Chapter Eight: Encounter

Hooks had introduced Rose to just about everyone they could find. The sun was starting to set and he told her that Lisa wanted them back by dark.

They began walking back on the path. Rose was looking around and a faint glow caught her eye.

“What’s that?” she asked, pointing.

He looked. “A Gateway.”

“To where?”

“Dunno. Could be anywhere.”

“Can I see?”

“We should be getting back…”

“What ’arm could it do?”

Much to Hooks’ protests, she strayed off the path and made her way deeper and deeper into the forest to the glowing Gate.

“Oh, this isn’t a good idea…this is dangerous….Woodhorn could be around…he hates humans…he’ll be very angry if he finds us here…”

“Relax. I just want to see.”

“This is bad…this could be bad…”

Rose ignored him. As she stepped closer, she saw the Gate more clearly. It appeared as a shimmering mist between two identical trees.

“Rose, please…” Hooks pleaded with her. “We’re going to be in so much trouble…if Woodhorn finds out – ”

A trumpeting call made his voice die in his throat. Rose jumped and Hooks squeaked in fear. From the trees they could see a pair of red eyes, staring at them. Angry snorts could be heard.

Hooks squeaked again. “No…no…no…” he whined. “No, not him! Rose, we have to go, now! Please!”

This time she agreed, but it was too late. A large stallion with dark purple fur, glowing red eyes, a mane, tail and beard like dirty straw and a horn and hooves like black iron stood in their way. Brightly colored paint decorated parts of him, including a bold “JT” on his neck. Dark green goo was dripping from the tip of the horn.

Hooks clung desperately to Rose’s neck, squeaking and shaking in fear. Janis Thorn…no… He was so scared, he couldn’t even speak.

The stallion pawed at the ground, snorting. Rose stood frozen in place, eyes wide.

I told you…I told you you shouldn’t’ve come out this far…we’re in trouble…oh, we’re in so much trouble…we can’t outrun him… Hooks’ thoughts slipped into an incoherent babble.

Maybe if we don’t move, he won’t see us… Rose thought and Hooks giggled hysterically.

He’s not a horse…his vision is better.

Janis Thorn snorted some more, digging up the ground with his hooves. Hooks briefly wondered why he hadn’t charged yet.

Of course, that was when it came. The stallion reared up and sprung off his back legs, galloping towards them at an impossible speed. Rose thought frantically, but she didn’t know what to do and that iron spear of a horn was aimed straight for her heart.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, another stallion burst from the trees. This one a white and brown blur as it collided with Janis Thorn, knocking him off balance. Hooks could see, now, that the other stallion was none other than Woodhorn himself.

With the two of them distracted, Hooks squeaked out, “Run!!” and clung for dear life as Rose took off back towards the path.

The problem was they couldn’t find it. The sun was completely set, now, and there was no moon, effectively shrouding the entire forest in darkness.

“Oh, I hate the dark…” Hooks whined, trembling.

They had to face the facts: They were lost.

End chapter eight.

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