go after Hugo.

The gelding seems to wait until I'm 10 meters away before going another 50 meters. It's like he was playing cat and mouse. I groan with frustration, it's definitely going to be a long night.

...

I could see the light slowly coming up, it was early in the morning. I've been chasing after that bloody horse for about 2 hours. At one point I galloped after him getting super impatient and even that didn't work. We were fast enough but then Hugo would dodge around a tree a different and throw my off balance. Luckily the lead line was short so Hugo wouldn't step on it and hurt himself.

Looking past Hugo I see a faint silhouette. Was that Eve? My thoughts were confirmed when Hugo let out a massive neigh and started to gallop in that distance. I race Beauty after him incase I'm going crazy and am wrong.

"Evelyn!!" I call.

"Ashleigh?" I hear respond.

Finally relief filled my heart, this time for real. We found Eve!! I see Hugo go sliding to a stop and excitedly greet her. It made me smile.

"Guys are you still there?" I ask, my line connected to both the girls and Holloway barns radio. I instantly got a chorus of yes'. Since I went off after Hugo alone I checked in with them every so often so they knew I was okay.

"I found Evelyn, we're in the flats on the west side of Jackie's property near the fence line" I announce.

For a moment it is dead silent.

"Stay put, we're on our way with a trailer, the girls will meet you where you are as well" I hear Darla say.

"Will do" I chirp.

"You might want this" I joke throwing a jacket at her once we were closer to each other. It was freezing and her looked like she was going to be sick. Jumping off Beauty, we both hug briefly before I start grilling her on her will being, sounding exactly like a mum. 

"Never thought I would say this, but after last night I'm more the excited to go home" Eve says as she faces Hugo, tears were evident in her eyes.

And honestly I couldn't agree more, I just wanted to crawl back into bed and sleep, no more midnight thunderstorm searching. Just me and my blankets.