The Start Of A Nightmare

“This is weird right?” Hazel whispered to James. Her eyes wide and searching the room. 

“Yeah.” James nodded, one his hands around her waist, and the other balled up at his side, his knuckles turning white. Hazel had her arms crossed defensively over her chest. She huffed as she waited, constantly moving. She cracked her neck as she nervously glanced around the room. Me, Flynn, and Silent stood right behind them, thus could hear all their sighs and whispers. 

The room stunk of anxiety and stress, the Loshenkas feeding off of our riders emotions.

Flynn kept stomping his hooves and moving his head. “Zelda.” He whispered his voice hoarse, his eyes darting around the room. 

“Flynn, what’s wrong?” I whispered back, but he only shook his head. 

The auditorium was quite big. It had enough space to fit the fifty loshenkas of our year, and our fifty riders. I stood between Silent and Flynn, my good friend, and my husband, somewhere close to the back of the auditorium. The walls were dark, close to a jet black. The lights were dimmed at the moment, but could get insanely bright. Bright enough for us to run and cry out in pain. There was a podium directly in front of us, no one standing on it at the moment, equipped with a microphone and a stool for the humans. One set of large wooden doors that when opened had enough space to fit three loshenka’s with each of their riders walking side by side, though leaving this room was never that orderly.

Today we were called here for a quick update and conference on the incident earlier. I doubt me, Flynn, Silent, Hazel, and James needed to be here since we were there. Me and Flynn running for our lives with Hazel and James on our backs, but nonetheless we were still here, sighing and wanting to do anything but stand here.  

I looked over to Flynn, who was standing maybe two feet away. His head held low. I closed the space between us, putting my head on his shoulder. 

“What do you think is happening?” He asked, turning his head. 

“No idea.” I sighed. He seemed to be about to say something, but a stumble on the podium caught our attention

Professor Freud took the podium after dusting herself off from what I assumed was a fall. She seemed to be worried, her eyes searching the room, landing on Flynn, James, Hazel, Silent, and I. She gave a quick worried slash ‘it's going to be okay’ smile before clearing her throat and starting.

“As you guys may know, we recently had a close call. Our northern gate was attacked while two of our own were completing in classified events in the Opiminum pasture. Our two riders along with their two horses nearly didn’t make it inside, they nearly died.” She started, sniffles could be heard and fear could be smelled around the room. “Let this serve as a lesson. No one goes outside the gates until we figure out what's going on.” Professor Freud spoke, her eyes darting around looking for someone or something. A loshenka ghost was now climbing up to the podium. Bishop. That was odd. Bishop was rarely ever called to the podium and they never closed the gates off to us. Sure they’d advise against it, but they wouldn’t stop us. The school had a motto, and that motto could be found everywhere. Even on the podium. Stupidity kills the weak. And let me tell you, this school wasn’t for the weak. They actually saw it as a good thing, weeding out the weak so they could focus on the strong. 

Bishop stumbled as she took the podium.

Bishop was a beautiful loshenka. She had a shorter tail than most of us, but her body was a brown-ish color. White markings gleamed against her neck, and soft lighter markings outlined some of her muscles. Bishop’s white tail swished as she got ready to speak. Even as a ghost, Bishop was gorgeous. She didn’t look all that ghostly to be honest, just a milky white version of what, or should I say who, was.

Their story is actually really sad. Professor Freud was out one day in the woods with her Loshenka, Bishop, when they were attacked by a classified being. Her Loshenka gave its life to see its rider survive. Bishop was kind of resurrected by our medical team, thus Bishop now follows the professor around everywhere as a ghost. Bishop now has the special ability to be able to actually speak to humans, without being forced to communicate through their mind like everyone else, though her voice is never much more than a whisper. Bishop cleared her throat and started talking.

“There was an attack. Some sort of magical creature. Almost everything about this incident is classified, but what I can tell you is Silent, ridden by Hunter, saved these four lives by using a lot of his strength to magically hold the gate open. We thank you Silent and Hunter. Hunter is in the medical office getting checked on, but is expected to be okay.” Bishop spoke, her ghostly voice not much more than a whisper, but the microphone catching it and amplifying every sound. Shivers ran down my spine at the sound of her ghostly voice. I’d hate to be up there and breathing. Luckily or luckily not, Bishop doesn’t breathe. 

