Lucinda stumbled into the clearing, bruised and weak. Her snow-white coat was now brown and bloodstained. Her huge pink eyes were squinting in pain. Tears rolled down her face, and she squealed in agony as she dragged herself forward. She knew she had broken or at least sprained her "near" side hind leg, and was pretty sure a few ribs were damaged as well. She painfully turned her head to see her twin brother, James, collapse on his face. Slowly she made her way to his side, sobbing as he drew his final breath. Then he was gone. His blue-grey eyes stared sightlessly into hers. She turned away, unable to look. With her last feeble burst of energy, she uttered a long, broken cry. "Why him? Why Mother? Why me?"
In exhaustion and pain, she crumbled to the ground. She had nearly given up all hope.
But not all hope was yet lost.
