Flaming Hearts

Chapter 25

I shove the pictures in my pocket, and run into the house.

"Dad? Mom?" I yell, my voice shaking. No answer. "Carter? Taylor?" Still, no answer. "Anyone?'

I frantically search the house, finding no one.

The last room I check is the kitchen. Taped to the microwave is a note.

'Ariel

Your father and I are taking Carter and Taylor out to a dinner. We won't be home till late (past midnight.) There is leftover lasagna in the fridge for you (and Colton, if he wants some.) Behave yourselves.

Mom'

"Shit," I whisper, trying to collect my thoughts.

What do I do?

I can't think. I can barely function. Colton could be hurt.

What do I do?

'Just breath,' a voice in my head that sounds eerily familiar to Taylor says.

I take a deep breath in, and hold it for a moment. Then I let it go.

I need to go after him. I have to find him. He could be hurt.

I run out of the house and towards the barn, looking through the horse stalls.

Normally, I'd take Flame.

But I know as well as anyone else that Ace, our thoroughbred (who just happens to be an ex race horse) is faster.

I tear open his stall and quickly bridle him up, leading him out of the barn before I mount him bareback. There's no time for saddles. There's no time to blink.

There's no time for anything.

"Come on Ace," I urge, kicking him hard in the flank.

He easily goes into a gallop, age not affecting him at all.

I can picture him on the track in his heyday, bringing home the ribbons. People bid money left and right on Ace of Spades (his full name). He almost never let them down.

"Colton," I yell, my voice straining. I slow Ace to a lope, hoping to hear a reply. "Colton."

I don't hear anything, except Ace's hoof beats and my frantic heartbeat.

I ride another quarter mile before stopping again.

"Colton!" I shout, my voice shaky yet loud. Nothing. "Colton!"

I urge Ace into a gallop again, and ride farther down the trail.

A sound catches my ear.

"Woah," I calm, pulling Ace to a stop.

I listen again, hoping that my mind wasn't just playing tricks on me.

But I hear it again.

Hoof beats. Slow hoof beats, most likely a trotting horse, but hoof beats nonetheless.

"Colton," I cry out, taking off towards the sound.

Please dear god be Colton. I know there are at least ten other horse barns in this godforsaken town and people ride these trails all the time, but please let that be Colton on Whisper.

I cut through the trees to get to where the sound came from, accidently running through a thornbush. Thorns scrape my face and my arms, probably gettng Ace too.

"I'm sorry boy," I whisper, patting his neck.

Finally, we burst through the trees and onto the trail.