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Description
It was several days before Fern was fit to get out of bed. Salem ended up lying to the parents, telling them that she had a terrible accident falling down the stairs. And they believed it. Mrs. Nimaway was horrified and wanted to take Fern to the hospital. Luckily, Salem had been able to talk her into not going.

Fern was sitting on the couch watching TV, Salem beside her. Her parents were at work.
“I’m sorry you had to be in bed on your birthday.” Salem said suddenly.
“It’s alright. At least you were there.”
“Yeah but....” Salem’s voice trailed off and he sighed.
Fern looked over at him curiously. “But what?”
“You may not have been, Fern. That electricity really should have killed you.”
“I know. But because there were so many others, it was directed more at you guys than me, I guess.”
Salem hugged Fern gently. “I’m glad it was. I’d rather be hurt than let anything happen to you.”
Fern smiled shyly. “I know.”
“I wonder how Liana’s doing. I hope the healers have fixed her up. She was hurt so bad.”
Fern looked down at the ground sadly, feeling very guilty.
“Erin might come by with some news,” Salem continued. “I’m a little worried about Leo. I hope he got the message and got out Ok. We wouldn’t want to have to go save any other Familiars from Daniel’s clutches. That guy’s nuts! He wants to kill us all because he thinks we’re a threat to humanity. I feel sorry for his mother but Sasha did all she could to help. The poor gal can’t work anymore because she’s so messed up at not having been able to save the lady.”
“Did you used to have someone before me?” Fern asked quietly, changing the subject.
“Yes, several. In a different life, long ago.”
“Hm. So how old are you?”
“Hm, close to a hundred I’d say.”
“Oh wow.” Fern said softly.
“Yeah, hard to believe I know. But it ain’t that bad.”
Fern stood up. “You want anything?”
“No. You really shouldn’t be moving too much. You’re still hurt.”
“I know, I know. But I’m not that hurt.” Fern said as she walked towards the kitchen.
“Yes you are!” Salem insisted, standing up and walking after her.
“No I’m not!”
“Yes...you...are!” Salem said as he grabbed Fern’s hand.
Fern stopped and turned to look at him. She looked down at his hand, then back up at him. “Salem...” she said softly, placing her hand over his. “I’m getting better. Please don’t worry about me so much.”
Salem sighed. “Fern...but I do. I don’t want anything to happen to you. You’re a great friend and I don’t want you to be harmed in any way. Especially now. Since Daniel is bent on killing Familiars. You’re in more danger being around me. But I can’t leave.”
“And I don’t want you to leave. You’re the only true friend I have, you always have been.”
Salem smiled. “Thank you, Fern.”
Fern smiled back.
Salem.
Salem suddenly looked up. “What?”
“What is it?” Fern asked curiously.
Salem.
Salem’s eyes widened in surprise. “I, it’s a Familiar!”
Fern looked around. “Huh? Where?”
Salem pulled away and started towards the front door. “Outside.”
Fern followed Salem to the front door and looked out. She gasped when she saw the fully-grown chestnut mare standing out in her front yard, close to the porch.
The horse neighed and tossed her head impatiently. Salem!
“Sasha.” Salem said softly.
Fern looked up at him in puzzlement. “Who?”
“Sasha,” Salem repeated, not taking his eyes off the mare. “She’s the one that was supposed to protect Daniel and his mother. But what is she doing here? She hasn’t left Nadara since she was reborn.”
Fern looked back at Sasha.
Suddenly Salem opened the screen door and walked out. He stood at the edge of the porch. Sasha whinnied and trotted up to him.
Salem reached out and patted her head. “Hi, Sasha. What brings you here?”
The horse quickly changed to her human form. She had chestnut colored hair that reached past her shoulders and dark brown, soulful eyes. She wore a knee-high navy blue dress and black boots that went up to her shins. “Salem! I’m so glad to see you!” she said, throwing her arms around him.
Salem smiled and patted her back. “Glad to see you too! Now what are you doing here? And don’t say it’s just to visit me.”
Sasha pulled away, looking grave. “No, that’s not the reason. Erin told me that you’ve seen Daniel. And about all the horrible things he’s doing. I need to see him.”
“What?” Salem asked, bewildered. “You gotta be crazy!”