Bishop moved out of the podium’s way, allowing professor Freud to reclaim it. Although Bishop was a ghost, she didn’t like feeling like one, and to be honest that’s fair. She didn’t want to lose her life but she did anyway to save Professor Freud. She had one rule, no one runs through her. My attention snapped back as professor Freud continued speaking.

“Anyway, any venture outside of the gates is forbidden unless signed documentation has been served by the head council and presented to the security guards who line the inside of the walls.” The professor finished nodding her head. Signed documentation? We haven’t needed that to leave the gates in how long? I’m sure the last time sign documentation was needed, I wasn’t even alive yet, and that's saying something. The professor scanned the room as students looked at each other and back at their Loshenka’s for comfort and understanding. She seemed unnerved, like she was looking for something, or someone. 

Hazel stared at me. “What?” She mouthed at me, her eyes wide. Her body language and movements were stiff as the bell signaling the end of the conference rang. The sound felt like a power drill slowly drilling into my brain, which as one can imagine is less than ideal, especially after this whole thing which is already giving me a headache. 

Flynn huffed as we walked out of the conference room, along with all the other Loshenkas. “Signed documentation?” I asked. Flynn looked over and shrugged his head. His lips parted, shut, and parted again before any sound actually came from the large stallion. 

“I don’t know. All I know for the moment is they’ve requested to see us.” He said, his voice and eyes blank. My gaze paused at his eyes. They were slightly red with eye bags under them. I doubt this will be any good, not only do we have to see people but Flynn didn’t sleep. I can’t lie and say I did, but still.

“Okay.” I said, spinning around, looking for Hazel. “Where is she?” I grumbled, turning around and trudging through the crowd, the mob trying to get me to go the other way. 

Eventually I managed to squeeze myself through and grab Hazel. I whinnied, and grabbed her shirt collar with my teeth. “Out we go.” I sighed, my eyes scanning to find the fastest route out of here.

Hazel thrashed in my grip, but eventually stopped. “Zelda, where are we going?” Hazel whispered the question like she was talking about overtaking the government. I could smell the fear coming off of her. She was scared, and honestly as she should be. None of this is going to be fun, or even remotely enjoyable. It’s going to be stressful and really shitty.  

I only bobbed my head and kept walking, not wanting to fuel her anxiety nor worry her.

Flynn was waiting by the door for us by the time we pushed past the crowd, and James walked beside him. “There is a meeting.” James whispered to Hazel. Anxiety and adrenaline ran off of her. Poor girl. I let her shirt collar go and she took my muzzle in hand as we walked. Her eyes were glossy and distant, almost like she was calculating something.

“What? Why?” She asked, her voice trembling a bit. No one answered. Not because no one wanted to answer, but because no one knew the answer. Hazel put her head down as we walked, letting her hand on my muzzle slip and began counting on her fingers. 

As we continued walking, professor Freud called us to the side, a worried expression glazing her face. Her eyes showed a deep amount of remorse, seemingly for what she was about to say..

“Hazel, James.” The professor grimaced as James raised his brow. “There is a meeting. A very important meeting, and it's crucial you guys get there.” The professor instructed. Lowering her voice, she continued. “It’s through the woods. It's a dangerous trek. Whatever you do, don’t go without Flynn and Zelda.” As she was talking, Bishop came trotting towards us. 

“Flynn and Zelda, I need to speak with you for a moment.” Bishop’s soft ghostly voice called. Me and Flynn shared a quick glance before following the mare.

Bishop led us somewhere we had never been before. Or at least I’ve never been before. It was a dark tunnel, and even with my good eye sight I could hardly see anything.

“What I’m about to say gets repeated to no one. Not even your humans. You got it?” She asked. I could hear hooves stomping, most likely hers. I could also feel her cold hard ghostly eyes staring into my soul. Yet another cool trick she could do as a ghost. She sifted through my life, my memories, my feelings. As she did I felt a stabbing pain in my heart. I groaned as the pain intensified.

“Bishop.” I whispered. No reply. 

Finally she retreated her ghostly eyes from my body.

I’m assuming she did the same to Flynn. I could smell and almost feel his fear. This was a first for both of us, and it wasn’t all that much fun. 

“Okay now answer the question.” Bishop instructed after pulling out of Flynn’s soul.

“Yes.” I nodded, not sure if she could see in the dark or not.

“Yes.” Flynn rasped.

“What you guys saw wasn't a monster. It was a-” Bishop paused as the sound of professor Freud’s feet slapping the floor, and huffing and puffing. I felt her hand on my shoulder as she attempted to regain herself.

