Just a sneak peak hee hee Every horse always acts like it’s okay. But it’s not. It hasn’t rained in weeks. We’re thin. We’re weak. And I have to lead it all. Mist interrupts my thoughts, as she - gleaming and strong, not to mention she looks like a real leader- trots over and dips her head as custom. I shouldn’t be the leader. Not of this herd. Not ever. “Oa-, um, Maple, the herd is wanting to know if you’re alright.” She pauses, her nostrils flickering sharply. “If we’re alright. I think we all know that we need to find water… and soon.” Mist neighs, glancing at the hard, cracked earth all around us. She also glances at my sullen state, lying down on a prickly patch of grass, the sun beating above. Everybody seems to glance at me like that, nowadays. I sigh. “What can we do?” My voice is dry and crackly, just like the land around us. “You can give us something to hope for.” Mist offers with determined eyes. “You are the lead stal-horse, I mean, even if you are a bit… young.” She bends down on her two front legs and gently continues, “Besides, as lead mare, I am here to support you. We will get through this.” I huff, shake my head, and get up. My once-pretty chestnut coat is now caked with dirt, and, I’m guessing, based on all the other horses, my eyes are bloodshot. The grazing - well, I shouldn’t call it that. The idling herd all perk up in desperation and hope as I walk by, but they shouldn’t. I’m not ready. And I never was.
