{A} {R}ace {T}o {T}he {F}inish

[.{.Zeecarian.}.]

Zara nodded slolwy , taking hold of Zee's mane so she would not move. She was dizzy but would not faint.

No muse.Blah.

[Danae]

Zack tried to get near the stallion, but everytime he was a step away, the stag rose, struck with his front hooves, and retreated. Zack was getting weary, his vision faint. He pulled his cell from his pocket. Jen? Yeah. Bring Louie about 6 miles out into the forest. You'll know where we are. Hurry. He hung up, and slowly fell toward the ground, darkness shattering his mind.

[.{.Zeecarian.}.]

Zara saw him fall in the diastance and ran over to him , legs feeling like jelly as she did. She sat down beside him , looking at him with concern in her pale blue eyes as she came next to him.Zeecarian stood over the two , not moving.

[Danae]

The stag's ears pinned back as the mare moved nearer him. Stay away from me. I'm not afraid to hurt a lady. His blue eye flashed, as he tossed his head.

Soon Louie came riding through the trees, Jen upon his back. She dismounted, and set the gelding free to calm his friend. She rushed to Zack's side. Zack? Wake up. She shook her head, then gasped as she saw his arm. Sh*t! He needs to get to the hospital. She stood quickly, moving to Louie and Red. She slowly grabbed Red's lead, and tied it tight to the sturrip, then led the pair to Zack. She lightly tapped the geldings knees, and he lay down at once. Good boy. She grinned at Zara. New trick. Jen pulled Zack from his resting spot, and layed him in the saddle. She whistled to the male, and he stood carefully, agreed to being led out of the trees. Jen then came back, not so sure of what to do with Zee. She helped Zara to her feet, placed and arm around her shoulder, and led her to the horses.

[.{.Zeecarian.}.]

Zee bore her teeth. And i'm not afraid to fight.She hissed before walking to Zara so she could get on her back. She lent down on her fores. Zara mounted carefully then Zee rose.She threaded her fingers through Zee's mane to keep hold on her bareback.

[Danae]

Zacks eyes fluttered open. He was yet again in a hospital room. A large bandage lined his left temple, 16 stitches holding the skin together where he was struck by a rock. His arm was in a cast; from wrist to elbow. He glanced around the room. White and empty, except for him. Jen came in, nodding to a dctor behind her. Welcome back, Zack. She grinned and helped him out of the bed. Time to get going home. They walked out the room, Zack slightly weary yet from the drugs.

[.{.Zeecarian.}.]

Zara lay in her room a few doors down , wishing she was out again.She had been scolded by the docters for sneaking out. She had tuned them out mostly however. Everything was silenlt in room. Hearing the voice of Jen she once again pulled away the IVs and cords , walking down the hall. She was not compeltly in the right mind because of all the meds.

[Danae]

Zacks head was low, eyes shaded. Jennifer. How is Red? He asked. He wanted to know. The horse was mad last morning. He's not doing very well, Zack. He's locked up in his stall. He won't let anyone near him. She said quietly as they walked out into the lot. She guided him towards the black truck where her father sat. He split his skull, he was covered in blood when I found him. Zack. He's traumitized. Nothing works with him anymore. Not even Louie. Zack got into the truck, staring blankly at the seat in front him. This was all his fault. If he hadn't calmed down, he'd never had taken the horse and forced him on.

[.{.Zeecarian.}.]

Zara wandered down the corridors of the hospital , moving slowly. Zara.Zierra said , grabbing her shoulder with black hair brushing Zara's shoulders. She spun around.No one was there. Zierra!Zierra!She screamed franticly. A nurse rushed to her. Miss!What are you doing out of your bed?! She asked. Zierra!My sister!Birng her back!She spouted insanly. Bring her back.... The nurse's eyes widened.Miss , are you okay?The old woman asked. Zara's eyes went cloudy and she didn't answer.

