[O]nly [L]eave [D]ust [B]ehind {Open}

[.:x:.A.rtemis.:x:.]

Steel colored eyes sat transfixed on the horizon, where the sun was finally making it's long, drawn out debute. It was early, but Colton Rawley liked it that way. It was too soon for anyone else to be out and it was too soon for the sun to start savaging the already tanned skin that blended in well with the desert around him. Sitting as still as a statue, Colton was invisible among the sage brush and cacti in his dark green t-shirt and darkly colored jeans. None of the horses in the herd below saw him, and, having the advantage of being downwind, they didn't scent him either. He was careful with the binoculars he held, he made certain that he never turned them into the golden rays of the rising sun. A flash of light reflected from the 'glasses would give his quarry more warning than he wished.

Silently, Colt lay down and wriggled backwards, back over the rise he had just crested. Once on the other side he slid down the steep incline he had lept up moments before and landed a few feet away from a silent, but irritated gold and ivory pintabian stallion. Despite the fact that the stallion was truly wild, he stood quietly, less than a mile from a herd of mares without a sound. The stallion understood better than any human ever would the need for silence. He was the perfect partner for the tall, golden man that lept into his saddle with swift cat-like grace.

Leaning forward, Colt swept up the split, roping reins in his large hands, and positioned them easily in his left hand, readying himself for the run that would likely ensue. With his right hand he untied the saddle string, releasing his reate rope which he took into his right hand, shaking out a loop with a perfect, practiced flip of his wrist. With a few impatient motions, he settled in so his hand wouldn't be between the rope and the horn when he had the rope around the mares neck. He had seen too many men lose fingers because they hadn't taken the time to check it beforehand. Despite his reckless nature, he was cautious with his body.

Taking a breath, Colt rubbed the black beard stubble on his chin which served to make him look even more dangerous than he had before when he was clean-shaven. A long time ago he realized that he really didn't care how he looked though, and he wouldn't waste time in the morning shaving when he could be out chasing mustangs. Besides, the only living creatures that saw him where Aztec, and, soon, the mustangs. A crooked smirk placed itself on his lips, somewhat softening the intimidating planes of his face.

Turning his face up to the morning sky, he reveled in the solace of the silence. The high desert had always been a benediction to his soul, a place for all the wild things, himself included. Social status didn't matter out on the desert, and nor did background or relations. Intelligence, and courage were all that would keep you alive in the land of the wild things, and few people had that anymore.

Turning back to the job at hand, Colt urged Aztec into a walk, heading him towards an invisible pass that led into the canyon where the mustangs grazed, free of worry. There was only one other pass into the canyon, but, the last good storm had blocked it with a mudslide from a high cliff. The mares had no way out, a Colt was certain the lead stallion was either dead or on the other side of the mudslide. The bowl shaped canyon had walls thirty foot up all around the valley, the other pass had been a small gap in the wall, in which the mares could come and go. The pass he was walking through now was much, much smaller than the last. Aztec's shoulders brushed rock on both sides occasionally. It was more of a tunnel than a pass really, though the top was 3-4 feet above his head, it still wasn't a comfortable place to be in.

The tops of the canyon sloped away, making it appear to be a solid hill to most, but, Colt had learned better. You could ride to the top from any point outside, as the sides all sloped up to the same point, but few people had probably ever had a reason to try to go there. Now that all the mustangs were trapped, Colt had plenty of reasons.

Forage was already sparse in the small canyon, even though water was abundant. The mares would all starve within a month if they didn't get help. Colt knew it, and Aztec might have too. It was the main reason they were crowding through a hole in the side of rock, preparing to get several strips of their hides tore off in the process of helping the stubborn mares.

They wouldn't take well to a humans presence, but they were already wore down with hunger. They wouldn't be as hard to handle as they would have been a week ago, and they wouldn't be as easy to handle as they would a week from now, but Colt couldn't sit and watch them starve for a week more. He had to do something, and this was it. There was 14 mares in all in the band, 5 foals. Colt was sure that the lead mare was the only black in the herd, and his best chance would be to get ahold of her first. The others would panic and scatter, but they'd be easier to pick out that way. It was possible that the foals would follow their dams, but not likely.

Knowing this, Colt rode Aztec to the end of the tunnel before he prepared his rope and set his heels into Aztec's side in a silent request for his fastest gait. Aztec complied. He sprinted out of the tunnel and burst through the small cover of mesquite trees that had hidden it all along, and was in front of the mares.

