All It Takes Is An Accident(Blueroanie, mature)

[Tayssi]

Walking out of the door hours before the sun had even risen, the strawberry blonde rubbed a hand lightly over her face as she locked the door behind her. She didn't have a car at the moment, due to it being in a crash a couple of months ago when someone from the ranch she boarded her horses at asked to borrow it. So she had to get up earlier to walk to the ranch. Sighing, the young woman tied her hair back and, repositioning the packet of cut up carrots in her jean pocket, she started down the street. All lights were off, except the street lights which were dimly lit and didn't produce enough light to see the ground anymore. Brushing her fringe from her aquamarine coloured eyes, Renee quickened her stride by a fraction. Her neighbourhood was shady to say the least and she didn't want to be here at this time of the morning more then she had to be. But the apartment she was staying in at the moment was the first thing she found when she moved out from her father and couldn't find anything cheaper. Sighing, Renee looked ahead, pace a little rushed, but careful to keep her footing.

~Half Hour Later~

Climbing over the gates and into the ranch, Renee realised she was earlier than she usually was. The barn was shut, gates locked and the lights in the ranch house were all off. The sun's rays weren't even peaking over the horizen. Sighing again, the strawberry blonde went over to the ranch house and laid down on the hammock the ranch couple had set out for anyone who came too early in the morning. Such as Renee. Eventually, she dozed off without even realising it.

As the sun rose, a firm hand shook Renee awake and she blinked, groaning softly as her eyes fluttered open. Seeing the man of the ranch leaning over her, Renee quickly sat up, muttering to herself. "I'm so sorry, sir!" Renee apologised, but the man waved her off and ordered her to go do her work. She had decided to work here to pay her rent and her two horses' agistment here. Standing, Renee quickly went to the barna dn without question, got to work with the stalls and feed and water. Once she was done, Renee went and found Tasmin who was already waiting for her at the paddock gate.

Renee grinned and pulled out the bag of carrots. The stallion's ears flicked forward and he reached for them, but Renee pulled them from his reach. He snorted and pulled back, staring the the young woman. Ignoring him, Renee gave Tazzy half of the packet and kissed his nose before going off to find Saturn. She was in a paddock with another thoroughbred mare, but upon seeing Renee, the mare trotted up, nickering to her.

Grabbing the halter on the gate post, Renee stepped into the paddock, shutting the gate behind her. Giving the mare some carrots, she slipped the halter onto Saturn's head and led her out, giving her some more. Tying her to a post, Renee went and grabbed her brushes. Coming back to see the thoroughbred standing there quietly, waiting, Renee smiled. Brushing the mare down and doing her hooves, Renne put the brushes away and grabbed her tack.

Sure, Renee preferred natural horsemanship, like Tasmin, but Saturn, if she decided to go all thoroughbred purebred on her, she'd have trouble keeping her under control. That and Saturn didn't really like it much. Maybe it was because she loved to run and felt she'd throw Renee off her back if she did without a saddle. Grunting softly, Renee tightened the mare's girth, then put her bridle on.

Throwing a simple cap on, Renee mounted the mare and made her way to the back of the ranch. She couldn't remember how many hectares of land this ranch had, but she knew it was a hell of alot. She enjoyed taking Tazzy out alot and though she'd taken Saturn out a few times, Renee would always prefer going out into the wilderness with Tazzy. When she wanted to run, she'd ride Saturn.

Today, she wanted to take Saturn on a calming ride..

Half an hour passed calmly and Saturn seemed to be enjoying herself just taking it slowly. And then all hell broke loose. A herd of mustangs galloped past, spooking Saturn, to swing herself on her back legs, taking Renee by surprise. Just managing to catch herself, the young woman heard growling and snarling. glancing the way to mustangs had come, a small pack of wild dogs chased after them. Saturn, already spooked and nerves fried, raced after the herd.

Renee tried to turn the mare away, to leave the wild horses to race another way. There was no way wild dogs could catch up with a racing thoroughbred. But the mare refused to leave the herd. She kept pace with them, almost straining herself to do so. Renee lost track of time at that point. Saturn was lathered in sweat with the effort of keeping her pace so slow for so long in a gallop and she was knawing on the bit, pulling her head forward and down.

