Shock

"Katie!" Jeff's pulse raced as he saw his daughter head down the embankment. He trusted her skills, but he didn't trust the riverbank. And right now, he was already near panic about Hunter.

Urging Hawk back down the path and keeping an eye on Katie, he watches as she plunges into the water to pull Hunter out... Hunter... who was not moving. Horror shoots through Jeff's veins. How had this happened? This trail wasn't this dangerous... the river not that deep... had Hunter injured himself? Been knocked unconscious during his fall? It didn't really matter though - all that mattered was that Katie was trying to save his life.

Realizing Katie had dragged Hunter up onto a plateau-like place on the bank where the trail was closer to the river, Jeff steers Hawk that way around to avoid going down anything too steep. There he meets up with Katie's horse as well, as he quickly dismounts.

Rushing to Katie's side, he slides down beside her as she works at reviving Hunter. Gently holding the young man's head, he helps steady him. "Come on, Hunter," he urges quietly. "Breathe..."

As life-giving air is offered, Hunter's lungs finally reject the water they had received. His body tenses and automatically coughs, spitting up water. Waking up with a jolt, he instinctively rolls over, coughing and choking as his lungs try to get rid of all the water and intake the air they desperately needed.

Relief sweeps through Jeff as he gives Hunter's back several hearty pats to help him cough up the water. "Easy does it, easy..." 

Hunter is too weak to hold himself up and he collapses on his side, still coughing. Every muscle trembled as he shivered uncontrollably, and he tries to bring his mind out of the darkness. Feeling something forcing his eyes open, he resists, not able to focus on anything.

After checking Hunter's pulse and eyes, Jeff stands. "He's in shock. I'm going to go get the blanket." It had been intended to sit on for lunch - now its purpose had changed. Only when Jeff is untying the blanket from behind his saddle does he realize that his hands are shaking.

Still not sure what was happening, and still trembling, Hunter finally manages to slowly open his eyes. He blinks away some water that ran down his face from his soaked hair, and through blurred vision, the first thing he sees is Katie's face. 

"K...Katie?" Was he dead? Was he alive? What had happened? The last thing he remembered was being caught underwater. That thought alone is enough to give him another surge of terror.

Coughing again, he reaches out to try and find Katie's hand.

Terror

Katie's thoughts and enjoyment was shattered as soon as Hunter's horse was out of control. She new what these banks where like, she new there was no safety and if the horse faulted Hunter would go down with him and there was no telling what might happen. All Katie can do it watch as to not make anything worse.

Seeing the line was about to snap though Katie acts fast riding over to Hunter but right as she reaches for him she was not fast enough and he was gone. 

   "HUNTER!!!!!"

Katie yells after him as she watches him tumble down the hill hitting roots, trees and everything else that was in his path. Not even waiting Katie was already looking for a way down that was safe for her and her own horse. Hearing a splash it causes her to stop and look. Not seeing Hunter anywhere she new what happened, she new where he was, and she new how dangerous that part of the creek could be. The explanation of his dream comes back to Katie's mind and she eyes widen just a little bit.

Taking the horse and going down the hill Katie new it wasn't to safe but she didn't care there was no time and as her heart raced, she could feel the emotions of pure terror course through her veins. She couldn't believe this was happening.

   "Dad...down a little ways is a safe way down here, I am gonna need your help to find...."

The sentince wasn't even finished as Katie looks down the creek a little way and see Hunter's lifeless body in the water. Getting off her horse Katie new she would stay put but if she didn't at the moment she didn't much care.

   "No No No No....Hunter....Hunter...!"

Desperation laced Katie's voice pure adrennilan rushed through her veins keeping all the emotions that wanted her to break down at cry at bay for now. Now she was worried about her friend, and she needed to help him.

Jumping through the water Katie didn't care she was getting wet. It was last thing on her mind that she needed to worry about. Getting to Hunter she slowly turns him over keeping his head stable encase of head trama. Pulling him out of the watch she checks his breath He wasn't breathing and her heart races even faster,as a little tear rolls down her cheek.

