Though Melisma had retreated to the shadows, not even they were safe anymore. So many scents intruded upon the Crossing isle. The influx of others making her nerves knot even tighter as she tried to find a way to stay away, but eventually the dark mare found no more room to hide. Just like before, Melisma chose the dead of night to come out of hiding, when everyone else was asleep. She cut across the Falls where there were more trees for cover, until she came to the shoreline. The gentle lap of the salt water barely touched her front hooves, the soft sand shifting beneath her weight. Lowering her head, she looks down at the barely lit ground, debating if this was the right choice. She had stayed here, safe, for so long. This was such a big step, could she do this?
Taking a deep breath to try and steel her nerves, Melisma raised her head and looked out at the islands. Being born here, the mare knew which one was which, and pushed off into the chilly winter waters without hesitation. Her thick coat did well to protect her at first from the cold, but as she swam, it began to seep through to her skin. A shiver crawled up her spine, but she was already this far. There would be no turning back now.
Slowly, the water began to get warmer, and the sand hills of Salem loomed ahead. As she pulled herself out onto the shore, her legs felt wary from the trip and her body felt twice as heavy from the water clinging to her coat. It fell in thick rivulets along her sides, down her legs and from her underbelly. But Melisma paid little heed to that, her mind too focused on her surroundings. Though she knew where Salem was, she did not know where the territory lines lay. Was this the Desert that Cain claimed as his home? The smell of salt was too strong in her nose to be able to tell, so she lingered there along the waterline, hoping someone would find her yet in the same moment hoping they would not.
Fear was such a double-edged sword.
Unable to help herself, Melisma had grown tired and dozed off, so she was unaware of the rise of the sun. The warmth upon her back felt good, though the salt that still clung to her thick coat would soon drive her insane. At least she was at peace for now; the comfort of sleep a sweet reprieve from her anxieties. But that bliss was quickly yanked away when the sound of a young one cut through that haze. Eyes snapping open, her head yanked up and ears erect. Hearing splashing, Melisma acted out of instinct and quickly rushed in the direction the sounds were coming from.
Was a foal drowning?!
As she crested a dune, a small oasis laid out in front of her. Pulling up, her green gaze fell upon a lone colt. Though she did not understand why he was alone, Melisma was quickly grateful that he wasn’t in peril. With a sigh of relief, the mare then raised her nose and drank in the warm air. The heavy scent of Cain lingered her, which she was grateful for, which made her quickly assume this was one of his offspring. With only a few moments more of hesitation, Melisma descended the dune and walked closer to the oasis and colt.
“Hello.” She called out to him, her ears forward and eyes watchful. Perhaps she had missed a lingering mother somewhere, and she didn’t want to be caught unaware should said mare come bursting out to attack. “My name is Melisma, I’ve come looking for a friend.” She introduced.
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