## **Chapter 6: Racing Against Time**

I wanted to move closer but Oscar was restless, and the broken door hanging off him made me hesitant. How do you untangle a horse from a piece of your own house without making him panic?

I dialed Sam’s number with shaky fingers, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Sam, you won’t believe this,” I said when he answered.

I explained what had happened—Oscar’s escape, the broken door, and the mysterious figure near the trees.

“Are you sure he’s okay?” Sam asked.

“No cuts, no blood, but he looks scared,” I replied.

“Lock the doors, stay inside. I’m on my way home.”

—

## **Chapter 7: The Arrival**

Within 20 minutes, Sam was home. The familiar rumble of his truck pulled up the driveway just as the mysterious figure disappeared from sight.

Together, we inspected the door damage again. It was worse than I thought—this wasn’t just a quick break-in. Oscar must have been terrified to break through with such force.

We tried to piece together the puzzle.

Why would Oscar run? What scared him so badly? And who—or what—was lurking in the trees?

—

## **Chapter 8: Uncovering the Truth**

We decided to check the security cameras around the house and paddock.

The footage showed something chilling.

Oscar had been standing calmly in his paddock, then suddenly bolted towards the gate. The camera caught a glimpse of a wild coyote darting across the yard, but that wasn’t all.

A few seconds later, a loud noise, like a metal clanging, startled Oscar into a full panic.

He rammed the gate repeatedly, but it held firm.

Then, in a desperate move, he lunged towards the back door of the house, breaking through the wood panel with his full weight.

—

## **Chapter 9: Aftermath and Recovery**

After the ordeal, we managed to calm Oscar down, carefully removing the broken door from around his neck. Thankfully, he wasn’t physically hurt, but it was clear the event had rattled him deeply.

The broken door was a painful reminder of how vulnerable even the calmest creatures can be when frightened.

We reinforced the door, repaired the paddock gate, and took extra steps to ensure Oscar felt safe.

—

## **Chapter 10: Reflections**

That day was a nightmare turned reality—a surreal morning where a horse broke through our kitchen door, dragging a piece of our home as a twisted necklace.

It was a stark reminder of how quickly life can shift from calm to chaos.

But it was also a testament to resilience—Oscar’s courage to escape danger, our ability to come together as a family, and the importance of safety and vigilance.

—

## **Epilogue: Life Moves On**

The door is fixed, the paddock gate secure, and Oscar is back to his peaceful self.

But every time I walk past that door, I remember that strange morning—the dragging noise, the broken wood, and the wild eyes of a horse who just wanted to be safe.

Life on the land is never boring. And sometimes, nightmares wake you up in the most unexpected ways.

—

If you’d like, I can help write follow-ups, safety tips for horse owners, or a guide on handling unexpected animal emergencies. Just let me know!