“You can’t tell them.” The professor panted.

“They need to know.” Bishop pleaded.

“They’ll get informed at the meeting.” Professor Freud said with a growl in her voice. “As for you two, get out of here. Now.” She ordered me and Flynn, taking her hand off my shoulder and walking away.

My and Flynn left the tunnels with Bishop as our guide, and located Hazel and James fairly quickly. 

I whispered a quick thanks to Bishop before nuzzling Hazel. She sighed and wrapped her arms around my neck.

“I missed you.” She whispered with fear, her arms still wrapped around my neck. 

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Once we finally got moving, Hazel walked by my side, her hand trailing my shoulder. Her touch was light, just enough to let me know she was there. I turned my head to look at her as we walked towards the gates. She seemed distant, her eyes staring straight ahead, locked in a cycle of thoughts.

I glanced over at Flynn. James was on his back, holding our signed documentation. I have absolutely no idea why we need to leave property for a meeting, but we are doing what we were told to do.

I stopped, turning into Hazel. She walked into my shoulder before backing up a bit. 

“Zelda?” She asked, snapping out of her trance. I bowed down before her, signaling i want her on my back. There is no way in hell we are leaving these gates and she’s walking. If something happens she’ll be the first to go.

Reluctantly she mounted and held on as I rose to my hooves. Her palms on my withers. I began walking, and she went back into a trance.

“Documentation?” A guard asked ahead of us. 

“Here.” James said with an outstretched hand. The guard took it and opened it. His eyes widened as he called his Loshenka, Whispers. 

Whispers was a beautiful Loshenka. One of the most jaw dropping beautiful I’ve ever seen actually. His dark coat was beautifully contrasted by white markings, his blue eyes seemed to glimmer. Purple glitter like markings littered his flank and shoulder, seeming to glow even in the light. His strong muscles made it seem like he could and would do anything to protect loshenkas and humans alike. I guess that's why he bonded with a guard. 

Upon further inspection, I realized the guard was not really a guard. He was a general, which makes more sense. 

Hazel hopped off of my back, her outstretched legs made that easier as her feet landed on the dirt path underfoot. With a stumble, she quickly became one with the floor.

“You choose this one.” Flynn huffed. I turned my head to grab her shirt collar and help her to her feet.

A lot of people surrounded us. From generals, guards, to soldiers. It was too much for Hazel and almost too much for me. I began anxiously moving my head back and forth as Hazel’s hand latched onto my mane. She was tall, but she still had to stand on her tippy toes to reach my mane. 

“You’re not yourself.” Flynn pointed out as Whispers walked over to us.

“Would you be yourself with everything going on, not to mention that conversion with Bishop?” I snapped back. 

“Probably not.” He admitted.

“We need to speak to you two.” Whispers said, Bishop on his flank. I shared a quick glance with Flynn before following them.

We walked for a while. I was walking on Bishop’s side, Flynn on Whispers. 

They kept us within the gates, but managed to find a secluded place to talk.

There was a small pond in the center, weeping willows lining the edge of the water. In the very center of the pond, a statue was placed. It seemed to be made of white marble, or some other similar material. It was a Loshenka and rider bonding. The standard buzz of electricity, forcing the rider’s long flowy hair to stand up straight. 

The statue almost looked like Hazel, but it really could have been anyone. 

“We need to talk.” Whispers said, glancing at Bishop.

Anxiety filled my veins. That is the one sentence you never want to hear in any circumstance. 

“Professor Freud doesn’t want you guys knowing, but after Bishop came and told me the story I decided you guys needed to know. I’m Whispers, the strongest bonded Loshenka.” Whispers said. “We can out smart Professor Freud. She doesn’t know Bishop came to me and I’d rather it stay that way.” Whispers continued. “Before we get into the nitty gritties, anyone have any questions?” He asked, his eyes scanning our faces.

“Uh just one. What the hell is going on?” Flynn asked, his eyes full of rage. 

“Great question. This morning you were attacked by a creature of some sort yes? Well that isn’t just any creature. That was The Sea’s Serpent.” Whispers said the last part softer.

My jaw dropped as I stared at Whispers and Bishop in horror. 

“S, Serpent? The Serpent?” I stuttered, my eyes wide and my body shaky. 

Whispers gave me a solemn nod. “The Sea’s Serpent, but he is mostly known around here as Jellyfish or Jelly.” He said with a sigh.

