by Violet Inkpen, age 13

CHAPTER 2

The world was dark and cold. Star was coughing water. She was floating in a place where there seemed to be nothing. No ground, no sky, nothing but cold, wet darkness. She opened her heavy eyelids and sneezed. Her chest was cold and she felt sick. All around her the current was pulling bits of bushes and sticks towards a location far away. Star struggled to stand but it was too deep.

“Ma!” she called out but no one was around. She felt so weak and her whole body felt half crushed because of the cold. She was numb all over and felt as if she was buried in snow. Nothing would ever feel warm again! Star was in panic. She was freezing and she couldn’t control where she went. She was so tired… and she slipped into sleep.

The world was dark but not unpleasant. Star felt safe. Her body was warm and dry and she was laying in something soft and comforting. She felt safe and wished for this sanctuary to never end, even if it was completely dark. Was dark so bad?

But she already felt she darkness of night slipping away and she was slowly blinking awake. The world spun and twisted around her. She got to her feet and took a wobbly step. The ground was wet and squishy, slippery and full of puddles of water still. The foal felt damp mane resting on her neck. She looked around. Another shape was lying a few feet away and slowly breathing.

“PATIENCE!” Star gasped, trotting over to her friend. “Patience, wake up!” she urged, shaking the foal.

Patience blinked and looked up at her. “Mom?” she asked.

Star sighed. “I don’t know where they are Patience. We are lost.” She felt tears prick at her eyes.

Patience stood, her whole body caked in mud. Star knew they were vulnerable here by themselves; two foals that still needed their mothers. “Come on Patience, the herd was heading this way.”

Star said, pointing her nose towards the mountains, “But it is so cold up there.”

Patience shivered. “Do you want to die out here? We need our mothers.” Star hissed. Patience blinked helplessly. Star shoved her towards the mountains and the two headed out in search of their family.

* * * * * * * * * *

Tess lifted her head and sniffed the air. “I smell them, this way,” she said, leading the herd. Wilderness came up to her at a canter and stopped her. “The herd needs to graze, Tess. I know we must find the foals but you have to think of the herd too,” he said gently.

Tess looked up at him with fierce eyes. “No, you need to think of the herd. I need to think of my foal. Graze if you must, but don’t ask me to watch.” Tess pushed past him and galloped away, leaving her herd behind. Wilderness tried to follow and herd her back but she wouldn’t have any of it. “I have to find my daughter,” she shouted over her shoulder.

“And I must protect my herd,” Wilderness sucked in a breath. He had to get Tess back; and the foals.