“No way. Is it really you?” George exclaimed, his voice shaking the stillness of the evening. His eyes darted across the barnyard, locking onto the familiar silhouette standing near the fence. It was Thunder—his prized stallion—the same horse that had vanished without a trace eight long months ago.
For a moment, George stood frozen in place, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. His heart pounded, disbelief gripping him. After all this time, after weeks of fruitless searching and nights filled with doubt, Thunder had come back. But as relief washed over him, something caused George to pause. His elation wavered, replaced by a creeping sense of unease.
“Hold on,” he muttered to himself, his brow furrowing as he took a tentative step forward. Something about the scene felt off. Thunder stood calmly, his body gleaming under the fading light. But just beyond him, barely visible in the growing dusk, there was something else. George blinked, his vision adjusting as he squinted into the shadows.