The Start of the Quake

 by Sara M. 

Andi Carter groomed her new horse, Taffy. Andi had turned 8 about a week ago and she had gotten Taffy some supplies and brushes for her birthday.

“Taffy, lift your hooves.” Andi said and lifted her hoof.

Taffy whinnied, shook out her mane, and held her hoof up. Andi giggled and patted her. “Good girl Taffy!”

Andi quickly brushed her in quick even strokes. She finished and put her brushes and hoof pick away.

She looked Taffy over carefully. “You look all set, girl Now… let’s get away before Chad finds something for me to do.”

“Too late, little sis.” Chad’s laugh made its way to Andi. She fumed. Chad always knew what she was thinking!

Andi grabbed Taffy’s halter and tried to duck under Chad’s arm but he grabbed her. “Nope, you can sweep the barn first. Then you may go.”

Andi stopped struggling. Sweeping the barn wasn’t too bad! She thought.

She grabbed the broom and got started. Taffy wandered out through the barn. No doubt looking for a snack.

 Andi giggled. “Taffy, come here girl.” Taffy trotted up to Andi, Andi reached in her pocket and found a lump of sugar and held it out to her horse.  “Here you go, girl.”

“Hey, sis!” Mitch’s cheerful voice reached Andi. Andi grinned. Her most helpful brother was there.

“Howdy, Mitch. Whatcha doin’?” Andi asked

“Nothing much, Andi. Chad sent me to get Chase and go and check fences.” Mitch pulled a saddle down.

“Can Taffy and I come?” Andi’s face was bright.

“Not this time, honey. Maybe another, alright? Taffy’s legs are small and can’t keep up with Chase’s.” Mitch said.

Andi frowned for a minute and then smiled again.  “Race Chad then and beat him.” 

Her brother chuckled, “I can try to do that.” He finished tacking up Chase and rode off.

Andi nodded and returned to her work thinking. Her thoughts went in all directions as she worked. Will I ever race Chase with Taffy? I will someday, once Taffy grows. I wonder where all Chad and Mitch are going today. This barn is dusty!

Andi sneezed Can’t wait till I’m done. Once I am I will take Taffy for a ride, more like a walk, I’ll be riding Coco, that poky old slow pony!

Andi smiled though as she thought of Coco. The old pony never went fast. No matter what. I need to think of some way to get Coco to go faster.

Andi knew Coco was the safest pony around but she sometimes still wished that he was a bit faster.

Andi did a few quick last sweeps with the broom and threw it aside.  All done! Let’s go riding! Andi smiled. She made sure the halter was on Taffy properly and went to saddle up Coco.

She yanked the saddle down from its rail and pulled it over next to Coco. Off to find someone to lift it on Coco now!

Sid McCoy was sitting outside getting a drink, “Hey, Sid? Can you saddle Coco for me? I got the saddle, I just can’t lift it onto him.” Andi asked.  “Not yet.” she whispered to herself. Soon I’ll be able to saddle Coco myself.

“Sure thing, Andi.” Sid stood and followed her back in the barn. He hoisted the saddle on Coco’s back and tightened it. “All set.”

“Thanks, Sid!” Andi smiled up at him.

He ruffled her hair. “No problem.” He went back out of the barn. Andi grabbed Coco’s lead rope and Taffy’s. They walked out of the barn and into the bright sunlight.

 Andi glanced at the sky to make sure there was no rain coming. It was a clear sky so Andi had no worries. She climbed the fence and mounted Coco. Holding tight to Taffy’s led rope.

“Go, Coco!” Andi said and kicked his sides. As usual, he didn’t go any faster than a trot. A bouncy trot. Andi sighed. I am going to have to get used to this sometime. She thought as her thoughts turned to Coco.

He was acting different, much different. He kept putting his head low to the ground and kept wanting to stop. He always wants to stop though.  Andi argued with herself. But today he is doing it more. Why? She wondered.

After a while Andi decided to turn around and head back. She was done dealing with Coco. He was just getting hard to handle.

 As they turned towards home Coco broke into a canter. “Whoa!” Andi cried out, Coco never canters! Andi was frightened, what was going on? She thought. Hurry back, ask Chad, he would know. Or Mother.

Coco seemed to canter faster. Andi held on tight as she looked back at Taffy for a quick few seconds.