They all were so suprised that they scattered instantly, but the black was easy to follow. Colt's loop settled on her neck before she had gone five lengths, and Aztec slid to a stop, sitting on the rope so hard that it yanked the mare around, facing them instantly. She pulled back hard instanly, but Aztec was ready. He settled in hard and held the mare were she was with ease. The instant the mare realized that she wasn't going to get to run away, she lunged at Aztec and Colt viciously, ready to defend her freedom. They were ready for that too. Aztec swirled ran towards the tunnel at the same time the mare lunged forward, suprising her. She followed for a moment before she realized that she was still attached and then she lunged again. Aztec stepped aside right as her teeth would have connected with his hide, and Colt sent a wave down the rope, loosening it and flipping it off her head with ease. At the same moment, Aztec swirled, closing in behind her and forcing her into the tunnel. Fear drove her in further and, when she saw the light on the other side, she took off like a bullet, speeding out of the tunnel and into the freedom of the desert on the other side.

Turning Aztec back to the canyon, Colt grimaced. His advantage of suprise was gone, and the rest of the mares wouldn't be quite so easy. He was suprised to hear the frightened scream of the mares when they realized their leader was gone. It echoed suprisingly loud off the canyon walls. He readied himself for the next attack. Any mare would do now, all of them would react the same. With one last breath, he charged out of the brush and back into the open, shaking his loop out again and preparing to lasso the next mare.


OOC: sorry it's so long, lol, I got carried away...

[aerostarr »-♥->]

a year goes by and i can't talk about it.

Amytal looked out at the cowboy so silently, she would have been hard to notice. Her long blonde curls were tied back today in a high ponytail with a lacy ribbon, she was wearing a simple white peasant top and jeans, and she looked gorgeous with no makeup at all. The ice blue eyes watched him easily, a sight for sore eyes after cleaning her mare's stall early this morning.

She sat atop her mare bareback, fingers clutching the silver mane of her Andalusian Charlamaygne. The mare stood with brown innocent eyes, but she'd seen this cowboy before too. But Amytal remembered him better, and it left daggers stabbing through her heart just to see him again. She could still remember the blue eyes that had once held the utmost affection for her, the feel of his arms as they wrapped around her, the softness of his lips. Things she hadn't experienced for three long years now. Things had changed now. Time had changed her after she'd been forced to leave, followed by murder threats from Josh, the boy that had tried to ruin their relationship several times. He'd finally succeeded. Every inch of her longed to press her calves against the mare that stood patiently beneath her, to move toward the man she'd missed.

She had so much to say to him. But the majority of those words would sound wrong coming from her lips. But soon, the dust had settled, the horses were captured, and Colt was standing there alone again. He was still the same person. The same cold, hard eyes she knew could grow soft with time, the thick muscles capable of taming a horse, the same riding skill anyone would give their right arm for. 'I haven't seen you in awhile... Do you remember me?' She said, coming closer to him, knowing he'd hear her, knowing he'd probably seen her before she spoke too. He'd just been avoiding her, ignoring her. Ignoring her like everyone else did.

He had every right to hate her. She hated herself too. The first minute she'd left, she wanted to turn her car back around, face Josh killing her, just to see him one last time. But she couldn't speak to him or Josh would pull the trigger. He had tabs on her at all times. He followed her, stalked her like a predator stalks its prey. There was nothing she could keep from him. But after three years, he'd finally been caught. And she could return to Colt again. And apologize. Apologize like she should have three long years ago.

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[.:x:.A.rtemis.:x:.]

After catching all but one of the mares, he was more aware than ever of the presence of a pair of eyes watching him. He kept looking, but he saw nothing. The last mare that stood in the valley was a chestnut, but Colt hadn't been able to get anywhere close to her. She kept ranging back and forth, as if looking for something, but, she stayed well away from him. Colt figured she must have lost a foal in the mudslide, and didn't want to leave the only place she knew that it had lived.

It was almost sad. He watched her sympathetically. She was a well colored chestnut, and she had the looks of an Arabian about her. She looked almost exactly like the mare he had realeased three years ago, but she was young. Much too young to me Mystic Valentine.

