Trees reach towards the sky, smoke rising to the treetops. Spirit galloping through the trees, his hooves sliding through the long grass. A tree crashes down in the distance, a flock of birds leaving their nests, and flying to the sky.

  My eyes fly open, darkness filling my eyes. My lungs screaming for oxygen as I take in ragged gasps.

  What the hell!?

  My eyes drift to the shape of my mother. Sun streams flicker across the room through the fluttering curtains. The sun rises over the Kauri Point countryside.

  Something in my mind draws me outside, into the rays of the sun.

  The house is quiet in the early morning air as my family lie sleeping. I sigh and feel a wave of tears breaking at my eyes, but I push it down — taking a deep breath as I push open the door. Outside, the rising sun blinds me as a slight wind whistles through my ears. The ground dewy at me feet.

  I stop in my tracks.

  Spirit stands staring at me, framed by the sparkling ocean. He nickers at me, and paws at the ground.

  Every trace of grief from my mind, and the clenching in my throat slowly fades away as I stare, captivated by the sight in front of me. The misty morning holding more then the rising run on the sparkling dew.

  I jump as two soft hands rub my shoulders. “What are you doing out here, darling?” Gran asks.

  I look at her and a small smile lights my face. “Look.” I say, looking back towards Spirit and his glimmering coat.

  “Yeah, it’s beautiful.” She says in a dreamy voice.

  My mind races. “So, you can see it too?”

  “Yeah, I always loved living by the ocean.” She replies in that same dreamy voice. “Come in, dear, it’s cold. I’ll make some breakfast.” She says, turning away.

  My smile fades, and a sigh escapes my lips. “I’ll be in, in a minute.” Turning back to Spirit, his deep eyes lock with mine. “So no one else can see you?”

  Taking one last look at the mystical sight in front of me, I take a deep breath. Letting it out steadily, I turn slowly and walk back towards the house.

  In the kitchen, Gran makes bacon and eggs for breakfast. Mom sits at the table talking to her. She looks up from her coffee cup at me.

  “Remember you start school today. Please go, Tessa.” She says.

  I roll my eyes and walk past her.

  “Do not roll your eyes at me, young lady. You will go.” She calls after me. “Even if I have to drag you there myself.”

  I close the bathroom door behind me, and lean against the cold wood.

  Do I listen to my mom’s wishes and go, or do I continue my search for a way home?

  I sigh, pushing myself off the door, and turning the tap on. Cold water running in streams through the sink. My eyes focus on the droplets, my vision blurring at the edges. My mind races, and I close my eyes.

  A river runs through a clearing. The droplets reflecting the light as a rainbow is arched across the rocks. Horse hooves plunge into the water. Droplets spraying up, the rainbow cascading to the ground.

  Gasping in a deep breath, my eyes fly open. I stare at myself in the mirror, taking in ragged gasps.

  What the hell!?

  First, the dream about Spirit and the forest, now this vision.

  Is it real? Was it real? Will it be real?

  My mind races with the running tap. My heart thundering against my rib cage. I clutch at my chest taking deep breaths.

  A horse’s nicker floats through my head.

  I spin around, my hands shaking. Eyes darting around.

  Another nicker flashes in my mind.

  I sink to the floor, my head spinning. My hand sprawls on the cold marble floor — longing for a sense of reality. Something to ground myself.

  A series of nickers follow each other, spinning around my head.

  My vision blurs and my head grows light with the haunting calls.

  “You’re not real.” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “You’re not real!” I repeat.

  Spirit flashes through my mind, then everything fades to black.

  Kauri Point High is quiet. Everyone is already in their classrooms. I’m late.

  My mind still races from this morning. My head feels too light to function — to think.

  “You’re fine, Tessa. Probably just dehydrated.” Mom says from the drivers seat. “I tell you to drink water, and you don’t. You really need to listen more.”

  “I think you need to listen more.”

  “What did you just say to me?”

  “Exactly.” I mutter.

  “Get out, and go find the principal. She’ll sort you out.”

  I roll my eyes and reach for the door handle, but my head spins. A breath escapes my lips and I close my eyes.