I felt like I’d been shot. Jelly, the Loshenka I practically grew up with. Jelly. Jelly the Superfast Jellyfish. I felt my eyes blur as I tried to cope with this newfound knowledge. Had he known it was me he was targeting? 

“We need your help.” Bishop started. “Jellyfish is already after you guys. We need you to be-” Bishop’s ghostly whisper seemed painful.

“You want us to be bait.” Flynn finished his lip curling, his white shiny teeth showing. 

“Yes.” Whispers sighed.

“No way in fucking hell.” Flynn growled, now properly baring his teeth.

“Flynn. If this is the only way to help Jelly then we owe it to him.” I challenged my voice trembling. Flynn whipped around. 

“You too?” He sighed. “I guess I’m outnumbered.” 

“Damn right you are.” Bishop’s ghostly voice sounded hollow. 

“Let us explain now. Jelly is possessed. We don’t know by what, all we know is he is possessed.” Whispers started.

As soon as he said that I felt so much lighter. Jelly didn’t want to kill me, he just had no choice. It wasn’t his decision in the slightest. 

“We need you guys to find what is possessing him so we can kill it.” Whispers finished, taking turns glancing between me, Bishop, and Flynn. I took a glance at Flynn and he didn’t seem to be happy at all.

“What about our riders?” Flynn asked. Oh shit no way am I taking Hazel on this trip.

“They go with you.” Whispers said.

“No way!” I screeched.

“Uh yeah no thanks.” Flynn growled and began walking away.

“Don’t you dare walk away from me, Flynn.” Whispers' screams echoed. Flynn stopped dead in his tracks and reluctantly walked back. 

“What?” He growled.

“You will do this or you’ll give me no choice.” Whispers growled. A flash of panic wiped across Flynn’s face. 

“Fine.” He sighed.

“Bishop will trail you the entire time, ensuring your safety. I will be more careful since I’m not dead yet, sorry Bishop, and will only come when you guys are on death’s doorstep.” Whispers said while glancing at Bishop.

“And how will you know when we are on death’s door?” I asked my brow raised.

“Me and Whispers are mated. Even in death I can still communicate with him.” Bishop said with a sigh. Her ghostly voice harsh on my ears.

My jaw dropped. 

“No one knows. If anyone finds out-” Whispers started.

The walk back was exhausting as my mind raced with all the possibilities.  

Once we finally reached Hazel and James, I could see tears in her eyes. 

“I’m fine.” I heard Hazel say, but even this far away I could smell the fear and anger rising off of her. Not to mention the tears in her eyes. The general, Professor Freud, and James standing by her side.

“We need to stay with them.” James argued as Hazel started walking away. 

“Zelda, don’t.” Flynn warned. He was right. I shouldn’t. But just because I shouldn’t doesn’t mean I won’t. I felt anger rising until it finally settled in my stomach. 

Hazel. I called, I’m sure there was anger in my tone. Hazel froze in place. Hazel come here. I called in her mind. Hazel’s eyes went wide, tears still in her eyes. 

“Who are you?” She shouted to the air around her, tears falling.

“Hazel what’s-” James started, walking towards her. His feet crushed the soft stones underfoot.

“Get out of my head!” Hazel screamed. 

Hazel, calm down. There is an important meeting that I need to get you to. I tried to explain. Hazel began throwing her arms at invisible things around her. She’s worse than me.

Hazel, let me explain. Earlier, the thing that came after us, it is something that threatens the security of The College Of Lucius And Bellum and we are going to a meeting to help. I explained. Hazel calmed down.

“Zelda?” She asked. I walked towards her.

“Can she not communicate through her mind?” Flynn asked. I shook my head. 

“She doesn’t know how yet.” I sighed. 

Hazel threw her arms around my neck and sobbed into my mane. “Zelda.” She cried. “They said we can’t go with you guys.” She cried. “She said you guys might die.” She whispered. Rage flooded my viens. 

Let go of me for a second. I called into her mind. She reluctantly dropped her arms to her sides, freeing me.

“Who the hell told my rider she can’t come with me. And who the actual fuck who told her we might die?” My voice boomed, rage flowing through my system. I felt the rage pit in my stomach twist and turn on itself until it felt so strong that I was sure it was a tangible thing in my stomach. 

Eyes turned to face me. Stunned silence insured as my eyes gleamed with rage. Even Whispers didn’t dare speak. No one made a sound, all of them carefully watching my every move. 

