Sue’s eyes met Jimmy’s.

“No!” he warned.

“We have to!” Sue argued.

“Sue, what have I told you over and over and over?” he asked.

Sue put her hands on her hips. “This isn’t a hasty decision! I’ve thought about it for ten minutes!” she said, sticking out her tongue at him. Jimmy crossed his arms, scowling.

“You can’t do this Sue; it’s too much!” Jimmy shouted.

Sue looked over her shoulder at the dirty, mistreated pony in front of them. His hooves were covered in mud from the bottom up to the knee, his eyes were dull and weary, his mane hung in his eyes and over his neck, shaggy and full of tangles and dirt. The poor thing stunk, being covered in dirt and clumps of who-knows-what. He was half starved and desperate.

“Do you know what kind of expert care it would take?” Jimmy asked, gesturing towards the pathetic pony in the stall.

“It’s the auctions Jimmy, if we don’t help him what do you think will happen?” she demanded.

“We have money!” Sarah piped in.

“But we already have that orphan foal!” Jimmy protested.

“I say we go for it,” Sue said, crossing her arms, her eyes scanning her three friends.

“I agree,” Sarah added, standing beside Sue, crossing her arms too. She looked at Amy. Amy shrugged. She was known for spending money on shopping sprees, usually she came home with more horse books than she could hold, but when it came to choosing sides she was a little hesitant. Sometimes she’d jump at the chance to help a horse but other times she was worried about Jimmy’s arguments.

“Well Amy? What is your vote?” Sue asked.

Amy put her hands behind her back and spoke slowly. “Well, I think that he needs help. But maybe someone else will take him?” she suggested.

“If another good person bids then I’ll back down. But we ALL know the man from the slaughter house, Pat Jones, is waiting with clip board and calculator in hand!” she said, eyes flashing.

Jimmy looked over at Amy.

“We need a definite vote though,” Sarah said, tilting her head.

Amy chewed her lip. “Um….” Looking over at Jimmy she blushed. “I vote for yes, if and only if no one else wants to help him,” she said quietly. Jimmy mumbled something under his breath.

“Girls, how many times do I have to tell you that biting more than we can chew is…”

Sue cut him off. “The Alpha Squad has voted! Hands!” She slapped her hand against the air, flat. Sarah and Amy joined in. They all waited for Jimmy to uncross his arms and add his hand. But he was glaring.

“The foal needs to be fed about every two hours, bottle fed, and needs constant care! And you want to take on a horse in this bad shape? Look at those overgrown hooves — they need work. And his teeth probably need to be floated, the vet will probably need to look over him, we are talking major care, time, and money!” he protested.

“Why are you always hesitant to help a horse?” Sue demanded, stepping away from the small circle.

“Why don’t you think? I will gladly help a horse, when it is possible! But we are kids and we can’t be in debt! Sure we have the money to buy her but what about all the other costs?” he asked. Sue balled her fists.

“So you’d let him die just because you are afraid of financial issues?” she asked.

“I am being real, you are living in a dream world! We almost fell deep into a financial pit with Reno and Candy! And you want to go through that again? I don’t think that a car wash this time of year will do well! We can’t do this! I vote that we buy him and drop him off at the S.P.C.A, after making a donation to help him. But we can’t afford this,” he added.

“I’ve been saving birthday money and such in a special account for such an occasion! I’ve been working really hard at my job in case an emergency like this happened…again,” Sue said. “The S.P.C.A might put him to sleep if he doesn’t get adopted! He needs more than health care! He needs love, training; he needs the Alpha Squad!” Sue argued.

Jimmy looked down, his face a storm cloud, his jaw clenched. “I went along with you last time, and was almost sorry. I can’t do this any more Sue; you never listen! You only do your own thing! I try to help you realize that not every horse in the world can be helped, and that we can help them all! You need to realize at some point that money doesn’t grow on trees, and that horses take up a whole lot of money! I’m done Sue; until you get some smarts about you I am done. Don’t ask me to help you any more,” he said, storming out of the auction barn.

Sue watched him go, shocked. He usually protested saving more than one horse at a time, especially if one of the horses was a pricy undertake. But he had never just quit. She looked over her shoulder at Amy and Sarah. They looked equally shocked.

“Wah….what will we do?” Sarah asked.

Sue narrowed her eyes, jaw set firmly. “We’ll never turn away a horse in need!” she said, determination in her eyes. Amy and Sarah exchanged glances.

“But what if….”

Sue cut Amy off. “Everything will work out,” she promised.

* * * * * * * * * *

Sue sat on the edge of her seat as the poor, pathetic pony was lead in the ring.

“Bruce, age 9, pony, mix breed, gelding! Do I hear $250?” the man asked from the center. Sue clutched her hands, looking around, anxiously waiting for someone with a kind face to shout ‘$250!’ But no one did.

Then she saw the slaughter house man slowly nod to himself, his hand began to move.