Sasha shook her head. “No, I’m not. I think that if I speak with him; try to reason with him, then maybe, just maybe, I might be able to get him to stop.”
“Good luck ta that! You’d have to wait though. I’m pretty sure that he’s sending agents out to track us down. He was pretty upset when we left.”
“Yes. He was always a temperamental child. I was hoping he may have changed. I guess not.”
“You wanna come in?” Salem asked, stepping sideways and gesturing towards the door.
“Why thank you. Don’t mind if I do,” Suddenly she spotted Fern. “Hello, who’s this?”
Salem looked down at Fern, looking slightly surprised, as if he had forgotten she was there. “This? Oh, this is Fern.”
“H, hi.” Fern said in a soft, shy voice.
Sasha threw her arms around Fern in a friendly hug. “Nice to meet you, Fern!”
Fern’s eyes widened in surprise and she blushed.
Salem smiled apologetically. “Sorry ‘bout that Fern. She’s a real people person. That’s her hello. Kay, Sasha. You can let go of her now.”
Sasha pulled back, giggling. “Sorry. It’s just so exciting meeting someone new,” She turned to Salem. “So, is she your new charge?”
“Yeah.”
Sasha’s smile widened as she glanced at Fern. “She’s pretty.”
Fern’s blush deepened and she looked down at herself in surprise.
Sasha looked back at Salem. “Don’t you think?”
Salem blushed lightly and stammered his reply, feeling flustered at the sudden question. “Uh, w, well I...erm....s, sure she is....”
Fern looked up at Salem quickly then looked away, smiling slightly and wringing her hands.
“Ok! Time ta go in!” Salem said, ushering them inside quickly.
Sasha and Fern sat on the couch while Salem went to get beverages.
“You know...” Sasha said. “You’ve got to be one of the prettiest charges, and one of the youngest, Salem’s had so far.”
“I’m not that pretty.” Fern mumbled.
“Of course you are! You’re gorgeous!”
Fern fingered the hem of her shirt. “You’re the first one to say that, except Mom. But she was only trying to make me feel better after Hailey made fun of me.”
Sasha put an arm about Fern’s shoulders. “She didn’t just say that to make you feel better, sweetie,” She tilted the girl’s head up by her chin. “You are very pretty.” she said in a serious tone.
“No,” Fern said sadly. “You’re the pretty one here.”
“No, you listen to me little one. You are pretty. Get that through your head and keep it there, alright? Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I’ve dealt with that before and it tore me apart. Don’t let it happen to you.”
Fern hunched her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
Sasha stroked Fern’s hair. “It’s quite alright. Many girls think that way about themselves. It’s getting over that that’s the hard part. But it’s not as hard as you think.”
Salem walked in with two cups of tea. “Alright, guys. I got your drinks. Enjoy.” He set the cups on the table and sat down beside Sasha.
Sasha picked up her cup and took a long sip. “Ahhh! I’ve forgotten how wonderful Earth can be! I’m so glad I could leave. If only if it were for a different reason.”
Salem sighed. “Yeah. That’s too bad.”
“Yeah. But after all this is all over I’m going to live on Earth. Maybe if I bring Daniel around I could live with him. I really miss him.”
“I bet ya do. Lizzy said you guys were real close.”
Sasha sighed sadly. “Yeah. He was a great little kid. Lots of fun. It was almost as if he were my own. I spent more time with him than his mother did. She was too busy going to bars and staying out late at other guys’ places doing god knows what,” She shook her head. “I may be a bit out of place saying this but...Veronica was not a very good mother.”
Salem patted her back. “Yeah. I have to agree with ya there.”
“I have to as well. Now I don’t know all that much about parenting but a mother shouldn’t leave her child to go spend time with some...guy...at a bar, leaving her child to be brought up by someone else.” Fern said quietly.
“Exactly!” Sasha exclaimed. “You’re so smart! You’d make a great mother!”
“Oh, I don’t know about that....”
Sasha giggled. Her giggle was suddenly cut short and she stood up. “He’s here.” she said quietly.
“Are you sure?” Salem asked as he stood up as well.
Sasha nodded. “I’m certain.”
“Ok. You want me to help?”
