The Blind Drift

The Blind Drift- Part 2

Rachel woke up early the next morning. The excitement of riding Stella again today was just too much. She pushed back her covers, placing her feet on the ground. Ah! And there was her mail. That was weird, her mother had said she wouldn't send anything until she got her writing things together. Maybe Dan had already transferred Rachel's mail to Pine Grove. She sorted through the letters quietly. After finding only junk mail for several letters, Rachel got tired of it. She didn't want State Farm insurance, and she sure as help didn't need any bank notices. She was only 16! Rachel pulled on her jeans and a pink striped polo shirt. Next, of course her socks and boots, and finally she pulled her hair into a bun at the nape of her neck. Rachel had learned long ago that fitting a helmet on over a ponytail or bun was impossible! She chuckled at the thought this as she walked towards the kitchen.

Sure enough, the kitchen was packed with short, almost unnaturally thin men. Their breakfasts looked nothing like what Rachel expected! Instead of heaping piles of scrambled eggs and potatoes like at home, the men had only a piece of bacon, a spoonful or two of potatoes, and a huge glass of milk. (If you're wondering about the milk, it's to strengthen their bones. God knows they'd need it.) Rachel strode towards the kitchen hostess, who was passing out the food. Rachel expected more, after all, she was a normal person. But, contrary to her belief, she received the same as all of the rest. Rachel sat down at the table, surround by the small, yet intimidating group of people. She could feel their glances baring into the top of her head as she ate. When finished, she would have normally poured he leftovers into a boil and into the fridge, but today was different. There was absolutely nothing left of what she had been given.

Rachel took a shirt drive in the golf cart she had been given around the property for awhile,. She had been given an hour before she was expected at the stable, and it was well worth it. She explored the whole premises, checking out the horses which had been turned out last night, and watched as they grazed peacefully. The horses seemed to fix everything. Being away from her family, in a whole new place, with no one she knew around would be intimidating for anyone! Thank god horses were here to take care of her.

(Then again, they weren't exactly doing anything, but still)

After an hour had passed, Rachel headed back to the barn. Today, she would be cleaning stalls with Dan, as he said when she arrived  at the stable. She grabbed a pitchfork and wheelbarrow and set to work, picking up manure and tossing it in. Cleaning stalls was obviously not her favorite activity, but she enjoyed it for one reason- she got to be with the horses! Rachel found their personalities as she worked. Some would beg for attention, placing their heads on her back, and some others would pin their ears and move to the back of the stall. Dan praised her as she worked, seeing as she was an expert already at cleaning the stalls.

Finally, Rachel finished cleaning the stalls, and dumped her wheelbarrow into the manure pile. She began walking to the house, when suddenly something caught her eye. Out of the corner of her peripheral vision, Rachel spotted a horse, cantering furiously around the round pen. She nearly walked into Dan, who was also walking towards her. Just as she was turning her head towards him, she stopped in her tracks, nearly 1 foot away from him. He stopped too, looking at her. "That's Queen, she's a bit crazy at the moment. She arrived last night to begin her training her as a racing filly, but her future as a racehorse doesn't look too bright." He chuckled, watching her canter around the pen like a madwoman. She bucked and crowhopped, it seemed like she was running away from an invisible predator. "Mind if I check her out?" Rachel asked. Before coming to Pine Grove, she had taken some veteranarian preporatory classes at her local community college. She didn't know too much, but could definiately find some easier things about the horse. She approached the round pen, and watched as Queen kicked at her as she approached. Rachel stood by the gate, watching the grey mare slow down. Rachel clucked to her, calling her over. The mare began walking, but not towards her.She paced next to Rachel, clanging into the gate with a crash. She lifted her head, and began to buck again. "Oh my god." Rachel knew what was wrong.

This horse wasblind.