[ImmyWimmy1]

Bump. ^^

[sapphirespirit]

Username:sapphirespirit
Show Name:Samhain's Delight
Barn Name:Sammy
Gender: Stallion
Color: Gray Brindle w/ Bloody Shoulder
Breed: Quarab (Quarter Horse x Arabian)
Spooky Story (Add the Ending!): The night was dark, and the atmosphere was heavy, weighing down on the shoulders of anyone foolish enough to trek out into the barren woods. The dead leaves rattling, clinging stubbornly to the bone-dry stretching fingers of the hemlocks, cedars, and sycamores that were made up the wild groves and woodlands. It was quiet and dark for miles, no stars shining their pale light upon the earth. The only light was the sickly yellow of the moon, nothing like the comforting silver that came on other nights. A cold, moaning breeze ran through the trees, sending goosebumps over skin and shivers down spines. A thud came from down the empty path, followed by another, rythmic, thudding beats that begin to pick up in speed and volume. Something was coming this way, and the wind seemed to pick up with its coming ever-closer. What was that sound? Was that your own breath and heart, or some monster dwelling in the bushes? You hurriedly cast glances at every shadow in the corner of your eye, but there's nothing. You turn to run, but you feel glued to the spot, as the thunder of some approaching storm grew louder and louder.

Nervous was an understatement. Sammy had never been so spooked, so flighty. Nares flared in rhythm with heavy breathing, his breath spiraling skyward in short, quick bursts on the crisp night air. Audits swiveled at every creak in the bush, every moan of the trees, every whisper of the wind. His heart beat wildly inside of his chest- an uneasy, nauseating feeling settled in the pit of his being and festered there, wallowing in his fear. He was beginning to second guess himself, question his sanity. Had he heard any sounds at all? Or had his wild imagination gotten the better of him? He'd been through here thousands of times! Why was this night any different?

With a snort, a sigh, and the shake of his head, Sammy continued on his way. He forced himself to focus on the sounds of his hoof beats on the narrow, worn path. One, two. one, two. one, two. His long stride and well synchronized trot seemed to calm his nerves. He shook his man, skullary held high and proud. How silly he had been, nothing was there lurking in the shadows! Gods bones, it wasn't even Halloween and he was as frightened as a filly! his pace had slowed to a proud strutting walk, his plume flicking to and fro in brief agitation at himself.

Gems danced to and fro-straining to spy into the shadows. His pace slowed, and finally halted. Wait... Something wasn't right after all. This bit of forest wasn't familiar...had he taken a wrong turn on his prideful parade? He too a hesitant step forward, another two back. Which way to go? his pelt tingled, his heart fluttered. The forest had become deathly silent. No birds twittered, not insects hummed-it seemed as though even the wind held her caressing breath. The only sound was his breaths, and his heart. That is, until a terrifying shriek echoed through the forest.

It was so bloodcurdling, so shrill, so thunderous that Sammy froze, paralyzed and choking on his fear. Run. Got to get out, gotta run His eyes darted from tree to tree, his muscles starting at every shadow. Was that shadow moving? Were those eyes glimmering back at him? Was that footsteps thundering through the dying echoes of the awful screech? Every moment he waited drove him further to madness, stealing his sanity, some sleek and frightening thief in the night, until he could no longer stand in a battle of wits and courage.

Turning in a half rear, on his heels so to speak, Sammy bolted back the way he'd come. His hooves thundered beneath him, his eyes scanning wildly for any signs of life, or familiarity. Somehow ,though, his Imagination being the inescapable thing that it was, he didn't hear his rapid breaths, his pounding hooves as bone and sinew pushed themselves to new limits, and his hooves scattered dirt with each panicked step. He heard something though. Some awful thing running alongside him. He thought he'd catch a glimpse of color, shining bright and in pairs, or a flash of brilliant white points, enveloped with foaming silver. Nothing looked right in this night. The moon was casting an odd, infectious glow around all things visible.

He ran with all his might, pushing past the fatigue and weariness. Anxiety and adrenaline had become his companions, keeping him just out of reach of Fear's gnashing jowls at his heels. Twigs tugged at his mane and tail, scraped along his face and neck. He lunged sideways here, jumped a fallen log there, focused on nothing but running, finding his light. He'd never ran so hard or passionately from or for anything in his life. It almost felt as though he was flying.

It wasn't until the harsh and chilling crash that he realized he had indeed been 'flying' right off an embankment , and right into an icy lake. He twisted and writhed, fighting to get back to the surface-to relieve the burning in his chest and lungs. He burst from the water, and scrambled to the bank where he collapsed in a heap, panting and shaking. eh was so cold, and so sore, but He'd gotten away from that awful thing, hadn't he?
He snorted, a soft huff of amusement in himself, before he willed himself to find his footing. He slipped on the now slick mud covered bank, sinking a bit with each step he took. He knew this place.. it was the old man's farm , just paces from his own home!
He was nearly there, nearly safe! Ecstatic, his pace quickened, each high sticking step pushing him through the mud and the muck. He was nearly there. nearly there.

