A Helping Hand [Blitz | Ems]

Caleb didn’t mind winter much. This year the cold had come far later, and the snow left the world to start anew. He couldn’t fault those who didn’t like it—after all, District Ten wasn’t full of riches, and people could freeze easy enough if they weren’t careful. He was far more concerned with the animals that could well pass in the night if the farmers weren’t too careful. A healer, he took special pains to visit as many of the surrounding pastures as he could to make sure the horses, geese, hens, and chickens were tucked in tight. The Tansys always let their pigs roam too far and the Poers folks had thoroughbreds that needed extra attention.

Night had fallen by the time he’d gotten back out on the old dirt road. His old workhorse Stetson was ambling along while Caleb stared up at the stars above. He pulled his cloak tighter against his body, and a shiver ran down his back. He would have to make sure to remind the woman up the road that her ducks needed more feed, and to make sure she kept the log burning stove running. His thoughts drifted much like the wind, here and there, until a loud crack from a nearby tree and a rush of a shadow across the road spooked Stetson. Screeching and lifting up onto its hind legs, Caleb let out a shout, his hands slipping from the reins. He tumbled back onto the road and hit hard.

He gasped for air as he heard Stetson rushing off without him. He remained on his back, unable to move. He muttered out a low help, and started to come to. Hopefully nothing was broken, and much more, that Stetson didn’t get too far.