“Ruby.” Her raw voice croaks out and her mare to my right is still breathing hard. Travis is on his knees next to the animal now and a swarm of people are running our way.
“She’s okay,” I lie, because clearly that horse is not okay.
I raise my head and my voice. “Where’s the fucking EMT?” There is always an ambulance and EMTs at every event, and they need to be here right fucking now.
My fingers gently cradle her head. The sight of her soft curves laying on the ground at such an unnatural angle makes me feel sick. I’m desperate to pull her into me, scoop my hands under her, but I don’t dare. I could hurt her even more so I brush my free hand over her head from the forehead back, and then I freeze...
I lift my fingers to see the crimson smears, and my heart is in my throat. I settle my palm softly over where I feel the blood.
Her hair is matted and soaking, an enormous bump is raising on the left side of her head where Ruby’s hoof smashed against her head, and I know the rising injury is bigger than it should be in such a short time.
“Hurry the fuck up! Someone get the fucking ambulance!” My voice cracks, and I don’t understand why people are just standing around looking. I hate them all right now, anyone that is not helping is on my shit list.
She coughs softly and I look down. “Please,” she whispers. Her eyes turn watery and my heart melts. She raises one hand and I take it in mine. She holds on so tight that I don’t ever want to leave. “Help me.” Her eyes close and the stomping of feet comes from behind.
Before I can say anything to comfort her, two paramedics and the doctor are on us. It takes all my will to tear myself away and let them work, but it’s what’s best for her and that’s all I want.
Travis is standing now, a vet and two assistants tending to the mare on the ground. The look on his face seems distant, disconnected, like he’s thinking of something other than the safety of his injured student. Our eyes meet and a fury ignites inside of me when he glances away. His eyes light on the gasping mare lying in the center of the broken fence. He bites his lip and looks at his watch, and thoughts of how I’d like to kill him play in a loop in my mind.
He looks back at me for only a split second, then he glances back over his shoulder. Suddenly, his demeanor changes, then he steps forward to lean over his student, my beauty, displaying a sudden dramatic concern.
I struggle to my feet as the paramedics and doctor crowd me out. A screaming woman and a distinguished looking man break through the gathered circle of people, settling on both sides, flanking Travis.
He looks at me one last time, and I hope he understands what my eyes are saying because he and I have some scores to settle very soon. I’m done playing.