Sighing unconciously, he moved away from her, preparing to give her a break. Suddenly, the sound of faint hoofbeats came from behind him, and he swirled Aztec, prepared to meet the mare head on. What he saw caused him to drop the loop. Amytal sat before him on her Andalusian, seeming more a snob than ever before, even dressed as casually as she was. Her words almost caused scornful laughter to trickle through his lips, but, the ominous scowl on his lips sealed it in. His jaw set in stubborness before he gathered the rope up. The sudden overwhelming need to hurt her like she had hurt him got the best of him. Yeah, I guess I do remember you. Are you on vacation from your job? Who's running hell while your away? His deep voice sounded perfectly sincere as he baited her, hoping for an explosion or even one of her famous, spoiled-brat temper tantrums.

Turning away from her nonchalatly, he glanced over the ground, and then back to the chestnut mare. It was likely that she was Valentine's daughter, she had the conformation to be a cutting horse just like Valentine. Grief grabbed him for a moment. He had hated releasing Valentine, but, after Novalle died from a fall off her back, he hadn't been able to keep her. He regreted it now. Tex had been the only thing that saved the mare from him. He would have killed her in a drunken rage, but Tex had stopped him from that. Colt was glad. He had loved the mare and so had Novalle.

With the next breath he decided to take the mare home. Even if she wasn't Valentine's filly, she looked enough like her to sooth his conciense. Smiling at her slightly, he shook out a loop, preparing himself mentally for the battle ahead.

[aerostarr »-♥->]

on my knees dim-lighted room, thoughts free flow trying to consume myself;;

Another thing she had forgotten. His ability to break her heart so easily. How could she know he hated her and still long for him to love her like he had before? She still loved him, with all her heart she did, even after many other men tried to come into her life for three years, she wouldn't let them. She loved Colt, and only Colt - funny how she couldn't stay away from the one that wanted to hurt her the most. 'Very funny.' She murmered, but she knew he heard it. She sounded so heartbroken, so hurt. She knew he wanted the exact opposite and for a moment, she wanted to give it to him, just so some amusement could make its way into those eyes, but she didn't.

He'd changed so much. Silently she watched, as patient as she could be as he moved toward the filly with the rope. For what seemed like hours he put up the fight to throw the lasso over her neck, though it was really only minutes, and finally the rope encircled her neck - the filly had been captured. She'd expected it. Even if his feelings had changed for her, his roping never would. He was a cowboy at heart. How could she have expected him to love her too?

'I didn't want to leave...' She said, fighting the tears, knowing she'd lose. She was going to make herself look like an idiot in front of him and embarass herself to the third degree. The tears came silently rolling down her cheeks. But he wouldn't notice them - he didn't care enough to look at her. 'I came back to see you...' She muttered, somehow keeping control of her voice. 'But if you want me to leave again, I will...' She said, hands barely pulling on Charlamaygne's reins, the mare backing up smoothly at the pressure of the hackamore. She still loved him, he hated her. And there wasn't much she could do to change that.

[.:x:.A.rtemis.:x:.]

At the same moment the rope encircled the filly's neck he wrapped it around the horn, preparing Aztec for the short fight that would ensue. It wouldn't be easy convincing her to leave the place. Turning Aztec, he positioned a mesquite tree in between him and the mare, just before Amy spoke. He almost grimaced at the hurt in her voice, but, instead he clenched his jaw and lept off Aztec, unwrapping the rope as he did. He landed on his feet, as always, and ran to the right, putting the tree just between the mare and himself. Quickly, he tied the rope off and trotted down the canyon, leaving Aztec standing there, calling over his shoulder as he went. Too bad. I didn't want to see you. Unsuprising though. If I recall correctly, Miss, you never gave one d**n about what I wanted, or what anyone else wanted either. It was always your way. Well, I know better than to stick my hand into a hornet's nest twice. You stung me once and you stung me good, but it was the last time, believe me. His voice was bitter as he ranged back and forth, looking for something in the brush.

A few minutes later, after looking through all the sage brush, Colt found a small black foal, who to his suprise, was still quite alive. Sighing heavily, Colt bent beside the feeble creature and looped his arm around it, quickly lifting it's weight into his arms. A snakebite on two of it's long legs had swelled up the joints and also made him sick, too sick to stand. Colt turned and carried to colt Aztec, who turned annd began fussing over him like a maiden aunt. It took mmore strength that Colt thought to push the inquisitive nose away.

Shifting his burden to his right arm, he stepped into the stirrup before pulling himself in with his left arm. Though he didn't strain with the strength of the foal, it was obvious that the foal was not light either.