“No. Let me handle this.”
“Alright.”
Sasha walked to up by the front door and peeked out the window. “He’s coming up to the door.”
“Ok. If anything happens I got yer back.”
“Thanks, Salem.”
When the anticipated knock came at the door, Sasha opened it, stepping away from the door.
“S, Sasha?” Daniel asked in utter disbelief.
Sasha smiled warmly. “Hello Danny. Been a long time since I last saw you. Just look how you’ve grown!”
Daniel’s surprise quickly vanished, replaced by anger. “You! You left my mom to die! You stupid-!”
“Wait! No I didn’t! Please, Danny. It wasn’t my fault. I’d never do that to anybody, especially you and your mother. You were my family. I’m so sorry. I wish I could change what happened, but I can’t.”
“You’re lying!” Daniel shrieked. “You never cared! Never cared about me or my mom, only yourself! You abandoned me!”
Sasha was quite hurt by Daniel’s words. “No,” she said softly, shaking her head. Tears spilled down her cheeks. “No. You’re wrong. All I ever did was care about you. I love you Danny, I loved your mother too. I could never do anything to harm either of you. I thought I would die for good after I found out your mother had been killed. I wanted so much to. But I knew I had to take care of you. But the Elders forbid it, I was too messed up they said. I’ve missed you so much! You have no idea how much.”
Daniel scoffed, “Yeah right. I bet you’ve just been having so much fun without me.”
Sasha walked up to Daniel and put her arms around him, taking him completely by surprise. “I’ve been empty and lonely without you. You gave me a better purpose than just protecting people. I got the chance to raise you, become your friend. I wish you could understand what I’ve been going through. I know you're hurt and are angry. That doesn’t mean you take it out on others. Take it out on me; I’m here for you to do that now.”
Fern and Salem were watching the two anxiously.
“Oh, I hope he doesn’t hurt her.” Fern said to Salem quietly.
Salem put an arm around Fern. “It’ll be Ok.” he said reassuringly.
Daniel was completely overwhelmed by what Sasha had just told him. Tears slid down his cheeks and his body shook with suppressed sobs. His arms wrapped around Sasha in a tight hug and he buried his face in her shoulder, his sunglasses getting pushed up to his forehead.
Sasha stroked his hair soothingly, speaking softly to him as if he were a child. “There there, it’s alright. Everything’s alright now.”
“I’m sorry!” Daniel choked out. “I’m so sorry! I did all those horrid things just to get back at you. I’m sorry, Sun….”
Sasha smiled at the mention of her horse name. “It’s Ok, Daniel.”
“And I almost killed that human girl! Oh my God. I was just so angry I couldn’t control myself. I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
“She’s just fine now, Danny. No reason to worry.”
Daniel pulled away, wiping at his eyes with his shirtsleeve and taking off the sunglasses with his free hand. “But I hurt her. How could she ever forgive me for that?”
Fern walked up behind Sasha so Daniel could see her. “I forgive you.”
“W, what? Why? You could have died!”
“I know. But I’m fine. I still would have forgiven you even if I did die. It’s the way I am.”
“Yeah.” Salem added.
“Thank you. I’m sorry about your other friends too. It’s just…after seeing my mother die and Sasha never returning I went a little insane. I blamed it all on you, Sun.”
Sasha smiled and wiped away the stray tears still leaking from Daniel’s eyes with her hand. “It’s quite alright. Everyone forgives you and now you don’t have to worry about finding Familiars anymore.”
“Yeah,” Daniel said, nodding slowly. “Yeah you’re right! I could do something better with all the technology I have. Like improving the removal of pollution or something like that.”
Sasha’s smile widened. “Yes! See, you can do good things with what used to be for harming others and not have to devote your life to a cause that was unjust to others. You can live a normal life.”
Daniel smiled. “I’d like that. Having a normal life sounds like…fun. But what about you?”
“Well, I thought that I might stay on Earth.”
Daniel’s eyes widened. “That means you could stay with me like you used to!”
Sasha nodded. “Exactly. I can go back to protecting you, just like I use to.”
“That’s wonderful! I can have you back again.”
“Yes. And you can still ride me like you used to when you were younger and I was in my horse form.”