   "Come on Hunter don't leave me."

Covering his nose and opening his mouth tilting his head back a little Katie breaths into him before going to his chest and positioning her hands pumping down on him trying to kick start his hearth, and lungs again. Still nothing she repeats it doing it once again, and than again each time with a little more hast and urgency.

   "Come on, Come on Hunter dont you dare leave me this way. Breath dang it!!"

Live Nightmare

It didn't take long for Jeff and Hunter to both get saddled up and ready to go. Once Katie was back from the mess hall, the three exit the barn and mount up. Jeff waves to Mick, letting him know they'd probably be back late afternoon, and telling him which trail they were taking. It wasn't really a rule, but a good habit most of those at the ranch had when taking off for more than an hour, just in case anything happened.

"Alrighty..." Jeff raises his hand in the air. "Tallyho!" Although this time, he refrained from letting Hawk gallop down the trail. Today, he'd keep it to a walk, as he'd promised Angel.

The morning was gorgeous - perfect for a horseback ride and even better with good company. Jeff did his best to be satisfied with an easy pace, and also tried to keep himself in a good mood. He was still working through his depression, but with the support of his family, he was slowly starting to be his old self again. Leading the way, he takes the other two up the main trail then off onto a narrower, less-traveled path. There was more brush and bramble, forcing the riders to cease riding side-by-side. Conversation continued though - anything from horses, to camping to Hunter's racing to movies. It was pleasant, and time went quickly. Before they knew it, they were almost halfway up into the foothills - soon to arrive at the clearing where they would stop for lunch. 

"Watch your step up here, guys," Jeff warns, hollering over his shoulder. It was more a warning for Hunter than Katie - she'd been up here countless times. For a novice rider though, it could be just a little difficult to maneuver. The trail followed the path of the river - which could be rough in a few deep spots, but generally it flowed gently down from the nearby mountain.

Working their way up the trail, the threesome continues in a single-file line as the horses pick their way along the edge of the drop-off that served as a high bank for the river. Taking up the rear, Hunter enjoys the scenery, of blue sky, fluffy clouds and woods, just soaking it in. Glancing off to the side, he leans a little to see the river below. "Hey, Jeff," he calls ahead. "Any good fishing in here?"

Jeff turns around in his saddle, letting Hawk have his head. "Not too bad, depending on the season. I come up here every once in a while and drop a line. Catch a few trout if I'm lucky."

Hunter nods, hardly able to remember the last time he'd been fishing, but he missed it. Wait, hadn't it been in the river back in Nevada? Yeah, he'd been with... Kyle.

Completely lost in thought for the next few minutes, Hunter pays little attention to the trail, or to the jackrabbit that came crashing through the brush. Bonzai, however, saw it clearly, and was not happy about the speeding critter that crossed his path. Stopping abruptly, the horse shies, spinning towards the woods.

Unprepared, Hunter loses his balance and yanks back on his reins to keep Bonzai from bolting. At the sharp pull on his mouth, Bonzai stumbles backward, his hind feet slipping off the path and down the embankment. Jostled from his seat, Hunter grabs hold of his saddle and Bonzai's mane, his eyes catching a glimpse of the short but rough bank down to the river. "Whoa, easy, easy..."

Hearing the commotion, Jeff turns around to see Bonzai struggling to pull himself back up onto the path, and Hunter hanging on, having lost both his stirrups. "Lean forward!" he barks. "Get him back on the path!"

Doing his best, Hunter manages to stay seated... until Bonzai trips on a tree root. One second, Hunter was struggling to remain in the saddle, and the next he was on the ground. Sliding down the embankment, he hangs on by the reins, his body tensing in fear. "Come on, Bonzai," he coaxes. "Back up... back up."

