IF YOU DARE

-Prologue-

This is the story of two rash, cold, stubborn, and quite simply, indomitable souls.

One bears the name Rowena Wagner. She gave off the impression of being a simple person. Her wardrobe certainly didn't go past simple; it was plain but with undeniable elegance and class. Preferring loose clothes to close-fitting ones; comfort could very well be her middle name.

Rowena was a sophomore, pursuing her second degree; the first one had been the business degree her father had forced upon her. That way she could run the company, he would say. Her family was wealthy, that was plain enough to see.

Both her parents had tragically died in an airplane that never made it to its destination. She never saw them again. Which is how, when Rowena was only 21, she inherited a great fortune. She finished her first degree as a tribute to them, even though it wasn't really to her liking. During this time there had been some who had dared and tried to take what was lawfully hers. She eventually drifted apart from her friends, who weren't that many to begin with, and became quiescent, secluded, cold, and distrustful. This was the second time she had lost something important, but it hadn't always been like this.

When Rowena was able to reclaim her life, she decided to go back to school and this time do a degree she felt passionate about. She wanted to become a veterinarian. The immense property on the outskirts of the city where she lived had various animals. She had felt the need to protect and take care of them since she was a little girl. Rowena could envision herself living there, tending to their needs after finishing with school.

Most of all, Rowena loved her horse with the untamable temperament. It was a wild mustang; pitch black as night. Her father had rescued it while gambling when it was just a foal. Nobody could comprehend how she had won the wild animal over. For those who knew him could attest that it wouldn't allow strangers nearby.

She named him Bucephalus, after Alexander Magnus' horse. She sympathized with the story; it was one of her favorite tales. With Bucephalus, Rowena joined the school's equestrian team, quickly becoming one of the best, wining every competition. All except one; the racing competition. Bucephalus was fast, just not enough to reach the finish line first.

Eventually though, in the short span of a year, the school campus became too chaotic for Rowena's liking. The equestrian team became old news, all everyone could talk about now was the female football team. Not that she cared, not as long as she continued doing what she liked and study was she was passionate about.

Miss. Wagner wasn't truly alone; she still had her butler and housemaid. The only ones she could rely on. They lived with her in a house worthy of her lineage. It wasn't ostentatious, but the wealth was evident. She was in all the essence of the word, a princess.

Rowena had waited anxiously for summer break to begin. She longed to be back at her property and spend the following three weeks there. She would have to return to school a week early though, to train with her team. The next regional tournament was set to begin almost immediately after classes resumed. Nonetheless, she could picture herself riding without the restrictions of time in the quiet estate.

Jade Wagner, yes Wagner, she on the other hand, her life was a total mystery.