“TWO-FIFTY!” she shouted, cupping her hands to her mouth. The auction man smiled and pointed.

“Do I hear $300?” he asked. The slaughter man raised his hand.

Making the next bid, Sue grabbed Sarah’s shoulder. “If he outbids again, bid. I know we can’t out bid him twice more, but trust me.” She ran away from her seat, making her way across the ring to the slaughter house man’s seat. Sarah watched her go.

“$380 perhaps?” the auction man asked. The slaughter man raised his hand.

“$385!” Sarah shouted, before the man could ask for $390.

“$385! Do I hear $390?” he asked.

Sarah looked across the ring at the slaughter man. He was about to raise his hand when suddenly Sue grabbed his hand, shook it, and began speaking to him. He jumped in surprise.

“…going once, going twice……SOLD! For $385 to the lady over there! You can claim your horse at the barn,” he added, and Bruce was lead away.

Sarah looked again at Sue and the man from the hated slaughter house. She was grinning wickedly. After dipping her head, then kicking his shin, she made a dash for freedom, the man angrily grabbing for her. Rushing back to her own seat Sue’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Well, looks like Bruce is coming home!” she said, winking at Amy who looked shocked.

“Hands in!” Sarah giggled.

The three girls threw their hands together. “ALPHA SQUAD!” they shouted, throwing their hands up. Smiles spread across their faces as they raced towards the barn and their new horse.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Hey Brucey baby, this is your new home. Come meet Bell.” Sue led the dirty stallion towards the barn. He walked beside her, head hung low in misery.

“I think first thing we need is the farrier for those feet, then the vet,” Sarah said.

“On the same day though, and immediately!” Amy put in, worried about the poor pony.

“First thing he needs is a good bath, then food, then we should cut his mane a bit too so it is out of his eyes, clean his hooves out, and then maybe a good walk?” Sue immediately took charge. “Who wants to bath him?” she asked.

“I will!” Sarah said.

“Okay, let’s wet his mane and then cut it while it is wet? Like they do at the beauty shop?” Amy suggested.

“Good, you can do that. I’ll fill the stall with bedding, food, and water. And Jimmy can…” Sue trailed off, clamping her mouth shut and narrowing her eyes like daggers. Spinning around she pretended that she had never said that.

Filling an empty stall with bedding and food and water she whistled gently, trying not to dwell on the emptiness that seemed to fill the barn. She then hurried along to get a bottle for Bell, the little blue roan foal. Feeding the foal, she enjoyed the milk as it trickled down the foal’s chin, the little baby’s eyes smiling at her.

Rubbing her neck, Sue felt defiant. “Well, it is better that I get to feed you than Jimmy anyway! I’d rather you grow fond of me,” she cooed to the filly. Bell pulled away from the bottle to nicker, milk dripping from her lips. “Shh! Be quiet and eat your dinner!” Sue giggled. The foal bobbed her head and reached for the bottle again.

By the time Bell was fed and released into the pasture, Bruce was clean, clipped, and ready for dinner. Sue marveled at the change. Clumps of mud and dried manure were washed off of the horse and his mane was no longer matted and tangled. It was soft and flowing from his arched neck. His eyes shone with new lift, his feet feeling better without clumps of dirt wedged up in them. He ate his food with a new passion, smiling his thanks with his eyes at the girls. Leaning against his door the three girls peered at him.

“Well, I’ll call the vet to come tomorrow,” Sarah said casually, yawning.

“I’ll call the farrier,” Amy said, blinking. “I have to work at the petting zoo late, so I won’t be here. But here, I have $10. I would have had more but…..I didn’t know that we were taking in another horse and I….I kind of bought this awesome horse shirt, a new journal, three books, three BFF necklaces, and…..uh….a calendar for the barn,” she said sheepishly. Sarah and Sue grinned at each other. Amy always enjoyed spending money!

“Thanks Amy, this will help.” Sue tucked the money in the jar and they all made arrangements for the night. It was Amy’s turn to sleep in the barn, feeding Bell at regular times through the night. Sarah said she’d bring her homework down and keep Amy company, but Sue had to go to Church that night. Saying good bye, Sue and Sarah left the barn and headed for their houses, next door to each other.

* * * * * * * * * *

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP! Amy shot to her feet, rubbing the dreams from her eyes. “What on earth….” She paused, turning off the clock on the shelf and smiling. Time for some milk! She headed into the tack room to make it, grabbing a soda from the fridge for herself. Shaking the bottle of milk, she entered Bell’s stall. The little foal was waiting, stomping her hooves impatiently. “Alright Bell, alright,” Amy soothed. Bell charged for the bottle, jumping up and knocking it out of Amy’s hands. “Whoa girl!” Amy said loudly, reaching down to snatch up the bottle before any milk could spill. “Come now sweety, drink your milk,” she cooed, stroking the filly’s neck after placing her soda can on a shelf in the stall. Bell sucked on the bottle like there was no tomorrow, causing the milk to rapidly vanish. Amy giggled at the foal, stroking the fuzzy ears. “You are a hungry little girl huh?” she asked, grinning.

