//------------------------------// // Chapter Fifteen - A Lost Foal // Story: When The Snow Melts // by Bluespectre //------------------------------// CHAPTER FIFTEEN   A LOST FOAL     The sound of the water pouring into a bowl was surprisingly therapeutic, calming his instinctive reaction to try and sit up. Natural light flooded into the room through the open windows, so bright it nearly blinded him as he tried to open his eyes. Rush winced.   “Oh! Wait a moment… here.”   The kind voice was still here, the slender arms, so soft and warm, lifting him up into a more comfortable position. Was he still alive? Rush felt like he was drifting along on a warm and soothing current. To wake up would almost be sacrilege. He was frightened to open his eyes. What if she… What if it was a dream? A dream brought on by fever?   His fears were answered by a warm cloth carefully dabbing at his eyes, wiping the sleep away. A few moments later, the window shutters were closed slightly, allowing him to open his eyes and take in the scene around him. Everything was so blurry, out of focus, and wavered in and out. Nausea grabbed him, and he retched.   “Here, it’s water. Sip it, though, don’t gulp.”   A bowl was held to his parched lips, and he sipped it weakly. The water was cool, infused with something he recognised. It was one of the herbs he used for settling upset stomachs. The amount used was just right as well—perfect, in fact. Rush finished the bowl and sighed, tilting his head back and feeling the relief as the wave of nausea vanished as if it had never existed.   He closed his eyes and spoke quietly, his voice still a little rough, “Thank you.”   The lilting voice came back. “You’re welcome.”   Rush remained as he was, his heart racing. “Are you a figment of my imagination?”   “I don’t think so!” came the reply, a hint of amusement in the words.   “But… are you real? When I open my eyes, will you still be here?”   He heard a quiet shuffling, and something took his hand. Whatever it was felt strange… hard, yet so gentle somehow. His hand was lifted and placed against what felt like…fur, warm and soft…alive.   “Do I feel real?”   Rush knew. In his heart, he’d known all along…   A tear rolled down his face. “Snow…”   Warm forelegs enclosed him, making him feel safe, protected… loved.   “Shhh, don’t cry now, little one, everything’s alright. I’m here… shhh.”   Rush shook. Unbidden, his tears began to fall. He’d never cried like this before, not since...not since…   She held him as he wept. Years of pain, so many years of emptiness, pouring out like rain from a lone cloud in a clear blue sky. He was so empty inside, so afraid…   Snow rocked him like a new-born foal. “You’re safe now, Rush. I’m here, I’m right here. You’ve been alone for too long, but I’ve found you now.” She kissed him on the forehead. “I’ve found you…”