Taffy looked like she was thrilled to be running and not just walking. Andi faced forward. She saw the ranch ahead, “Almost there.” she said, almost tired.

Coco had never done this before and it was frightening her. Upon reaching the barn Coco slowed. Andi slid off and grabbed the reins before he ran off.

 Andi doubted he would do that though because Coco was Coco and he was also acting quite strange. She quickly let Coco and Taffy loose in the pastures and watched Taffy run over to her mother, Snowflake.

Coco just went to the water and drank. Andi stuck around and see if he kept acting strange but Andi noticed that Snowflake was acting strange too!

“What is going on?” she wondered aloud.

“What was that?” Mitch had returned from checking the fences.

“The horses are acting strange.” Andi explained the horse's behavior.

“Hmm. That is strange. I notice Chase was a little out of sorts today too.” he frowned. “I sure hope they aren’t coming down with something. I will tell Chad. Keep an eye on them Andi.”

Andi nodded. Not replying as Mitch left, Will Taffy, Snowflake and Coco be okay? She wondered. She turned to go to the barn. I can find something to do in there. She thought.

She was about to enter the barn when she saw Chad riding in. On a very upset Sky. He was trying to break loose. Sky kept side-stepping. Andi saw he could not stay still for some reason. Chad jumped off, “What is going on? The horses are, well, acting strange.” he nearly shouted.

“I don’t know, Chad!” Andi nearly burst into tears. “Snowflake and Coco are acting the same!” unable to keep her tears at bay she broke down crying.

Chad quickly tied Sky’s reins and ran over to Andi. “Andi, I didn’t mean it. I just want to know what Sky is acting.” he hesitated. “Strange.” he finished. “What do you mean, Snowflake and Coco are acting strange too?”

“Snowflake and Coco are not listening. I was riding Coco with Taffy and as soon as we turned for home he took off. The whole way back, at a canter. Coco never canters.” she whispered. “He kept wanting to stop on the way away from the ranch too.” she added.

Chad was quiet. Andi peered up at him as she rubbed away the last of her tears, “Are you okay?” Andi placed her hand on his arm and looked into his face.

“I am.” Chad answered.

Andi doubted that but said nothing.

Andi and Chad sat there on the ground watching nothing. After a few minutes, Andi stood. “Should we tend to Sky?” She asked, I think Sky needs more than being tended though. Andi thought.

Chad smiled down at her but Andi knew it was a worried smile, “Yes, we better.”

They stood and walked over to Sky, who was standing still at the moment.

Andi watched Chad take hold of Sky’s halter and led him toward the barn. He didn’t want to go. Sky kept trying to back up and finally Chad gave up and put him into the corral. Andi knew something was going on, but what? She didn’t know.

Andi walked back over to Taffy, Snowflake, and Coco’s pasture. Andi looked around. She heard a low rumble of thunder. She whipped her head to the skies caught a glance of angry dark clouds peeking over the mountains.

 “Come here!” she called out to the horses, “I got to get you in before it rains.” she said. She grabbed the led ropes she had left on the fence rail and clipped them into the halters.

She led Snowflake into the barn first, followed by Taffy. But since Taffy could get under the stall door she followed Andi back out as she got Coco.

Andi skimmed the empty pastures. The ranch hands had seen the storm coming and had put the horses in already.

Andi was glad. No horse should have to be out in that kind of weather! She saw the storm clouds get closer. Her horses were in, safe and sound. So Andi stayed out and watched the storm come in. She might not like storms at all. But she did like seeing the clouds come in.

A few minutes later her sister Melinda came out. “What’s up, Andi?”

“Nothing much. Looks like we are in for a storm.” Andi finished speaking and the clouds reached them and it started pouring. Melinda ran back into the house while Andi ran to the barn.

She threw open the barn doors and dashed in, slamming them closed behind her. “That’s one big storm, Taffy!” she told her horse.

Taffy nickered and Andi laughed. She went up the hayloft and grabbed one of Mitch’s dime novels.

Andi went back down the ladder and went to Taffy and Snowflake's stall. She sat down in front of it and started looking at the dime novel. She heard the storm starting to move off in the distance.

After a bit Taffy ducked under the stall door and wandered out through the barn. Andi put the dime novel down and watched her. “What’s up, girl?” she asked

Taffy started to trot over to her when the barn floor started shaking!