Once he was in the saddle, he pulled the colt over his lap, balancing his weight upon his thighs. Then, leaning over towards the tree, he untied the rope and wrapped it around the saddle horn again. Luckily, the mare had fought all she could against the tree and now she wasmore placid than she had been. Tightening the rope around her neck, Colt put pressure on it while holding the foal with his other arm. He led Aztec with his knees. Soon the strange procession was headed out of the canyon and towards the exit.

[aerostarr »-♥->]

imgserv.ya.com/galerias2.ya.com/img/e/e382eb3f01324010i3.gif

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in this i'm not faithless;; just paranoid of getting lost or that i might lose.

Her heart broke once more as he spoke and the tears seemed to double as he spoke to her. She had nothing to say, nothing she could say from the lump forming in her throat. She wanted to be sick, she wanted to throw up, but she couldn't, all she could do was sit there and embarass herself, knowing she'd never get him back. 'If I didn't care about you, I wouldn't be risking my life just to see you again.' She murmered, following him. Charlamaygne followed behind her at a distance, reins still looped over her neck as she followed her rider obediently, even with no one leading her.

Something happened quickly, too quickly for Amy to realize what it was, but she heard Charlamaygne's hoofbeats fall faster. She was moving toward the entrance, and what was happening really didn't appear safe. 'Colt!' She screamed, but as Charlamaygne ran by she grabbed onto her neck, her hand finding the opposite rein, taking hold of it near her mouth and pulling her head around to the side, forcing her to stop. However, at the same time, the mare spun, losing her footing and rammed Amy into a slab of rock. A scream came from her lips just before she slid off the mare's back, limp as she laid there, unconcious once more. If she had been concious, she'd probably wonder how another accident could happen when she was around him. Maybe she was just clumsy around him, but either way, it had happened again and she lay motionless on the ground, the remaining tears still rolling down her cheeks.

Charlamaygne managed to stop in time before running into Aztec or the filly and she blew a frightened breath out of her nostrils, tail still held high, prancing back toward Amy, eyes softening as she calmed. She looked worried as she watched her rider and she looked back to Colt, wondering if he would care enough to save the girl that had hurt him in the first place.

OOC Lol, I wanted that to happen again. It's like everytime Amytal is around him, she hurts herself somehow. xD[/center][/size]

[.:x:.A.rtemis.:x:.]

Colt turned just in time to see Amy slam into the wall. Just at the time he turned Aztec though, the mare lunged, sinking her powerful teeth into his forearm and yanked him off Aztec roughly. He barely had time to turn so the foal landed on him instead of under him. Grunting at the force of the fall, he tried to gasp for air and rolled over, just in time to keep his head from being stopped by an angry mare. Vaguely he thought "Females." Somewhere, once, he might have laughed at the thought. Now he merely grimaced.

Suddenly, Aztec appeared above him, standing protectively over his like a foal. He bared his teeth and waited for the mare to attack again. She didn't. A few moments later, Colt caught his breath and got up, before trotting towards Amy, muttering the whole while. You stupid God-@#$%#$ Fool! Can'y ride worth a d**n and your still galloping around the countryside like some stupid queen! Well this isn't your kingdom, Princess. It's time for you to get back to your pampered stables and rich boyfriends. I'm not gonna sit around waiting for a chance to lick your wrist you stubborn empty headed moron! He bellowed, walking closer the whole while. Stand up Amy, I'm not in the mood to carry you all around the d**n desert! He practically growled. Then he saw she wasn't moving. At all. Amy? He said, a bit softer. He repeated himself and still she didn't stir. With an angry curse he reached down and grabbed her, yanking her to her feet in a angry rush.

She lay limply in his arms. With another curse he walked to the Andalusian mare and grabbed her bridle roughly. Anger flooded through his so hotly that he stopped even feeling the fear that had almost smothered him when Amy hadn't risen. He slipped The mare's bridle off and pulled out a pocket knife and cut a large portion of rope from his lasso. He took the limp Amy and tossed her into Aztec's saddle then tied her there from her belt loops to the rings on his saddle. Then he grapped the end of the rope and tied the wild mare tight to a mesquite tree. He took the andalusian's bridle and walked to the mare, slipping beside her quickly and dodging hooves and teeth with amazing skill. Soon he had her bridled. Then, he took the remainder of the rope and looped it over the andalusian's neck, tying it to Aztec's saddle horn. Then, with a soft slap on the rump, he sent Aztec towards home. He turned back to the filly and, with the grace of a cougar and the help of the bridle, he landed on her back.