She sighed, remembering the day that they begged the S.P.C.A to allow them to foster her. She knew that when she was considered ‘adoptable’ that they’d probably adopt her and keep her until she was old enough to be ridden. Then they’d train her, sell her, and use the money to help another horse. The S.P.C.A people knew it too, but they still called once a week to be sure Bell was alright. “You are a lucky girl, miss Bell,” Amy whispered, putting the empty bottle aside and snuggling in the hay with Bell.

The foal slumped to her belly and yawned. Amy rested her head on Bell’s shoulder and closed her eyes. “I wish your mother was here; it’s pretty hard finding someone willing to feed you while we are at school. My parents are usually busy so it is great that they volunteered to take Mondays and Fridays.” She yawned with the foal, pressing her cheek against the warm body. That was her last feeding for the night, when she awoke she’d have to run and shower for school. Looking forward to uninterrupted sleep she didn’t even bother to get up and drink her soda. She fell into deep sleep.

* * * * * * * * * *

Beep, beep, beep. The noise was distant. Amy blinked away, surprised to see that Bell was quietly waiting for her to get off. Standing she smiled her thanks to the foal and headed for the tack room, where the noise came from. She was surprised to see Sue taking a Pop-Tart out of the microwave. “Uh…morning.” She yawned. “You go shower and get dressed; I’ll take care of the horses.” Sue shoved the warm Pop-Tart at Amy and picked up a bucket filled with food for Bruce.

“Brucey baby!” she cooed, shaking the bucket so it made noises. Sticking his head out of the stall eagerly, Bruce nickered. Grinning from ear to ear Sue filled up his bucket that sat in his stall and hurried to get water. Once that was done she made milk for Bell and fed it to her, then opened the door at the back of the stall to release her into the pasture. Bell bolted out of her stall, making her daily run. Every morning she had to run the entire pasture (made up of Sarah and Amy’s back yard), nicker to the world, then buck and rear a few times before settling down to sniff the grass and nibble at it. She didn’t eat it, not too much any way, but she was curious about it.

Sue watched her go, wondering if she should release Bruce with her. Would they be fine for a few hours together? She’d have to ask her mom to keep an eye on them, since she wasn’t doing anything today.

Opening the door in the back of Bruce’s stall she stood back and waited. Bruce had just finished sipping water. Lifting his head he looked at the fresh air, pinning back his ears. He lifted his nose, testing the smells, then took a cautious step towards the outside world. Slowly he lowered his head to sniff at the dirt on the other side, sniff the door, then with his ears pricked in joy he trotted out of his stall, looking around in delight. For a few moments he just trotted around, until he came face to face with Bell.

Both horses froze, eyeing each other. Sue held her breath. Did she make the wrong choice? But Bruce nickered in a very welcoming way and Bell grinned her ‘I completely love, trust, and adore you’ smile then trotted a circle around Bruce. They touched noses, sniffed each other, then Bell nipped his tail and took off at a gallop. Bruce looked amused. He bolted after her, nickering happily.

Sue shivered at the condition of his hooves. They NEEDED to be taken care of immediately! But he seemed to be used to the pain so she was glad that he had fun with Bell. Leaving the barn she felt that they’d be fine while she was at school. Grabbing her sweater where she had left it over the fence, she hurried to catch the bus.

On her way she met Sarah, who was usually driven to school by her mom. “I have five minutes so I figured I’d muck the stalls. They shouldn’t be too dirty anyway,” she commented, passing Sue. “Okay, see you at school!” Sarah nodded and hurried into the barn, working double time to clean up most of the stall before her mom was ready to leave.

At school Sue was just putting her history and math book in her locker when Jimmy walked past her. She could feel electric sparks of anger radiating through the hall way as he stormed past. Sticking out her leg slowly she tried to trip him but he jumped over it and shot her a glare. All through the day Sarah, Sue, and Amy had been getting evil glances from him. Sue couldn’t take it anymore.

Finally, books in hand, she stalked towards him, anger and fire bursting from her eyes. “You! You are so pig headed! I should have known when we started this Alpha Squad that boys are NOTHING but trouble! You just don’t care about anything do you? If you aren’t willing to risk life and limb for a horse then I am sorry but you are NOT right for this club! Horses mean more to me than money! All you think about is money, what we can or can’t do, but it ALWAYS works out! You don’t care though do you? You are so…so…..so male!” she screamed, throwing her books down at his feet.

“OUCH!” Jimmy gasped, jumping back.

Scooping up her books, Sue glared at him.

“Fine then Sue, keep your horses out of the training ring that takes up my WHOLE back yard. Understand? You can train YOUR horses in YOUR pasture behind Amy and Sarah’s houses but keep them out of MY house!” Jimmy snarled.

