Dixie got out of the stream and trotted around the field. She tried to stay within Wests vision, but sometimes it was hard. The grass got really high at times and she seemed to disappear behind large trees. She ended up making one circle before stopping in the middle of the field and looking at Mystery and West.

West sighed heavily. He could easily tell Mystery wasn't telling the truth, but he wasn't going to press her how. She'd had a long couple weeks. His head shot up as he noticed Ghost stumble out of the woods and just collapse. (I dunno how Ghost did all that before I answered xD sorry I was off for so long y'all) Concern marred his vision as he cantered over. "Ghost? Ghost-"

Dixie had turned away when she felt a whisker against her side. "Oh... hey Lazarus" she lowered her head to nuzzle the lion. Her head shot up when Wests voice frantically called out. She couldn't tell what he was saying, or who he was talking too, but she froze and scanned the area.

The stallion lowered his head and nudged Ghost before stepping back. Where had the horse gone?! How could Ghost manage to get hurt SO QUICKLY?

-

Ebony heard West's loud calls and cantered over, her whole body and face changing instantly as she saw Ghost laying on the ground. "D-daddy? Is he dead?!" She sounded terrified and immediately started trembling, shaking, and slowly backing up.

Dixie noticed Ebony and hurried over to them. "Oh my gosh" she muttered before pulling Ebony away. "No he's not dead. He's still breathing. It's ok honey" she lowered her head over the filly and pulled her close to her legs.

West turned to Ebony quickly. "No, he's fine! He will be fine! He'll pull through, he always does." He answered quickly. He could tell the foal was terrified, but Dixie was there so he went and got moss, soaking it in the stream before sponging up the blood.

-

Ebony shook even harder, her knees practically knocking together. "D-did a h-horse do this t-to him? L-like M-menace? H-he looks j-just like my former m-mom did when she d-didnt move.." the filly started sobbing with fear, crumbling to the ground. "I don't w-want him to die..."

( honestly wild i have no clue how i did that either 😭)

ghost tryed to pick up his head as he heard ebonys voice but the most he could manage was moving his ear to prove he wasnt dead before he spoke weakly "we need..........to move the herd-" he coughed before going silent his breathing slowing slightly before his ear moved back

"Oh honey" she wiped the filly's tears with her head. "Don't worry honey. I don't know what happened but West won't let anything happen to anyone. Don't worry. We're here. " she glanced at West, her own tears pricking at her eyes. Ghost had been a childhood friend. If he died she would internally die like she did when other horse told her he was dead when they were younger.

West's heart was breaking just hearing Ebony's words, but he let Dixie deal with it as he listened intently to what Ghost said. "If we move the herd that means you have to move two. What did they even do to you " He mumbled lowly, pressing the moss to another bloody area before stepping back. "If you need rest to move we will not move until you can move with us. I won't let the humans get over here." He said quietly, too low for Ebony to hear. He could tell it was humans from the whip marks and what looked like a wound where Ghost ran into something hard. Wood door probably.

-

Ebony sniffled and blinked, nodding slightly. "Okay Mom... I'll try to be strong." She whispered, but didn't move.

"Yes honey. Be strong. I know you are strong. But even I know you can't bear it alone. I'm right here. Always. And your dad is too" she nuzzled the filly again. "Always right here" Dixie swallowed back her slight tears and put on a brave face. She couldn't let Ebony know that she was breaking on the inside.