War Times

I think this might end up being an anime related fic...not sure at this point though...probably though...and probably related to Gundam Wing at that...

~*~*~*~*~*~

The gray mare pawed the dirt in front of her stall door as she watched her mistress take her time putting on her riding boots. Michelle looked up at the horse, "Calm down...we aren't going anywhere with only my sandals on!" The mare just snorted and pawed more.

Michelle shook her head and sat down on the tack box, putting her boots on, then jumped down and walked around to the stall door. She unlocked the door and opened it. The mare stretched her head out, sniffing for treats as Michelle walked in and slipped the halter on. "No treats before workout..." She grinned as she lead the mare out of the stall and down the
hallway, to head out of the barn and to round pen where she could lunge the mare.

Before they reached the end of the barn though, the mare froze and lifted her head way up, snorting and starting to back up. Michelle turned to see the frightened look on the horse's face. "What's wrong girl? Easy...easy..." she reached her hand up to the horse's neck, petting her and speaking soothing words in an attempt to calm her down.

Finally the mare calmed down and Michelle turned to lead her out of the barn. As they passed through the doorway though the area was filled with a brilliant white light. Michelle covered her eyes with one hand, attempting to keep a hold of the mare with the other as the mare freaked out for an obviously good reason.

As the light faded, Michelle focused on calming the horse down once again. The mare snorted, head held high, looking around nervously and swishing her tail. "Easy...easy girl...its ok..." Michelle continues to pet the mare's neck but knew the horse wouldn't be calming down. The animal could sense Michelle's nervousness at what just happened.

The mare did calm down a bit finally, and Michelle took the chance to look around. She was shocked at what she saw. They were in a field littered with pieces of burnt and dented metal. In the near distance there was a cluster of houses which had been recently damaged. Smoke from small fires around the houses wafted up with the wind. She turned and looked behind them, there were mountains back there. 'Mountains? We don't live anywhere NEAR mountains...Lord...where are we?' She continued to pet the mare's neck...more for calming herself down than to calm the horse.

Michelle looked around some more then decided to head towards the houses, "Come on girl...maybe there will be some people there and we can find out where we are." The mare followed, not all that willingly...skipping from side to side nervously.

They picked their way cautiously through the field and walked up to the houses. "Hello?" Michelle called out nervously, "Anyone here?" The mare sniffed a overturned table while Michelle looked around. "Hello?"

A small blonde head peeked out from behind a broken door and looked at the woman and her horse. Crystal blue eyes looked the woman over and was happy to see no signs of weapons. Quietly the child walked out where Michelle could see him. "Is...that...your horse?" the child asked meekly.

Michelle turned and saw the child, as did the mare who now had her ears perked forward in the child's direction. "Yes...she is mine...what's your name?"

"Christopher..." the child took a step forward towards the horse, "May I...pet her?"

Michelle nodded and watched as the child walked up and petted the mare, "Hi, Christopher...my name is Michelle, and her name is Boo..." The child looked at her as she said the names, then went back to petting the mare. Boo eyed the child, and sniffed slightly, but remained calm while the child petted her. "Is there anyone else here with you, Christopher?" Michelle asked.

The young boy didn't look up as he replied, "My older sister is on the other side of the city looking for food..."

Michelle nodded and just watched the child while thinking to herself. 'Where am I? Where are the people? What is going on....'

~*~*~*~*~*~

(08/13/02)

Author's notes: Worth pursuing? Please let me know...