Night Journey

• Chloe Dorge, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2009

Crystal was a miserable teenager. She had recently moved to outback Australia with her mother, who wanted to fulfil a life-long dream of owning a cattle property. Crystal and her mother now lived in a shabby 'Queenslander' house and had a herd of cows, with one bull and some calves. They also owned three horses - two Connemara’s and a Quarter horse.
Crystal hated living in the country. She resented being forced to follow her mother out of the city, away from her friends and comfortable lifestyle. She did, however, like horses. So now her only goal was to become a good rider so she could compete in horse shows in the city. Her favourite horse was a purebred Connemara, a chestnut mare about 14 hands high named Champion.
Late one afternoon, after an argument with her mother, Crystal decided to take a ride. After saddling up Champion, she set out on the 'Rocky Mountain Trail', an ascending trail surrounded by rocks and cliffs. Looking out to the West, Crystal saw a large, sloping cliff. Its sharp edge reminded her how she felt when she moved to the country – like being pushed off a steep cliff into the unknown. There were storm clouds brewing overhead, but being in a determined mood, Crystal decided she was going to reach the cliff. Even when it began to rain and the light began to fade, Crystal rode on, determined to get to the cliff. Suddenly lightning struck a nearby tree with a CRACK! Before Crystal knew what had happened, Champion bolted in fear. Crystal felt herself flying through the air...
Crystal awoke to a warm, damp, lump nuzzling her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and in the moonlight she could see a large black stallion staring down at her. Slowly and painfully Crystal climbed to her feet. To her surprise, the horse did not back away. There was no sign of Champion. Dismayed, Crystal realised she had reached the cliff, but now had no hope of getting down by her self, as her leg was throbbing with pain.
Trying not to remember her mother’s lectures about wild horses, Crystal took a small, painful step towards the Stallion. She untied her belt and threw it around his neck, deciding this would be the best thing to use as reins. Crystal led him over to a large rock which would, hopefully, serve as a mounting block. To her surprise, the horse stood firm. Crystal clambered aboard his back and guided him slowly down the mountain...
Finally, the house came into sight. Crystal steered the stallion over to a large rock so she could dismount without falling to the ground. Crystal stood on the rock untying her belt from around his neck. "Tulak, that's what I'll call you. Tulak - the black stallion." When Crystal released him, Tulak galloped off towards the cliff. Within minutes, she could hear him neighing and calling. Somehow Crystal knew that Tulak would bring Champion back to her.