The dogs had stopped chasing them, already having brought a young wild mustang mare down, but the herd raced on and Saturn didn't seem to notice the danger was gone. They rushed head on into a forest and Renee had to lean down not to get hit. She was unable to do anything to stop Saturn with her being so spooked. Until she calmed down or stopped herself, she'd just have to hang on. Out of nowhere, the herd made a sharp turn and Saturn followed, hooves skidding on the fallen leaves which covered the ground.

Saturn's side barged into a tree, scrapping her shoulder and catching Renee's leg. The young woman was thrown to the side as Saturn kicked out then instantly shied sharply to the side. The herd and dogs forgotten. Renee's ahoulder and head hit the same tree and she went to the ground, twisting her ankle beneath her. Hissing in air, Renee bit back swearing as the pain bolted throughout her body. She could feel the wet stickiness of blood on her shoulder and she felt light headed, but there was no blood on her head. Just her shoulder.

She looked up to see Saturn limping over to her, right shoulder ripped open. The thoroughbred's saddle was a few metres from them, the girth broken at the buckles. The mare nudged the young woman's hand and Renee stroked the mare's nose. "Looks like we're both banged up, huh?" Renee said with a groan. Standing, ignoring the sharp pain in her ankle, Renee grabbed the mare's reins and, ignoring the saddle, slowly made their way from the forest.

[Blueroanie]

It had started a long morning. Marcus drove to the ranch at 6 a.m. and found himself a half hour later than usual. But it was okay for him, he had the leisure of coming and going as he pleased. This is because he was one of a few boarders that aid their rent and did not need to work it off. This left more time for Marcus to work with Seattle Slew and always to work his real job.

As he finished grooming his thoroughbred stallion, he noticed the girl that always cleaned up around the barn. She had to work for her rent and was usually found hanging around here all day. He remembered her name being Renee, they were only acquaintances nothing more. 15 minutes later and Seattle Slew was all tacked up and ready to ride. "Time to stretch your legs pal." Marcus led the stallion out of the barn by the reins and then mounted up once outside. He took a moment to get adjusted in the saddle and then gave a slight squeeze in the legs to get him forward. "I know you like the woods, so we're going there today."

Little did he know, Renee had headed out a good 45 minutes before him. As he neared a clearing, there was something noticeably different. The ground was all turned up and clear hoof marks were in the dirt. The marks were placed far enough apart to tell they were at a gallop. "Stampede. But why..." He made his way to the edge of the clearing and stopped. "Paw prints. Must've been those wolves." He scanned the area to make sure no one was around that may have been in the stampede."

As he turned to leave, Marcus noticed something else strange. One set of hoof prints came from the woods and connected with the others. It was a lone horse that had joined. "Why was it alone?" He neared the tracks and then immediately brought Seattle Slew the a canter and followed the stampede tracks. The lone ones he had seen were deeper than normal, it was carrying something or someone...

"Hello! Anyone out there! If you can hear me please respond!" If someone had been in a stampede the horse would be frantic and not follow orders. It could end in serious injury or death.

[Tayssi]

Sighing, Renee stroked the now jittery mare's cheek. The wound on the thoroughbred's shoulder, more then likely looked worse then it actually was. But still, Renee needed to get back to the ranch to call a vet, just in case. The needs of her horses came way before her own. Her shoulder and ankle could survive and though her head was pounding, she knew it wasn't anything serious; afterall, she had no wound that she could feel on it. Limping, Renee walked on, continuing to stroke the mare's face and neck to try and calm her down a bit more. Even though it made her move her injured shoulder.

What would she do if Saturn's wound really was serious? She knew, if it would keep her from racing ever again, which was highly unlikely, but if it did, Renee knew she'd blame herself for the rest of her life. Her fault that she had decided to take Saturn out. Eventually, she would probably come to the conclusion it was her fault the herd stampeded and the wild dogs chased them. She was just that type of person. Blamed herself over all others.