Andi leaped to her feet. “What is going on!” she cried out. Taffy whinnied a whinny of distress. She ran around the barn in fright. Oh no, I got to stop her! Andi knew.  “Stop, Taffy, you’ll hurt yourself!”

Andi heard a loud “Crack!” she screamed and threw herself down in a stall. “What is happening!” She cried out and closed her eyes. She heard Taffy’s frightened hurt whinny but she couldn't do a thing about it.

All the horses were whinnying. The floor and barn were still shaking. Andi kept crouching in the stall, too frightened to move. She heard another crack and a beam fell over the stall, covering Andi with dust. Andi kept her eyes closed and waited. After a forever-seeming long minute.

The shaking stopped, it was over. Done.

Andi tried to relax but she couldn’t, would the barn start shaking again? Andi wondered,  What was that? The whole barn shook! An earthquake? An earthquake! That’s why the horses were acting strange! They knew!

Andi gasped. A thought struck her. She should have known. As soon as she turned five her family had taught her about earthquakes even though she had never been through one then. Now she had.

Andi waited a minute and then crawled out of the stall. Her arm was aching furiously, Andi looked down at her arm and gasped. Tt was bleeding and there was a gash on it. She pulled off her bandana and tied it around. Andi was glad her family showed her how to take care of cuts. Andi heard Taffy whinny pitifully again and she ran over. “Taffy? Taffy, are you okay?” she said worriedly. Taffy had a cut on her back. No doubt it was from the falling beam. Andi knew she had to stop the bleeding.

She found a saddle blanket and did her best to tie it over and around the cut. The bleeding slowed and Andi breathed a breath of relief. Taffy would be okay! Andi looked at her arm. It was still hurting but it had stopped bleeding most of the way. Andi was thankful for that!  She checked Snowflake and Coco, they looked okay, frightened, but they were alright. Andi looked over all the horses in the barn and it looked like Taffy was the only one with a cut.

 Everyone else was alright. Is my family okay? And wondered. She couldn’t go to find out since when the beam fell it blocked the barn doors. Bright sunlight was peeking under the door. Andi knew the storm had passed and for that she was glad. Storms were not her favorite thing.

Andi looked at Taffy again. She was walking towards Snowflake’s stall, Andi hurried over and opened the door. If Taffy went under the stall door her makeshift bandage would fall off and Andi wouldn’t let that happen!  Taffy went in and started nursing off her mom.

Andi left them and went back to the doors. I know I need to get out after an earthquake in case there are aftershocks, but I can’t. Let me check the hayloft and see if I can open the doors up there and call for my brothers, anyone, really. Andi thought.

Her arm hurt but she ignored it as she climbed the hayloft. The door was not blocked so Andi unlatched the latches and pushed it open. She was careful not to fall out and she looked over the ranch. She saw her family huddled together near the house. They all looked alright so Andi wasn’t worried.

Andi knew even if she called out they wouldn’t hear her. They were too far away. Andi sighed and went back down the ladder. Her arm was hurting a lot again. She looked at it, there was dirt and dust in it. I need to clean it. Andi knew.

“Andi? Andi! Are you in there?” the barn door rattled, it was Mitch.

“I am!” she called.

“Can you open the door?” another voice asked, this time it was Chad.

“If I could I would have already.” Andi’s voice was flat. “There is a beam locking it in place. It's over the last stall too.”

“Go to the hayloft, Andi.”

Andi frowned. Her arm would hurt again, Oh, well, I better do as they ask. “Alright.” she said back.

Andi looked up at the ladder, “One step at a time.” she told herself as she put her foot on the ladder and started climbing. “Ouch!” she shouted. Her arm was even sorer and she couldn’t grip the ladder very well.

“Andi? Andi! Are you alright?” Mitch’s worried voice came through the door.

“I’ll manage.” Andi said for she had to.

“Are you hurting, Andi?” Justin asked.

Andi didn’t answer but kept climbing, one step at a time, one step at a time. She kept telling herself. She finally reached the top and rested her arm for a quick minute.

Andi stood and walked over to the hayloft door, I should have just stayed up here. Andi thought as she pushed the door open. The wind had blown it closed.

She looked down and saw her whole family standing in front of the barn. She relaxed. Her family was there to help her! “I'm up here.” she called down

They all looked up, their faces showing relief and then worry. Andi knew why, her arm. It was still throbbing but not as badly.

