Panic and fear freeze my brain and thoughts. My emotions shine through my eyes betraying me. Butch McCallister sits infront of my very own eyes playing cards with my friend. Levi studies my reaction to the man, “You alright there?” I stand up using my chair for support which causes it to begin shaking just as bad as myself. Butch furrows his eyebrows, “Do I know you from somewhere?” I furiously shake my head then grab Levi’s shoulder and point my chin towards the door. “Alright, I’ll finish up here then we can go.” He answers in slight irritation. As I walk back out the cold never reaches me, I am fueled with a fire from inside, a fire of hatred and sorrow.  
We make it back to the cabin just as the sun begins to disappear, not wanting a repeat of last night I bring in a large load of fire in preparation for the long night that is sure to lie ahead. Levi quickly falls asleep after a warm supper of venison stew. I remain awake for the majority of the night thinking of Butch with his sinful smile and sadistic eyes. I toss and turn as he fills my nightmares. In the morning I wake before Levi and place some wood in the fire before going out and grabbing the mare I have been working with, I decided to name her passion but Levi calls her lady. 
I ride with only a headstall and my legs, there is nothing between us making our connection stronger. She is full of energy this morning and I am full of rage. We race through the fields and into the woods while I attempt to calm myself. Passion can feel my hatred, if at all possible her legs run faster carrying me deeper and deeper into the woods. After hours of riding my anger begins to fade and I take in my whereabouts. 
Passion has brought us to a very familiar place, a place filled with darkness, I involuntarily tense up and become a statue on her back. She snorts and prances in protest. I slip from her back and grab her reins, tying her to a nearby hanging limb.  I walk over to the stream running alongside us and follow its flow. After about half a mile it leads into an open clearing and widens. I carefully study the area I realize that passion has led me to my old home, smoke comes from the cabin and Butch McCalister himeself walks right out the door. 
I hid myself in the cover of the pine trees, he lazily yawns and walks towards the creek, not wanting to be seen I hurry back to passion. I make sure to mark the trees as she leads us back home. When I arrive back to Levi’s he comes out of the barn in a hustle, “I thought you done run off and took my horse!” He proclaims I shake my head, jump off Passion and head into the cabin. Confused and frustrated Levi follows me. I grab the rifle sitting above the fireplace and look intently at Levi. “You don’t know how to shot, put that back.” He commands while trying to take it from me. I hold on with a firm grasp. “Gosh boy what do you want.” He is irritated, I point at the gun then myself and lastly at him. “So you wanna learn how to shoot do ya?” I nod my head, now he gets it. “Does this have to do with that fella in town.” I once again nod. “Well I don’t know what your quarrel is with him but it must be serious and I have no right to judge, I’ll teach ya but other than that I want left out of it.”
The very next day they set out to shoot early in the morning. “Alright relax, now breathe and slowly pull the trigger.” I’m rewarded with another miss and an agitated sigh from Levi. “Look kid, you're not relaxing enough, there is a difference between holding the gun steady and gripping the gun in fear of the kick. Just mentally prepare for the kick but don’t tense up.” He steps back and I cock the gun once again. 
I balance myself, hold the gun steady, relax my body, breathe out and slowly pull that trigger. This time I hit my target, Levi whoops and hollers then pats my back, “Now that is how you do it!”  I continue practicing while he pulls out a new horse. I come back around lunch time and he stops to eat with me. 
After clearing the table and washing up the dishes I convey to Levi that I’m gonna borrow Passion and ride into town. I grab some coins from the weeks I had worked for him and head out. The sun is shining today which finally dries up the ground, it has been nothing but mud for weeks. The rays warm my back and soul. Upon reaching town I hear the busyness of it all. I tie my horse outside of the general store and walk in. “How can I help you?” The owner asks, clearly wanting me to get out of there as fast as he can. But he need not worry I don’t not wish to linger.
I walk over to where there are some traps and  furs. I pick up a trap, “If you touch it you buy it.” He angrily says. Keeping the trap I picked up I carefully study the furs, finding what I was looking for I purchase my things along with another candy. 
I make it back right after dark had fallen and bring in some wood with me, “I was beginning to worry. '' Levi stated, I smile and put my things under my bed then stoke up the fire before dishing myself the nightly meal of beans and venison. Levi talks of his day but the words don’t reach my ears, all I think about is tomorrow.