After who knows how long, Renee heard a voice. Stopping herself and the mare, Renee listened for the direction it had come. Following the sound, the strawberry blonde eventually recognised the voice to be Marcus's. A man on the ranch which aggisted his horses there. "Marcus? Is that you?" Renee called back.

Soon enough, both Renee and Saturn appeared from the forest and she looked up at Marcus who was upon his thoroughbred stallion, Seattle Slew. Renee gave a sheepish smiled and shrugged, wincing at the movement in her injured shoulder. "Hi?" she said, running a hand over the mare's sweat lathered neck once again. "Kinda got caught in the middle of a stampede," the young woman explained simply with a light chuckle. Though, in reality neither she nor no normal person found amusement in that, it was just a nervous habit she had.

[Blueroanie]

Marcus was relieved to hear a voice but was surprised it was Renee. He slowly to a walk and then stopped a few yards from them. Saturn looked terrible, her shoulder was torn open and it was obvious she had exerted herself a LOT. Renee wasn't any better either. Every time she moved her shoulder she winced and she stood oddly on her ankle. "Good to see your in one piece." He raised an eyebrow at her chuckle but left it be.

"Yea I knew there was a stampede, easily deducted when you take a look at the field. Come on we need to get you guys back to the ranch." He reached a hand forward for Renee to take. "Hop up here and hold Saturn's reins. That way we can walk you back." Seattle tossed his head as a fly landed near his ear. Marcus smiled reassuringly, waiting for Renee to accept his help.

((Sorry, writer's block. >.<))

[Tayssi]

Uncomfortable under the weight of his gaze, Renee shifted slightly and moved her gaze to the roan thoroughbred beside her. Then he spoke and she looked back up at him, hesitating as he held his hand out towards her. "Didn't you want to take Seattle for a ride, though?" Renee asked. But the man didn't budge. Sighing, Renee walked up to the man and stallion, keeping ahold of Saturn's reins in one hand and taking Marcus's hand in the other. Hissing in air again as she moved her shoulder, Renee started to wonder just how much damage she had done to it.

She knew it was bleeding, she could see and feel it, but she couldn't tell ho bad it was. Nor did she know whether or not she had injured to joint or bone. Sighing softly, Renee got onto Seattle with Marcus's help and she settled in behind him, shifting slightly to get comfortable and adjusting her shoulder so it didn't hurt too much. Saturn stood beside them quietly, though her eyes darted here and there, still afraid something was going to happen.

Once spooked, Saturn ahd always been a pain in the butt to calm down. It was like she'd go onto the verge of paranoia and think everything was after her. But atleast she wasn't too jumpy right now. "Sorry about getting you to help us, you shouldn't have be helping someone instead of going for a ride like you had probably originally planned to do," Renee said softly. She felt bad about having to get Marcus to help her out.

[Blueroanie]

Marcus helped her up and then started at a walk, Saturn following behind. "Yes I was gonna go for a ride, but I can do so anytime. Your in need of help and your more important than a horse." He smiled reassuringly as they slowly made their way back to the barn. "You need to get that shoulder checked out. If you let me I'll make sure Saturn is taken care of while you go to the hospital and get patched up. Your wound is more serious and you're losing a lot of blood." He looked back for a moment to study her face and wound, his expression was serious.

Then he turned back around and clutched his tongue to get Seattle into a faster walk. Within a few minutes they had reached the ranch and he dismounted immediately. "Steven call the vet!" A blonde haired man looked over and, upon seeing the wounded girl and horse, cursed as he ran into the barn to make the call. Marcus then turned to help Renee down. "I'll drive you to the hospital, the vet will take care of Saturn." It wasn't really a question and he said this with a stern expression. Now was not a time for her to be careless and risk her life just to be with her horse.

[Tayssi]

Saying nothing for a long while, Renee simply listened to Marcus. But then he mentioned her leaving Saturn alone and she tensed for a moment. She couldn't leave the mare all by herself. "But..." Renee started, then stopped immediately after she saw Marcus's serious expression. Shutting her mouth and looking away, Renee said nothing more on the way back to the barn. Beside them, Saturn limped as she walked, though ahd seemed to calm down mostly.

