Hopeful Hooves: A Unicorn Friendship Tale

CHAPTER NINE: RECOVERY

It was Melody's time to visit the Veterinarian of Unicorn Island, who was in charge of the Unicorn's health. Melody was terrified because she had a negative experience dealing with humans, but she was going with Sugardust, who would assure Melody that the vet would not hurt her, and even if she did, it would only be for her own good.

When the Vet entered, Melody's stripes turned a bright pink color, and she began pacing back and forth. Sugardust was also a color changer, so she had seen this phenomenon happen before, but she did not turn glowing neon colors, so she looked at Melody strange.

The man said calmly, "This is your newest patient. She appears to be nervous, but we will make her feel calmer."

He placed his hand on her neck, but she moved immediately away, her stripes now a glowing neon yellow.

"Her mobility is good, but her stripes glow bright colors whenever she is anxious," he noted, then motioning her Sugardust to stand by her sister for support as he was giving a physical exam. The Zunicorn seemed calmer, but turned a glowing blue color.

"Her heartbeat is good, but is rapid, as is her breathing," he added, then he checked her fur, tail, and mane. "They are good, but here is a spot that doesn't match her stripes. It is a scar. Hmm," he wondered.

"Here are your results," he said. "She is physically healthy, but it appears that she has encountered trauma in the past, which probably explains her anxiety." The Vet could not speak their own language, but with a superb technology, he could translate what the horses were saying and talk back.

Later that day, Melody's father came to speak to Melody. He had a look of concern on his face.

"The Veterinarian said you were healthy, but I see that you are not okay inside. You may say you are fine, but it appears you are not, and I must speak to you about it."

Melody looked alarm. She didn't want to talk about it since she had recovered. Or did she?

"Mental health is as important as physical health, so I need to make sure you are okay. You can tell me about it. You don't need to tell your sister or your mother about this. Just me," King Jet assured.

His 3 -year-old daughter poured out all her emotions, her stripes turning a pastel blue. "The circus where I was born at... the trainer... he was so cruel. He locked my mom and me in a cage, and we were often beaten with a whip to do tricks just to please the audience. My mom was sold, and the trainer... he threatened that if I run away, I would be found and beaten. Which is why I was anxious in front of the Veterinarian because humans remind me of the trainer."

Dad added, "I know you get very anxious easily, and I can reassure you that he will never come back. But I know this is why you change into glowing neon colors whenever you are stressed."

"I know, Dad, but I wish I could stop. It looks strange in front of the other horses, and they think I am strange," she sighed.

"Melody, the Vet said that when Humans get anxious, the brain produces a hormone cortisol so that when danger approaches, they may reduce the impact of the danger by fighting, fleeing, fidgeting, or freezing. There are different types of cortisol, and they vary per species. Skunks can release a smelly odor, bees will sting, and llamas spit. I noticed before you fight someone, you turn a bright red color. Your stripes are yellow whenever you run away from a situation. You glow pink while you fidget like pacing back and forth, and you turn blue whenever your freeze. And whenever you do, you plan your motions to avoid the attack. Neither of these are bad things, but we must let go of the past and move on. It is difficult, but it is worth it."

"You are part Zebra, and Zebras are herd animals, so unlike Horses, they need other people in their life to feel safe. Your family can be that herd, and when you make friends, you can add them to your herd."

 Melody breathed a sigh of relief that she told someone, but there was one thing still on her heart. 

"What about my real mother?" she asked. "Where is she, is she alive, and is she still in the circus? I want to see her again. Can I please go search for her?"

"We will take care of that," Dad replied. "But for now, your family is here."