Bonzai finally gets his feet under himself, his head almost all the way to the ground, being pulled by the reins. Grunting and snorting, he tries to back up, flailing his head in an attempt to be free of the pressure.

By now, Jeff had Hawk turned around and knew the situation was not good. "Katie!" He couldn't get to Hunter himself on the narrow path. "Get to him before -"

Too late. The reins snap.

The abrupt release in tension sends Bonzai reeling backward, finally getting his feet under himself. But it also gives Hunter nothing to hold.

All at once, Hunter finds himself sliding down the steep embankment. Trying to stop himself, his hands claw at the earth only to scrape against rocks and protruding tree roots. Hitting a dead tree, his feet-first slide becomes an all-out tumble, head over heels until for a split second, he feels himself in mid-air. Then his body hits the water.

Never was there a more helpless feeling than seeing someone fall. "Hunter!" Jeff's call was useless though - nothing was stopping Hunter's momentum or could catch him before he fell into the river.

Struck with the force of water, Hunter thrashes against the current, coming up for air just to be yanked back below the surface by an invisible undertow. The sunlight disappears as he's dragged through the water and all at once, he's surrounded by darkness. And in that moment, he experiences his nightmare all over again - but this time, it wasn't a dream. He was living it.

Ripped along by the current, Hunter kicks against it, trying to swim, but to no avail. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't surface. His lungs felt as though they were being torn apart, begging him for air as precious oxygen slips away.

Suddenly, Hunter's body comes to a halt amidst the current as his leg is caught in the fork of a sunken log. Jerked around by the swirling water, his knee is wrenched, sending pain shooting through his entire leg. His cry is lost underwater and the remaining air in his lungs is spent. Struggling in a panic to free his leg, it's simply no use - his knee was wedged in too tightly to move. And his head could not reach the surface.

Every muscle in his body ached as he tries to free himself. But the inevitable hurts even more: he was going to drown.

Jeff's eyes wildly search the river, waiting to see Hunter reappear... but he didn't. The river wasn't that deep. It wasn't that strong. What was happening? Why hadn't Hunter surfaced? Dread hangs in the air.

Caught in the deadly current with nowhere to go, Hunter could hear his own heart beating loudly, his pulse racing with adrenaline. In every nightmare, he died. In every nightmare, he experienced an impending darkness before awakening in cold sweat. But there was no awakening from this. This was not a dream. And he was going to die.

Still fighting, he knows that his lungs won't last much longer, and he can feel himself beginning to grow dizzy from lack of oxygen. Yanking at his leg despite the pain, desperation is the only thing he feels. Yet it could not help him now. Nothing could help him now. He was going to suffer a miserable end to a miserable life right here, before he'd even experienced the life he wanted. He was leaving behind dreams. Hopes. A future. Katie. A life which he had despised, he had grown to want.

"God..."

How long had it been since he had prayed? How long had he rejected God, who had given him all of those dreams and hopes that he was longing for now?

"Please... don't let me die... not today... not like this... I have too much left... please..."

His silent words are desperately spoken through his heart. Darkness invades his mind, and he feels the presence of unconsciousness coming closer. Using what little strength he had left, he yanks one more time at his leg.

  Let go, Hunter. 

Shocked by the voice that was more felt than heard, Hunter stops thrashing.

  I'm in control - not you. If you want to live, let go. 

Let go? He couldn't let go! He had to survive. Had to fight. If he let go, he would drown right here and now!

But as the darkness increases, Hunter knows he does not have the power to save himself. And as the murky black closes in, he gives up. Ceasing the fight, he allows his muscles to relax. And as the water rushes towards his lungs, he can feel his eyes roll back in his head...

...A short ways down the river where the bank was not so high, Hunter's unconscious body washes up, coming to rest on a partial sandbar. Face-down in the water, he shows no signs of movement.

