My Tattooed Angel

I won't see you tonight

My world suddenly jumps up an down. I open my eyes. Brian looks over at me from looking straight ahead.

"Morning sleepy head." Brian says rustling my bangs.

"How long you've been awake?" I ask stretching from my curled up position.

"A couple hours. Thought I'd just keep driving." Brian says.

"How long until we're there?" I ask.

"Not long." Brian says.

"Good, it I have to sit in here for another day I might hurt someone." I say.

"Ha, same. Can't wait for Nevada." Brian says.

"Me ether." I say.

I reach under my seat and pull out a half drunken bottle of Mountain Dew, The bag of gummy worms, and a condom wrapper?

"Wow." I say holding the wrapper up.

"Oh my god...that's still there. That must be there from when we were dating." Brian says.

"Probably...good times." I say.

"Agreed." Brian says.

I put the wrapper back under the seat and take a handful of gummy worms. Guess that's breakfast until we stop or something. To tame my boredom, I put on the radio. You can't have a real road trip without dancing and singing in the car. After another hour of driving, Brian pulls up into a small gravel drive way.

"Here we are." Brian says.

"Finally." I say.

"Yeah, it's about time." Brian says.

I open my bag and pull out a pair of jeans, a blue plaid flannel shirt, my boots, and a light tan cowboy hat. Brian planned everything now, didn't he. I braid my hair in two pigtails to finish off the look. I roll up the sleeves and put them in place.

"You like what I picked?" Brian asks as I walk around the corner.

"Yes, it's perfect." I say.

"Alright, let's get the boys out." Brian says putting his own hat on.

I open the latch and undo the but bar. Chance immediately backs out of the trailer. I feel bad for keeping him in there for so long. I put bit-less reigns on his halter and hand him to Brian as I get Willie out. I pack everything we need from the truck in my backpack. Extra clothes, hoof pick, brushes, first aid, food, and water.

"We ready?" Brian asks.

"Let's go." I say grabbing Chance from Brian.

I walk Chance to the open space. Brian follows me with Willie. I mount Chance and wait for Brian to get on Willie.

"Alright, we can go now." Brian says.

"If you can catch me first." I say giving Chance a hard squeeze. Chance leaps into a fast gallop.

"Oh come on Katie." Brian says as he trots after me.

I look back and smile. I turn Chance as he degrades to a Canter. I circle Brian and Willie and then walk next to him. I laugh from Brian's expression and then strike off into a canter. Brian and Willie follow besides me.
Since Brian and I got to Nevada pretty late, it's not long before it becomes dark. I hear a blast of thunder. Chance stays almost completely relaxed, but Willie shoots his head up and puts his ears back.

"Brian, maybe we should switch horses for now. Chance won't do anything, Willie's really bad with storms." I say.

"I think I can handle him." Brian says.

A louder blast of thunder comes from a distance. Willie starts to back up and violently shakes his head. He starts to calm down again until an even louder bast and lighting flash touch the sky. Willie rears up and gallops full speed in the opposite direction bucking ever once in a while.

"Shit...Willie!" I say turning Chance to follow Willie.

I loose track of Willie. This isn't good, I have to find both of them. I stop Chance and look around for a Willie or Brian. My heart races with fear.

"Brian!" I yell.
"Brian, where are you." I yell again.

No answer.