“Don’t you care about Bell or Bruce? Do you only care about yourself? I used to think you were a nice person, one who loved horses. You have no right to touch a horse!” Sue spun and ran for the door, Sarah and Amy following her from their classes. Amy paused and looked at Jimmy with a guilty expression on her face.

“Look Jimmy….I am sorry. I…I know you are just trying to help us not get in trouble with money and such but…”

“Amy! Come on, Bell and Bruce are waiting!” Sarah called. Amy smiled sheepishly.

“I know Amy, it’s alright.” Jimmy shrugged.

“You did over-react though…” Amy whispered to herself, hurrying towards the door. Sue and Sarah were getting into Sarah’s mom’s car, motioning Amy towards it. She hurried in and closed the door. “Thank you for picking us up Mrs. Sharon,” she said, putting her back pack on the floor.

“I got done with work early,” Mrs. Sharon said, smiling in the mirror at the girls.

“To the barn!” Sarah shouted, giggling.

“To the barn!” Sue laughed.

“To the barn,” Amy said, looking out the back window. Jimmy stood waiting for the bus. Any other day he’d be in the car with them! She felt empty inside, knowing that someone was missing from the team. Someone with a whole lot of horse sense. Sue and Sarah chatted as if nothing was wrong, talking about so many different things that Amy didn’t bother to listen.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Come on Bell, you can do it!” Amy urged, tugging on the lead rope. Bell shook her mane, nickered, and eyed her. “Please, follow me! Come on!” Shaking a bottle of milk she tried to coax the foal to lead on a rope.

“You are being too nice. Be the boss, don’t let her get away with anything!” Sarah said, gently grabbing the rope from her.

“Too nice? You have to be patient don’t you?” Amy asked, crossing her arms.

“Gentle but firm too. You don’t be all mean and jerkish but you can’t let a FOAL push you around! It’s like letting a baby steal candy from YOU!” Sarah said, smiling at Amy. “Walk on Bell,” she said, clicking her tongue and moving forward. Bell planted her hooves in the dirt and shook her mane. “Oh come on you big stubborn sissy!” Sarah demanded, tugging a little harder. Shaking her head she turned away and kicked at Sarah. Dodging, Sarah wrapped her arm around Bell’s shoulders and tried to make her move. “Come on!” she panted with effort. Amy couldn’t hold back her laugh at Sarah’s dirty, sweaty, stressed face. “I hope Sue’s having a better time with Bruce and the farrier,” she said, wiping her forehead with her arm.

“Yeah,” Amy agreed, shielding her eyes and looking into the sky. “I have to go soon; I finally got more hours at work. I am taking care of the camels now because Stella is sick,” she said, looking down at her watch.

“Go ahead, I can handle this. Pretty soon Bell will be tired and I’ll win,” Sarah said, turning back to the foal.

“Hey! I told Sue to keep her horses out of my yard!” an angry voice called from Jimmy’s back porch.

“Uh oh!” Amy gasped, running towards her house.

“He’s in pretty bad shape.” The man shook his head.

“Can you fix his hooves?” Sue asked, concern on her face.

“Yes, but it won’t be cheap,” the man said, shrugging.

“We have money…” Sue assured him, although she doubted how well they could cope. Would there be money left over for the vet bill? The feed? Shaking her head she held Bruce’s bridle, looking into his eyes as the man worked on his tender hooves. “You are alright boy, you’ll feel better soon!” she cooed. The man smiled to himself.

“You are so good with him. This boy is nervous. If you love him so much why did you let his hooves…” Sue cut him off.

“I didn’t do this! It was some person who owned him before us! If you think that I, ME, would do this to a horse…..” She was steaming, her face turning red.

“Cool it little lady, I didn’t mean it like that,” he said gently. Sue sighed.

“I am sorry,” she said, blushing. She had a horrid temper when it came to horses.

“But the pasture is being watered! We turned the sprinklers on so that the grass with grow nice and big and sweet and we wanted to work Bell out and….”

Jimmy shook his head.

Sarah crossed her arms. “Well what do you want?” she demanded. “I always say, when it comes to boys, you got to be the boss; don’t let them push you around. But you, Mr., you want to be the boss and I can’t allow that! So what if it is your yard? The yard is official ALPAH SQUAD property,” she shouted.

Jimmy eyed Bell. She was tugging at the line, twisting and nickering. “She doesn’t like that very much does she?” he asked.

“No, not that it is your business,” Sarah said.

“Here, I’ll lead, you get behind her and push,” Jimmy said, taking the rope from her hands.

“Oh fine, if you think that you can get this foal to move the way you want her to go then you are a magical person or something!”

Jimmy smiled. “Watch the magic fingers at work,” he said calmly.

