You'll never catch me alive!

Chapter 21 ~ ...or not.

I woke up in the middle of the night, shaking out of fright. Another nightmare. This time I was being ridden by Stephanie. We were galloping in the desert, fast. It took a while for me to realise that we were hunting down my herd. The herd was running in panic, away from me. I knew this place too well. It was the red plateau, and the deep ravine was in front of us. The herd ran faster, trying to get away from us. I felt like one of the horses that caught me. I couldn't do anything. I had to listen to my rider. The herd was just a few metres away from the ravine. One by one, they fell to their death. Winter was last. I neighed loudly, squeaked and bucked. Trying to make him listen, but it was too late. His hopeless neigh echoed through the desert, inside my head and haunted me when I woke up.
"I have to get out of here!" was my first thought and I started looking for somewhere to go. I slept in the pasture this night, with Love in the one right next to me and Doc in the other one. That was when I saw it. A part of the fence was destroyed at the end next to the forest in Doc's pasture. I picked up a fast gallop and ran towards the fence dividing me from the forest. The nightmare made up my mind. I couldn't stay here. Without a thought I jumped the fence and ran into the bushes and trees forming the end of the forest. Or in my case the start. I remembered walking here with Love, back when the pasture felt safe. Back when I trusted those with two legs. I kept on running, away from everything I had gotten to know in the last few weeks. Suddenly, I heard loud voices from somewhere far behind me. I recognised one of them as Sir's. I picked up a even faster pace and just ran. I was going to find my herd. I was going to warn them and run away with them. I was going to...
I stopped and froze. There was someone in front of me. I had arrived at the small lake I visited yesterday. And there was someone standing there, drinking water. I stood completely still. Then the black shadow of a horse lifted its head at turned around, looking right at me. It was Doc. I reared up and picked up a fast gallop, getting out of there. Every shadow, every branch scratching my coat felt like a threat. I ran even faster. The world started spinning around. I could barely keep my balance and at the high pace it didn't take long before I crashed into a tree and everything turned black.

I woke up when the first beans of the sun hit my coat. At first, everything felt safe and sound, but soon the memories from last night washed over me like a cold shower. Some birds were happily singing and the grass was slightly damp. It was the perfect morning. They were probably looking for me back at the ranch, I realised and got up. I had to keep going. I picked up a steady trot and started zig-zagging between the trees that were more and more frequent than before. If I was going to find my herd I had to get to the desert. I had no idea how to get there. I sighed loudly, but didn't stop. If I just kept on running I would get somewhere at least. As the sun rose higher on the blue sky I felt the need to drink growing stronger.
"I'll probably find water if I just keep going." I mumbled to myself.
I only stopped for a few minutes to eat some grass before I started trotting towards god knows where.
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So one of you left a comment that gave me enough inspiration to write this chapter. Now I think I'm on the track again! Now it's either #KeepWalkin or #TurnAround
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Z