The first thing she remembers is being wet. Dampness clung to her ashen skin as the raindrops that spattered the leaves above. Sounds. Oh god the sounds were loud, much different than the muffled murmurs that she felt inside the warmth of mother's womb. Space had been cramped in there over the last few months but it was comfortingly familiar and now, now that comfort was gone. Bleat. Pitifully she gives her tiny head a shake, damp ears flopping audibly against the sides of her damp head as she shuffles her hooves, still caught in the tattered remnants of the umbilical cord.

Her sides heave with effort as she silences herself for a moment and for the first time gazes beyond the tangling web along her hooves. Shadows and light, bright, colorful flowers intergrated themselves in among the dark colored leaves and woodsy vines. Absently she shivers leaning against the familiar scent that should be mother.

But she is gone. Maybe not completely has the breath left her lungs but even in her youth Leilani knows something is wrong. Ackwardly she tilts her head forward to rest against the silvery hide stained crimson with blood. Again an audible bleat falls past her lips as she stares at the slow, feeble rise and fall of mother's sides until there is no more. Alone. She was alone. Hunger gnawed like a ravaging animal against her belly but it falls second to the loss she suddenly felt. Crystalline tears gather against her eyes as she blinks silently, resting her small gray head against the still flank. Hope was a fickle thing, of that Leilani is sure must be her first lesson in life; but she is not ready to give up yet. Not yet.

For a time longer she lays there, drawing what warmth still remained in her dead dam's body. She could not stay here forever. But where would she go? How would she get there? Once again, the tangled sinew around her tiny hooves comes to the forefront of her mind again. If she wanted to eat, she needed to figure out her feet.

With gritted teeth she kicks and twists and flops until finally she is freed. Using the support of mother's still form, she stretches her gangly forelegs before her and with a few failed, studdering attempts, she finally manages to stand. Triumph gleams in her small dark eyes as she stands there with her legs splayed beneath her for a few moments, her small slender form shivering and shuddering against the damp chill on her skin. She did it.

Again a desperate bleat falls past her lips as she blinks through the shadows and foliage. Where now? Would there even be anyone to answer?