  Spirit gallops along the beach, leaving hoof prints in the sand. Salty waves come to wipe away the evidence. A horse whinnies, and a ships bell rings through my ears.

  My eyes fly open, my lungs gasping for air.

  “Tessa.”

  I let out a shaky breath. “I’m going. I’m going.”

  What is happening to me?

  Walking away from the car, my mind still swims, my eyes fluttering in the light. I walk towards the office, the white concrete blinding me in the early morning sun. Shielding my eyes, I push open the front door, and step into the building. For a moment, it’s dark as my eyes adjust to the lighting change.

  A lady appears in front of me. “You must be Tessa Brown, right?” She smiles.

  I hesitate for a second, then I remember, it’s Kauri Point; everyone knows everyone else — and everything about them.

  Not creepy at all. I think. “That’s right.”

  “Your mum called to say you were going to be late this morning, but not to worry, we understand. Living in this town is kind of hectic at times.” She smiles.

  I sigh and narrow my eyes. “Cool.”

  “I’ll show you to your first class. History right?”

  “I don’t have a timetable.”

  “Oh, yes!” She rifles through the papers she has in her arms. “It should be right in this stack. We assigned you classes based on what you previously did in other years, and your mums options.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Great. Just another way my mom is ruling my life.

  She flourishes a piece of paper towards me from her stack. “Found it!” She sings. “I’ll show you to your classroom now.”

  I take the paper from her hand and she turns down the hallway.

  “Here we go.” Sighing, I flick my ponytail over my shoulder and follow her.

  The classroom is buzzing as the principal knocks on the door, and opens it with a click. Everyone looks up as we enter, and the chatter dies down.

  The principal looks around the classroom. “Where is your teacher?”

  “He went out to collect some printing, Miss.” A boy with glasses replies, barely looking up from his book.

  “Thank you, Sean.” He nods towards him. “I can’t wait around for him, but this is Tessa. She’s new and will be joining your class this year.” She introduces me. “Be sure to make her feel welcome. I have much to do, so are you alright if I leave you here?”

  I look at her. Does she think I’m a child? “I’ll be fine.”

  “Amazing! If you need anything, you know where I am.” She pats me on the shoulder, and leaves the classroom.

  “So, Tessa. Where you from?” A guy calls, leaning back in his chair, a drink bottle in hand.

  “Miami.”

  He grins and takes a drink before standing to walk towards me. “So you’re a big city girl then.” He holds the bottle towards me. “Wanna sip?”

  The smell of alcohol rises up my nose and sends me back to a life I used to live. The grief of my dad. The alcohol to drown the pain. Jackson beside me. Both of us hung over and throwing up the next day.

  I blink and stare him dead in his steel gray eyes. “Does the principal know you have alcohol in there, or would you like me to tell her?” I smile.

  His smile drops and he lowers the bottle. “What did you just say?”

  “I don’t know anything about this town — or this school — but I don’t think alcohol is allowed to live in your drink bottle at school, but I could ask the principal on behalf of you.”

  “It’s just alcohol, baby-doll.” He grins.

  “Just get out of my face, jack-ass.” I retort, and crossing my arms across my chest.

  He squares his shoulders. “You wanna go, New Girl?” He takes a step closer to me.

  “Back off, Levi.” A voice joins the conversation.

  He turns around slowly to face the owner of the voice. I look around him — curious myself. I recognise him instantly. The guy I met yesterday. Ben.

  Levi chuckles a little. “You got a crush, Hammond? Well you can keep dreaming, cause it’s never going to happen.”

  “It’ll never happen for you, Levi.” Ben starts, his voice even. His eyes flicker to mine, and he take a breath before continuing. “To answer your question, no. But there’s no reason for you to act like this. Stop starting fights, you’re just going to get suspended again.”

  “Don’t tell me what to do!”

  Sighing, I take a step forward — between the two boys — and all eyes train on me. “If I may, just but in here. What are guys even fighting about?”

  “Some people have forgotten how things work around here, Sweet Cheeks. I’m just reminding them.” Levi says, his voice mocking softness.