When they finally got back, Renee looked over at Steven as he rushed out of the barn then straight back inside. Looking down at Marcus for a moment, waiting to help her down, Renee hesitated before she accepted his help and slid onto the ground. When he spoke, Renee glanced at Saturn for a moment, resting a hand on her face before someone came and grabbed her and slowly led her away, cooing softly to the thoroughbred. "Alright then.." Renee said finally, looking up at Marcus. "Don't worry so much," she said lightly as she followed him to his car, "it's not like just this is going to kill me, i've been through alot worse."

Getting into the car, Renee didn't say much on the way to the hospital, and when they got there, the doctors immediately rushed her inside. Glancing back at Marcus for a moment, Renee studied him for a few seconds before she was ushered into a room.

Nearly 2 hours later, Renee came back out with 38 stitches, shoulder all bandaged up and ankle wrapped up firmly. It had been worse then she first thought, the doctors had said, if she hadn't gotten there when she had, she could've passed out from blood loss, or worse. They had to remove a small part of a branch from her shoulder that had broken off with the fall, but other then that it was fine, that nothing happened with her head except just a bit of a bump and a headache. And to just to take it easy for the next couple of weeks. And let her ankle rest a bit. It was just twisted, but it was on the verge of becoming a fracture, had she kept on walking on it for a while longer.

The doctors had told all of this to Marcus, as well. Walking over to him, Renee gave a sheepish grin, "thanks for waiting," she said, looking at him for a moment before diverting her gaze. He had probably grown impatient and snappish waiting for her for so long.

Soon enough, they were back in the car adn driving back to the ranch.

(sorry for the power play there, but I didn't know what else to do xD)

[Blueroanie]

(No problem. ^_^)

Marcus tied Seattle Slew to a hitching post outside the barn in the shade. He planned on being back shortly to untack him and cool him off. The stallion looked at him in a confused fashion and he only smiled and tickled him on the nose before turning back to Renee. "It is serious and I will worry if please. Just because you've had worse does not lessen the severity of this wound." He wasn't trying to be an ass, he only wanted her to understand.

Once Saturn was taken into the barn by a stablehand, Marcus drive Renee to the hospital. She was quickly ushered away and he was left to do the paperwork. After a half hour of writing, he sat down on the couch in the waiting room. It had already been a long day and within 10 minutes he had fallen asleep.

An hour later a nurse came in and explained all the injuries Renee had sustained also making sure to add that she needed to stay off her feet as much as possible and not do any strenuous work. Marcus scratched the back of his head and sighed. "She has two horses." The nurse shrugged. "I'm sorry. She'll have to find someone to exercise them for her. Riding would fracture her ankle."

He nodded understandingly and waited for Renee to come back. A half hour later she entered the waiting room and Marcus stood up. "You okay? Doctor said you can't ride for a few weeks." He wasn't angry or snappy at all, just glad she was okay.

[Tayssi]

Renee looked up at Marcus as he spoke and gave a light nod. "Yeah, all good. Sucks that I can't ride for a while, though.... Thank you for waiting for me," she said softly, glancing away momentarily before looking back up at him. "I guess we better head back?" Renee suggested lightly. After finishing bits and pieces of stuff in the hospital, Renee adn Marcus headed back to the ranch.

Renee, honestly, was unsure of how to actually thank Marcus for helping her and Saturn. Though, she dreaded the price of the vet. Once they pulled up, Renee got out and quickly glanced over at Marcus before going into the barn to find Saturn. Her shoulder also bandaged and still rather drugged. Renee walked up to the stall she was being held in and leaned on the door frame slightly, watching the roan thoroughbred, expression soft.

"Was it serious?" Renee asked the vet who was standing to the side of the mare. but he seemed to be ignoring her. Sighing, Renee wondered when she'd be able to ride. Already, she wanted to get on a horse and just ride.

(sorry, ahd to rush the ending, 2nd break in school is about to start)

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