Breaking Free

Chapter 5

An ebony black colored mustang with not a trace of any other color stands before us.

"C-Carter," I whisper.

"What is it?"

I roll to the side, and pull myself up so that sitting on my knees. Carter mimics me, and follows my gaze.

"Oh." is all he says. I look over the horse, and notice that it- she- had a gash across her face, as if it were scraped across a thorn bush.

"Don't you have an extra halter and lead in the truck," I ask, knowing that he always keeps a spare.

He nods, and slowly stands to his feet to go get them.

"Hey girl," I coo to the mare, rising to my feet. "What happened to you?"

Her ears perk up in acknowledgement, before she goes back to munching on the tall grass.

"You don't spook easily, do you," I chuckle, taking a small step forward.

"Here they are," Carter states, coming up behind me. "Do you need help?"

"I'm not sure yet. She doesn't seem to he scared, but follow me just in case."

I slowly approach her, stopping every few seconds to whisper something to her.

I finally get to her, and in a fluent motion slip the halter over her head. She startles, and pulls her head away forcefully, trying to break free. I hold tight, and in an instant Carter's hands latch to the lead rope to help me control her.

After much resistance, the mare finally gives in, leaning her head down to munch the grass.

"One of us is going to have to stay with her while the other goes to get the trailer, and since I can't really drive..." I say, trailing off.

"Yeah, I'll drive back. I forgot my cell at the house, other wise I'd just call my Dad. You sure you'll be okay?"

"I'll be fine," I assure. "I can handle a mare. She may be hardheaded and stubborn, but so am I."

The mare snorts, and stomps her hoof. A light chuckle escapes my lips.

"All right, but be careful. Just wait here till I get back," Carter sternly says.

"Yes sir," I belt, giving him a mock salute with my free hand.

He laughs, before heading back to his truck. I hear it start up, and after a minute or so, it's gone.

"It's just us girl," I coo, reaching out to stroke her mane. She nickers softly before returning to her previous state of munching.

Her features make it clear that she's a mustang, wild as the wind blowing through her mane. But she seems to have been trained, or at least she has been socialized with people. She doesn't seem to afraid of me, but she is a bit cautious.

"Sweet girl," I coo. "How'd you get this nasty gash."

The cut on her face is jagged, not seeming to be inflicted by a weapon like a knife. It looks like she ran through a thorn bush, or got scraped with barbed wire.

I sit with her in silence for a while, before I finally hear the unmistakable sound of Carter's loud truck.

A door slams shut, so I start to walk the mare over to the trailer, knowing Carter is probably getting it ready.

"Have you ever been put in a trailer girl? Probably not," I sigh. I walk her to the entrance that Carter has just opened for me.

"Try to lead her in," he instructs, and I do. She rears up, not wanting to go, and tries to bolt. I hold tightly to the lead, refusing to let her go.

"Do you have a blanket or a sweatshirt," I ask.

"What? Why?"

"Just answer me," I huff.

"I think I have a hoodie in the back seat. One second," he mutters, hurrying to go get it. When he gets back, he tosses me a thin, grey hoodie.

I lightly put it over the mare's head so she can't see.

"I remember my dad doing this a long time ago to get a wild horse into a trailer," I explain as the mare willingly walks in. "She can't see what she's walking into, and so she's not afraid. When I let go you need to be ready to close the trailer in case she bolts."

I unclip the lead and swiftly pull off the sweatshirt. Then I rush out of the trailer. Carter closes the doors quickly, and locks it.

The mare kicks the walls a few times before falling silent. Maybe she knows that we've won. Or maybe she's saving her energy.

We climb into the truck, and buckle in. Carter turns the key in the ignition.

"Let's get this mare home."