“I asked a question and I expect an answer.” I screamed, closing the space between me and everyone by the gate. I don’t think the humans could understand me, but by the look in their eyes it seemed that their bonded Loshenka told them what I was saying. And how absolutely fucking furious I was. Even Flynn didn’t move forward to comfort me.

Rage flew through my veins as I walked towards Whispers. He tried to back away, before his ass hit the gate. “Don’t walk away from me.” I growled. Whispers seemed just about ready to shit himself. His wide eyes followed me as I walked closer to him. “You said they were coming with.” My voice cold and aggressive. “You also said that Bishop was coming and you’d-” I continued.

“Enough.” Whispers growled, now closing the space between us. “You’ve said enough. They will be going with you, and none of you will die.” Whispers growled again, catching glances with the Loshenkas surrounding us. 

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We trudged through the open field, the moon lighting the way. Hazel was on my back, her tears sinking into my fur. “Fuck.” I whispered. I hated seeing her in such a sad state, but there was nothing I could do about it.

James clung to Flynn, his own eyes wide. “Flynn?” I heard him whisper.

I could see Bishop’s ghostly figure among the wood, carefully following us. Making sure we weren’t going to get into any trouble. She was quiet, even for a ghost.

“Zelda, where are we going?” Hazel leaned forward and whispered into my ear. 

Not much further, little one. I called into her mind.

I smelled fear rise off of her and her heartbeat speed. “How can you communicate in my mind?” She asked. I could feel her hands tightening around a chunk of my mane as she spoke. Her body trembled under me as I kept moving forward through the open field. The tall wheat blades tickling my knees. Flynn huffed as we moved, the journey taking a toll on us. 

There will be classes on this. I wasn’t supposed to start communicating with you until the classes, but you had no idea what was going on. I had to. I explained. I felt relief flow through Hazel, and in turn through me. 

I hate it when Hazel is stressed or scared. It makes me feel the same way, all jittery and just shitty.

I glanced over at Flynn, who was walking a little closer. His head was tilted to the moon. I looked up at the moon, its shimmering appearance too much for my eyes. I noticed an odd red dot. Blood? How could blood be on the moon? I looked around, trying to find Bishop’s ghostly figure between the trees far to my right, but couldn’t see her. Another dose of fear and anxiety flooded my veins making thinking difficult, and thinking clearly impossible. 

Flynn and I changed directions, now heading east. 

Hold on Hazel. I told her right before me and Flynn took off, running through the wheat.

Hazel wobbled a bit, but reached for my mane and held on tight. 

With the bright moon guiding our way, me and Flynn raced out of the field and into the forest. I could feel the tingling of magic. It bubbled underneath the surface of my skin. I glanced at Flynn, his head was raised and his eyes wild. We were getting closer. The meeting spot couldn’t be far.

Something tripped over a twig behind us. Bishop maybe? Wait, that's impossible, she's a ghost. I don’t think she can trip over things. Or maybe she can and I’m just being paranoid. I felt Hazel’s weight shift, and a scream erupt from her mouth. Not again. Her grip on my mane tightened. Her heart raced as she clung to me. She leaned forward, helping me to go faster with less energy. I raced through the wood, jumping over fallen trees, boulders, and just about anything that was in my way and jumpable. Flynn raced just behind me, trying to keep up.

James did the same, though I actually saw the horror in his eyes. Flynn and I shared a look. This was it.

Flynn and I turned. Ready to fight under the moonlight in the magical forest.

I glanced around for Bishop, but with her nowhere to be seen, I knew I couldn’t count on her helping or alerting Whispers. Something may have already happened to her on the way, and if something did we wouldn’t know until it was too late.

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I shared a quick glance with Flynn. We had to do this, there was no other way.

Hazel get off. I commanded. 

“No!” She screeched fear running through her veins, even faster now. Her hands tightening around a clump of my mane. 

I said get off. My tone leaves no place for confusion.

I felt her carefully slide off of me. Good, now run. I screamed in her mind. I could hear her running footsteps. She won’t get very far.

Flynn and I stood together, our hooves touching. James was on the right of Flynn. Flynn probably started communicating through his mind, I guessed by the wide-eyed look he was giving me and Flynn. He also took off, running through the woods.

The forest was dark, the only source of light being the moon. The red dot on it seemed to be getting bigger. I doubt that can be any good. There was still no sign of Bishop. Everything felt heighend. All my emotions, even sounds. I could hear Hazel crying as she ran, her footsteps light and fast. At least she’s running.

