Twenty

Spurring his horse into a gallop again, he charged at the cougar, yelling and waving his arms.  The terrified horse was throwing its head up in terror and neighing desperately before it reared.

The commotion set the cougar to flee and he dismounted the petrified horse and held it for a minute to soothe it, before he moved fearfully towards the still figure.

Matthew hesitated before he reached out.  Was he prepared to see her dead?  Was he prepared to see the damage the cougar had done to her?  But he had to see if she was still alive.

Gently, he brushed the wet strands from her cheek and looked down at her.  She was white as snow in the moonlight and he worriedly put his fingertips to the weak pulse in her throat.  Leaning over he sighed with strained relief when he heard her faint breathing. 

Matthew methodically checked her over for any and all her injuries.  There were cuts on her face and his hand came away stic