Mugged in the Dark

Not sure how to start this - last night was a frightening night for this zombie gal. I have been going back and forth - back and forth to the barn for so long that my body is just on auto pilot. I admit last night at the 1 am trek to the barn all was quite and still. Nothing happening in the barn (crap I wished those girls would pop out something) and gave Chief his hugs, snuggles and kisses. To set the mood I have been walking outside with my normal head lamp plastered to my forehead - cant see much but it does save me enough from tripping. Yes, I still have the hatchet attached to my belt loop. Yes, I admit is was walking with my head down and just being a zombie... Oh and did I mention the huge outdoor light on the north side of the girls goat barn has decided not to work in the past week. So back to the story. I left the South side of the barn after kissing Chief he went back into the barn to watch over the girls and I started back to the house. I walked along the large metal barn and to the metal gate on the north side. Opened and closed the gate behind me. Walked through another metal gate and started the mindless walking to the house. I have a porch light one but in this country darkness it is nothing more then a way to point myself in the direction of the house then really to help me see. I got half way from the barn which is like a dead zone and just in a flash Llama Boy came out of no where running at full speed. He stop right in front of me in such a panic. Just then something hit me from behind. Right to the back of my knee's. It happened so fast my brain was still on Llama Boy running at me. Just then I got clipped from the side again. This time it was Kasha at a full run and Llama Boy was now circling quickly around my body with a panic in his movement. Just as I was going to push Llama Boy to move away from me he bumped me and caught me off guard and Yes down went Grace. Lucky for me I dropped on my right knee instead of my damaged left knee. In a blink of an eye I did my duck and cover that was taught to us as a little kid. With his behavior I needed to make sure I did not get kicked in the head. While this was all going on I could hear something hit the big cattle panels (something large going under it) and then a second body hit the panels. I took that to mean whatever attacked me first was being followed after by my brave and protective Kasha. As I hit the ground and covered my head I turned slightly and the lamps light hit Kasha's butt going at a full run after something. I called her name and out of character she stopped and ran back to me. Normally when one of my dogs as something in their sights they will not stop until they run it down and take care of it. I think she saw her Mommy down and so she ran with all her might back to me. I used her back to stand me up. Hated to do that but trust me that was the only way I was going to get up. I stood for a few moments trying to process what had just happened. Meanwhile, Llama Boy was still glued to me like a cheap suit. His eyes where intense and Kasha was shaking and breathing heavy. This gal was doing all the same but needed to get Kasha back to her trailer and me to the house. After clipping Kasha's lead back on and sitting with her for about 10 minutes or so to calm her I limped back to the house and Llama Boy kept his head on my shoulder and walked me back to the house. I got inside, sat down on the chair trying to calm down and get my heavy boots off and peel off the chore clothes. I took my heart rate and I kept saying "Grace just breathe and calm down" I have no idea how long I sat there trying to gather up what had just happened. I sat like a frozen statue almost until the next time to check on the expecting girls. Yep, it took time to convince myself that I would be safe and that the needs of the goat girls out weighted the freighting thougths that were running through my brain. This time I was wide awake and present. The hatchet was out of it's holder and in my hand. I did not wear my ear flap hat so I could hear clearly and I walked with full purpose. No changes on the goat girls but a big change in this girl. I had to giggle Llama Boy is still attached to me each time I go outside. He has even taken to sitting at the base of the stairs so he has me covered. I wished I could say I knew what had hit me, since it was higher then my knee's that gives me some ideas. We did not have snow last night so there was no tracks to identify the mugger. So tonight I am fully present even when I still feel like a zombie. My hatchet will be in hand at all times and instead of the head lamp I am walking with the spotlight. Hope we will not meet again but if we do this gal is ready to RUMBLE....