This is for @DikshaAgarwal040 (I updated because of you :)

I had to be hallucinating. I pinched myself a few times just so I knew I wasn't dreaming. The bat just lay in front of me, almost mockingly at my shock. I scrambled back away from it and tried to piece my thoughts together. There was no way that nightmare from last night was true, it just didn't make sense. I would also be dead if that was the case. Maybe I had sleepwalked in my dream. I had a history of sleep talking and I remember this case study from university, where this patient had such severe dreams that she would sleepwalk, and last night was pretty vivid.

I sighed.

"Think logically, there is literally no reason to be scared", I whispered to myself. This wasn't like me. I was normally a composed person but now, ever since I moved here. I felt as though I was jumping in fear every five seconds.

I picked myself up from the floor and headed to the bathroom to get ready. Even as I had a hot shower, the uneasy feeling wouldn't go. I trudged downstairs ready for the day, to see an expectant KK pawing at her food bowl. Oh gosh, she was so freaking adorable.

"You're literally everything I need, you will protect me won't you?" I said as poured out her food.

She purred at me which I hoped was a yes and began inhaling her food. I stroked her a few times - more for my comfort - then headed out of the door.

I strode across the driveway and towards my car when suddenly, I hear my name being yelled.

"Arya!?! look up here", Karl was sticking his head out of the top floor window and was waving frantically.

I waved back. Wow, his enthusiasm sure was contagious. I could already feel my mood perk up a little.

"So, I was wondering if you were free today?" he yelled.

"Yeah, I should be free after two, why?"

"I think it's time you learn how to ride a horse", he shouted.

"I kind of already know, but it's been a while", I shouted back. "Where should we meet up?"

"Meet me at my dad's pub at half-past two okay?"

"That's fine, I'll catch you later, otherwise I'll be running late".

He waved one more time and went back inside, so I headed to my car and just sat there. My cheeks felt strangely warm and my heart was beating a little fast. Yeah, I'm just going to pretend that my heart wasn't acting up.

I brushed those feelings aside and continued on my way to work. After checking in through all that very frustrating security, I sat down in my office and waited for my schedule to be emailed by the wardens.

Ping.

There we go, who knew working would be so fun. I sighed and flicked through my emails. The only silver lining to my very grey, stormy cloud was that I didn't have to see Jessica or Lily or whoever she was would be. According to my email, she had a relapse and was refusing to take her drugs and 'was a danger to all members of staff' which even though it was bad news, it had me doing a mental happy dance. All I had to do today is watch a senior therapist review patients and meet with two low-level patients. I gathered my stuff, put a smile on my face and walked out to my first session.

____

Despite how small my schedule was, I just wanted to cry and sleep and I would have if it wasn't for Karl messaging me to remind me about the horse riding session. I left work, early (and illegally) and drove to the town square where Karl was already waiting, leaning against one of the shop's wall. As soon as he saw me, he perked up and smiled a big smile that wormed its way into my heart. The sun was shining directly on his face and he just seemed to glow in the light. He headed to my car and rapped on the window. As I wound the window down, he flicked his hair back dramatically.

"Ma'am, are you a parking ticket?" he questioned.

"What? What are you on about?" I asked, quizzically.

"Just answer it, please. It's really important".

"This better not be a pick-up line, but I guess I'll say yes".

"Because you have FINE written all over you", he said, proudly.

I spluttered in shock.

"WHAT. WAS. THAT?!"

"Pretty good one, right?" he smirked.

"No, no it's not. I feel ashamed to know you now. How can you say this crap with a straight face?"

"Hey, hey", he protested. "It's not crap, it's my way of life".

"If you don't shut up, I'll run you over right now and show you a new way of life. Get in or I'll leave you".

He gets and smirks at me.

"You ready to go riding?"

I rolled my eyes and ignored him. I could almost hear the cogs turning in his head as he thought of new ways to get my attention.

"Hey, you want to hear thi-"

"Shhhhhhh", I quickly cut in. "Let us have a moment of quiet".

"Fine then, all I wanted to say is that I heard this really cool pick up line but your loss then", he pouted.

"Oh no, I'm losing out on so much by not knowing", I giggled.

"Yes, you are. Stop here by the way".

I pulled up outside and we both got out. Karl led the way and we walked around the stables.

"Wait here and have a look at the horses, I'm going to talk to my cousin Rosie and she'll saddle up one you like"

He walked off and I began looking around. I used to like riding when I was younger but slowly lost interest as I lived in a city. Peering through each stable, I found one that caught my eye. He was a magnificent black Friesian horse, with a lovely, thick black mane.

"Hey boy", I whispered. I leaned closer and touched his face. He leaned into my touch and I began to stroke the side of his face. "I think I'll be riding you today, what do you think?"

He harrumphed and shook out his mane. I've always had a soft spot for animals and I very nearly studied Veterinary Sciences in university. Just then, Karl appeared with a short, blonde woman decked out in riding gear. The woman waved at me enthusiastically and jogged towards me.

"Hi Arya, my name is Rosie, Karl's cousin. I hear you want to start riding again?"

I shook her outstretched hand and grinned back.

"Yeah, I used to ride, I think I remember the basics".

"That's fine. I won't be helping you today though because one of the mares is going to give birth so Karl will help you out. Fancy a horse in particular?"

"Yes actually, this big guy. What's his name?"

"Oh, that's Princess Midnight Sparkle. I didn't name him, my kid did and she won't let me change it. I call him PMS for short which my husband thinks it hilarious but you can call him whatever you like".

She walked into his stable, saddled him up for me, wished me luck and ran off in a flash.

"Shall I help you get on?" Karl asked.

"Yes, please".

Karl hoisted me up - his lingering hands quickly removed after I gave him a warning look - and I sat astride on PMS.

"The name PMS really sucks, no wonder he looks so grumpy. I think I'll call him Astrid instead".

Karl laughed and led Astrid out of the stable. Although it had been a while, I instinctively knew what to do and found my bearings pretty quickly. It felt really refreshing, trotting across the fields.

"I should probably grab my ride too. Wait here for a second, oka- WATCH OUT!"

My head snapped up and I saw a bird flying straight towards me. Astrid neighed and reared up, waving his hooves in the air. Losing grips on the reins, I slowly started to feel myself sliding off.

"DOWN, BOY!" Karl yelled, slowly backing away from flailing hooves.

Astrid fell back down but reared up again as the bird dive-bombed us again. This time I had nothing to hold on to and fell backwards of Astrid who upon noticing he was riderless, started galloping off. I braced myself for impact but instead fell straight on Karl who with an 'oof' fell down too.

"Oh no, are you okay?!?" I asked as I twisted over quickly.

Karl lay there with his clenched shut, his breathing shallow.

"I don't think so. Arya, I see the light, I think I'm going. Tell my family I love them", he gasped dramatically. "Though I may have a chance if I get some CPR", he said peeking at me through his eyelashes.

Hi ppl.

Literally, so much stuff going on ATM so my schedule is once every two weeks except during holidays where it will be once a week.

How was the chapter?

And question for today,

What's your favourite ice cream? (I'm craving ice cream lol)

I just want to be a potato because life sucks.

Or a cat. They sleep all-day and get fed and loved.

ANyways,

Don't forget to Vote, Comment and Share (please share :) )