  My face contorts to disgust as I look at him. “Stop with the nicknames, dude.”

  His smile fades, but I don’t think he’ll listen to me.

  “You’re a dick. Do you know that? It’s important to me that you do.” I smile, and feel like laughing, but he’ll probably punch me if I do.

  A deadly silence falls over the classroom, Levi’s face shifting as I stare at him.

  “What? Never been called that before?” I taunt. “Because it’s true, and I feel bad that you didn’t know that.”

  “It is true.” A voice adds from behind me.

  I turn around to look for the owner of the voice. Everyone is staring at Sean, still nose deep in his book.

  “Shut up, nerd. Levi shouts out. But his crown is falling, his throne crumbling to the ground.

  “Sit down, Levi.” I say.

  “You can’t tell me what to do. You’re not the teacher.” He retorts.

  “No. But I am.”

  I look towards the door, as the teacher steps inside the classroom.

  “Sit down, Levi. I hope he wasn’t being annoying, Tessa. Welcome to Kauri Point High. Pick any seat. It’s lovely to have you here.” He smiles, then looks at Levi sternly, and he drags himself back to his seat.

  I look around the classroom, then catch Ben’s eye. He smiles as he takes his own seat next to Sean, and pulls out the empty chair beside him. I look at him and sigh, but take the seat anyway.

  “You know there’s a bus leaving in about ten minutes.” Ben whispers looking at his watch. “It can get you out of this town.” He adds. “Just in case you were still set on leaving.”

  Why wasn’t I trying to leave? I think.

  I have an opportunity, so why do I remain seated?

  Looking towards the window, I see a white glowing figure standing. Staring. Spirit. He slowly dips his head, and I close my eyes.

  Spirit. The forest. The black horse. Muscles thriving. Head rearing. A rope is throne. She bolts. It tightens around her neck. She cries out, and falls to the ground.

  I open my eyes in shock, heart racing.

  No.

  “Are you okay?” Sean asks and I look up at him, blinking as my heart races.

  “I’m fine.” I say, but my voice shakes to betray me, as it comes in short gasps to fill my aching lungs.

  “Are you sure?” He asks, closing his book to focus on me. A steady hand reaching up to gently push his glasses back up his nose.

  My eyes scan the words on the front cover. “Were you reading a chemistry textbook?”

  “Yes.” He replies without thinking.

  “Why?”

  “Why not?”

  “Because a: that doesn’t sound fun, and b: this is a history class.”

  “So? I could have been reading about the history of chemistry for all you know.”

  A smile plays on my lips. “Were you?”

  “That’s besides the point, Tessa.”

  “Whatever.” I mutter.

  My smile fades as my mind drifts back to the vision. The horses. That’s my reason to stay. No one else can see Spirit. The paint is in danger: or at least I think it is.

  I need to know what it all means.

  I’m going crazy… maybe I should find a way back to Miami…

  As the bell goes, I pull my scrunched up timetable from my pocket.

  “What do you have next?” Ben asks, looking over my shoulder.

  I sigh, and forcefully pull at the paper to reveal the markings. A large rip rolls through the middle of the paper.

  “Ruining it on the first day.” Ben laughs. “Maybe you should be more careful next time.”

  “Shut up. And it’s fine, I can still read it.” I pear at the markings.

  In truth, it’s not the easiest to read, but i wasn’t admitting to that.

  11ENGA “English?”

  “Oh sweet. You’re with us again. You’ll get to meet Beth and Natalie.” He smiles.

  “Come on, man. We don’t want to be late.” Sean says as he walks past, tapping Ben’s shoulder.” Ms Plunne will flip.”

  Ben rolls his eyes, while smiling at me. But goes to walk behind Sean, and I follow.

  “She’ll only flip out at us.” He says, turning around to look at me. “She could never get mad at her precious teachers pet.”

  “How is Sean teachers pet? He doesn’t seem like the type of guy to enjoy English — a subject basically based on opinions; not facts.”

  “You can be suck up regardless of the subject. I don’t think he even realises he is sucking up. But Sean has his brains too, perfect attendance, and just overall Seanness that makes him teachers pet to literally every teacher. But the bio teacher, because he’s sexist towards guys.”

