~Place of Peace~

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I pulled aside a straying brown hair from my face, the crisp morning air surrounded me. Up on the farm hill, no roads in sight. Nothing could disturb the peace up here. I would ride up here most mornings, no one would disturb me at this early hour. In a few hours I would leave here and enter the big busy city of New York.

All of a sudden Tim came out of the mist and sat down next to me. He was one of the stable hands on the farm. He looked down at me through his dark blonde hair that always covered his left eye. He stared at me with his big crystal blue eyes. I was not surprised to see him in his normal leather jacket and torn up jeans, and he never worn more than an old t-shirt. "Hey Lizzy, what are you doing out here so late in the morning? The bus is about to leave. I thought you were leaving me for New York today?" He asked. "What do you mean 'late in the morning' it's barely... OH NO!!! THE BUS IS ABOUT TO LEAVE I BETTER HURRY IF I WANT TO MAKE IT." I say panicked. I get up and hop up on my horse. "Don't worry, I'll walk down" Tim says. I quickly start cantering down the hill towards the barn.

Reaching the paddock game, I decided there was no time to dismount and open it. I centred Luna, my strawberry roan Clydesdale X Thoroughbred cross to the gate preparing to jump. As we sailed over the gate, it felt like you were flying. I quickly eased her back to a walk as we neared the barn. I jumped off and pulled open the big heavy barn doors. I jogged Luna over to her stall and tied her up and called for Emma to untack her. I would normally untack her myself, but I was going to be late.

I ran up the drive to the house, feeling the gravel shifting beneath my boots. I ran inside, bursting through the front door. I ran up the stairs to my room and grabbed my bag. All I had to do was say goodbye to Tim. I was not going to be back for a whole 3 months. Tim ran up to me embracing me in a big bear hug. I was going to miss him and everyone around here. "Lizzy? Who's going to look after Luna while you're gone in New York?" Tim asks releasing me from the hug. "I was sort of hoping ... you might? I thought you could ride her in the morning before you start work, and just leave her out in a paddock all day?" I say looking up at Tim with my bad puppy dog eye. "Sure I would love to." Tim says. "Oh look it's my bus I better go." I say turning to leave. Tim grabs my hand and passes me a little package. "Don't miss us too much. Come back soon." Tim says letting me go. I run to the bus and quickly hop on. I wave to Tim as the bus pulls away.

I look down at the little package that Tim passed to me before I left. I turn it around and around and notice a small card on the back. I take it off and open it.

'Dear Lizzy,

You're my best friend here on the farm. I have got to know you over the past 3 years and really appreciate you. I wish you lots of luck on your adventure in NY. Bring me back a souvenir or something. I'm really gonna miss you and I know Luna will to. I will take really good care of her while you're gone. But plz...hurry back we miss you already.

Much love,

Tim'

I open the package carefully, trying not to break the paper. Inside was a small box concealing within a silver ring. Attached to it another note reading.

'Consider this a friendship ring, to not forget me when you become famous J '

I slide the ring on my middle finger. I admire the Horseshoe and Heart conjoined. "It's so beautiful" I say to myself. "Airport" shouts the bus driver. I quickly jump to my feet and hop out of the bus. I look around and notice the large building in front of me. People rushing in and out of the large glass doors in front of me. "Flight 459, gate 6, all passengers ready for take-off in 45 minutes." Says the loudspeaker inside. "Oh damn it, that's my flight." I say rushing inside.

As I make my way towards gate 6. I realize that it will be a lot noisier in New York that back home on my little piece of land. I quickly hand my passport to the flight attendant lady. "You may go through. Your seat is L18. I walk up the stairs and into the plane. I handed my seat number to the flight attendant. "Welcome to Flint Flights. Enjoy your ride." Says the flight attendant. I go to my seat and put my bag in the overhead luggage and sit down. Relaxing in my seat I stare out the window and slowly drift to sleep.

"ALL PASSENGERS PREPARE FOR LANDING AND WELCOME TO NEW YORK" says the Captain. I wake up abruptly. "I must have slept through the whole flight" I say looking out the window. "I'm in New York." I say. "I wonder what adventures I will find here."