Fright or Flight: Blade pt6

Blade trudged wearily through the forest. He was starting to wonder if he would ever find his way back. Maybe he would be doomed to wander the forest forever, alone and without friends. He snorted and shook his head. No need to get all gloomy and dramatic like that. Sooner or later he’d find something that would lead him back to human civilization and back to his people. So he kept going.

A familiar rumble reached his ears and he hurried forward. He stopped at the edge of the trees looking out. He’d done it. He’d found signs of people. A car with a horse trailer drove past. He whinnied at the horses inside, who gave confused neighs in return, making him laugh.

Turning to follow the road, he travelled back up the way they had come from. If they were leaving the showgrounds, like he thought they were, then he just had to go in the opposite direction.

Following the road, he soon saw that which he’d been searching for: the Fox Forest Showgrounds. It felt like forever since he’d run off in fear. He could have cried with relief. He passed the entrance and saw a single trailer still parked there. It was his. They were waiting for him. They had waited for him all this time. His heart swelled with emotions, relief and love chief among them.

Breaking into a run, he neighed, calling out to anyone who was there. He stopped near the stable and whinnied again.

A young redhead poked her head out of the stable to see what the ruckus was about. She gasped and ran towards him with a squeal. “Blade!”

He nickered in greeting, staying put as she approached.

Jane slowed and walked the last few metres, reaching out to touch his muzzle with tears in her eyes. “It’s really you.”

It was him. He pressed his nose into her hand. He’d finally made it back.

“Oh Blade,” she whispered, her joy turning to worry as she noticed the fresh scratch on his nose. She glanced over the rest of him, noting the scrapes on his knees. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you fixed right up. I bet you missed your grain.”

He nickered. Of course he had. He leaned into her touch, nuzzling into her shoulder. But he’d missed her most of all.

Their trainer, Phoenix approached and gave Blade a pat on the neck. “Glad to see you made it back to us, boy. Looks like you had a rough journey.

He snorted. She had no idea.

Phoenix handed a halter and lead rope to Jane. “Let’s get him inside and wash him off.”

Jane took it with a nod and slipped it over his head. “Then after that you can have some molasses with your grain, since you earned it.”

Blade nickered happily. He’d like that. He’d like that very much.

As she led him away, he glanced back out at the forest. He’d never forget his time in the wild, but he was glad to be back where he belonged.