“Thank you, good bye!” Sue waved to the vet as he left. There, Bruce must be feeling really good. She patted his neck and led him towards his stall. Yes, everything was okay. They had just enough money left over to pay for feed, for a while anyway. “Good thing Amy is getting extra hours at her job,” she said, grooming Bruce’s coat. Bruce blew through his lips and stomped his hoof. “I know boy, you can go out in the pasture soon,” she promised.

“You did what?” Sue screamed. Amy huddled behind her book, Beauty the Horse, and winced.

“I spent my money on Christmas gifts for my family,” Amy said. Sue’s face was flaming.

“You knew we needed it for the horses! My salary alone won’t cover all the expenses!”

Amy sighed.

“I can’t believe you were so selfish…” Sarah cut her off.

“Selfish? Family comes before friends, Sue. And if you hadn’t been so quick to spend all the money we work our butts off to earn then we wouldn’t be tight for money!” she said, crossing her arms. “You should listen to Jimmy; he is smarter than you.” She looked away from Sue, anger in her eyes. Bell nickered from the pasture as she and Bruce played.

“Me?” Sue gasped. “You think this is my fault? We all know how much Amy likes to shop; I bet she spent half her money on gifts and half on books,” she said, glaring at Amy.

“Nooo! I only bought one book! But with my mom, dad, brother, and you guys to buy for…”

Sue growled. “I’d rather have the money for the HORSES than a Christmas gift,” she said, stomping a foot.

“You are the selfish one Sue! You just spend our money on anything you want; if we made $1000 a day you’d spend it all on horses! We care for horses but we shouldn’t have to give YOU all our money!” Sarah hissed.

“It isn’t me you are giving it to; it’s Alpha Squad! Our club! We agreed to start this to help horses; I thought that is what you all wanted,” she said, tears in her eyes.

“We do Sue,” Amy said gently.

“But not when you are acting selfish! For once can’t we agree on how to spend OUR money? Boss?” Sarah growled. “You seriously think that I am like that? That I ‘steal’ your money and don’t consider what we all want?” she asked. “You speak for us all the time! Amy is too nice to say so but I know she is just as fed up! Seriously Sue, can’t you stop to think about us and what we want?” Shaking her head Sarah turned towards her house. “I’m done; you can take care of the horses yourself,” she shot over her shoulder.

“FINE! Amy and I are plenty of hands!” she screamed.

Amy was in tears. “Oh Sue, I am so sorry! But she’s right! My family deserves presents! I am sorry I can’t help you pay for the horses but they are so expensive and once in a while I want some money to spend on my own!” she said, gasping for breath. She was becoming hysterical.

“It’s alright Amy; I overreacted. But we need more money,” she said gently.

“You should have thought of that….before.” Amy hiccupped, devastated of having to be mean. “I am sorry; I can’t live like this. I…..I’ll help care for the horses but I can’t…..I don’t want….” Shrugging she ran towards her house, tears flowing from her face. S

Sue stood dumbfounded, completely in shock. Had all her friends ditched her? Leaving her alone with two troubled horses? Sitting down on the grass she blinked. How could this have happened? How could they have drifted apart so much?

* * * * * * * * * *

Sue saddled Bruce and led him to the pasture. She was grumbling to herself as she mounted. It had been two days since her friends abandoned her. Amy would feed Bell but only when Sue wasn’t around. Sue hated it. She tried to apologize but none of them would answer the phone or speak to her in school. Where had she gone wrong? Wasn’t it the right thing to do, helping horses? Was it okay to just let them die without fighting for them? Was it what she was supposed to do? Shaking her head she asked Bruce for a trot. She was so confused. Her friends claimed they loved horses and yet they were okay with giving up on a horse because of money. Sue understood that it didn’t grow on trees but if everyone pitched in and helped then it would be alright. Sadly, it was almost Christmas and all her friends were being tight with their money. Not her! Every cent went to the jar!

Asking Bruce for a canter she rode him towards the fence, hoping he’d jump. After two times of hesitating and pulling away at the last moment, Bruce finally soared over the jump. It wasn’t a graceful leap, it didn’t flow with color and life, but it was a jump after all. Pointing him towards one of the five trails her friends had raked in the woods behind their houses she asked for a gallop. She needed to work off her frustration.

* * * * * * * * * *

“Where is Bruce?” Amy asked Sarah. Sarah shrugged.

“Who cares? Let’s just take care of Bell. I bet Sue is on a trail ride,” she snapped, mucking Bell’s stall while Amy fed her.

Knocking on the open door, Jimmy stepped in and took a deep breath. “I missed this place.” He sighed.

“But you were too stubborn to come back,” Sarah teased.

“It’s true,” he agreed, sticking a $10 dollar bill into the money jar. Grabbing a wheelbarrow and rake he began mucking Bruce’s vacant stall. “You think she’s okay?” Jimmy asked. Sarah stuck her nose in the air.

