Hi, Thomas here. You're listening to a preview episode. You can enjoy the entire story

tonight by subscribing to our supporters' feed. There you'll get access to the entire

back catalogue, bonus episodes, and more, and it's all completely ad-free. Click the link

below to learn more. And thank you so so much. Me and the team really appreciate your

support.

As she opened her eyes, Molly saw her smiling father approach. He stopped beside her,

looking out at Shackleford Island in the near distance.

He told Molly how he used to visit the island as a child, and how exciting it was knowing he would

soon see all the horses roaming wild and free. Molly asked her father if she

could pet the horse, to which she simply chuckled, explaining that these animals were usually too

wary to ever get close to people. They kept to themselves.

The island rose out of the ocean as the ferry drew near. It was bare except for a few boat

dogs along the shoreline. Rolling sand dunes gave the island its only contour.

Patches of tall grass and a few craggy trees provided a hint of green to the otherwise blank space.

As they reached the island, Molly asked her parents if she could choose their camping spot.

They agreed and so off she ran determined to find the ideal location.

Molly dashed across the dunes, weaving between the patches of grass.

She charged through the vast, open space, her heart spilling with excitement.

She hurried up bluffs and scuttled down banks eagerly toward the shore.

And then she stopped. There just up ahead, right at the water's edge,

Molly could see a pale brown fall bounding around, its wild main whistping in the sea breeze.

Her face lit up with excitement as she watched the little horse bounce from its front to its back

...