[Danae]

Zack's eyes widened as he stood before the stall. The top and bottom doors were closed and bolted down. Inside, he could hear a storm erupting. Walls shook as hooves struck the wood, stallion was rushing in circles inside the box. Why did I do this to you. The boy whispered, placing a hand on the bolt.

[.{.Zeecarian.}.]

Zara was in her room now , a few hours later , sitting on the bed , staring into space with eyes that held nothing. A figure appeared of her mother coming closer to her. Zara looked at the woman who was not really there. GO AWAY!!!LEAVE ME ALONE!!!She screamed to the air. A docter rushed in , eyes becoming worried when no one had been bothering her. About an hour after that someone caleld Zack's home phone and left a message. Hello , Zackarie. This is Zarathustra's docter. She is having some problems.The cancer didn't hit but her mind is....not doing very well at the moment.She is screaming at things that aren't there.Please come down if you know anything about this.The docter said then hung up.

[Danae]

A savage scream went up from the stall as the top door was slowly drawn back. Zack stumbled bakwards quickly as the brute's head shot out, chest pushigng violently against the door. Dry blood caked a small line of stiches just above his right eye, auds pinned back, teeth bared, warning no one to come near.

[.{.Zeecarian.}.]

Zara's eyes were trained on someone entering the room.David. Her pale eyes went stone cold. Get out of here!GO.AWAY.She yelled before nurses came and strapped her to her bed. She squirmed. Stop it!She yelled at them. Why are you doing this?Let me go!

[Danae]

Zack was speechless. The stallion was blinded by rage. His blue eye stabbed through the red, the blood. Blood. Because of him. Zack. The boys arms fell to his side, a frown appearing across his brow. Oh boy. He spoke, barely forcing the words from his mouth. He moved his right hand, fishing through his pocket for a peppermint. He brought one out, and held it on his outstretched hand. The boy tentatively took a step forward. The stallion raged and lashed out. Zack sighed. Tossing the mint lightly into the stall, he pulled the door shut.

Darkness once again pressed in against the stallion, a deafening call burning from his lungs. Autumn's eye soon adjusted, and his gaze focucused in on the mint lying a foot away from him. He stepped back, snorting, glaring at the thing that came frm the human's hand. The stag soon began circles again, walking angrily around and around the box, sweat settling in on his coat.

Zack walked out from the tack room, akwardly carring a saddle over his right arm, his good arm, a white bucket grasped in his left hand. The boy traveled back to the stallion's stall, and set the bucket overtruned outside the box. He sat the saddle down beside it, and walked back to the tack room, carrying a cloth and some leather cleaner. He sat down upon the bucket, and lifted the saddle to his knee. His eyes turned once to the door behind him, then he set to work cleaning the saddle, not saying a word to the brute inside.

Front hooves struck the box door forecully, leaving two more makrs along with many others. The stag raged inside. The boy was outside him. He was there. Autumn had to get to him, or away from him. He reared in the box, striking the door once more with his hooves. He landed, and circled tightly, foam lathering at his chest and mouth.

[.{.Zeecarian.}.]