“Who cares? After she treated us like dirt I wouldn’t care if she fell off deep in the woods and Bruce ran away,” she said, narrowing her eyes.

“You don’t mean that!” Amy gasped. Sarah gave her a sharp look.

“Try me,” she hissed.

Suddenly a nicker echoed through the back yards of the friends. Turning, they all poked their heads out of the open door that led to the pasture.

“Oh my goodness! It’s Bruce!” Sarah gasped, horror in her eyes.

Throwing down his rake, Jimmy ran full speed into the pasture, hopped the fence in one swift movement of pulling himself over with his hand, and ran towards Bruce. “Whoa Bruce!” he called, hands in the air. Covered in sweat, Bruce reared in fear, tossing his mane. “Whoa!” Jimmy warned, reaching for the dangling bridle.

In a flash Sarah and Amy were at his side, Bell left behind in the pasture.

“Where is Sue?” Amy asked, looking around.

“I dunno, but this boy is terrified.” Jimmy gently rubbed Bruce’s neck, trying to calm him.

“What are we going to do?” Sarah asked, close to tears. “It’s my fault you know! I wished this would happen!” Wringing her hands she finally gave in to the flood of tears.

“It’s alright Sarah, we’ll find her,” Jimmy said firmly.

“How? We can’t take Bruce can we? He’s so hot and anxious. Riding him would be mean! And who knows how far she is, or what trail she went on?” Sarah wailed. Amy looked into the sky.

“And it will be dark soon,” she added.

“You girls phone for help! My parents should be home from work soon! Tell them it is an emergency! Here is the number.” Taking a note out of his wallet he shoved it at Sarah. “When you call them wait for them. You can all search different trails. I am going to take Bruce and see if I can find her. I’ll leave my coat at the beginning of the trail so you know where I went, in case anything happens,” he added, his voice was calm and reassuring. “Sarah, get a grip. She’s alright,” Jimmy added, mounting the frisky horse.

“Alright Jimmy, we’ll do what we can. Should we call the police?” Sarah asked, frantic.

“No, just call everyone’s parents, inform them that we need search parties,” Jimmy said gently.

“How will you know what trail she went on?” Amy asked.

“I won’t. But I’ll check River Bend first; Sue loves to swim. And even though it is too cold for that remember the little tree house we built there? She might have gone that way.” Turning Bruce around he asked for a slow canter, heading down one of the trails.

“Poor Sue!” Sarah sobbed.

* * * * * * * * * * *

As the sun was replaced with the moon in the sky, eight adults and three teens searched around, flash light in hand, for Sue. Sue’s parents even took their dog, hoping that he’d be able to sniff their daughter out. They split up among the trails and went slowly, checking everything and everywhere. There was a lot of ground to cover; the trails went for miles on unowned property.

Pushing away the long grass in Sunny Meadow, Amy looked around. Sue could be hidden anywhere in this thick sea of weeds and grass! Her parents kept calling Sue’s name, waving their lights around. Amy’s heart raced. Surely if Sue was alright she’d answer or be making her way home? Someone would have met up with her, called everyone on their cell phones, and they would have all went home.

“It’s 9:00pm. We can’t stay out much longer.” Her dad shook his head.

“Her life might be in danger!” Amy bellowed.

“Now honey, I bet someone’s found her by now. Maybe they just forgot to charge their phone,” Mom said gently. Amy felt tears forming in her eyes.

“No, they are all too careful for that,” she whispered.

Jimmy pulled Bruce to a stop. Below was a road with rushing cars. Sue wouldn’t have gone this far. Even if she had, she’d be visible. No, she didn’t take this trail. Turning the horse around he galloped back the way he had come. It was already dark and he had just checked ONE trail! Sue wasn’t in the tree house, and he even checked the river for a body. It was a grim thought, but if she had hit her head on the rocks she could have drowned. He was relieved nothing like that happened but still…where was she?

Jack, the Labrador retriever, sniffed around furiously. Everyone thought he was on a scent but then a rabbit dashed in front of them and Jack gave chase, dragging Sue’s father along. “Oh my little girl!” Sue’s mother sobbed.

Getting the dog under control, her father hugged her mother. “She’s alright. She’s a strong little girl.”

It was close to midnight when Sue was found, unconscious on the forest floor. Her head had a nasty bump on it and a thick branch lay broken at her feet. Flashing his light, Sarah’s father saw the branch that it had broken from. It was high enough for her to hit her head riding Bruce, but not if she ducked. Slowly he picked her up. A groan escaped Sue’s lips.

Sarah was crying. “Oh Sue, I did this! I did this!” she kept whispering.

“Call the others,” her dad said to her mom. Sarah watched her mom take her cell phone out of her pocket and dial Sue’s parents’ number.

“Hello? Yes, we found her. She’s….hurt. I think we need to take her to the hospital,” she added. Sarah gasped.

“What have I done?” she said out loud.