Ready

Turning around quickly at her dad's voice Katie can't help but laugh and have some color come to her own cheeks. She enjoyed the attachen Hunter gave her and was not embarrassed by it but just something about her dad being there felt kind of strange. Maybe because taking a step forward with Hunter was still new and they hadn't really told anyone.

   "Ohhh...Becky is such a sweet heart. I like that woman more and more every day."

Moving back by her horse Katie continues to tak her up. Hearing Jeff's plan Katie gave a nod. It sounded good to her. It would be something different but an easy ride at the same time. Katie thought the idea was perfect and was happy he thought about it.

   "I think thats a great idea. There should be that clearing by the creek about half way up too we can stop at to eat the figure out if we want to continue or not."

Finishing with her horse first Katie ties the horse off before making her way to the mess hall. She'd offered to get some bottles of water and the food from Becky since she was done first. Getting the bag and slinging it over her shoulder Katie heads back twords the horses wondering if everyone was ready.

PDA

"Blowing off chores sounds like too much fun." Hunter lets Katie go, reaching out to pat her horse. "But... you twisted my arm." 

Turning back around, he grins at Katie before leaning down to give her lips a quick but passionate kiss. "I did get a good night sleep, thank you." Smiling, he brushes her cheek with the back of his hand. He did feel good this morning - better than he had in over a week. He wasn't sure how long Angel would let him stay on the pills, but if they worked, he'd take them as long as he could. He'd only woken up once, and even then it was just to turn over and go right back to sleep again. Rising this morning he felt refreshed and ready to go. 

"Alright, you two. No public displays of affection this early in the morning." 

Hunter spins around to see Jeff before laughing. "Right. Uh... sorry." 

Jeff grins and winks at his daughter. "Don't forget you're riding with her dad today."

Color comes to Hunter's cheeks as he clears his throat. "Of course... Sir." 

Jeff chuckles and gives Hunter's arm a teasing whack. "Katie, I just came from the mess hall, and Becky offered to make us some food to take a long so I gave her my saddlebags. By the time we're saddled up, we should have lunch to go." He turns and looks at Hunter. "You, um... need help tacking up?" 

"You kidding me?" Hunter starts down the aisle. "Bonsai taught me everything I need to know."

Grinning, Jeff looks back to Katie. "I was thinking we'd take the north trail through the foothills. We haven't had any rain lately so the river should be plenty low. It's kind of a narrow trail, but Hunter seems like he's gotten his seat well enough that he should be okay. What do you think?" 

Good Night

Leaning back into Hunter's Katie smiles and gives a small laugh bringing her hands to Hunter's who was around her. Feeling wrapped in his arms was nice and telling by the pep in his voice last night had been another good night for him and Katie was glad.

   "Good Morning Handsome! Looks like you got a good night sleep again finally."

Turning around a little to look at Hunter Katie's eyes twinkle. She had a feeling today was going to be an enjoyable day for everyone. And starting out early would give them the relaxing start and still get them where they wanted in good time. 

   "So we figured today we would blow off our chores and just do double tomorrow to help out. That way we can start early, and not have to worry about time till later in the day. Dad should be meeting us here any moment if you wanna go get your horse ready."

Morning

Hunter's eyes remain on Jeff for several more moments before he looks down at his plate. There was an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach all of a sudden, and he finds himself playing with his green beans. Seeing Katie interact with her father was... different. She really did love and respect him, and it was more than obvious that Jeff loved his daughter dearly. What must it be like? To have a relationship like that? To feel that loved by a parent? To know that they wouldn't let you down?

Clearing his throat, he takes a bite of his supper and nods. "Yeah... when you told me how good the food was here, I figured you were exaggerating. Guess I was wrong." 

He grins and nudges Katie with her elbow. "So... I'm thinking if I can stay awake a while then I'll be more likely to sleep some more tonight. So if that crazy cousin of yours wants to play UNO again, I'm in."

