Sara readied herself for the worst case scenario. She pictured Trash wounded and bleeding, lying down on his side.

But when she entered the woods, she saw Charles and Bentley, hands on their knees, laughing hysterically.

Okay, what is going on??? Sara wondered.

Ella pushed a branch away from her face. "The woods are so gross, ugh. Why are the guys laughing? I was so scared," she said. Her orange dress fluttered in the breeze. Ella actually looked really pretty, despite how annoying she was.

"People, what's happening?" Trevor called out. He and Erin approached cautiously from behind.

Ella reached the boys first. "Goodness!" she said, placing a hand to her face.

Sara, confused as ever, made her way over to where Charles stood, still laughing his head off.

Trash was as alive and as healthy as ever. He ran, barking and howling wildly, around the legs of the most beautiful group of horses Sara had ever seen.

The horses stood alongside a trail, their bridles tied to nearby trees. They stared at the group curiously.

She sucked in her breath. "Charles. W-whose horses are these? What are they doing here in the woods?"

Trevor stood in front of a particularly enormous, aggressive looking black horse. He held out a handful of grass.

The horse dove right at his hand, munching the grass happily.

"Careful there, Trevor," Erin said. "That horse looks like it--"

"OUCH!" Trevor cried, flailing his arm. "It BIT me!"

Erin started to crack up. "Well, duh, moron. Don't you know anything about horses?"

Trevor shook out his hand, frowning. "No more grass for you," he said to the horse.

The horse blew hot air from its nose. It pawed at the ground, shaking its head furiously.

"I bet his name is Vampire," Trevor said, rubbing his sore hand. "He's all teeth and out for blood."

Bentley stepped forward, placing a hand on the agitated horse's neck.

The animal immediately stilled.

"Actually, his name is Lightning," Bentley replied.

Sara raised an eyebrow. "Wait...is that...are these...your horses?"

Bentley nodded.

The horse nuzzled his cheek as he stroked its head.

"Surprise!" Bentley said, beaming. "Thought a trail ride might be fun since it's your special day." He gestured for the group to take a horse.

Charles had managed to get ahold of Trash.

The excited dog kept trying to dodge past him.

"Wow, Trash Can is operating on hyperdrive. I better take him back to the house," Charles said. He tugged Trash by the collar.

"Tell your horses 'thanks' for finding my mutt, Bentley!" Charles yelled as he dragged the barking dog away.

Bentley grinned. He'd never looked so smug. "I'm sure they know," he said, patting Lightning.

Ella, who was afraid of large animals, looked extremely uncomfortable. "Are we...do we...have to ride those?" she asked.

Bentley had skillfully pulled himself into the saddle of his horse. He held out a hand. "Hop on, Ella. You'll be fine," he said.

Ella, whimpering slightly, allowed him to take her hand and pull her onto the horse. She practically flew through the air, her orange dress billowing. She landed gracefully behind him.

Trevor and Erin climbed onto the last two thoroughbreds.

"Come on, Sara. You can ride with me," Erin said.

Bentley guided his horse to the front of the trail. "Hold up. There's one missing!" He closed his eyes and chuckled quietly. "Man, I forgot to use the chain. That mare can chew through the tether rope."

Ella's eyes bulged in alarm. She clung to Bentley's waist, shaking.

Bentley placed two fingers into his mouth. He whistled loudly.

A sound of running hooves echoed in the distance.

"Good girl, here she comes now," Bentley said.

Sara squinted through the trees. Sunlight streamed brightly amongst the branches.

Far down the forested trail, a horse appeared.

Sara's jaw dropped.

The horse galloped towards them. Its sleek, golden body glistened in the sunlight. Tossing its head, its silky, yellow mane and tail flowed majestically in the breeze as it ran, whinnying loudly.