Terra ran. She didn’t know where she was or where she was going, she just ran. She didn’t want to hear their voices anymore, she wanted to just disappear, but their voices tauntingly continued to echo in her head.
“Blank flank, Blank flank, Blank flank!”
“Stop it!” she yelled shaking her head as warm tears streamed down her face. Taking sharp inhales of the moist air, she slowed herself to stop, and stood there panting. Her mane, sticky with sweat, stuck to her face and neck; the heat contrasted with the cool dry dirt she felt under her hooves. With her blood still pumping and legs shaking,Terra opened her eyes and looked around her. She was deep in the forest and not much light was shining between the trees' foliage. Terra sat down in the dirt and took off her little pale blue saddle bag. Shaking out the contents, She looked at what she had. Some scrolls of parchment, two good quills, one broken quill, a copy of Daring-do and the Sapphire Stone, a coat, and an apple. Terra sighed. She hadn’t planned on running away when she had packed for school that morning and now she was left quite under equipped for the challenges ahead of herself. She knew in the Daring-do books Daring always had a slew of things up her sleeve to help her survive in even the harshest climates, but unfortunately for Terra, there was no Daring-do book set in the woods, so she was at a loss. As she sat there, Terra noticed the dim light growing even darker. The thick air became icy and Terra could smell the scent of rain. A cold water droplet hit her muzzle. Then another hit her head through her mane. “I have to find some kind of shelter,” Terra said to herself. Quickly gathering all her things into her saddle bag again, Terra began looking back and forth for something to shield herself before the rain came but it was too late. The rain poured heavily down, matting Terra’s mane to her face and soaking her hooves with the newly made mud. Trudging along, Terra longed to be cuddled up at home in her warm cozy bed. A low rumble shook through the trees as a streak of light flashed across the sky. The light’s illumination revealed a cave just a few feet to the left of Terra and she hurriedly ran in. The rain hit noisily and echoed in the cave. Taking off her permeated saddle bag, Terra slouched down next to it. The ground was uneven and a few free pebbles jabbed into stomach but she was too tired to move off of them or even care. “Why did I run out here? Now I’m all alone and lost.” Terra mumbled as fresh new tears rolled down her already wet cheeks. “I just want to be home.” Closing her eyes, Terra fell fast asleep.
Hooves pounded against the ground, shaking it with each step. Terra’s eyes burst open as she jumped up. “Ow!” She yelled. There was a sharp pain in her side from sleeping on the rocky ground. Terra rubbed her side caringly. The pounding of the hooves continued, louder than before and Terra swiftly grabbed her bag. Rushing out of the cave, she quickly hid behind a large tree. Pushing herself deep into the mossy bark, thoughts raced around in her head. ‘Who else is out here? Are they dangerous? How can I defend myself, all I have is a damp saddle bag!’ The harsh pounding grew louder and louder and then suddenly, it stopped. After a few seconds of silence, Terra let out a sigh of relief. Backing away from the tree, she took a few deep breathes to calm her racing heart.
Looking up into the trees, Terra saw slivers of light shining through the dark green leaves. As she looked, billions of bugs buzzed obnoxiously around her head. Terra swiped at the pests then WHAM! Terra was hit by something and slammed to the ground. Looking up, she saw a colt around her own age laying on ground a few feet from her.
“Ow that hurt” He said turning over to his side and cradling his bumped head between his hooves. He had a muddy brown coat, Terra observed, with cream colored spots on his muzzle and dark brown mane. Looking up, he locked eyes with Terra. His eyes were blue, so blue, like a clear sky after rain. Terra gazed at him as if in a trance but then he broke the silence.
“Are you Ok?”
“I’m ffine,” Terra stuttered. “um... who are you?” she added nervously getting up onto her hooves.
“My name’s Sparrow Shadowsong, what’s yours?”
“I’m Terra.”
“Got a last name, Terra?” Sparrow asked also standing up.
“Yeah, its…” Terra paused, what was her last name? It completely escaped her mind. ‘I know I have one, I’ve said it hundreds of times but why can’t I remember it now?’
Sparrow noticed her dazed look and added, “ Well I guess it doesn’t really matter, I’ll just call you Terra.” He said with a smile. ‘I guess I hit her harder than I thought, I wonder if it caused slight amnesia?’ Sparrow looked sternly at her.
“What?” Terra said a bit flustered, her cheeks growing rosy.
“Oh sorry I was just thinking.”
“...so what are you doing out here in the woods all by yourself?” Terra asked meekly.
“Who said I’m alone?” Sparrow said cocking his head.
“Oh, I just kinda assumed since no one was with your right now that it was just you, uh, who else is out here? um, with you I mean.” Terra stammered.
“Well I assume you heard those hooves steps earlier, right?”
“Yeah, it sounded like a bunch of ponies.” Terra answered.
“Well that's who else is here, and you're right there are lots of them." Sparrow hesitated, "and they're all after me.”