An Old Friend (ages 13-17)

 By Hannah H.

Story Prompts number #17   The chestnut looked like she had seen cruelty her whole life. Her sides were scarred and bleeding and her head hung low, the only sign of life in her thin frame found in her deep, fiery eyes. The blond-haired girl looked from the mare to Andi. “You have to help me save her.”

The chestnut horse looked like she had seen cruelty her whole life. Her sides were scared and bleeding and her head hung low, and the only sign of life in her thin frame found in her deep, fiery eyes. The blond-haired girl looked from the mare to Andi. “You have to help me save her!”

Andi looked at her friend. Macy had just finished telling her about how she had stumbled across an outlaw. She had seen the poor mare and had rescued it and brought it to Andi.

“Well?” Macy said.

Andi nodded. “If anyone can save her, it’s Chad.”

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“Well, Macy, she’s looking better already. It won’t be long and she’ll be good as new,” Chad said after he checked on the mare which they had named Ember.

“Good,” Macy said as she rubbed Embers nose. “No horse should be treated so cruelly.”

“I’ll come check on her again tomorrow, but I have work to do,” Chad said.

“How did you ever manage to get the horse away?” Andi asked as she helped Macy groom Ember.

“I was in town picking up some things my Aunt Hester needed when I noticed the horse and how she was in bad shape, so I followed her. When her rider left, I went to check things out. As I was walking back to my Aunt Hester’s house, I noticed a wanted sign with the owner of the horse on it. When I realized what was going on I couldn’t just let things stay like that,” Macy said. “The poor horse was in terrible condition and I knew if anyone would help it would be your family, Andi.”

“Well, don’t worry. You heard Chad, it won’t be long and Ember will be completely healed,” Andi said.

Macy smiled, “I can’t wait to ride her.”

“And I can’t wait to race,” Andi said laughing.

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A week later Andi came up to her mother and asked, “Mother, may Macy and I go riding? Ember is in better shape and we wanted to take her for a ride to give her some exercise.”

“Please, Mrs. Carter?” Macy added.

“I don’t see why not. Just be back before supper,” Elizaberh agreed.

Andi grinned at Macy, and the two quickly headed out to the barn. Andi saddled Shasta and Macy saddled Ember

The two chatted as they rode. Suddenly Macy asked, “Did you hear that?”

Andi looked behind her but saw and heard nothing, “No, why?”

“Oh, nothing.”

The two continued their ride when a horse came out from nowhere and galloped towards them. “Dismount!”

Andi stared at the man, dumbfounded. Beside her, Macy sat with her mouth open.

“Dismount,” The man barked again.

The two just stared.

In one swift motion he pulled Andi off Shasta and onto his own horse. He cocked a gun and pushed it against her. “It isn’t a suggestion. Get of the horse.”

Macy scrambled down from her mount. The man dismounted but kept his gun aimed at Andi.

“Who are you and what do you want?” Andi asked, she knew better then to try to escape when the man had the gun pointed at her.

“I’m the owner of that horse right there that was stolen from me. I’m here for revenge.” The man said.

Macy gasped and glared at the man. “You should have treated your horse better. Any more of the poor treatment you were giving her and she would have died!”

“So you know what I’m talking about,” The man said. He turned to Andi, “This here horse of mine was stolen. I had her tied up ready for a quick escape on one of my jobs but when I came back she was gone.”

“You mean some sort of thieving job?” Andi said.

The man glared. “So you know about that too. Well, because my horse was stolen the sheriff caught me. I escaped and have come for revenge.”

“Whatever you are planning on trying, it won’t work,” Andi said.

“What, and you’re going to stop me?” The man laughed. “No one is going to get in my way.”

Macy let out a war cry and lunged for the gun. The man dodged and yanked Macy to her feet. “None of that, ya hear. Cooperate and no one’ll get hurt.” He waved his gun to enforce his words.

Andi clenched her teeth and glared at the man. Macy was no happier than Andi.

The man, whose name was Clyde, tied them and brought them to a shed deep in the woods.

“What are we going to do?” Macy asked when Clyde left to put the horses up. “We need to escape, but how?

“I don’t – Wait! I have an idea. Can you reach my skirt pocket?” Andi asked

“I think so,” Macy said.

“Reach in it and grab out my knife. Use it to cut your ropes and then cut mine,” Andi said.

They had just cut the ropes when Clyde entered the room. When he saw that his captives had gotten free he quickly shut the door and lunged at them.

The girls backed away but Macy tripped over the ropes that minutes before had bound their wrist.

Clyde yanked Macy up and sneered, “Nice try.”

He took them to the kitchen and told them to start cooking.

While Andi made biscuits Macy fried bacon. All the while, Clyde stood guard making sure they didn’t try to escape again. His gun was a visual reminder of his presence.

Andi pounded the dough, imagining it was Clyde’s face. The whole situations was enraging. It reminded her of when her, Mitch, Jenny, and Cory were stuck in a mountain shack and were forced to cook for Hugh Baker.

When they placed the food in front of him, Clyde took a bite and grunted his approval of the meal.

That night, instead of tying them, Clyde sat near them with the gun.

“Got any ideas on escaping?” Macy whispered.

Andi shook her head.

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Andi awoke around the middle of the night. She glanced over and saw that Clyde had fallen asleep. She placed her hand over Macy’s mouth and shook her.

Andi motioned her to be quiet and for Macy to follow her. She led them out the door. Andi started to creep towards the trees but stopped when Macy placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Shouldn’t we get the horses?”

Andi thought about it before answering, “No. They would leave more obvious tracks that Clyde could use to follow us. It would also take us longer to grab them. When the sheriff or my brothers come they can bring them home.”

The two crept along for a little while before they heard a voice say, “I know you’re out here you little jerks! You might as well come out.”

