Wrapped around your finger - Post Malone

54

When Austin finally stops talking, Lightning bows his head and walks slowly over to the mare. Hazel watches as he puts his lips on the mare's lips and lets out a soft whine. She whines back and it looks like they are talking. Then the mare pulls back, nodding her head. Lightning lifts his head and lets out a loud neigh that Hazel has to cover her ears for it. Austin kneels next to Hazel. "The baby is stuck. I have to cut it out," he says. Hazel looks at him with big eyes and shakes her head. "It is the only way...they have both agreed. But we don't want her in pain. Inject her. Then as soon as her eyes close tell me so I can get the baby out. That stuff is potent, we can't let it get to the womb before the baby is out or it will kill it," he explains. He then moves to the mare's swollen belly and picks up the knife, then he looks at her and nods.

Hazel takes out the bottle and syringe and fills it trying to keep her hands steady. Then she soothes a spot on her neck and pushes the needle into her skin. Lightning has his lips on the mare's as they whine together. Then Hazel pushes the poison into her. The mare's whine gets softer and softer then her head drops down as her eyes close. Lightning still whining. "Now!" Hazel shouts. Austin then drags the knife across her belly with a steady hand and then shoves both hands into the now-open belly. Hazel watches as Austin tugs, her breath held. Then he gives one last hard tug and pulls out a tiny brown foal. Evelyn grabs it and starts wiping off the sludge stuck to it and inside its mouth as it wriggles. Austin stands and runs to the truck, coming back with a pile of blankets and wrapping it up tight. "Dad. Look!" Evelyn says. Austin leans down and looks at its forehead then shakes his head with a soft smile. Hazel places the mare's head gently on the floor and goes over to them to look. "It has a perfect star on its forehead," Evelyn says pointing it out to her and then looking up at the sky, her grandmother's star shining bright even in the rain. "Thank you for helping," she says to her grandmother.

Austin stands and then takes the foal over to Lightning. Lighting pushes his lips onto it and nudges it. Then he lifts his head and lets out an earth-shattering neigh. The rest of the wild horses start neighing too and run in a circle around them. Hazel watches, amazed. "Who will look after it?" Hazel asks. "Lightning will decide. Wild horses are amazing, he will choose a mare with a foal and she will adopt this little one too," Evelyn explains. Hazel watches as the horses continue to run around them and Lightning watches on. Then Lightning walks over to Evelyn and bows his head before her. Evelyn gasps and throws her arms around his neck. "Oh thank you! I promise, I promise with my whole heart to love her and look after her," Evelyn says. Lightning chose Evelyn? Hazel is dumbstruck and has to sit down as her legs give out. Horses are amazing. Lightning is amazing and she finally understands why Austin respects them the way he does. Austin walks over and hands the foal to Evelyn and she turns to Lightning, "Her name is Star. Do you like that?" she asks and Lightning nods his head with a neigh then goes and stands over his mare. "Take her to the truck, there are dry blankets in there," Austin says to Evelyn then turns to Hazel. "Darlin', there is a shovel in the back of the truck, will you please get it for me?" he asks. Hazel stands and walks to the truck. There are two shovels so she grabs both and goes back to Austin then she helps him dig a hole for the sleeping mare.

It's already morning by the time they get back to the ranch house. Wet, dirty, and very tired - Austin and Hazel help Evelyn set up a makeshift nursery in the barn at Evelyn's request then Hazel climbs into the truck and stays quiet as they drive back up to the house. She gets out once he parks the truck and walks off to the house but as she reaches the kitchen steps Austin stops her, spinning her around and looking at her, concerned.

It's time...

"Austin I am not who you think I am," she starts. Austin smiles softly and wraps his arms around her. "I don't think even you knew who you were when you arrived here, darlin'," he says. "You are right. I was always so sure of myself, but being here with you...with Evelyn, I have learned a lot about myself, but-" Austin cuts her off as he kisses her. But she stops him and pushes him back and he frowns at her. "Just...just hear me out...please," she begs. Austin watches her, unsure, but gives her a sharp nod to proceed.

"Austin!"

Austin's head drops at the shrill sound of Jan's voice. He turns to look at her. "Jan, not now," he says and turns back to Hazel. "No! Now! It's very important," she shouts. Austin sighs, "Don't move," he says to Hazel then turns and walks over to Jan. Hazel watches as Jan starts talking, she talks and talks, and as she talks Hazel watches as Austin's face turns white. His brow starts to set into a heavy frown and his lips purse then eventually she sees his jaw clench. He shakes his head at Jan then she hands him a piece of paper. His angry eyes linger on Jan then he looks down and stares at the paper in his hands. When he is done he lifts his head slowly and stares straight at Hazel. Her heart drops and her stomach churns with the way he is looking at her. Cold, dark, fury, and...hate. Then he takes a step forward and walks toward her.

She is done for.