“Today is going well.” I sighed, pressing my head against Flynn’s shoulder. 

“Yeah.” He sighed, shaking off the tension. 

The creature came charging at us. Its head was disconnected from its body, and rolled beside it. Its legs seemed to be made of metal. It’s eyes, oh my God, its eyes. This thing couldn’t be real, could it? 

It was as real as things could be here. A tendril of purple magic flew off of it, heading straight towards us. The magic shimmered and curved, perfectly aiming for us.

I felt the magic under my own skin boil and roll. We were strongest here, but so was this creature. I reached out for the magic, allowing it to consume me as the purple tendril neared dangerously close. I felt my own magic come above my skin, and swirl around me. I locked eyes with one of the creature's six legs, and let my magic go. It shot off and in the process obliterated the purple tendril coming closer. An almost firework crackle rang out as the two tendrils collided. The purple tendril disappeared into oblivion, but my magic was still set on its course.

The green tendril of my own magic hit one of the creature’s legs. It roared as one of its legs burst into flames. “Not metal I guess.” I chuckled as the scent of blood filled the air, invading my nostrils. I choked on the thick smell, trying to regain my composure.

Flynn released his own magic, a deep blue, as more purple tendrils came at us, and successfully hit the creature’s head, blowing it up. Bodily matter flew into the air.

The creature's body froze as its head was destroyed, and a few seconds later collapsed into the dirt ground. 

A body at least twice the size of me now laid there. As I walked closer, I could see something that appeared to be a deer. Upon further inspection, I realized it was an elk. 

“Something possessed an elk.” I said slowly. “And a very large one at that.” I added.

“Fuck.” Flynn swore next to me as we walked closer to the now dead elk. 

Whatever the possessor is, it's getting stronger. Being able to possess at least two creatures at once is bad enough, but being able to completely change one of the creature’s appearances is even worse.

I glanced around the oddly quiet forest, fear dripping into my veins. Anything here could be possessed at any time. Fuck Bishop. She’s still not here, or at least I can’t see her. If she’s here she better show herself before I lose my mind.

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Fog claimed the forest around the elk’s body. The body was as one might imagine. First of all, dead and second of all, bloody. Its leg bent at an odd angle. God its head looked like it had been blown up. One of its eyes laid meters away from the body, still twitching. I felt an overwhelming rush of remorse. Maybe I could have killed the manifestation, not the creature. That being said, I didn’t know it was a manifestation. I thought it was the creature. Does that really get me out of killing an innocent animal though?

“We still have that meeting to get to.” I sighed. As much as I hate meetings, I knew we had to get to this one. We didn’t have a choice.

“Yeah.” Flynn sighed beside me. “We should find James and Hazel.” He said. A newfound rush of adrenaline rushed through me. 

“Fuck.” I said running off, dodging trees. Thoughts of Hazel, James, and Bishop ran through my head. What if Bishop was dead? Or worse, possessed? What if she ends up like the elk? What if I kill her without realizing it's her?

“Yeah good idea, just run off without talking about where we are going to go!” Flynn called out, his voice rough. I skidded to a stop, nearly running into a tree.

“Sorry.” I sighed. “Why don’t we contact them, at least let them know we are coming.” I suggested.

“Yes, but they won’t be able to contact us.” He said, fury in his eyes. I knew that. That was why I said at least let them know we are coming. Anger rose off of me. Sometimes this horse got on my nerves. A bird called its song above us.

“At least they couldn’t run far.” I pointed out. My eyes burned into his. 

“Fine.” He sighed, breaking eye contact, stomping his hoof on the ground.

Hazel we’re coming. Stay put, and don’t make a lot of noise. I called into her head. I could feel her fear, but I could also feel her acknowledgement. That’s good. I’m not out of her range, which means she can’t be far. 

“We could get inside their minds, see what they see.” Flynn suggested.

“And how would that help us? We are in a damn forest. Besides, I can still reach her, which means she isn’t that far.” I pointed out, looking around. Everything looks the same, except the fog. The fog was spreading. It nipped at my hooves and caused painful burns. “Flynn.” I said slowly, my pitch rising.

“What?” He snapped before he felt the fog at his own hooves. “Fuck.” He said his eyes darted around the forest. “That’s not good.”

“No it isn’t.” I agreed. 

We darted from the fog’s grasp, recollecting ourselves mere meters away. I anxiously bobbed my head as I waited for Flynn to think.