She had held the tears back until he was gone. The shock that overwhelmed her had made her brave, and the fury that burnt hot like fire in her veins had held her together for longer than she would have thought possible. Just long enough to make him go away. As soon as she hit the ocean, however, she could hold them back no longer. They ran down her face in rivers, rushing back to the sea that threatened to swallow her whole as it lapped up her neck. Her little legs swam frantically, but Salem never seemed to get any closer. It took her so long to reach the shore that she was just beginning to think that maybe all her tears were making the ocean even wider when she finally found sand beneath her hooves. She gasped, her lungs hungry for the dry air, then spluttered when a splash of seawater found its way into her mouth as she dragged herself out of the tide’s grasp. On trembling legs she stumbled across the shore, climbing the gentle dunes that would lead her back towards the centre of the Desert. She never should have left. Ava’s steps were unsteady as she crested the hill, and she lurched clumsily down the incline, her hooves slipping in the sand and bringing her to her knees. She winced, though she hardly felt the pain of her joints protesting. Blood stained the white patches on her sides where the stallion’s hooves had scraped her skin as she struggled. The wounds stung with salt, though the swim had cleansed them at least. But she could still feel where his teeth had gripped her neck. She would never be clean again. Her vision was blurred with tears, her green eyes filled with pain, but she could just about make out the oasis on the horizon, where the rest of the herd was usually gathered. With what energy she could muster, she cried out – the sound pitiful and contorted with emotion – and began to struggle determinedly back to her feet. Pain was so familiar now. |