RED

I spent the night side by side with Felicity, something I'd wanted to do for ages. Oakley was tethered on the other side of the meadow, and it served him right for not even trying to fight the Two-legs.

I drifted asleep when I suddenly woke to a low hooting noise.

Just an owl, I thought drowsily..... An owl I'd heard before.... An owl that sounded suspiciously like... Karen!

I jerked awake, surprising Felicity, as my ears swiveling, trying to pick up the noise in the darkness.

"Red, what is it?"

I ignored her, listening for the noise again, when I caught a movement from the darkness. The hoot came again, and I nickered softly in return.

Then I saw him- my Two-leg! I mean- Karen!

He slunk up to me, sliding across the ground, and I risked a glance sideways to see Felicity's reaction. Geez, Karen, at least use your already limited limbs. And right after I'd talked him up so much in front of Felicity!

I pretended this was a trick I'd trained him to do until he made it up to me, and untied me. I could smell blood on him, but he seemed whole. Thank goodness for that, I wasn't sure I could stand the shame of owning a One-Leg.

"Come on Red, quiet now, boy."

I rolled my eyes. He was the one being nosy. Silly Two-leg.

He untied me, and then began to pull me away, when I stopped, and looked back at Felicity.

"Felicity!" I nickered, suddenly torn. My Two-leg wasn't going to bring her... which meant, it was either Karen or Felicity...

"Red, come on boy!" He tugged on my rope, but then Felicity nickered to me.

"Go Red, he needs you."

"But Felicity..."

"It's alright, Red. Go, he needs you more than I do." She stretched out her neck, and kissed my cheek.

"I'll never forget you," I swore, taking in her long legs and beautiful mane one last time. There were shouts from the camp, and Karen swung onto my back, and we took off into the distance. I heard them yelling and trying to pursue us, but even if my heart ached a bit for Felicity, another part of me leapt with joy.

No one could catch Red.

We ran until my neck was lathered in sweat and Karen pulled me back to a walk.

"Good boy, Red," He patted my neck. "Guess it's just me and you now."

I sighed. Guess so. But even if he was a bit dull, Felicity was right. He needed me. I puffed out a chest a bit, feeling just a tiny bit galant.

He needed me, and so I would be there for him, because that's what a horse does.

So I continued on, carrying us both down the trail.

THE END