Nightfall

Keeley was exhausted. After getting Legacy back to his stall and treated according to the new plan her father suggested, they had made their way to the main house. Sean was worn down to nothing. His face was pale, and there was a tremor to his limbs that had Keeley worried. She hoped though, that a good meal and a good night's rest would be enough to help him get back on track. They'd cooked together in the kitchen, talking over Legacy and making plans for the rest of his recovery. Once one of the most revered rehab specialists in the region, Keeley was thrilled to hear her father talking horse again, instead of ranting and raving about a harpy stealing his horses and medications.

As she tucked him in for the night, she heard him whisper her mother's name, and something about Legacy. Soon he slipped into sleep, settled for the night.

Keeley made her way to her apartment, stopping to check Legacy and Bad Ass along the way. The big horse was once again sprawled in the shavings, but he woke up enough to nicker at Keeley before dropping back to sleep again. Bad Ass, ever at Keeley's heels, reached out a mighty paw and swatted her leg. He pointedly was telling her that she too needed rest and standing in the barn watching a horse was not going to cut it.


She scooped up the big cat and buried her face in his fur. Together they made their way in, and went directly to bed. Bad Ass took up his now customary place at the foot of her bed, curled in a ball watching over her.




It seemed she had only been asleep a short time when Keeley sat straight up in bed. Her heart was pounding, hands shaking, and she looked around wildly wondering what had woken her, trying to wake up and determine what was real and what was not. There was no denying the sense of urgency that propelled her, still half asleep, stumbling from bed, pulling on her shoes and heading to the door. Still not sure WHY she felt the need to run, she bolted from the apartment to the barn proper. A quick check on Legacy revealed him still sleeping soundly in his stall, content and fine. She whirled around, bolting for the door that led to the yard and the main house. Bad Ass ran ahead of her, almost as if he was urging her to go faster, faster, and pointing towards the main house.

She raced through the dark night, breath coming in short gasps. Bad Ass threw himself up the stairs by the screen door, waiting for Keeley to catch up. She fumbled with the door, hands shaking, sobbing. Finally getting the door open, she pushed through into the kitchen. Looking wildly around, she made her way to her father's bedroom, desperate to make sure he was OK.

When she rounded the corner to the bedroom, she stopped short. Her father's bed was empty. Where? She ran to the bathroom, and finding it empty she did a fast search of the rest of the house. Not finding her father anywhere inside, she bolted back outside to begin searching.


Somehow, she knew. She knew where to run - Legacy's old paddock. Bad Ass was ahead of her, waiting for Keeley to catch up. Keeley drew up short at the gate to the paddock. She saw him then, kneeling down in the grass under the oak tree. The moon played hide and seek behind some thin clouds, but Keeley could clearly see the bent form of her father. A wave of weakness washed over her, making her legs shake and her breath come in ragged gasps. Over her breathing she could hear her father's sobs, and his words, talking to Katherine. It felt wrong to intrude somehow, so Keeley and Bad Ass kept to the shadows.