Trapped

The sun had long disappeared behind the mountains and a light fog rolled in, obscuring the surroundings.

With a dense furry coat, Ferris didn't mind the damp and chilly air. What concerned him was the harness that showed no sign of coming loose. After repeatedly scraping it across the fence post and getting no results, he began looking for other options.

There wasn't much, the wooden fence was strong and sturdy and both gates were locked with chains. The gate latch was fairly basic only requiring the metal loop to be lifted at a certain angle to seperate it from a large nail.

However, Ferris was a horse and therefore lack human hands, making this simple task near impossible. Hooves were obviously out of the question. Which only left his mouth. He had to repeatedly remind himself that this was not his real body, merely a virtual avatar. Even if it looks and feels real, it most definitely was not. It is not his real mouth and there are no germs or bad bacteria in this world which can be contracted by placing his mouth on a dirty farm gate.

And if his big clumsy lips didn't make it difficult enough, a horses eyes are placed in such an awkward position that he couldn't see a thing.

Instead he had to use the whiskers on the end of his nose to sense everything. This proved to disorientate him rather then help.

< New Skill Acquired: Animal Instinct >

< Enhances the five senses to allow complete interaction and understanding of your surroundings >

< Touch: Basic >

< Progress: 1/5 >

A notification poped up and the gate which had been so confusing moments before suddenly felt easier. While it wasn't as good as sight he could feel his way around and locate each part of the latch as though using his own hands to feel.

With his whiskers and soft nose directing him he soon grasped the chain hoop in his teeth and tried to unhook it from the nail. Every time it would get caught on the nail head. No matter how he tried to manoeuvre it, it just wouldn't come loose.

Frustrated, he tried to kick down the gate. He reared up on his hind legs, while his front hooves came down with full force. Not waiting he went up again throwing his full weight into it as he came down, and again.

The gate shook and the hinges groaned, but it wasn't enough. Taking a few steps back he ran at it. Using his chest and shoulders as a battering ram, he hoped the momentum would carry him through.

It didn't.

Instead Ferris felt like he was the one hit by a battering ram. The pain in his chest was indescribable and every breath only made it worse.

Luckily, this was a game and the pain quickly faded. His health bar had dropped 9 points and it would be awhile for it to naturally regenerate, as currently he didn't have any healing skills to increase the recovery.

Unable to wait Ferris trotted further back and prepared for his next charge. If he can pick up more speed, the impact on the gate should be more damaging. Perhaps this time it will break.

Voices drifted out of the fog, coming from the direction of the farm house.

Ferris hesitated.

Should he ask them for help?