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

Chapter 11

     I slammed my hoof down on Edward's foot. "Ouch!!! Get it off!!! Get it off!!!" He screamed. I left it there for a couple more seconds then lifted the hoof. Edward hopped his way over to a bale of hay and sat down. 

     Taking off his boot and sock, he looked at the already swelling, purple bruise. I swelled with pride as I realized I broke two bones.  He deserved it though; had it coming. But, on the other hoof, he rescued me from dying. It was the other men who deserved it. I almost felt bad about what I did. 

     Madison came around the corner just then and gasped when she saw the sight. The breath seemed to be gone in her, and I cocked my head as if to say: Are you okay?!

     She looked at me and her lips twitched. She wasn't sure to laugh or to scold. Finally, she ducked cross-tie and went to her father. "What happened??" She asked. Her love-coated words melting my heart. I twitched an ear back to listen. 

     "That...that...horse stomped on my foot. Broke it; mind you!!" He didn't sound very happy. 

     Madison looked at me, then back at Edward's foot. "He doesn't like men,"

     Edward scoffed. "You think?? He doesn't like people in general!!" Ain't that the truth!! All they did was harm us. I was still unsure about Edward. He was nice, but, well, a man. My father's words echoed in my head. 

     Let things into your herd. Meaning horses and people. Even men. 

     I didn't want to let people into my herd!!! They were mean!! "Madison, this horse is very dangerous. We just can't keep him," Edward said in a concerning voice. Silence coated the barn in a cold way, putting Ivy and me on end. 

     "But-" Madison said, tears brimming in her eyes. 

     "Not know. Put him in his stall," Madison then walked up to me, gently reached her hand up, and while having a strong hand on my halter, and unclipped a cross-tie. I shied away from as she undid it, and stepped back fast as the metal clip hit the metal siding with a big bang. The second one had an even bigger bang. I just about yanked her arm off. 

     It's trying to kill me!!!!! I thought and kept a watchful eye on it as I gladly went back into my stall. Madison gave us fresh water and hay and watched a little of my eating. She then turned and helped Edward out of the barn. We both glared at each other when he passed. 

     The big door slid shut, and as the bright lights turned off, I replayed what Edward said:  This horse is very dangerous. We just can't keep him. 

     I did have a soft heart. I just wasn't sure if I wanted to expose it.