Refuge

[freeburgfreak]

The rain pelted down to earth, soaking the ground and turning it to mud. On the short journey from the road to the stables, Raven had been soaked to the bone. He had settled his horse into the stables half an hour earlier before getting to know his surrounds.
Night was falling fast, and it was cold. The air here, smelt different. He was on the other side of the world, and everything felt different. The trees, the birds, the way the clouds settled in the sky - it shocked him.

The stables seemed empty of people; the horses shuffled calmly. The smell of hay was a strong one. Opening the stall of his own horse, he walked in, sliding down the wall and resting his head on his knees. He was tired and his body felt as old and worn as the earth. He was too skinny to keep in any head so he shivered vigorously.
His black horse stood over him, watching him carefully. The stallion trusted the boy, and listened for the sounds of anyone else approaching.

[hotspot]

Arin:
humming blythely, i jogged down the stable corridor, feet like icicles underneath my riding boots. the thermal socks hadn't begun to kick in yet, and my laquered boots didn't provide much insulation. Maybe Katie had an extra jacket or something....
But the owner of Sterling Stables was nowhere in sight. i guessed that she was having another on-phone seminar with Milton over some trivial matter of competition. i had progressed past her small office- the door was locked, and shades drawn against the night. Into the stable i went, my fire-engine-red, barbecue-sauce-orange hair slightly flattened by the rain.
Blackthorne and Fly were restlessly shuffling in their stalls, and both gave me accusing whinnies as they saw me come in. "My silly tall babies!" i crooned. i always baby-talked to my horses when i was alone. Blackthorne Shilleaughs bent his stately, feathered head to snuffle my pocket, where i had four baby carrots stashed. With Flying Colors, meanwhile, pretended to be aloof, but i caught her trying to clip one of the bright orange vegetables when i was scratching Blackthorne's poll. "If i hadn't just spent hours yesterday grooming you two, we could go out for an evening ride," i said. but just the thought of getting more sticky nevada mud in Blackthorne's feathery fetlocks was enough to make my back ache.
As i let each of the horses have their chance to eat the carrots from my pocket, i sensed that someone else was in the stable, too. "Katie?" i enquired, but i had a feeling that it wasn't her.

[freeburgfreak]

Closing his eyes when he thought he was truely alone, Raven dropped his guard for a moment. The sound of footsteps, however, caused his eyes to shoot open again. Raising his head, he shivered. A girl spoke, though not to him. Her voice was strange and Raven tilted his head. Jael, his faded black stallion moved to look out of the stall door. He spotted the other horses munching the carrots and was instantly jealous. The sight of the girl made his ears flick back.

The black-haired boy stood up again, he knew never to be in a compromising position when other people were around. His entire life had taught him that. People would precieve him as highly strung, but they would understand if they knew what he'd been through.
The girl called out, Raven stepped sideways and touched his horse. He wouldn't answer her, but his horse snorted in annoyance. Instantly, Raven felt the need t get away. What if they recognised him all the way out here?

[hotspot]

Arin:
i peered into the shadows at the end of the row of stalls. a strong-looking black horse was eyeing me in a calculating way. obviously, he wanted a carrot. "you're new, aren't you?" i sang out to him. but there was a person lurking next to his stall... "who's there?" i queried, taking a step forward.

Katie:
Finally, i convinced Milton to hang up and go back to training his new horse. honestly, that man can be totally insufferable when he chooses. The rain outside had given way to a light mist, and i jogged throgh it briskly. i had thought that i had seen Arin's truck pull into the parking lot, but i wasn't sure.
I the stable, i saw my student, hair askew, looking intently down the stable row. "what's up?" i asked, patting one of the Baroques' noses as he reached out to nudge me.

Arin:
"there's someone over there who isn't answering me!" i whispered to Katie, rather annoyed.

[freeburgfreak]

Raven stepped back again, away from the stall door. There where two of them now. Looking around the stall, he could see there was no chance of sneaking away. Taking a deep breath, Raven reached up and touched his horse's wither. His mind raced. It was a mistake to come here; to come anywhere. He should have stayed in the wilderness. At least then he wouldn't be caught.
Letting go of the horse again, he decided. Walking to the back of the stall, he slid down the wall and pulled his knees to his chest. His eyes peirced the space at the top of the stall door, staring straight into the wood on the opposite side. He would wait and fight his way out - if necessary.

[phantomstallion94]

Alex:

i walked briskly down the aisleway. i hummed and then saw Arin and Katie. as i neared i saw that they were looking for someone. i saw an amazing black stallion. he was beautiful.