“Yeah. You were a beautiful horse. Can I see that form?”
“Of course! C’mon outside.”
Fern and Salem followed Daniel as he went out onto the front porch.
Sasha walked to the middle of the yard before slowly changing to her horse form. She trotted back to Daniel, lowering her head so he could pat it.
“Wow, you’re just as gorgeous as ever, Sun,” He looked at Salem and Fern, grinning like a child. “See? She looks kind of like the sun when the light hits her coat. Isn’t it beautiful?” He looked back at Sasha.
Sasha whinnied with pleasure, pressing her head against Daniel’s hand.
“Sure is.” Salem said.
Fern merely smiled.
Sasha turned so that her side was facing Daniel. She looked over at Salem. Tell him that he can get on.
“Sasha says you can get on her.”
Daniel looked from Salem back to Sasha, his grin widening. Grabbing onto her mane and placing one hand on her flank, he hauled himself up onto her back. He looked down at Salem and Fern. “I forgot how cool this feels.”
Me too! Sasha said happily, though only Salem could hear her. The mare trotted around the yard, then broke into a gallop.
Salem and Fern smiled at each other before looking back at the mare and her rider.
“Looks like she definitely got through to him. They look so happy.” Fern said.
“Yep.” Salem looked down at Fern for a second before looking back at the mare. He carefully slid his arm around her middle, pulling her to him.
Fern looked up at him in surprise then looked away, blushing deeply. She placed her hand on his arm.
A few minutes later Sasha trotted back to the porch and let Daniel down then changed back to her human form, clearly out of breath. “Now that’s what I call a workout! Phew.” She bent over, placing her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath.
Daniel nodded. “Just like old times.”
Sasha straightened up. “Well, it was really great to see you again, Salem. And to meet you, Fern. We need to get going so….”
Salem smiled and nodded. “We understand. It was nice to see you too, Sasha.”
Sasha threw her arms around Salem and Fern in a quick hug before turning to Daniel. “Alright then, Danny. Let’s go home.”
Salem and Fern watched the two get into Daniel’s black car and drive off. Satisfied with the results of the confrontation, they went inside to continue watching TV.

Description
It was several days before Fern was fit to get out of bed. Salem ended up lying to the parents, telling them that she had a terrible accident falling down the stairs. And they believed it. Mrs. Nimaway was horrified and wanted to take Fern to the hospital. Luckily, Salem had been able to talk her into not going.

Fern was sitting on the couch watching TV, Salem beside her. Her parents were at work.
“I’m sorry you had to be in bed on your birthday.” Salem said suddenly.
“It’s alright. At least you were there.”
“Yeah but....” Salem’s voice trailed off and he sighed.
Fern looked over at him curiously. “But what?”
“You may not have been, Fern. That electricity really should have killed you.”
“I know. But because there were so many others, it was directed more at you guys than me, I guess.”
Salem hugged Fern gently. “I’m glad it was. I’d rather be hurt than let anything happen to you.”
Fern smiled shyly. “I know.”
“I wonder how Liana’s doing. I hope the healers have fixed her up. She was hurt so bad.”
Fern looked down at the ground sadly, feeling very guilty.
“Erin might come by with some news,” Salem continued. “I’m a little worried about Leo. I hope he got the message and got out Ok. We wouldn’t want to have to go save any other Familiars from Daniel’s clutches. That guy’s nuts! He wants to kill us all because he thinks we’re a threat to humanity. I feel sorry for his mother but Sasha did all she could to help. The poor gal can’t work anymore because she’s so messed up at not having been able to save the lady.”
“Did you used to have someone before me?” Fern asked quietly, changing the subject.
“Yes, several. In a different life, long ago.”
“Hm. So how old are you?”
“Hm, close to a hundred I’d say.”
“Oh wow.” Fern said softly.
“Yeah, hard to believe I know. But it ain’t that bad.”
Fern stood up. “You want anything?”
“No. You really shouldn’t be moving too much. You’re still hurt.”
“I know, I know. But I’m not that hurt.” Fern said as she walked towards the kitchen.
“Yes you are!” Salem insisted, standing up and walking after her.
“No I’m not!”
“Yes...you...are!” Salem said as he grabbed Fern’s hand.
