Mystery's Finding

 by Lexi W. 

Photo Prompt #13 Horse of a Different color

*** Outside of Fresno, California, October 27th.

Eight year old Andrea Prescott woke with a giant yawn, turning over in bed as she groaned. “It can’t be time to wake up yet…” Andi grumbled.
“Oh but it is!” Andi’s mother, Elizabeth smiled. “Don’t you know what day it is?”
“Too early…” Andi mumbled, already half asleep.
“No silly, it’s your birthday!” Elizabeth smiled again and walked down the stairs, knowing this would work.
“IT’S MY BIRTHDAY!?” Andi yelled, leaping out of her bed. She hesitated at the railing, looking both ways before sliding down with a laugh of glee. Andi burst into the kitchen where a delicious aroma was leaking out. She gasped. “Woahhhhhhh,” Andi breathed, looking at everything on the table.
“Happy Birthday, Andi!” Her whole family cheered, laughing at her awestruck face.
The first thing that escaped her mouth was, “I’m 9!!” Everyone laughed heartily.
“Eat up little sister, then you can go see Taffy and Mystery.” Andi’s big brother, Chad, smiled at her. Andi ate as fast as possible, wanting to go see her beautiful baby horse, Taffy and her funny, reliable pony, Mystery.
She raced outside into the barn and called, “Taffy! Mystery! I’m coming!” Andi peered inside the barn. There was Taffy, looking all happy. Taffy nickered at Andi. “Where is Mystery?” Andi gasped, rushing to Mystery’s stall. It was empty. She bolted inside, screaming, “Chad! Chad! Mother! Justin! Mitch! Mystery’s gone!” Everyone came to her aid right away.
“What do you mean she’s… gone?” Chad asked.
“She’s not in her stall! And the stall door is wide open!” Andi panted.
“Let’s go take a look.” Answered Chad reassuringly. They walked into the barn to see Mystery’s stall door open with no pony inside. “Hmm…” Chad murmured. “It looks like she chewed through the latch. You’ll have to go look for her. Take Sky.”
“Chad, I think you're forgetting something.” Andi spoke quietly, her voice trembling. “Mystery’s color changes throughout the year. It’s late fall! She is bay, but she’ll be dappling these days! She gains different looking spots each year, and a different shade of bay each year. How will I notice her?”
Chad frowned, thinking. “I don’t know, sweetheart. You’ll just have to look.” Andi heaved a great sigh, and tacked up Sky. At first she trotted, but soon cantered through the fields to her special spot.
“Mystery! Myyyssstery!!!” Andi called, looking around. It would be even harder since their horses were out on the range now, and they had bay horses and bay roans. Mystery was smaller… but she was still pretty big for a pony. Andi sighed, riding Sky to the fence. Suddenly, she spotted a brown horse. Andi galloped Sky there, yelling, “Mystery!!!” She suddenly stopped, her face falling. Their pregnant mare, Cocoa looked up with a disdainful look on her face. It looked as if she was saying, ‘What’s all the yelling about?’ Andi grumbled and started back. She suddenly spotted another bay, but with barely visible spots. It was also smaller. Could it be? Andi didn’t dare let her face turn up.
“Argh!” She cried, seeing their small stallion, Cisco, snort up at her. Andi turned, her hope collapsing. How would she ever find a color changing pony? Soon, she was a long way out. Andi looked around nervously. It was getting dark, and scary. Andi jumped as an owl hooted, and Sky spooked.
“Whoa boy,” Andi said nervously. Then, a rabbit ran out in front of Sky. He reared in terror, and Andi tumbled off. “Oof!” She gasped, the breath knocked out of her. “Sky…” She wheezed. “Come back…” All she saw was Sky galloping away as the world faded into black.