  “I don’t think Seanness is a legit thing.” I reply.

  “It totally is.” Ben grins, and turns back to watch where he’s going. “This is where we have English. Not very exciting, but expect another history lesson; she likes to ramble.” He says, before opening the door and stepping inside.

  “Well that’s just great.” I mutter, before following him into the classroom.

  The hot air hits me instantly. I stumble against the class door as heat rolls down my back. My lungs gasp for air, and I brace for flashes of the wild; but they don’t come.

  “You must be Tessa.” The teacher appears in front of me, smiling. “My name is Ms Plunne, but Ms P works fine. Why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?”

  I look around the classroom, my legs jelly-like. Every pair of eyes trained on me. My hand on the cool metal door handle is the only thing keeping me from collapsing to the ground in front of everyone.

  “Um…” I stammer, and take a deep breath. What is happening to me? “My name is Tessa Brown. I moved to Kauri Point from Miami on Saturday.”

  “Any family or pets, dear?”

  “I moved here to live with my mom and Gran. I have on older brother, Caleb. He stayed behind in Miami.”

  “What about your father?” Ms Plunne persists.

  The question I was dreading. Anything about my dad.

  I feel the tears building against my eyes. My throat closing. I take a shaky breath, my knees slightly buckling underneath me. I clench the strap of my backpack, the other still on the door handle. My eyes dart around the room, fearing if they linger too long, the tears will slip.

  Yet, they lock onto a scowling face beside Ben. Straight dirty blonde hair frames a pair of steel grey eyes, set into judging lines. Her glossy lips set into a thin line.

  A tear rolls down my cheek, and I quickly wipe it away, ducking out of the classroom.

  In the hallway, I flee to the fresh air, and blaring sun.

  Leaning against the school building wall, I let the tears flow, my breath coming in short gasps.

  Why is this happening to me?

  “Tessa…?”

  Instinctively, I look up.

  A girl with shiny straight black hair, and a never fading smile stands in the corridor hallway.

  “I’m Bethany.” She says, walking to stand beside me. “Sean’s sister. We’re twins — and everyone is always getting us confused with each other, so don’t feel bad if you thought I was Sean. I mean, we do look pretty identical you know. Only, he’s a guy, and I’m not. He has glasses and I don’t. I actually have perfect vision, which is funny, because twins are like nearly ide—” She stops as she looks at me, and I realise how I’m looking at her. “Sorry, I get told I talk a lot. But really, I just fill the silence, and say what needs to be said. Not my fault if it’s too much or offensive…” She trails off. “Are you okay?”

  My eyes drift to the ground. “I’m fine.”

  “Really? Cause those tears tell me no. Unless you have something in your eyes which is really irritating, or maybe you have allergies. Do you have allergies.”

  I look at her. “No.”

  “Maybe you do, you just don’t kno—”

  “Bethany.” I interrupt. “Do you know how to shut up?”

  For a moment, she does, her smile slightly fading, but it comes back.

  “No. I’ve been told I don’t. Sean says I need an off switch, so I’m not annoying, but I don’t think I’m annoying. Do you think I’m annoying?”

  “You do talk a lot, that’s not a lie. But, in all fairness, you distracted me from my dad, so, it was nice that you came out here, and talked my ear off. Thank you.” I give her a small smile.

  Her smile brightens. “Is your dad in Miami still?”

  “Well, yes in a way. His body is in Miami…”

  “His body?” Bethany asks.

  I look at her, and her face drops with the realisation.

  “Oh no, Tessa. I’m so sorry you had to go through that. That must have been really hard for you. I know I would be so depressed if my dad died. But so would so many other people because he’s the mayor of Kauri Point, and no one else really wants to run, so…” She trials off. “I’m sorry, I keep yapping off.”

  I smile a little. “It’s okay, Bethany. It’s kind of a nice distraction you know.”

  “Yeah, I get that. I distract myself as well. But whenever you need a distraction, I’ll be happy to talk your ear off for you.” She smiles, and gives a little laughs.