April Story Contest

The Midnight Blaze
By: Scoutgirl
Age: 12

It had been a long day and I was exhausted. It was dark outside and I still had to feed the horses so I got an old lantern because all of our flashlights were out of battery. I pulled on my jacket, slipped on my boots and opened the door. A rush of icy cold wind burst through the door making me shiver. It was raining. I ran to the barn and opened up the big door. Seeing me Beauty and Paisley whinnied happily. I sighed seeing the stall where my third pony used to be, but put on a happy face. We couldn’t afford 3 so my parents made me decide which horse to give up, I chose Milkshake because I hardly ever rode her and I was sure she would get adopted easily (which she did). 

There are 4 stalls in the barn, I use 2 for the horses, 1 for the saddles and bridles and the 4th for feed. I went into the feed stall, set the lantern down (It is still light inside the barn) and grabbed the wheel barrel. I placed 2 flakes of grass hay and 2 of alfalfa. (Each horse gets one of each, I feed them half and half because I don’t always exercise them enough and I don’t want them getting fat.) I wheel it over to Midnight Beauty’s (MB) stall and give her two flakes, then I give Paisley two flakes also. I set the wheel barrel down and turn on the hose. After I filled the horses water buckets and turned off the hose I got out the brushes. I gave them both a thorough brushes and I picked out there feet. I groomed the two horses until their coats were shining.  I put the brushes away, closed the barn and ran inside. I hung up my coat, slipped my boots off, and went into the kitchen, I was hungry. 

We didn’t have many things that looked yummy in the fridge so I checked the pantry; I grabbed a box of cheerios and got a bowl, spoon and the milk. I poured cheerios until the bowl was about half way full then closed the cereal box and poured milk on top of the cheerios. After I finished eating I ran up the stairs to my bedroom and got on some warm pj’s for the cold night. I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and washed my face then ran down stairs and turned on the T.V.  I went over to the cabinet with the movies in it and chose secretariat, my favorite movie. I couldn’t enjoy it much because the wind and the horses were “screaming”, the wind slowed down but the horses got louder sounding more frantic by the second. I decided to go outside and check on them, after I put my coat and boots back on I opened the door but instead of the icy cold wind hitting my face it was the smell and warmth of a fire.

I looked at the barn that had a bright light coming from it. I ran towards the barn, opened the door and covered my mouth and nose with my shirt while I opened the stall doors setting my horses free. I turned on the hose and sprayed the smallest and closest part out. After I realized I couldn’t do much I used my cell phone to call 911.

hello 911 emergency center what’s the problem?
Quick there is a fire in my barn and I’m the only one home!
Stay calm and away from the fire please help is on the way.
Ok please hurry its getting bigger!
get any people or animals out, are you hurt?
No I am fine, I already got my two horses out I’m not sure if there okay though.
Please go stand next to your horses and keep them calm the fire truck should be arriving.
I hear them… there they are! Ok thank you.
You’re welcome we try our best. Good bye.   

Mam? Are you okay?
What oh yes I’m fine.
I told one of the fire men while the others put out the fire. I went over to see my horses, they looked fine… but I heard them having trouble breathing. I went over and told the firemen that I had talked to moments ago. He said he could call a vet and have them checked out. By the time they put the fire out the vet had come, taken the horses, and left again. I was able to see that the fire started in the feed room I started to think….THE LANTERN! OH NO! I left the lantern in the feed room and It must of fell over and started the fire! Nothing seemed to be ruined… except for the feed in the feed room. I told the fire man and said I was sorry and will only use a flashlight for now on. He forgave me and said he was glad I had went outside before it was too late. He told me to go inside and go back to sleep and everything would be alright- my parents had just come home from their date wondering what in the world happened.

The horses ended up being just fine- they just breathed in some smoke, but they did have to be watched carefully by the vet for 1 week and couldn’t be ridden for another 3 weeks just to make sure. We rebuilt the feed room, and put real lights in the feed room, tack room, and big lights over the whole barn. I didn’t mind having to wait 4 weeks to ride my horses I was just so happy that they were okay.