*** October 28th, 6:32 AM.

Andi groaned, waking up. Her head hurt as she mumbled, “Where am I…?” Then everything came flooding back. “Sky!” She yelled standing quickly. Andi realized this was a mistake, falling back over from dizziness. She winced, feeling the bump on her head. Knowing now she was lost for good, she groaned. Standing slowly, Andi looked around. There was grass, grass, and oo look, more grass. “Ohhh I wish Mother was here… or even Melinda. I’d take Chad, or Mitch, or even Justin at this point! I wanna go home!” Andi cried, her head throbbing terribly. She decided to take a quick nap to see if it would help. As soon as her head hit the ground, Andi fell asleep.

*** October 28, 7:56 PM.

Andi opened her eyes groggily, then realized it was getting darker. “How long did I sleep for!” She exclaimed, getting up slowly. Andi looked at the sky, figuring it was around 8:00 PM. She winced as she stood, then whirled when she heard a nicker. “Mystery!!!” Andi cried, knowing it was her. The little mare was in bad shape, her little bay coat scraggly and torn, but she was overjoyed to see Andi. Adi was more happy to see her. “Oh Mystery, I missed you so much!” Andi sobbed, burying her face in the mare’s coat. After Andi finished crying, she looked around. The sky was almost black now, and the crickets chirped softly, as if mocking her. Andi sighed, and felt the grass for a soft spot. Suddenly, she felt a lumpy thing. Her backpack!
Andi was overjoyed. Her backpack had some food, water, and… Andi gasped. “A halter!” Andi exclaimed. Now she remembered she had packed one just in case she found Mystery. Andi grinned and slipped it over Mystery’s head, tying it to a tree. After that was done, Andi collapsed, falling asleep immediately.

*** October 29th, 7:29 AM.

Andi woke to a nuzzle. She giggled, rolling over to see Mystery staring at her. “Good morning.” Andi laughed. She felt much better after a long sleep. Andi ate a snack from her pack, and drank some water. She offered water to Mystery also, smiling as Mystery drank. Andi stood, tying the lead rope around Mystery’s neck and back to the halter, making a bridle. After mounting, she quickly realized she was still lost.
“Hmmm…” Andi sighed, looking around. Then Mystery perked her ears, whickering. “What is it, girl?” Andi asked, puzzled. Then she heard hoofbeats. Her face brightened as at least 14 ranch hands, including Chad, Mitch, and Justin galloped over the rise. They got closer, and all jumped off running towards her. Andi jumped off, falling into Chad’s arms.
“You have no idea how much trouble you are in.” Chad whispered in her ear, hugging her tightly.
“I know…” Andi tried to sigh, but couldn’t keep her smile back. Justin and Mitch wrapped their arms around her, lost for words.
“Wull Miss Andi you had us worried!” Exclaimed one of the ranch hands. Everyone burst out laughing.
“Let’s get you home.” Chad said, placing her back on Mystery. They all cantered home together.
“Andi!” Elizabeth’s astonished voice echoed through the yard. She rushed out to embrace her. “Oh sweetheart, I was so worried.” Elizabeth whispered.
“Sorry Mother…” Andi whispered back.
“Don’t worry Andi. All’s well that ends well.” Elizabeth smiled. “Now let’s all get some rest. It’s late!” They all ushered Andi up to her bed, and everyone fell asleep feeling much better.

*** October 30th, 8:56 AM.

Andi awoke again, feeling her own bed and jumping up with glee. “I’m home!” She squealed, rushing downstairs. ‘I was so fast, sliding down the railing would have been slower!’ Andi thought happily. She burst into the kitchen.
“You have a lot of explaining to do.” Chad said, a sly smile on his face. “You may start.” Everyone watched Andi as she started.
“Well, once upon a time…” Andi started and at that time everyone knew they were all okay.

*** October 30th, 9:47 AM.

“Then Mystery found me, and you found me!” Andi finished extravagantly.
Elizabeth laughed. “It seems like you had a fun time.”
“Not really but I was fine.” Andi said bravely, grinning.
“Just remember Andi, all’s well that ends well…..”