A low guttural snarl sounded behind him, and seemed to echo in various pitches and tones and lengths. He paused, ears flicked back and listening, he half wary to turn about and see what had caused the hateful sound. When he mustered the courage to turn his head about, and to spy the monster he had been fearful of- he was slightly shocked. What he thought had been one, was really many.
A handful of mangy, furry creatures, with long and sharpened talons and large dagger like teeth to boot. Their eyes shined like gold , and burned like fire. They had long ,whip-like tails and equally long, gnarled limbs. Their faces were stout and hefty. And they all looked hungry and eager to catch their mud stuck prize. Sammy's ears flattened on his head as he realized he hadn't an option in Flight or Fight. And as he braced himself as they crept ever closer, he knew it would be a fight for his life. Fear is a crippling emotion that can drive the very best to madness and oddities. but it is what you chose to do when faced with Fear that determines your essence, Reader. For as Sammy was about to find out- Fear and strength go hand in hand.

**************
As the first rays of light peeked through the cracks of the horizon, the birds stirred to life and started their cheerful songs. The world was peaceful and rested, stretching its limbs and yawning away its slumber; a soft fall zephyr rustling the bare limbs. Ears twitched once, twice, before eyes fluttered open to behold a glorious morning-full of life and joy. With a sigh and a grunt, Sammy stood and stretched. He shook his pelt free of his bedding and gave a long yawn. He wandered to the edge of his stall,and dipped his head over the door in search of breakfast. About that time , Red's head emerged across the way , he too giving a yawn. " Sleep well, Sammy?" he nickered afterwards. Sammy bobbed his head. " Must have been some dream you were having, to jump the fence and run off like that. Heard the oddest screeching out there . I was worried . But, you wandered back on your own, and settled down to sleep again. You were covered in mud though. oddest thing," and with that, red turned around and wandered out into his own mini paddock to graze. Yeah, Sammy thought. Some dream...."
HUGE wip , I must levae to pick up my kid brother, will finish this within the hour. ^^



Alright, I'm done. i think. not my best, and it was sort of rushed, but here it is. good luck to all else who enter!

[SerenWish]

Oh no, this is going to be hard to judge!

[sapphirespirit]

Oh no, this is going to be hard to judge!

that's what makes it so fun L=

[ImmyWimmy1]

Bump- somebody else needs to try out for him. I've seen many great writers on Cottonwood, so anyone could win him! <3

[sapphirespirit]

bump

[SerenWish]

Thank you for your patience, my lovelies. I will try to judge this soon. Just realized I have stuff due tomorrow that I totally blanked on. We have midterms next week so it's pretty busy right now, between this and all the customs and other projects I'm working on.

[SerenWish]

Alright, I have made my decision.

This was very, very hard to judge. I love how you two took opposite sides. Immy made it seem like the stallion was connected to the monster- sapphire made the stallion the subject of the story.

I thought about it for a long time, and I noticed that something was cropping up: People were begging for breedings. This got me thinking.

In reward for their brilliant stories, both sapphire and Immy will be granted a breeding from this guy by me. Both of these foals will have brindle like the father.

However....

This type of brindling is NOT genetic. Meaning that these two foals will be the only foals of this stallion to be born with brindle. I did research concerning this. The brindled foals are a gift from me to the two of you, for your hard work and your patience in waiting.

As for those of you who do use him in a breeding: He can pass on his grey genes, and his foals can have bloody shoulders, they just can't inherit his brindling.

And, now, to announce the winner of this stallion:

ImmyWimmy1!

Both stories were wonderful, but Immy's story, especially the ending, felt like a campfire tale, or a real, bonified, scary story. Congratulations. Please post your breeding forms on the main thread. (Immy, I hope it's okay with you about the breedings.)

[sapphirespirit]

Alright, I have made my decision.

This was very, very hard to judge. I love how you two took opposite sides. Immy made it seem like the stallion was connected to the monster- sapphire made the stallion the subject of the story.

I thought about it for a long time, and I noticed that something was cropping up: People were begging for breedings. This got me thinking.

In reward for their brilliant stories, both sapphire and Immy will be granted a breeding from this guy by me. Both of these foals will have brindle like the father.

However....

This type of brindling is NOT genetic. Meaning that these two foals will be the only foals of this stallion to be born with brindle. I did research concerning this. The brindled foals are a gift from me to the two of you, for your hard work and your patience in waiting.

As for those of you who do use him in a breeding: He can pass on his grey genes, and his foals can have bloody shoulders, they just can't inherit his brindling.

And, now, to announce the winner of this stallion:

ImmyWimmy1!

Both stories were wonderful, but Immy's story, especially the ending, felt like a campfire tale, or a real, bonified, scary story. Congratulations. Please post your breeding forms on the main thread. (Immy, I hope it's okay with you about the breedings.)

Congrats Immy! and Thanks Seren for the foal I'm guessing we just pick a mare of our own?

[SerenWish]

Congrats Immy! and Thanks Seren for the foal :D I'm guessing we just pick a mare of our own?

Correct! ^___^ Make sure to put my name under artist.