Taste of The Wild: Life Through the Eyes of a Wild Mustang

Chapter 5

          We spent four months there. I never took a drop of water; well, scratch that. I took a couple of drinks of it; let me tell you it tasted awful!!! I regret doing that though. Two days after that, a horrible pain came from my side. I nipped at it, kicked at it, rolled around on my side, and finally decided that the only thing that could help the pain was lying on my side. I would switch sides, and soon, my hole coat covered in cold mud. It froze my body to the bone. 

(Now we are going to see things from Ivy's point of view)

         I lied on my side in the mud. My legs were stiff and felt weak. Often times they would contract. As cold as I was, sweat was on my neck. To look at me couldn't tell I was sweating I was so muddy. I had tetanus. One horse had got it before in the wild, and he wasn't able to stand and soon died. To long on my side and things could go downhill. I had to get up. 

      When the contractions stopped, I tried to get to my feet. My legs would not get under me. Finally, I got to my feet and stood there, sides heaving, and lowered my head. Breathing was a lot easier and looked around. It then that I released; Flint wasn't around. He was always there for me. The color drained my eyes, and I became weaker. Without Flint, I won't live. As another contraction came on, I fell to my feet and closed my eyes. 

I had to get out of this. But without Flint, I had no hope.

(Now, back to Flint)

       I painfully stand up, and every time I did, the pain increased. I groaned with pain every time I sat up. The man cursed and hit their horses, and all I wanted was to be free.

      Often times I would dream of the Proyrs and of my family. Saige was probably back with Storm's father and didn't mind that I was gone. I could see my father, fighting off other stallions, and my mother nuzzling her new foal. Maybe the foal looked like me.

     I could see Ivy, beautiful, wild, and strong, kicking up her legs. I was so mad at this roundup. It ruined everything!! If it wasn't for this stupid thing, I would in the wild with Ivy, and possibly with one or two other mares. Ivy would have the respect she should've had. She would've been the lead mare.

      But this stupid thing ruined everything and I didn't like it. In a rage, I got to my feet quickly. As a man passed by, I reached out my neck and bit him squarely in the shoulder. He had a piece of leather on him, and he hit me on the nose with it. I reared up and chambered him with my hoofs. Before he could get the last word, I trotted off, flicking mud on his shirt.

    It was then I realized my mistake. I should've stayed standing there. Getting a small sliver of my revenge made the pain in my stomach worse. I lied down and dreamed of happier times in the wild.