She was so startled that, at first, she forgot to buck. She made up for her mistake quickly. It was a good fifteen minutes before she was worn out enough to trot through the tunnel. Soon, Colt was caught up with Amy and Aztec and the andalusian. As soon as they got back to the ranch Colt could take Amy and her mare home, dump the wild mare in the corral and run back for the foal before the predators got to it. By the time they reached the ranch, he was more tired then he'd been in months.

[aerostarr »-♥->]

ignorance is bliss, cherish it;;

Hanging limp in his arms, she was almost concious for the briefest of moments, even though she wasn't awake enough to move. She felt his arms around her, and her heart raced. 'I'm sorry...' Her lips formed the words as if she were speaking in a dream, but no sound came from her mouth. She was out again as he tied her to the saddle, and didn't stir again after that for a long while.

She wanted him again so badly. She wanted to be able to talk to him again, to fix things and kiss him once more. He had no idea how much she longed to feel those lips against hers again. Even unable to move, she felt it subconciously as the trekked across the desert. Her blonde curls were stained red at the roots from blood and this time it was worse than the last. She would have hated to add to his trouble, but the Emergency Room would probably be necessary. As the horse stopped and he came to untie her, the long black lashes fluttered and parted, ice blue eyes meeting his in a dream like state. 'Colt...' She whispered with a soft smile. But she was delirious. 'I love you, Colt.' She murmered gently. He'd probably hate her for it, but at the moment, the only thing in her world was him. And that was closer to a blessing than anything she'd had in three years.

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[.:x:.A.rtemis.:x:.]

Colt's knife flashed as he sliced through the rope that held Amy to the saddle as if it was a string. Anger poured through him in a hot rush that left him boiling. His anger fed off the confusion he had felt when Amy left him, it fed off the hatred he felt now. He grabbed her gently, despite the rage that gripped him, and he jumped into Aztec's saddle, positioning Amy before him, then, he grabbed the reins in his left hand and spurred the tired stallion into a reckless gallop across the country side, the Andalusian mare running crazily in tow. The crazed scream of a mare haunted them.

Colt didn't let Aztec slow, he held him to a merciless pace as they thundered over the land, heading towards the large estate were the Westwood sisters resided. Someone would be there to take care of Amy. Anyone who was capable of calling an ambulance would do really.

Suddenly, they were at the entrance to the mansion and Aztec galloped over the shrubberies and carefully manicured law, heedless to the large gouges his hooves left in the soft loam. Colt rode him right up the front steps, all the way to the door before he slid off, holding Amy gently with one arm while he repeatedly pounded the door with the other. Someone had to be here. Anger condensed quickly into impatience, he hit the door harder each time, shaking it. If someone didn't open up soon, the door would fall off it's hinges!

[aerostarr »-♥->]

pretty neighborhoods you learn too much to hold;;

Amy stirred, whimpering softly as the blood came from her head at the door to her house. 'Ashley's gone...' She said softly, pain and hurt overflowing from her voice. He still hated her - she knew it. She knew what she'd done was wrong. She didn't even care that Aztec had torn up Ashley's yard, she didn't care that she'd fallen and hit her head, all she cared about was the fact that Colt no longer loved her. Tears rolled down her face as she was held gently in his arms. 'I'm sorry...' She muttered over and over again, as if she could have kept any of this from happening. 'I'll... I'll... I'll walk to the emergency room if you want me to...' She said. That was almost physically impossible in the condition she was in right now, but she was willing to do anything to make him happy - anything to make him love her again. She knew it would take more than silly things like that, but she couldn't help trying.

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[.:x:.A.rtemis.:x:.]

Curse words flowed faster from Colt's lips than the tears flowed from Amy's eyes. Gently he sat her down on the porch and grabbed the horses, trotting them towards the barn. His long, muscular legs swallowed the distance in huge strides, leaving him standing at the door in seconds. With one hand he shoved the large door open, flicked the light on and tied Aztec to a stall partion. He found an empty stall and put the andalusian mare in it, slipping the rope off her head and shut the door, locking it quickly. Next, Colt ran back to Aztec, stripping the saddle off him quickly and tossing it on the ground, then he took Aztec and put him in an empty stall before searching through the stalls, looking for a suitable mount. He stopped before a fairly young black Dutch Warmblood mare. He thought her name was Rose, but he wasn't sure exactly.