Fern stopped and turned to look at him. She looked down at his hand, then back up at him. “Salem...” she said softly, placing her hand over his. “I’m getting better. Please don’t worry about me so much.”
Salem sighed. “Fern...but I do. I don’t want anything to happen to you. You’re a great friend and I don’t want you to be harmed in any way. Especially now. Since Daniel is bent on killing Familiars. You’re in more danger being around me. But I can’t leave.”
“And I don’t want you to leave. You’re the only true friend I have, you always have been.”
Salem smiled. “Thank you, Fern.”
Fern smiled back.
Salem.
Salem suddenly looked up. “What?”
“What is it?” Fern asked curiously.
Salem.
Salem’s eyes widened in surprise. “I, it’s a Familiar!”
Fern looked around. “Huh? Where?”
Salem pulled away and started towards the front door. “Outside.”
Fern followed Salem to the front door and looked out. She gasped when she saw the fully-grown chestnut mare standing out in her front yard, close to the porch.
The horse neighed and tossed her head impatiently. Salem!
“Sasha.” Salem said softly.
Fern looked up at him in puzzlement. “Who?”
“Sasha,” Salem repeated, not taking his eyes off the mare. “She’s the one that was supposed to protect Daniel and his mother. But what is she doing here? She hasn’t left Nadara since she was reborn.”
Fern looked back at Sasha.
Suddenly Salem opened the screen door and walked out. He stood at the edge of the porch. Sasha whinnied and trotted up to him.
Salem reached out and patted her head. “Hi, Sasha. What brings you here?”
The horse quickly changed to her human form. She had chestnut colored hair that reached past her shoulders and dark brown, soulful eyes. She wore a knee-high navy blue dress and black boots that went up to her shins. “Salem! I’m so glad to see you!” she said, throwing her arms around him.
Salem smiled and patted her back. “Glad to see you too! Now what are you doing here? And don’t say it’s just to visit me.”
Sasha pulled away, looking grave. “No, that’s not the reason. Erin told me that you’ve seen Daniel. And about all the horrible things he’s doing. I need to see him.”
“What?” Salem asked, bewildered. “You gotta be crazy!”
Sasha shook her head. “No, I’m not. I think that if I speak with him; try to reason with him, then maybe, just maybe, I might be able to get him to stop.”
“Good luck ta that! You’d have to wait though. I’m pretty sure that he’s sending agents out to track us down. He was pretty upset when we left.”
“Yes. He was always a temperamental child. I was hoping he may have changed. I guess not.”
“You wanna come in?” Salem asked, stepping sideways and gesturing towards the door.
“Why thank you. Don’t mind if I do,” Suddenly she spotted Fern. “Hello, who’s this?”
Salem looked down at Fern, looking slightly surprised, as if he had forgotten she was there. “This? Oh, this is Fern.”
“H, hi.” Fern said in a soft, shy voice.
Sasha threw her arms around Fern in a friendly hug. “Nice to meet you, Fern!”
Fern’s eyes widened in surprise and she blushed.
Salem smiled apologetically. “Sorry ‘bout that Fern. She’s a real people person. That’s her hello. Kay, Sasha. You can let go of her now.”
Sasha pulled back, giggling. “Sorry. It’s just so exciting meeting someone new,” She turned to Salem. “So, is she your new charge?”
“Yeah.”
Sasha’s smile widened as she glanced at Fern. “She’s pretty.”
Fern’s blush deepened and she looked down at herself in surprise.
Sasha looked back at Salem. “Don’t you think?”
Salem blushed lightly and stammered his reply, feeling flustered at the sudden question. “Uh, w, well I...erm....s, sure she is....”
Fern looked up at Salem quickly then looked away, smiling slightly and wringing her hands.
“Ok! Time ta go in!” Salem said, ushering them inside quickly.
Sasha and Fern sat on the couch while Salem went to get beverages.
“You know...” Sasha said. “You’ve got to be one of the prettiest charges, and one of the youngest, Salem’s had so far.”
“I’m not that pretty.” Fern mumbled.
“Of course you are! You’re gorgeous!”
Fern fingered the hem of her shirt. “You’re the first one to say that, except Mom. But she was only trying to make me feel better after Hailey made fun of me.”
