Chapter Seven

I woke up to the sound of bird’s singing. I stretched out and stood up. Annabelle was over to side grazing. I trotted over to her. She lifted her head before saying, “Drink.” She continued to graze and I drank the fresh milk she was producing. I moved away and kept just around her feet as she slowly shuffled. Spirit came over to me and greeted me politely. His mother, Esperanza, than came over. “Annabelle, we’re moving.” She said as Anna lifted her head. Anna nuzzled me forward, “C’mon. We’re travelling.” ** It had only been around two hours and Spirit and I were trotting beside each other, flank to flank. “Did you ever wonder where your father went?” I asked as we skipped across a small ditch. “I know where he went, but I don’t know why.” He replied. “It happened one night, a stormy night. The scent of another herd had entered the atmosphere. He spoke to my mother quietly before taking off. Something about pushing a bear away from the herd. He had to move it away or it would kill one of us. We grazed in the darkness, listening, hoping he would return. But he never did. Eventually my mother told to herd to move. She was upset for the first few days. I don’t know where he is now.” He said as we came to a small clearing. A tree lay across the middle. I stopped, dead in my tracks. I looked around. Flashes of lightning filled the clear sky. A smell I’ve smelt before. It’s back. Flashes of scenes from that night returned. I closed my eyes tightly. When I opened them, I saw my mother on the ground. She was dead. I couldn’t move. Than it all went black. But a scene returned. A bear’s face came with gapping jaws and slimy teeth. It roared and then all I saw was its mouth swallow me whole.  ** I shivered with fear and my body was covered in sticky sweat. I breathed heavy, and I looked around. It was all normal. I was surrounded by the herd.

“What’s wrong?” Esperanza asked concerned. “I’ve been here. I was born here. This is where my mother was killed. A bear killed her.” Spirit nudged up to me. “Oh Spirit...” I whispered. “A bear...” Esperanza uttered. She then lifted her head, strongly and quickly. “STRIDER!!!” She screamed. She cantered to one side and screamed it again. And then to the other, and screamed it again. “Strider!” She whinnied as she ran into the middle of the field. She stopped, dead in her tracks. The dust flew up around her still body, creating a small cape-like blanket.