A thick fog consumes each of the equines that find themselves in the Falls. Their bodies just a silhouette, as they graze on the tender shoots of spring grasses. The morning light fliters through the fog, illuminating the shadows that still hid. This is where the pearly mare grazes, far from the curious glances and questioning stares. She did not speak to anyone, just ate, unwilling to look any of them in the eye. She felt shame and loss, Zaida, her precious girl was gone. A fresh pang of pain rips at her chest.
As the warmth begins to warm her back, she raises her delicate crown. Crystalline eyes dart around the clearing, quickly taking note of the other equines who graze. With a soft snort through thin pink nostrils, she moves away from the growing throng. Her hooves travel a familiar path, one that took her away from the others. It took her up a path that overlooks the clearing below. She pauses as she reaches the top, a soft breeze ruffles her tresses. Her eyes wander, they settle on the dappled hide of a filly. Cae sucks her breath in sharply, the pounding of her heart loud in her ears.
She dares to take a step forward, her heart thrumming. Could her eyes be playing tricks on her? Could this straggly girl be Zaida? "Zaida?" She manages to squeak out. Then she swallows and tries again. "Zaida?" She halts in her tracks, her delicate crown high in the air. Her body trembles, she tries to hold back the flood of tears that threaten to break loose.
Perlino Dun - Akhal Teke Mutt - 5 years old - Homeless