The ever green forest was damp after the rain from the night before. As Zecora walked down the dirt road she felt a chill down her spine. Looking up she saw dark rain clouds in the sky. It was going to rain again; just like the day before, and the day before that.
Thunder rolled though the skies, and wind rushed through the trees. Leafs flew by Zecora as the storm slowly moved towards her.
A loud crake of thunder roared through the sky.
Zecora froze in the middle of the path. She looked to her left.
Another crake ripped through the sky.
Zecora flinched as bark from a nearby tree flew on her. She backed slowly down the path. Turning around she walked faster sown the path. She couldn’t think straight; why was she turning round?
BAM!
Pain shot through her flank. Blood gushed down her side. The first thing that past her mind was that she was bitten; but turning her head she saw no animal. She started to sprint down the path.
Rain started to drizzle down onto Zecora’s head. Blood ran down her leg as she approached her hut. She was all most there. Flinging open the door she ran inside. She slammed the door, and limped over to her mattress that sat in a corner.
“Dear Celestia!” She shouted as she examined the blood. It looked like something scraped her side; maybe a branch. But a branch wouldn’t make it gush blood like this.
Wiping off a bath towel; she placed it on her flank. It instantly turned red. Her vision was starting to fade to black. Nothing seemed to make since. Why was she bleeding?
Before blacking out; the front door of the hut opened. The figure was blurry; but it looked like a monkey. It held a long stick, and it glared at Zecora.
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Kevin slid on his hood. Rain clouds rose above him. He held a Winchester rifle loaded with seven rounds
“Can you see anything?” tommy sat down next to Kevin.
“No I don’t.” Kevin sighed. “Are we going to starve?”
“Where going to be totally fine.” Tommy said leaning over. He picked up a hand held stove. Once we find something to eat; will cook it up, and chow down!” He shoved Kevin playfully.
“But we’ve been out here for four days now; when are we going to get home?” Kevin looked down into the forest below. “And I’m a horrible shot with this thing!” He waved the rifle in the air.
“Dude chill, we have no choice; I broke my wrist climbing up here.” Tommy stood up, and walked over to the tent they had set up. “And I bet the police will find us any day know.” He pulled out a small canteen. “Here have a drink; you don’t want to get dehydrated.” He tossed it towards Kevin.
Kevin grasped the canteen in his right hand. “Thanks, this stress is getting to me.” Gulping down the water he felt refreshed.
“Look!” Tommy pointed his finger down the rocky cliff. “What is that?”
Kevin looked down the cliff. “It’s a zebra!” He exclaimed at the sight. “But zebras don’t live in the U.S?” He said confused.
“Who cares? Shoot it!”
Kevin aimed the rifle at the zebra walking down a dirt path. He fired the weapon. “I missed!” He shouted in anger.
“Dude shoot again, its holding still!”
Kevin cocked the weapon; aiming again he fired.
“Its getting away!” Tommy shoved Kevin in the shoulder.
Kevin watched the zebra turn around. He had one last chance. Cocking the rifle he aimed. “I got this.” He muttered.
BAM!
Fire shot from the barrel of the rifle. As Kevin lowered the rifle he looked to Tommy. “Did I hit it?” He asked dumbly.
“Well did you?” Tommy stood up from the rocks. “Go down there, and find it!” He ran over to his tent, and pulled out a knife. Pulling out the knife of its holster he examined it. “Use this; just skin it, and get over it.” He walked back over to Kevin who had stood up.
Kevin took the knife. It was long, and very thin. “Where did you get this?”
“My dad; I took it from his closet.”
“You stole it?” Kevin was surprised at his friend.
“No… I mean yes; but it’s not what it seems like.” He sat back down. “Just go get the zebra!”
Without responding Kevin made his way down the rocky cliff. Slipping his rifle in a back holster; he grasped the slippery, wet boulders making his way down. Felling his belt he felt the knife. Thoughts ran though his mind; thinking of how he would have to cut into an animal. He had only killed an animal one other time, and that was just two days ago; when he shot a rabbit. He felt totally depressed the whole day from killing the small animal; there for Killing animals was not one of his favorite pass times. Tommy went hunting all the time with his dad, and he was a perfect skinner. He didn’t see why Tommy couldn’t come with him, and do it.
Reaching the bottom of the cliff; he headed over to the trial. He pushed his way through bushes and tree branches. When he got to the dirt path; rain drops landed on his head. Reaching over his head; he pulled a hood over his head.
Kevin’s boots slid in the mud. He couldn’t see the blood trial anymore, and the rain was starting to pour. Sighing he looked around; he would have to disappoint his friend. They wouldn’t have food tonight. He was turning around; when a flicker of light caught his eye. It was a small hut. At first He had no reaction; but then it hit him. The lights were on; that went someone was home. He was saved.
“Hello!” Kevin shouted running through the mud. He pushed open the door.
The light in the room was dim; only a few candles lit the room. Bottles on shelves covered most of the room, and there were a few counters and tables covered with plants.
Kevin looked to one wall; there were masks. Pulling out his rifle he walked farther in the room. Looking around the room he saw something. His eyes opened wide when he saw the zebra. Freezing where he stood; he stared at the zebra. She laid on a mattress, and her eyes were slowly closing. Kevin slowly walked towards the zebra. He didn’t know what to do.
“Anyone home?” Kevin asked looking over his shoulder. This had to be someone’s pet. He knew Zebras didn’t live in the U.S; it’s just someone’s pet. “Oh god, I shot someone’s pet!” He said in panic. Would he go to jail for this?
Walking to the side of the zebra; Kevin noticed something strange. The zebra had necklaces, earrings, and bracelets on. He crouched beside the zebra. Setting down his rifle he felt the zebra’s coat. It was soft and a little damp from the rain.
Rain poured on the roof of the hut, and thunder cracked through the sky.
Kevin felt a pang of worry. Maybe a family loved this zebra, and he would be held responsible for killing it. They would probably shoot him in the back of the head for this.
A moan came from Zecora’s mouth. Her eyes opened a little showing her Turquoise eyes. She just stared at Kevin blankly.
Kevin didn’t know what to do; but he never wanted to kill the zebra. Maybe he could help it. He looked at the flank of the zebra. There was a blood soaked towel sitting on the flank. “Shit your bleeding!”
Zecora’s eyes re-closed; as she blacked out for a second time.
Kevin pulled off the towel; examining the wound. He gaged at the sight of the gash. The bullet just scraped the side of the flank; but the bullet cut at least half an inch of flesh.
Looking around the room swiftly Kevin spotted a new towel. He sprinted over to it; yanking the towel off a table; he sprinted back to the slowly dying zebra. Pressing the towel on the animal he yanked off his belt. He strapped the belt around the hind leg; holding the towel tightly on the zebra’s flank.
Kevin stood back up; he needed to find something else to do for the zebra. He slowly turned to the zebra. There was nothing more he could do; he would have to wait until morning. “Urg...” Kevin spat looking out the window. He couldn’t even see out the with all the rain pouring.
Placing his rifle on the larges table he laid his head on a pillow. He closed his eyes, and went to sleep.