Keola had never acted like this before. One moment, she had been calm—standing quietly in the field like she always did. The next… something changed. Her ears shot back. Her body stiffened. And then she started pacing. At first, Jolene frowned, watching from the fence. “Keola?” No response. The horse didn’t even look at her.
She kept moving—back and forth, faster each time. Her breathing grew louder. Heavier. Uneven. “Hey… what’s wrong?” Jolene stepped closer, unease creeping in. That’s when Keola stopped. Abruptly. Slowly, the horse turned her head. And locked eyes with her. Jolene felt it instantly—that shift. Something in the way Keola was looking at her didn’t feel familiar anymore.
Didn’t feel calm. It felt… intense. Unsettled. Then Keola took a step forward. Another. Faster. Jolene’s breath caught as the horse closed the distance between them, stopping just inches away. And just stood there. Staring at her. Not moving. Not blinking.
Jolene had no idea what had just triggered it. But something about that moment stayed with her. Because whatever had changed in Keola… it didn’t go away.