Andi mouthed for Macy to hide. The two dashed for cover.

Andi held her breath, as she waited. When she couldn’t hear Clyde any longer she peeked out from behind the bush she was hiding behind. She didn’t see anyone so she turned back around and came face-to-face with the end of a pistol.

“The game’s up,” Clyde said. “Where’s the other girl?”

Andi didn’t answer, instead she stood up.

“Tell me,” He yelled.

“You might as well take me back, because I’m not going to,” Andi said. She eyed the pistol that was pointed at her. Oh please God, don’t let him shoot.

He cursed. “Why you.”

In a flash Macy leapt onto Clyde’s back. The action caused Clyde to squeeze the trigger.

The gun went off and Andi’s world went black.

Andi woke with a groan.

“Good, you’re awake,” Macy said. “I need you to try your best to walk.”

Andi gritted her teeth and nodded. “Wha . . . What happened?”

            “You were shot. I managed to hit Clyde with the butt of the pistol and knock him out. That gave us a head start, but it won’t be long before he comes after us again,” Macy said.

After a few minutes Andi panted, “I . . . need to . . . rest.”

The two stopped and hid behind some bushes. They heard footsteps. Andi concentrated all her strength into talking. “Macy, go. Head back to the shack. Saddle Shasta and go get my brothers.” Andi whispered.

“What? No way! I’m not leaving you.” Macy said. “If I do, Clyde will kill you!”

Andi clenched her fist and said, “Macy, there’s a chance I won’t make it back anyway. There’s no one here to help us. I can’t go any further, and even if I did I would bleed to death before we got help. If you stay we’ll both be caught.”

“We could take the horses. Please Andi, you have to come,” Macy said, her voice quivering. “I . . . I don’t want to be the reason you get hurt any more. I’m the one that brought Ember to you and dragged you into this ordeal. I could never forgive myself if you . . . if you,” She didn’t finish her sentence.

Anid put a gentle hand on her friends shoulder. She fought against the pain that had her in its grip and said in a strong voice, “It isn’t your fault. I chose to help. You did the right thing rescuing Ember. You didn’t have to, but you did. Right now, I need you. I don’t think I could mount a horse right now, much less walk back to the shack. I need you to go back and bring my brothers.” She looked Macy in the eye, “Are you willing to do that?”

Macy looked like she was having a mental battle. She finally said, “You’re right. I don’t want to leave you here, but I’ll go get help.”

A few minutes after Macy left Andi summoned the strength to drag herself on.

“Aha! Caught you,” Clyde said as he reached down and picked her up. He carried her over his shoulder back to the cabin. Every jarring step sent pain shooting through Andi.

“I have no doubt you’ll stay put while I head back out to find your friend,” Clyde cruelly .

When he left Andi found a rag and used the ropes that had bound them earlier to tie the rag around her middle. Andi leaned her head back against the wall while she waited.

When Clyde came back in he marched over to Andi and ripped her make-shift bandage away. “Where’s the other girl?”

“Why do you care?”

Her words earned her a slap.

He started pacing and muttered to himself, “If she goes for help, that will ruin my plans. I’ll be put back in jail.”

He turned back to her, his eyes filled with fear, determination, and anger. A chill skidded up her spine. “Where is she?”

Andi didn’t answer, which earned her another slap.

“Tell me!” he yelled.

“I won’t!”

He raised his hand for another slap. Andi closed her eyes to exhausted and hurt to do anything more.

“Leave my sister alone!” A loud angry voice cut through the air.

Andi opened her eyes and Clyde whirled around. Standing there was Chad holding a pistol his eyes blazing with anger.

“Chad!” Andi cried.

Clyde dashed to the door. “He’s getting away.” Andi said.

“I don’t think he’ll get far,” Chad said as he crossed the room.

Just then Mitch, Justin, Macy, and some of the ranch hands walked in holding a captive Clyde.

The ranch hands took Clyde outside and headed back to the ranch.

“Andi!”

Andi turned from where she was watching the door to face Chad.

“Come here.” Andi took his hand and hoisted herself to her feet, she did all that she could too keep the food she had eaten last from spewing back up. Resting on Macy for support, she slowly walked over to her brothers.

“Macy said he shot you.” The fire in her brother’s eyes returned.

“I’ll be fine,” Andi said.

“Andi,” Mitch said.

“Let us take a look at it,” Justin said.

“Shouldn’t we –”

“Andi that’s enough.” Chad said firmly. He glanced at her blood-stained shirt. He mumbled angrily, “I’ll kill him myself!”

“You still want to try to tell us you’ll be fine?” Mitch asked.

Andi gave him a grin, “Well, maybe I was wrong.” She rested her head against his shoulder. “Take me home.”

“Sure thing, little sis.”

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Andi looked around the table. It had been a week since she had been shot. Macy would be heading back that day and Andi would miss her.

Macy and Andi’s brothers had filled in the gaps of what had happened. When Macy and Andi hadn’t returned before supper like they said they would, the other’s had started to search for them. When they saw Macy, she told them what had happened as she led them to Andi.

Since being shot, Macy had stayed by Andi’s side the entire time. Andi was sad to see her go, but also new that Macy missed her home.

It turned out that Ember had been stolen by Clyde. Justin had managed to find the owners of the horse and return her to them. As for Clyde, well, he would be staying in jail for some time.

Later on, as they were standing on the platform to see Macy off, Andi gave her friend one last hug. “I’ll miss you.”

“I will too, but we’ll see each other again,” Macy said.

As the train started too chug along, a thrill shot through Andi’s spine when she thought about Macy’s words. Yes, she would see Macy again, and she couldn’t wait. She had a feeling that many more adventures lay ahead of her.