Run Down Under

   The mist rolled over the foggy hills of Mill Creak Vally. The early morning sun barely over the crack in the mountain, streams of sunlight glimmered through and onto the shiny coats of the horses below. The small foals ran up and down the hills occasionally sliding every once in a while.

A Colt sat perched on a rock that stuck out of the mountain side. His name was Torisu, Tori for short. Tori didn’t play with the other horses for his job was going to like his fathers, watching the herd. He mainly liked hanging out with the adults, he never was a little baby.

Tori’s dark bay coat glimmered in the sun as it rose over the mountain. Tori was only about a month shy of a year, so he was not staying long in the herd. Tori hoped to stay in the herd and lead it one day but by the looks of it, his father was going to choose his half brother Chalf, mainly because he was older, stronger and a lot dumber. The herd was going to hit a few dead ends if they decided to get rid of Tori, but so far things were not going as Tori had planned.

Tori headed into the Vally for a sip of cool spring water from the small pond that was in the middle of the Vally. Tori had led the herd to this Vally, though his father took the credit.

Tori walked through the heard of filly’s laying in the grass. The gave in smirking and bored looks as he passed by. He glanced once. When Tori looked before him he saw a Hole! He quickly swerved to the side. He glanced back at the filly’s who were giggling at him, Tori let out a snort and headed on his way.

The pond was a large clear circle that had a small creak running into it from the mountain top. Tori knew this place was bad, it was just too perfect to be good, the herd had to move on otherwise they were doomed. Tori lowered his head to take long gulps of water, the cool refreshing liquid made him relax a little.

Hoof beats approached from behind him. Tori’s head swing up, his ears swiveled, he relaxed when he saw his father’s large blocky figure approaching.

“Dad?” Tori said working his mind on why would his father be here.

“What do you think?” He ask

“About what?” Tori ask as he cocked his head

“This place, isn’t it perfect.” His father stated as he looked around, light in his eyes.

“I don’t think we should stay here, Dad. It’s too perfect, we are just sitting ducks. The only way out of here is the cliff side walk which is not safe even at a slow speed. I say we leave Mill Creak and head for new territory.” Tori explained ending with a stomp of his hoof. His father stared him in the eyes for a moment.

“I thought you’d say that, you leave at dawn.” He said turning and walking back to the cliff where he had been before

“Wait…me?”

“Yes, isn’t that what I said. You think that’s what’s best then do that. My herd has survived because of my decisions and mine alone. You leave at dawn.” His father said not even glancing back at him. Tori’s gaze dropped to the ground, he thought he would listen to him like he always had, but not this time… The mid day breeze blew through Tori’s thick long mane. He stared down into the Mill Creak Vally. Again he was perched on his little hill enjoying the breeze, and last day gazing upon the lush grass before him. Tori had lost his appetite during his discussion with his father so he sat on the hill instead, soaking in the last misty breeze before he left.

Hoof beats sounded behind him, he didn’t spook by the slightest, for he knew who it was. Chalf plopped down beside him. Chalf had a big clunky body and a big bum like his father, Tori looked more like an Arabian without the dished nose. Chalf scooted closer.

“I heard your leaving the herd, is it true?” Chalf ask contently.

Tori avoided eye contact. “Yes” he murmured.

Chalf trotted off in joy, for he was for sure the new herd leader, that is after his father passed his place up. Chalf was about a year older than Tori.

DAWN

Tori trotted down the hill. The sun still hadn’t risen, not a sliver had shown its self. Tori glanced around one last time at the hill, his perch, his herd, his father, his half sibling, then at the Vally escape, the one exit. He thought about it and then came to the thought that his father was not awake at this hour, which meant he didn’t have to see his half brother ether, so he left before dawn instead of after.

Tori trotted sluggishly along the path passing a single stone on occasion. The view from the path was glorious, the over looking hills, the dark spooky mountains tucked to the far edge of the hilly grassland. Tori couldn’t take his eyes off the view, but he knew he probably wouldn’t ever see it again. Tori glanced down from the slim, windy, narrow path, it was a large pit all the way to the grassland, no horse could survive that fall.

Tori continued trotting along, the path was too narrow and windy for even the slowest lope. Tori passed up the thought to run and jump from the cliff and never have to care again, besides that’s what would’ve happened if he were to stay in the herd, wouldn’t it?

He trotted until he saw a small glimmer of sun peaking around the corner of a rock, was this it? He had been traveling for hours and he hadn’t seen a single stream of sunlight. For the Mill Creak surely was at full peak of sun, but Mill Creaks tall mountin walls that surrounded it were blocking the out skirting land from the sun, it was no wonder the land was so dry and deadly out there. Mill Creak was like a haven, a safe place, but also a deep trap.

Tori stared down at his mud covered hoofs, he had never been so dirty in his life! Tori spent 40 moons in Mill Creak, and that was getting to him. Tori cantered towards the sunlight. Cool air rushing through his mane, the feeling of blood pumping through his long legs again, his glittery dun coat shining in the sun. He shook the dirt off as he ran for this glimmer of hope. His ears pricked forward when he approached the stream of light. He walked around the rock… his eyes batted twice… he stood there breathless…