by phenomenon » Sat Oct 27, 2012 3:40 pm
Username: Redwood
Equid's Name: Brewing {Brew for short} {As in a Brewing storm}
Height: 14 hh
Gender: Mare
Age: 4 1/4 years
Story: I remember the day clearly. The sun was shining and there was a cool breeze blowing against the hillside making a ripple effect on the tall grass. It was a perfect day to bask in the sun, graze as the soft gusts of air ruffled your mane, or prance with the wind. Nothing could go wrong. Or so I thought...
I was standing on top of the hill watching the field below. I love to be in high places where I can feel the wind in my face and through my mane. Being in elevated areas also has to relate with my fear. I hate being enclosed, in caves, or too low to the ground, if you know what I mean. I couldn't stand living in the valley. That's one reason I left my herd... I had no choice either... But, where was I?
There was 6 or 8 deer grazing in the field with no predators to bother them in sight. Four fawns were prancing about playing tag, I presume. Even they seemed at total peace of mind. See, Brewing? Nothing to fret about! Even the young deer have no fear! I told myself. But that, of course, got me thinking. They were fawns. Still babies. They were still young and oblivious to danger. What do they know?
At that moment, I got that tingling sensation up my spine. I lifted my muzzle into the wind and took a big sniff. Being an expert on wind, thanks to my phobia, I knew that the wind had changed. Fear crept up my back. A storm was coming. A big one too. I looked up at the sky and found my guess correct. Dark clouds were moving in quickly from the horizon of the field. The gentle breeze suddenly turned into howling gusts of wind. Normally, I would have stayed on top of that hill and welcome the strong winds like friends. But near thunder and flashes of lightning quickly changed my mind. No, I thought slowly backing down the hill. Not again! A bolt of lightning struck the ground about 50 feet away from me. I reared with a cry of panic and fled down the slope. The warm sun was gone and replaced by an angry storm. As I ran, I felt rain drop from the sky. Lightning cracked above, deafening my ears. Urging myself to run faster, I glanced ahead for somewhere to hide. Maybe a tree or...or- a bolt of electricity struck a willow ahead and set it up in flames. I skidded as I veered away from the fire in a whinny of surprise. Rain was falling harder and the thunder boomed. I don't think I have ever ran so hard in my life. Maybe except for-No! You must focus, Brew! Not now! Letting out a neigh of defiance, I galloped up a slope. At the top of the slope, there was a rocky cliff. No way around. Unless you go over it, which was basically suicide as I know from experience and stories.
I was completely wet and cold to the bone. My adrenaline was still pumping hard in my veins urging me to get out of this storm. But where can I go? I didn't see any source of cover at all... Oh, no. No. No. No. I lifted my gaze to the cliff.
The cliff was very rigid so it had many ledges and cracks. But those wouldn't provide much cover hence the wind was blowing hard on my back. But that wasn't what I was afraid of... What I saw in front of me in the cliff were caves. Dark, claustrophobic caves. And to my luck, that happened to be my only option if I wanted to get out of this storm.
My legs seemed to be moving by themselves as I found myself slowly walking towards the caves. The wind had changed direction once again and was now pushing against me at an angle from my left. Tilting my head down and I began walking slowly in a diagonal line towards the wall of rock. I kept my eyes closed and didn't stop until my head hit cold stone. I lifted my head to see a cave large enough for me to fit through to my left. I could shelter there until the storm stopped. Are you crazy, Brew? It's a cave! Dark and cold. No wind. No sky. Who knows what could be lurking in there!
Lightning cracked and hit the ground somewhere behind me very near because light flooded the cave room and the earth beneath my hooves trembled. For that brief moment, I saw the interior of the cave. It was roomy and there were dry spots where the rain couldn't get too. Or couldn't get to yet, judging by the wind's swift changes of direction.
Swallowing my fear, I bravely took a step into the cave. I froze with sudden terror. I couldn't do this. But the loud booms of thunder and more lightning hitting the ground close by helped encourage me forward. My whole body was completely in the cave now and suddenly all my anxiety and terror edged away. It wasn't so bad. I would only stay until the storm ended. But the storm could last for days. I shook my head, splattering the ground with drops of water. Be bold, Brewing. I'm not sure if that was my thoughts at all because being bold, especially in caves, was exactly the opposite of what I felt. Despite my brain begging in fear and pounding heart, I walked deeper into the cave. I shook off the water and realized how cold I really was. I picked a dry corner, close to the entrance as possible, and settled down. I curled my tail up so the ending feathers tickled my snout. After this storm was over, I was going to tell everyone I meet and maybe know, that I, Brewing, had survived a thunderstorm in a cave. Against my claustrophobia, I was able to stay, more or less, calm since I didn't run around out of my mind. When you face your fears, especially in dire times, it takes courage. But never forget that you will become braver with every step.
I hope that's under 500 words! Dx I kind of doubt it... Sorry! Please enjoy it anyway, whether I win or not.
- Redwood C:
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