Sasha put an arm about Fern’s shoulders. “She didn’t just say that to make you feel better, sweetie,” She tilted the girl’s head up by her chin. “You are very pretty.” she said in a serious tone.
“No,” Fern said sadly. “You’re the pretty one here.”
“No, you listen to me little one. You are pretty. Get that through your head and keep it there, alright? Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. I’ve dealt with that before and it tore me apart. Don’t let it happen to you.”
Fern hunched her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
Sasha stroked Fern’s hair. “It’s quite alright. Many girls think that way about themselves. It’s getting over that that’s the hard part. But it’s not as hard as you think.”
Salem walked in with two cups of tea. “Alright, guys. I got your drinks. Enjoy.” He set the cups on the table and sat down beside Sasha.
Sasha picked up her cup and took a long sip. “Ahhh! I’ve forgotten how wonderful Earth can be! I’m so glad I could leave. If only if it were for a different reason.”
Salem sighed. “Yeah. That’s too bad.”
“Yeah. But after all this is all over I’m going to live on Earth. Maybe if I bring Daniel around I could live with him. I really miss him.”
“I bet ya do. Lizzy said you guys were real close.”
Sasha sighed sadly. “Yeah. He was a great little kid. Lots of fun. It was almost as if he were my own. I spent more time with him than his mother did. She was too busy going to bars and staying out late at other guys’ places doing god knows what,” She shook her head. “I may be a bit out of place saying this but...Veronica was not a very good mother.”
Salem patted her back. “Yeah. I have to agree with ya there.”
“I have to as well. Now I don’t know all that much about parenting but a mother shouldn’t leave her child to go spend time with some...guy...at a bar, leaving her child to be brought up by someone else.” Fern said quietly.
“Exactly!” Sasha exclaimed. “You’re so smart! You’d make a great mother!”
“Oh, I don’t know about that....”
Sasha giggled. Her giggle was suddenly cut short and she stood up. “He’s here.” she said quietly.
“Are you sure?” Salem asked as he stood up as well.
Sasha nodded. “I’m certain.”
“Ok. You want me to help?”
“No. Let me handle this.”
“Alright.”
Sasha walked to up by the front door and peeked out the window. “He’s coming up to the door.”
“Ok. If anything happens I got yer back.”
“Thanks, Salem.”
When the anticipated knock came at the door, Sasha opened it, stepping away from the door.
“S, Sasha?” Daniel asked in utter disbelief.
Sasha smiled warmly. “Hello Danny. Been a long time since I last saw you. Just look how you’ve grown!”
Daniel’s surprise quickly vanished, replaced by anger. “You! You left my mom to die! You stupid-!”
“Wait! No I didn’t! Please, Danny. It wasn’t my fault. I’d never do that to anybody, especially you and your mother. You were my family. I’m so sorry. I wish I could change what happened, but I can’t.”
“You’re lying!” Daniel shrieked. “You never cared! Never cared about me or my mom, only yourself! You abandoned me!”
Sasha was quite hurt by Daniel’s words. “No,” she said softly, shaking her head. Tears spilled down her cheeks. “No. You’re wrong. All I ever did was care about you. I love you Danny, I loved your mother too. I could never do anything to harm either of you. I thought I would die for good after I found out your mother had been killed. I wanted so much to. But I knew I had to take care of you. But the Elders forbid it, I was too messed up they said. I’ve missed you so much! You have no idea how much.”
Daniel scoffed, “Yeah right. I bet you’ve just been having so much fun without me.”
Sasha walked up to Daniel and put her arms around him, taking him completely by surprise. “I’ve been empty and lonely without you. You gave me a better purpose than just protecting people. I got the chance to raise you, become your friend. I wish you could understand what I’ve been going through. I know you're hurt and are angry. That doesn’t mean you take it out on others. Take it out on me; I’m here for you to do that now.”
Fern and Salem were watching the two anxiously.
“Oh, I hope he doesn’t hurt her.” Fern said to Salem quietly.
Salem put an arm around Fern. “It’ll be Ok.” he said reassuringly.
Daniel was completely overwhelmed by what Sasha had just told him. Tears slid down his cheeks and his body shook with suppressed sobs. His arms wrapped around Sasha in a tight hug and he buried his face in her shoulder, his sunglasses getting pushed up to his forehead.