And he was. Staying up with a small group to play cards was fun, and Hunter finds himself in stitches half the time - mostly from Clint's antics or teasing Katie. By the time everyone dispersed for bed, Hunter was quite tired - enough so that he really did hope he'd get some more good sleep. And after a tender kiss goodnight to Katie, he promised he'd see her in the morning...

...Stifling a yawn, Hunter ambles into the barn. It was early morning and chores were underway. He knew that he, Jeff and Katie would be heading out as soon as possible if they were going to make any kind of distance today. 

Bidding good morning to a few of the guys, he finally spots Katie already starting to tack up her horse in the aisle. Coming up behind her, he slips his arms around her waist and gives her neck a kiss. "Good morning, Buttercup." 

Even Before

Receiving Hunter's hug Katie gives a laugh and squeezes him back. It really did make her feel good that he was going to stay, he though she was worth it and that said more than words ever could. And him getting sleep confirmed to Katie that he was meant to be here, there was always a way as long as someone looked hard enough.

   "Ok good. It should be lots of fun."

Hearing her dad's voice Katie looks up at him and smiles. Seeing he had a plate of food for Hunter too she gives a small nod of thanks. The only person she had explained anything to at the ranch was him. He was her father and he new when something was wrong. There was no way she could keep anything from him. Never could, and never would.

Just watching her father as he talked Katie was thankful he still accepted Hunter even though he had made a mistake. She had been worried that Jeff might not want to spend time with him or might even advise Katie not too. Now her worries were calmed though seeing now thing would be ok with a little time.

   "Oh I am so happy Angel cleared you. I am really looking forward to the ride tomorrow. It's always fun going into the mountains."

Watching her dad walk away Katie's smile grew even more on her lips. Her dad was pretty special to her and there were so many things about him that were amazing. His life had been hard, he might have health problems and a hard time accepting it but still he really was amazing to have kept his spirits up for so long, and to push through the day. Katie had learned many things from him, and always would continue.

   "Yeah, He's great. I love him to death, even before I new he was my dad I did."

Humbled

Smiling, Hunter doesn't refuse Katie a hug, and holds her tight for a moment, kissing her forehead. "Mm... yeah, I do feel better. Feel like I could sleep another eight hours though - maybe I'll actually be able to catch up on that tonight." He hoped that he could at least make it through tonight. Just one night so he could have a good day tomorrow. 

Leaving one arm slung over her shoulders, with his free hand, he snitches a green bean from her plate. "Of course I'll go riding with you guys - I'd love to. Even if I don't get any sleep tonight, I should be good enough tomorrow to at least stay in the saddle."

"I hope so." Jeff ambles up to their table and sets a plate of food down in front of Hunter. 

Hunter looks up in surprise, then smiles gratefully. "Thanks." 

"You're welcome." Pulling out a chair across from them, Jeff eases down to sit. "Not interrupting, am I?" 

"Naw." Hunter shakes his head before taking a bite of meatloaf. 

"Okay, good. Looks like Katie's already asked you about tomorrow... I wasn't sure if you'd be up to it though. I know you haven't been feeling well." 

Not feeling well? Hunter could see as plain as day that look in Jeff's eye - Katie's dad knew all about his bender and arrest. Disapproval lay in his gaze... but so did something else... mercy and grace. He was still willing to have Hunter along on their ride. He probably knew about Hunter's sleeplessness too, but that was being kept quiet as well. And Hunter felt... too humbled to be upset. His eyes drop though as he toys with his fork. "Yeah, I um... Angel helped me out in the sleep department today, so... I think I'll feel up to a ride... if you really don't mind me along." 

"Not a bit." Jeff winks at Katie. "Besides, I have a feeling my daughter is going to smile more if you come." 

Hunter grins and gives Katie a sidelong glance. Apparently they were becoming more obvious.

Jeff chuckles and stands up again. "Well, I'm gonna go finish my own food. See you two later." 

Watching Jeff walk away, Hunter leans back in his seat. "Your dad's a nice guy," he comments quietly to Katie.