I'm about to head out, I say to my wife and kids as I walk towards the door with my bag, hat, and horse gear. I have my gear around my body and I put my hat on my head. My kids are begging me to stay, I tell them I can't, it's my job to go and check on the ranch in Oklahoma. We currently live in South Texas. It'd take 2-3 days by horse. I always make this trip at least twice a year most by my horse Daisy. I head for the door and go to the stables in the very back of the house. My wife follows. She gets Daisy out of the stable while I put my gear on her. I attach my bag to the back of the saddle. My bag has my rope, food and drinks, plus medicine for the horses out in Oklahoma. I have most of my supplies on the ranch out where I'm heading. I'm not planning on staying long only until the horses get their meds. My sister is out there taking care of them. I only visit yearly to cater to their health since my sister doesn't know how to. The ranch out in Oklahoma was an inheritance it was left to my sister but she never knew how to take care of any farm animals. She learned how after a few years when I would stay there and teach her. We eventually moved our separate ways. As I have flashbacks of how things were I snap out of it and finish catering to Daisy. Making sure she's eaten and well hydrated. Bringing along another bag for her meds, water, and food. I finished telling my wife and kids goodbye. I finally set off. We're halfway through our trip. I decided to stop so we could rest, and get hydrated. I grab the bag off of Daisy's saddle, and unpack the food and drinks. I dropped a glass bottle of medicine and it shattered across the dry and cracked ground. Daisy got shaken up and sped off without me.
I chase after her. I didn't make it far. I felt immense pain in my left foot. I stopped and looked down to see a huge piece of the medicine bottle sticking out of my foot. I slowly sit down not worrying about Daisy anymore. I tried to take my boot off but the large piece of glass went through the shoe. I sat there for over 5 minutes contemplating what I should do. I manned up and quickly grabbed the glass and pulled it out of my foot. It was bleeding a tremendous amount. I didn't have any wrap so I tore my shirt in half and began to wrap it. It's about 9 pm now. Over 2 hours after Daisy left in the distance. I grabbed all the supplies that were spread out and stuffed them in the only bag I had left. I headed the direction I saw Daisy go in and hope for the best. I've been walking for about 30 minutes. Limping. I see this light in the distance. I start heading towards it. It's a farmhouse. I see the porch lights on and off they're flickering. I started speeding up the best I could. I finally arrived at the house. It's a big red house with a white door. I step up onto the porch and ring the doorbell. A man opens the door, he has a sophisticated look on his face. I immediately tell him that I've injured my foot and need to get back home. His wife appears out the corner of the doorway. She starts talking to me asking me where I'm heading. I explain to her where I'm going and where I'm from. She was very talkative unlike her husband. I'm assuming husband since she never stated nor did he. She invites me in and lets me sit on the couch while she goes in the back and grabs the first aid kit. She starts talking to me telling me about her life. She tells me her name is Jill and her husband's name is John. She said she's lived in this house with John for over 2 decades, they're an older couple. Late 50's I suppose. She sanitizes the wound and wraps me up. Her husband appears and grabs her to talk to her. He takes her to the back room on the left. It's been about 10 minutes since they went to the back room.
The wife appeared around the corner with a distinct look on her face, she's looking deeply into my soul. I can feel the intensity. I ask if she's alright because her whole demeanor changed since she came back from talking to John. She was silent. Just stared at me. John randomly appears behind her. He whispers something into her ear. She goes and locks the front door, she then makes her way to the back door. I'm sweating from fear. I feel uneasy. John stares at me. I started asking if he was alright. No answer. I tried to stand up, but couldn't because of my foot still being sore. Jill comes back from locking up the house and her and John make their way towards me. They sit side by side on the couch where I'm at. Their moods switched. Jill started hugging me and John was screaming "I'm glad you're back home!" I look at them in confusion. I ask what they mean by that. No answer. They wouldn't stop cheering and hugging me. I push Jill off of me demanding answers as to what they're talking about. Jill stood from afar and started crying. She stated that I hated her guts and wished she was gone. I'm sitting in complete silence contemplating what's happening right before my eyes. John defends Jill. He starts screaming at me saying you should never treat your mother that way. "Mother?" I say. She tells me to stop playing these jokes on her. Eager to leave these insane people. I tried to head for the door, limping or not, I was going to get out of this asylum. Halfway there when I see this figure appear in front of me. It's John. He grabs me and forces me back on the couch. I ask what they're getting from holding me hostage. Jill stated "You're not a hostage in your own home, don't be so quick to leave your family again." Again? What does she mean again? I ask her what she means, she says you know. I asked her to remind me, she said "You left for the military Lance don't you recall?" Lance? "Who is Lance? I say to her with a confused tone." My name is Rust. John grabs
Jill they go to the back room. I head for the door again. I unlocked it and ran out. Halfway down the road I hear Jill screaming saying, "Please don't go, we just want to talk to you Rust." In my head I'm saying Rust? I thought I was Lance to them. I run out of sight, barely. My foot is in pain from the pressure, so I decided to rest on this Oak Tree far from their home. I start looking at the scenery, all peaceful and quiet. Until I hear this cracking sound from behind me. I peek to the left side of the tree. It's pitch black so all I see are eyes. I quickly turn my head and lay my head against the tree. Hoping the creature or person didn't see me. I hear the sound growing louder and louder. I close my eyes and Pray nothing happens to me. I hear this distinct sound. Sounds like a horse. I hurriedly opened my eyes to see Daisy right in front of me. I get up and hug her tight. I then got on her and started heading back home. Hours went by and I finally made it back home. It's morning time now. I knock on the door of my beloved home and hug my wife and kids. I start telling them what happened and why I didn't make it to Oklahoma. None of them looked shocked when I told them the story. Their faces begin to blur. I feel breathing upon my face. I opened my eyes to see I was dreaming all along. John and Jill standing above me like every other night. It's been 3 years now since I've "disappeared."