Grabbing the halter off the stall door, Colt walked in and haltered her, being gentle despite his anger. Attaching a lead rope he walked her out and tied her to the door before he put Aztec in and shut the door. Grabbing the bridle off Aztec's head, he adjusted it to fit the mare, and slipped it on and then saddled her quickly. As soon as he finished saddling her he jumped into the saddle and cantered her to the porch. He slipped off and grabbed Amy then remounted and gathered the reins, heading the mare towards the town at a gallop.

He didn't slow her from the punishing gait until the light from the town square shone brightly in his eyes. Only then did he pull her back, and only in the slightest. The 5 mile gallop was a lot for her, but it would have been much worse for Aztec who had been working all day at just less than a gallop.

[aerostarr »-♥->]

&& fight the tears with pretty smiles && lies about the times;;

Amy's eyes stayed soft on him as he moved throughout the barn. She still couldn't believe she was back. But at the same time, she was hurt. She wasn't making any process. Only moments later, he emerged with Rose, cantering toward her, jumping off and pulling her back into the saddle with him in one quick, swift motion. He was so sweet - her hero, as corny as that sounded.

They reached the emergency room quickly. Amy stumbled into the place with him. 'Are you two a couple?' She asked innocently. Amy shook her head almost sadly. 'Oh.' She said after a moment, looking over Amy's head. 'Wow, that looks pretty bad. You guys are going to have to come back here with me.' She smiled.

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[.:x:.A.rtemis.:x:.]

Colt scowled darkly as he followed the insolent woman, the half-limp Amy still in his arms. Worry surged through his veins only to be savagely beaten and broken by the anger that pulsed through his veins. He was in no mood to be "sweet". All he wanted was to get away from the girl who had carelessly ripped his heart apart and left it scattering in the autumn wind. He didn't even want the pieces back anymore. He just wanted to be left alone to...? What was it that he felt the overwhelming need to do? To save the life of a foal who might already be drawing his last breath? To fall in love again and have the remaining pieces of his heart deep-fried as well as shredded? He no longer knew. His life was empty, as was the hole that Amy had left in his chest.

When they reached the back room, Colt gently set Amy on the hospital bed before he turned and walked out of the room, walking out of her life at the same time. He knew that he was walking towards bitterness and lonliness, but he sauntered on, winning a battle against heartbreak as he, for the first time, left her to nurse her wounded pride and battered heart. The taste of victory was dull on his tongue as he stepped out into a sudden downpour. Through the haze of the rain, he stalked towards Rose and gathered the reins, leaping quickly into the saddle. He spun her quickly and headed out of the town at a fast clip, relishing the careless spirit that came with galloping through a downpour.

[aerostarr »-♥->]

the times weren't right;; so i can't talk about it

Amy's heart broke once more as he turned to leave her. She wasn't sure how, she wasn't sure why, but somehow it did. The tears multiplied until her blue eyes stung with regret, and she slowly drifted away again, as if he were the only thing keeping her concious. Depression gripped her as she drifted away, and the nurses continued to work around her, preparing her for surgery as Colt galloped recklessly through the rain. Not caring. Not loving her. Not wondering if she would be okay.

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[.:x:.A.rtemis.:x:.]

Evenutally, Colt allowed the mare to slow to a canter, but he kept that pace as mercilessly as he had kept the other. He didn't feel the ovverwhelming sorrow that kept trying to grab him by the throat. He didn't feel that anxiety. He simply drowned both and left himself open to a numbness that was all he would ever ask for again. The absence of pain was so relieving that it almost bordered on pleasure, but, he remembered what really happiness felt like and knew that this wasn't it. For the first time in a long time, he felt nothing and he relished in the empty, pain-free living.

Before too much longer he arrived at his barn and he dismounted, finally slowing the punishing pace. He lept off the mare and flung open the barn door, then stripped the tack off her and put her in the nearest empty stall. He'd have to take her back to Amy's later, then he'd retrieve Aztec, but, for now, the dry stall would have to do. Running down the aisles, Colt stopped before a large, fierce-eyed silver stallion. The horse wasn't white or grey, he was simply a pure silver color from nose to tail. Colt stepped in and slipped on the bridle then trotted the horse down the aisle where he exchanged the wet saddle pad for a dry one.

Then he quickly saddled the stallion and leapt into the saddle, again heading out into the driving rain at a gallop. The stallion's long legs stretched quickly, becoming perfectly accustomed to the grueling pace in little less than a minute.