No Longer Are We Free

Chapter Five

Chapter five ~ edited

I walked out of the house and towards the trail to my neighbours place. Axe followed me. I turned around.

"Stay back boy." I commanded.

He whimpered but turned around and ran back to the house.

I walked on the trail for ten minutes. The house came into view. Their dog Rex, ran up to me. He ran around in circles then jumped on me.

"Rex down." I heard a guy call out. His short brownish black hair shined in the sun. It was Seth's father David.

"Hi." I said, petting Rex on the head.

"Hey." He said back. He smiled at me then walked into the stable. I thought Seth was getting horse feed.

"Where's Seth?" I asked, following David.

"I don't know." He said.

"Ok. I'm taking Storm out now." I said.

"Ok have fun and be safe."

"I know." I walked over to Storm's stall. I grabbed the halter and lead line from the hook beside the door. "Hey handsome." I said. He whinnied and put his head over the door. I petted him on the muzzle.

I opened the stall door and put the halter on him. He walked out of the stall and followed me calmly. I walked him out of the stable and tied him to the wash bay. I walked back in to grab the saddle and bridle from the tack room. I put the saddle blanket on and placed the English saddle onto his back. He stood quietly while I did up the girth. I grabbed the bridle and moved towards his head. He lowered his head, making it easier for me. He opened his mouth when I placed the bit to his mouth. I pulled the bridle over his ears and fastened the throat-lash and noseband.

I untied him and led him out of the wash bay. I put my foot in the stirrup and lifted myself up into the saddle. I walked off to the trail to warm him up. Once he was warmed up, I trotted, then cantered along the trail. We kept at a steady canter and came to a clearing. Storm started getting restless.

"Easy." I said, calming him down. I heard neighing in the distance and I saw what made the noise. "Oh my god."

There was a herd of horses. I looked at every beautiful horse. Bays, chestnuts, whites, greys, and a black. It was the lead stallion. His long mane and tail flowed in the breeze. He looked my way. I didn't realise I had moved closer. Storm had calmed down and started walking. I looked into the stallion's eyes. Where had I seen them? Those eyes were familiar. Why do I know them?

"Hi gorgeous." I said to him. He looked at me but didn't react negatively. Unusual for a wild stallion. "Why are you so calm around humans?" I asked. Still he didn't do anything.

I was five metres away from the big, beautiful, black stallion. I didn't move. His ears were forward. I slowly dismounted Storm and walked towards the stallion. I stopped two metres from him. I stood in a non-threatening position and studied the stallion. His big, beautiful, brown eyes. Long and elegant neck. Shiny coat. Long mane and tail. And the little white star under his forelock. I saw beauty. I saw familiarity. Why was this horse so familiar to me? His breath was steady and calm.

"You are so beautiful, you know that?" I told him. He nickered and nodded his head, saying yes. I laughed. No one would believe me if I said I was actually this close to a wild stallion. I think he was wild. He had a herd of mustangs and hadn't been branded. He must be wild. Yet he didn't act it. "Are you owned by anyone, horse?" He snorted and shook his head. "You're a smart boy." He nodded his head again. He looked at Storm. I waited for him to do something to Storm. He just stayed there, in front of me. One of the mares whinnied. The stallion looked over to his herd, then back to me. "Go on beautiful."