Midnight by Anna Dove (books for new readers .TXT) 📕

lined the sides, and Haley could tell they were occupied. Turning to the first on her left, she peered over the slats. In the dim light she could make out the shape of a tall, lean thoroughbred. She unlocked the slatted stall and slipped inside.

Its nose reached out curiously, and Haley greeted it by blowing softly and shortly into its nostrils. Her hand cupped the soft skin under its muzzle and she felt the hot breath on her arm. She slipped her hand up to its neck and calmly stroked its side. The horse did not appear to mind. It stood quietly, not bothered or afraid, but rather nonchalant. There was something comforting about the strength and calm exhibited by the giant animal.

“Haley!”

It was Elizabeth.

“Yes?”

“I have mine, and one for Carlos. There’s a lead rope and halter on the inside of the stall door. Put it on, let’s go before anyone wakes up.”

“No saddles?”

“Too heavy and too loud.”

Haley reached out and took the lead rope and halter, and slipped it over the ears and head of her thoroughbred. “C’mon, let’s go, my friend. We have a long trip in front of us.”

The horse hesitated, nickered, and then followed as Haley tugged slightly on the lead rope. It followed her out into the yard, its hooves clip-clopping loudly on the barn floor. The three guided their mounts quickly and quietly to the side of the barn that blocked the view from the house.

Elizabeth swung up easily onto her horse’s back. He was an Arabian mix and was short and muscular, making an easy mount. Carlos, who had only ridden as a child, had to use Haley’s knee as a mounting block, but sat resolutely on his Palomino once he had gotten up. Haley placed her hands on the thoroughbred’s back and jumped, pushing up with her arm strength and sliding onto the back of her mount. Hers was taller than the other two, and slimmer.

Haley looked up to the stars. She found the Big Dipper again and followed the line extending from the top two stars in the handle until she found the North Star. It shone bright in the starlit sky. Never before had any of them been witness to so many stars. The Milky Way stretched clearly in an arc. The lack of manmade light illuminated the heavens, reminiscent of two hundred years prior.

There was a sound behind them--a door opening on its hinges. Without a word, they dug their heels into the sides of the animals and raced towards the edge of the woods. Suddenly, Haley realized that they had forgotten about the fence. They would have to jump.

A shout came from behind them, from near the house, a loud male voice, and then a horrible crack that split the air as someone fired a shotgun. Haley glanced back at the others, who continued on, the horse hooves pounding the earth. The man must have missed, but it could not be long before his second shot. She clenched her teeth as the fence neared rapidly. Two white boards across, probably four feet tall in all. Leaning forward, she lifted herself slightly off the back of the horse, clenching her legs tightly to its sides. She held onto the base of the mane and braced herself.

Up, went the front legs, extending the long body of the animal, and for a moment they were suspended splendidly in the air, as if she was riding Pegasus through the heavens, and then down with a jolt and Haley quickly locked her arms against the horse’s neck to keep herself from catapulting over its head. The thoroughbred continued on in his long canter, and as Haley regained her balance she looked back; Elizabeth had cleared the fence and was gaining on her, and Carlos was up--over--down--Haley’s heart dropped as her friend seemed as if he would fall, but after clinging for dear life with all appendages to his steed, regained his seat and quickly shot up the hill towards her. She breathed a sigh of relief, and as a second crack split the quiet night air, they topped the hill and sped out of view of the farmhouse.

The pounding of the horse’ hooves sounded below them as they followed the edge of the woods northwards. Over hills they cantered, staying close to the trees where the shadows blocked the light of the moon. For twenty minutes, they did not stop, passing darkened house after darkened house. An eerie stillness hung in the windows and the doorways. No lights, no humming of generators, only the terrible calm.

Haley shivered. She felt the smooth muscles of her thoroughbred, built for racing, flex and release with the pattern of the canter, and found comfort in the movement. It was a flowing, graceful motion, and she pictured him at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby. Surrounded by high spirited young racers and tiny jockeys they pranced, and then, the gates open, and they’re off! Past millions of dollars in bets and fascinators and seersucker suits they race, the dust billowing up around them. The sun beats down but they do not feel the heat--all sounds and sights and feelings have vanished, for it is only them and the dust and the finish line. Halfway there. She holds his reins tight, but he pushes against them, longing to lengthen his neck and his stride and show the other racers his metal. The dust billows and the corner turns again. Not too soon, not too soon--NOW! She releases, leans forward, and he shoots away like a bullet, gasping for length with each stride. One horse ahead of them, they near, they are inside, they are tied. Last corner. They round the corner. Neck and neck, like greyhounds they race sleekly. She urges him. He pulls ahead, they cross--they have won!

A small creek appears in the moonlight, and Haley awakened again to reality. Pulling