A few moments later the team of nurses had now left. She lay on er bed , looking at Zierra , wo sat in a chair neaby , even though , she was not really there.Zara had tears in her eyes. Please , Zierra , go away.Just Go away....She wimpered as she saw her sister sitting beside her.The girl did not go away.Just sat there.Watching her sister strapped to the hospital bed by leather cuffs on her hands and feet.Her face was turned away from the rest of the room., facing 'Zierra' , who was just her imagination. Zierra , please unstrap me.I want to get out of here...I need to get out of here.She asked desprately. Her already under attack mind was being driven crazy by the hospital. Please Zierra.Just unstrap me and I can leave....She pleaded with pale eyes longing to be let out of the prison called a hosptial. Zierra spoke so only Zara could hear. No sister 'dearest'.She hissed. I can't help you.I'm not real.You're imagining me.I'm dead.You're crazy Zara.Insane.Zackie poo will never love you now , will he?She teased nastily. A tear rolled down Zara's cheek before anger burned in her. You're wrong!You're not my sister!You're not Zierra!GO AWAY!She yelled at her , anger burning in her eyes. Zierra chuckled cruely. I can't. I'm her because of you.Because you want me here , Zara.You need me.You need all of us;David , Mom , Me. You're just a little , weak girlShe spat meanly. Zara was near sobbing now. No...I don't...I'm not.She mumbled. Zierra spoke again , looking amused by her 'sister's' words. Oh yes you are. You need so many people Zara.Zack , Me , David , Mom, oh and don't forget , Zee. Would be such a horrible shame if something were to happen to her.She hissed. Anger blazed in Zara as she shouted. DON'T HURT ZEE!!!!She screamed , anger taking over her. Zierra chuckled again. Oh , I won't , sweetie. I won't;You will.You hurt her already.In the race.You damaged her.Your only friend who was really beside you.She spat. You killed her, Zara.She's dead.Laying in a field , rotting.Good job.She hissed then clapped her hands softly , sliowly. Hot tears rolled down Zara's cheeks. You're wrong!She screamed , voice brekaing. No Zara.I'm not.She's dead.She said cooly then was gone.Zara struggled against the cuffs that held her as hot tears rolled down her cheeks and she screamed out. Help!Someone let me out....She yelled , ending with soft and scared words.The thought of Zee , her horse , being dead was driving her over the edge.Zara , get a grip...It's not real...Do it for Zack.You can't let him see you like this....Zara thought. David apeared at her bedside. She turned to him , almost speaking but telling herself he wasn't real. Zara , sweet heart , are you okay?I was so worried when I heard...He said, like nothing had happened. Zara bit her lip and mumbled to ehrself. He's not real..He's not real... She said under her breath. Z , You know I love you , right?Come back to me.Leave Zack...He whispered into her ear , sending a chill down her spine.That made her lose pathenice. She pushed David away. LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!AND NO I WON'T!!!She screamed at the top of her lungs , lashing her face to see him , pale blue eyes raging, Snowy white hair whipping out at the sudden movement.David chuckled , the spine chillingly cool sounds rumbling from his deep vocals.Body squirmed agaisnt the cuffs like it was fire burning at her skin. She arched her back , despratly trying to find a way out of them.Glare was turned on David. Let me out!!!She screamed at him.He shook his head no. Now honey , you need to be like that...He said , standing and coming up to the side of the bed and whispering in her ear again. 'Member , You're crazy.He said nastily then was gone.Zara struggled against the straps. Come back you bastard!You're just gonna leave me here?!She yelled , emotions and memories mixed up inside her.A nurse ran in.The woman had grey air in a bun and a tired old face. Please , let me out...Zara said , looking up at the nurse with pleading eyes.The woman avoided Zara's gaze.Zara spoke again. I know they aren't real...I won't hurt anyone.Please let me go...The ninteen year old pleaded again.The nurse thought. Poor girl...So young to have something like this happen...She thought. The nurse had been told to sedate Zara but looking at the trapped girl she couldn't bring herself to. I'm sorry.I can't.She answered , not meeting her eyes. Zara lay her head back , wishing to be anywhere but there.The hospital seemed to have trapped Zara in a time of weakness ; when she fell then found more ways to keep her there.The old nurse left.Left Zara alone now so they could come again.She braced herself to see David , or Zierra , or her Mother.But they didn't come , yet.

A call was made to Siree from Zara's docter. Siree picked up her home phone when it rang.
Hello?
Hello , This is Zarathustra's docter.
Oh , hi!Um , How is Zara doing?
Not too well.She's haullcinating.From what I heard the names were Zierra and David.Do they mean anything?
Oh god....Not again...
Again? Has this happened before?
Yeah.It has.
Can you come down here?We may need help.
I really can't....Wait , no i'll be there in about twenty minutes.She said ,hanging up.