“I have to call everyone else. Okay, bye.” Putting her phone away she looked at Sarah. “You did nothing sweetie; it was Sue who made the decision to go riding. Wishing it upon her in anger isn’t nice but it wouldn’t ‘jinx’ her to the fate that you wished for,” she said gently. “Beth is calling Amy’s family and I have to call Jimmy,” she said, picking up her phone again.

They walked back the way they had come slowly, trying not to jerk Sue around. Sarah held her bruised head with care, her heart pricked with pain.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Jimmy groomed Bruce with long, hard strokes. Amy fed Bell and Sarah sat on a bale of hay, picking strands out and breaking them between her fingers. They all waited for news from the hospital. Sue’s parents and Sarah’s had gone, leaving everyone else alone. Sarah’s dad said that Beth and Roger would need support. He told her to go home and rest but she couldn’t.

“This poor guy was overworked. He’s thin enough,” Amy commented. Jimmy didn’t speak. He seemed angry but the girls knew he was worried. The barn was silent except for the sucking of Bell’s lips and the sound of Sarah’s heels kicking the hay she sat on. “She’s alright isn’t she?” Amy asked, trying to think. Were concussions life threatening?

“Hopefully.” Jimmy grunted. “She was out for a long time before we found her. She should have phenomena or something,” he added. Sarah was silent.

“I wonder what happened? Did Bruce buck? Did she hit her head at a full gallop? Was she not paying attention?” Amy asked herself. Jimmy lead Bruce towards his stall. His hooves dragging, his eyes half closed, he was happy to settle in for the night.

“You think I know?” he snapped. Amy stroked Bell’s soft mane. “All I know is that Sue’s in the hospital!” His voice was loud in anger.

“And it’s all my fault,” Sarah said quietly. Jimmy walked over to her, kneeled down, and put his arms around her shoulders.

“It is all of our faults. We neglected her. I know she was a jerk and everything but we should have supported her and tried to help her see how she was acting instead of ignoring her. She must have felt so alone,” he added.

“With all those chores to herself!” Amy sighed.

“No wonder she fell asleep in school,” Sarah muttered.

“We are all to blame. We weren’t good friends.” Jimmy hung his head.

“Neither was she,” Amy said gently.

“But we reacted the wrong way. I reacted the wrong way.” Jimmy covered his face with his hands. Sarah looked down at her lap.

Amy patted Bell and left the foal’s stall. “Worrying won’t help. We need to get sleep if we plan to go to school tomorrow,” she said, gently touching her friend’s shoulders.

“I’d do anything to change the past,” Jimmy said, standing stiffly. “Anything.”

The three friends waited outside of the room. The doctor was arguing against letting them see Sue. Finally it was agreed that one, and only one, could go in. They Alpha Squad was torn. Who should go?

“I…I can’t face her. Not like…like this. Not alone,” Sarah whispered.

Amy wrapped her in a shoulder hug. “You go Jimmy,” she said, hiding her eyes in Sarah’s hair. The two girls silently cried together. Jimmy nodded and reached for the door.

Silently he slipped into the small room, and was immediately was overwhelmed by all the white. Seeing Sue lying in a bed of white with a white night gown and a mask over her face to help her breathe he felt sick. Her ribs were wrapped tightly with some kind of brace. She had broken two ribs. He felt horrid seeing her. Crossing the room he picked up her hand. “Sue!” he whispered. The doctor had said that she hadn’t awaken yet. Her head was bandaged with more white cloth.

Jimmy pulled a chair up to the bed and sat there, looking at her white face. He hardly knew what to do. “You’ll be alright,” he promised, patting her hand gently. Inside he felt a storm brewing. Would she ever leave the hospital alive? Would she ever ride a horse again, or laugh, or even blink?

Tears blurred his vision. “Sue,” he said again, looking away from her unmoving body. Why had he fought with her? Why couldn’t he just let it go? Why did he have to fight over pointless things? It seemed too foolish now, looking back – such a waste of time. He had broken their bond, their friendship, and for what?

* * * * * * * * * * *

It was five days later that Sue opened her eyes. She was weak, although the I.V in her arm kept her fed, and she only said a few words to her dad before falling asleep again. She had told him “It wasn’t Bruce’s fault, daddy. I wasn’t watching. I wasn’t looking. Tell them….tell them not to treat Bruce with anger….” Then she had closed her eyes and began to snore. When the Alpha Squad had heard about it they felt awful. They had considered selling Bruce in the auctions. But now they knew it wasn’t an option.

Still, they couldn’t give Bell the time she needed. She was becoming less dependant on milk for sure but no one had the time to feed her every time she needed it. They had to give her back to the S.P.C.A until they could find someone to feed her when they were at school. Bruce gained weight and health, becoming quite the gentleman. It wouldn’t be hard to find him a home. Still, everyone was worried about Sue.