Sasha stroked his hair soothingly, speaking softly to him as if he were a child. “There there, it’s alright. Everything’s alright now.”
“I’m sorry!” Daniel choked out. “I’m so sorry! I did all those horrid things just to get back at you. I’m sorry, Sun….”
Sasha smiled at the mention of her horse name. “It’s Ok, Daniel.”
“And I almost killed that human girl! Oh my God. I was just so angry I couldn’t control myself. I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
“She’s just fine now, Danny. No reason to worry.”
Daniel pulled away, wiping at his eyes with his shirtsleeve and taking off the sunglasses with his free hand. “But I hurt her. How could she ever forgive me for that?”
Fern walked up behind Sasha so Daniel could see her. “I forgive you.”
“W, what? Why? You could have died!”
“I know. But I’m fine. I still would have forgiven you even if I did die. It’s the way I am.”
“Yeah.” Salem added.
“Thank you. I’m sorry about your other friends too. It’s just…after seeing my mother die and Sasha never returning I went a little insane. I blamed it all on you, Sun.”
Sasha smiled and wiped away the stray tears still leaking from Daniel’s eyes with her hand. “It’s quite alright. Everyone forgives you and now you don’t have to worry about finding Familiars anymore.”
“Yeah,” Daniel said, nodding slowly. “Yeah you’re right! I could do something better with all the technology I have. Like improving the removal of pollution or something like that.”
Sasha’s smile widened. “Yes! See, you can do good things with what used to be for harming others and not have to devote your life to a cause that was unjust to others. You can live a normal life.”
Daniel smiled. “I’d like that. Having a normal life sounds like…fun. But what about you?”
“Well, I thought that I might stay on Earth.”
Daniel’s eyes widened. “That means you could stay with me like you used to!”
Sasha nodded. “Exactly. I can go back to protecting you, just like I use to.”
“That’s wonderful! I can have you back again.”
“Yes. And you can still ride me like you used to when you were younger and I was in my horse form.”
“Yeah. You were a beautiful horse. Can I see that form?”
“Of course! C’mon outside.”
Fern and Salem followed Daniel as he went out onto the front porch.
Sasha walked to the middle of the yard before slowly changing to her horse form. She trotted back to Daniel, lowering her head so he could pat it.
“Wow, you’re just as gorgeous as ever, Sun,” He looked at Salem and Fern, grinning like a child. “See? She looks kind of like the sun when the light hits her coat. Isn’t it beautiful?” He looked back at Sasha.
Sasha whinnied with pleasure, pressing her head against Daniel’s hand.
“Sure is.” Salem said.
Fern merely smiled.
Sasha turned so that her side was facing Daniel. She looked over at Salem. Tell him that he can get on.
“Sasha says you can get on her.”
Daniel looked from Salem back to Sasha, his grin widening. Grabbing onto her mane and placing one hand on her flank, he hauled himself up onto her back. He looked down at Salem and Fern. “I forgot how cool this feels.”
Me too! Sasha said happily, though only Salem could hear her. The mare trotted around the yard, then broke into a gallop.
Salem and Fern smiled at each other before looking back at the mare and her rider.
“Looks like she definitely got through to him. They look so happy.” Fern said.
“Yep.” Salem looked down at Fern for a second before looking back at the mare. He carefully slid his arm around her middle, pulling her to him.
Fern looked up at him in surprise then looked away, blushing deeply. She placed her hand on his arm.
A few minutes later Sasha trotted back to the porch and let Daniel down then changed back to her human form, clearly out of breath. “Now that’s what I call a workout! Phew.” She bent over, placing her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath.
Daniel nodded. “Just like old times.”
Sasha straightened up. “Well, it was really great to see you again, Salem. And to meet you, Fern. We need to get going so….”
Salem smiled and nodded. “We understand. It was nice to see you too, Sasha.”
Sasha threw her arms around Salem and Fern in a quick hug before turning to Daniel. “Alright then, Danny. Let’s go home.”
Salem and Fern watched the two get into Daniel’s black car and drive off. Satisfied with the results of the confrontation, they went inside to continue watching TV.