“Are you alright, Andi?” Justin’s voice was worried.

“I’ll manage.” Andi answered.

Justin didn’t look happy at that but he said “Are you stuck in there?”

“Pretty much.” Andi said. She looked around the hayloft. A few bales had fallen through the quake but it was intact.

“Can you jump? We will catch you.” Chad said.

Andi looked down, way too far, she shook her head.

“Okay, Andi….” Chad’s voice trailed off, “How about you go back downstairs and wait for us? We will make a way to get to you, Andi.” Justin’s calm voice comforted Andi.

“Okay.” her voice was small. She closed the hayloft door and tried to make her way down. She had two steps to go when she slipped off. She fell off the ladder and onto a pile of rope on the hard ground. Stunned, she just laid there. After a minute she stood slowly. Her arm hurt a little but she ignored it.

She heard pounding on the barn door and she glanced at it. It was shaking with the impact but it wasn’t letting loose. Andi knew the only way to get out was to move the beam. She walked closer still holding her arm carefully and looked over the fallen beam. It was tilted at an angle that if she pulled it back the door would be free.

How can I pull it free? Hmmm . . . . . Now why didn’t I think of that before! I can use Snowflake to pull the beam away! The rope I landed on will work too! Andi grinned, she had a plan.

She grabbed Snowflake's halter and led her out of the stall and led her over to the harnesses.

“Now, Snowflake, if I hold you just right I can pull the harness over your head.” she said aloud. “Stay, Snowflake!” she commanded.

Snowflake was ground-tied so Andi didn’t need to worry. She pulled the harness over Snowflake’s head and buckled the straps. “All set.” she said with relief.

Andi led Snowflake over to the beam. She found a longer rope and tied it to the beam and to Snowflake’s harness. “Pull, girl!” she tugged her halter. Snowflake pulled. Slowly at first then the rope tightened and the beam moved! Finally!

Andi nearly shouted with happiness. “We got it, girl!” Andi told Snowflake and hugged her, Ouch! pain slammed through her arm. She must have bumped it. She sat on the ground holding her arm. The door was thrown open.

 Andi looked up as her family came rushing in and crouched next to her, “Andi! Are you alright?”

Andi tried to smile even though her arm hurt much more now, “I am.”

Her mother’s face grew worried, “Let me see.”

Andi nodded slowly and pulled off the makeshift bandage.

Her mother gasped, “Andrea!”

“It’s alright.” Andi said.

“No, it is not. Come in the house.” Elizabeth stood.

Everyone stood. Mitch pulled Andi to her feet, “Take care of Taffy and Snowflake.” she told them. “And the other horses.” she added.

Mitch gave a small smile, “We will do that.”

“Thanks.” Andi smiled as she followed her mother in the house.

“What all happened in there?” Elizabeth asked as they went towards the house. Melinda had followed them.

“I was reading a dime novel and suddenly the floor started shaking. I didn’t know why at first but I knew it was an earthquake later.” Andi said.

“We don’t usually get earthquakes. Go on.” Elizabeth encouraged.

“I hid in a stall and a beam fell over it, I got scraped. Taffy did too. Once it stopped shaking I went in the hayloft and saw you over by the house.”

“Why didn’t you call out to us?” Elizabeth asked.

“I knew if I tried you wouldn’t hear me.” Andi answered and she went on, “I went back in the main barn floor and I waited. I went back up to see you outside and I came back down again. But on the way down I fell and I touched a rope when I landed and got the idea for Snowflake to pull the beam away. Then you came in and well, that’s what happened.” Andi finished abruptly.

Her mother was quiet. “Mother?”

“I’m okay, sweetie, I was just grateful you are alright.” Elizabeth smiled at her, “Let’s go take care of that arm.”

Andi nodded so they reached the steps and went inside. Elizabeth carefully washed and bandaged Andi’s arm. It had stopped hurting so Andi asked, “Mother? Can I go check Taffy?”

“May I check Taffy,” her mother said softly, “you may.”

“Thank you, Mother!” Andi called behind her as she left the house.

At the barn her brothers were cleaning up Taffy, “Will Taffy be alright?” Andi asked when she reached them.

“She will be. Thanks to you. If you didn’t stop the bleeding, who knows what could have happened. Good job, little sis.” Chad grinned at her.

Andi grinned back. She was okay and so was Taffy!