* * * * * * * * * * *

A month after the accident…

Sue sat on the couch in her living room, head bandaged and ribs tightly wrapped. She tried not to show the pain she was in but her face was white and her eyes dull. It was Christmas….a cheerful time! She didn’t even want to open her presents. Her parents begged her to but she wasn’t in the mood.

Suddenly the door swung open. “MERRY CHRISTMAS!” Jimmy, Amy, Sarah, and all their parents and siblings shouted, filling the room. Stomping freshly fallen snow from their boots they sat on the floor in a circle around Sue. Sue’s face was worried. She hadn’t seen any of her friends since the accident. Did they feel angry at her still? But their faces beamed with joy, their eyes dancing. Sarah and Amy sat on the couch beside her and Jimmy stood by the arm rest. “Here, open my gift!” Amy said gently, wishing she could hug Sue. But Sue was so tightly bandaged that she figured the pain must be great. Soon everyone was giving gifts, singing songs, and eating cookies. Finally the four friends found time alone.

“Does it hurt?” Sarah asked, squeezing Sue’s hand. Her hand was the only part of her body that wasn’t bruised.

“No.” Sue winced in pain, forcing a smile.

“Liar!” Jimmy teased.

“You forgive me?” Sue asked.

“You have to ask?” Amy chuckled, sipping hot chocolate.

“How is Bruce!” Sue leaned forward, despite the sharp pain in her sides.

“Fine; he’s going to a new home in a week.” Sarah beamed.

“And Bell?” Sue urged. Everyone was quiet. “You gave her back didn’t you?” Leaning back against the couch she closed her eyes.

“We couldn’t foster her any more Sue; no body’s parents had the time or the heart after….you know,” Jimmy said gently. Sue nodded. It was for the best.

“I was so foolish! You are all the best friends in the world and I….I pushed you away!” Tears formed in her eyes.

“We weren’t the best of friends to you either,” Amy said, tears slipping down her face.

Sarah’s eyes joined the water works and she began to sob. “I wished that upon you! I said it would serve you right if Bruce dumped you in the middle of a long trail and run away! I…I can’t forgive myself!” she wailed.

Setting her mug of hot chocolate aside Sue leaned closer to her friend and hugged her tightly. Sarah was careful not to touch Sue. “But I can,” she whispered in Sarah’s ear. Leaning away she looked at all her friends. “I was so angry and confused that I sent Bruce into a gallop. I didn’t see the branch. We hit it at full speed. I fell to the ground, my head was spinning and I could hardly see.” Amy and Sarah gasped, fresh tears falling from their eyes.

“Please Sue, please don’t tell us!” Amy begged. Holding up her hand Sue took a deep breath.

“I need to,” she said, looking at Jimmy. He nodded. “I reached for Bruce’s reins, trying to keep him from leaving. He was terrified to find me on the ground. Then I fell back, my head throbbing, and I yanked his head down with me. He was so afraid. I was beginning to see only grey and flashes of light; Bruce bolted and I felt a sharp pain like a broken bone in my side. I breathed heavily, trying to crawl onto the main path, praying that someone would find me.

I saw Bruce going towards the road and I had to stop him. I whistled with everything left. He came back to me. I used a tree to balance myself and after feeling his nose to be sure he was pointed towards the barn I slapped his flanks with all my energy. I felt so weak, I was afraid he wouldn’t bolt. I didn’t see if he did or didn’t because I fell back to the ground and passed out.

I remember hearing voices, beeping, feeling air being forced into my nose. I felt a burning pain and then a prick in my arm. My whole body was on fire, especially my head. I fought against the blackness but it claimed me again and I was asleep. I guess I slept for days after that because when I awoke I saw my dad looking very worried and pale. I tried to sooth him, the way I could a horse, but it hurt to move. So bad! I was dimly aware of bandages and tubes and things all over me but I wasn’t afraid. I had to tell dad that Bruce wasn’t a bad horse; I was just a bad rider. I hoped he understood but the world was going dark again and I could only hear my voice as a distant echo. I was afraid then, because I didn’t want to sleep anymore. I was afraid….” She took a deep breath, hands shaking. “That I wouldn’t wake up again.”

She finished her story with a solemn note, looking down at her hands. Everyone was silent in horror. Sue had gone through all that? Sue looked up and smiled weakly. “Looks like you guys will be horse free for a month or two. The doctor says my ribs will take a long time to heal. The school agreed to send my work home so I won’t just be relaxing. I’m sorry for all I put you through. All I put us through,” she added. Her friends smiled.

“It’s alright Sue; we wouldn’t have you any other way. While you are on bed rest we’ll be on spending rest. We’ll save money and when you are better we’ll agree on a horse to help. That’s what we do.” Jimmy smiled.

“Alpha Squad?” Sue asked.

Everyone put their hands in a circle. “ALPHA SQUAD!” they shouted, throwing their hands back.

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