Chapter 19

"Please, don’t leave. I'm real sorry. I didn't mean to yell. Winnie has been my horse since I was seven. I know that is not an excuse, but it is just one more problem. I have to kill her. I don't have any way to help her, where we are going, and she will just slowly die."

I crawl over to Winnie and slowly soothe her. I see Joseph walk slowly towards her with his sword drawn. I don’t want her to see me crying, so I lay my head down on her cheek. I can feel her labored breathing, due to the pain, and I try to keep the tears from falling.

Joseph is quick and smooth. I don't know that he’s done it until he pulls me up into his arms. He carries me to his horse and sets me down beside his horse. I watch as he pulls all the rations off of Winnie and attaches them on his horse.

"This is Georgie. She's my Dad's mare. Winnie was her baby. We will ride her together."