Infinity

Chapter 5

I stumbled into the barn at precisely five-thirty two. I switched the light on and it burned my eyes. Why was I out there? It was still pitch black outside. Not even the birds were chirping. My boots drug across the ground. She clearly heard my sleep deprived body and started whinnying at me. I could see her little nose pointed towards the ceiling. My mouth was awoken by a smile.

"Good morning, little one." I cheerfully said. I filled her bottle with milk and stepped inside. She almost trampled me when she saw what I was holding. I gripped her halter and gently fit the nipple between her lips. She started sucking furiously.

"You're going to out grow this soon, little one." She flicked her little tail in content.

By the time she was done, the sun was almost up. I lead her outside and the crisp, cool air made my hair stand up. I could see the vapor of her breath. We approached the gate and unlocked it. It made a loud creaking noise, which made her ears fly forward. I brushed a patch of grass with my boot and sat down with my legs bent in front of me. She stared at me and pawed at the ground. All of a sudden, she slowly started going down...on top of me. My legs were forced flat and she laid on her side like a dog. I couldn't feel my legs.

"I'm flattered little one, but this just isn't going to work." I said with a laugh with hardly any breath left at all. She jerked up and seemed offended that I told her to get up. I bent my legs once more and wrapped my arms around them. She lowered her head, but it didn't quite reach the ground. Her legs started extending in front of her, and she quickly stood back up to keep herself from face planting. She lowered her head once more, but this time exhaled loudly and shook her head in annoyance. She slowly turned her head and looked at me, blinking softly. She had given up. I looked down at the grass I was twirling around in my fingers. I gripped it tightly and tore it from the ground. I spread it flat on my hand and offered it to her. She immediately picked up on what I was doing, and dug her nose into my palm and started chewing.

"There you go!" I said with a proud tone. When she had sucked up every last blade, she eagerly looked at me for more. Her way of asking was by getting right on top of me and pushing me flat on the ground. She impatiently rubbed her lip across my face. I was laughing in the process. I shimmied my way out from under her and sat up. My chocolate colored hair was filled with clumps of grass. She saw that I had escaped her trap, and started hurdling towards me. I flew up off the ground, letting go of the lead rope in the process. I started running the other way, only finding her sprinting after me. She wanted to play. I bolted in the other direction, and she threw her heals into the air. I quickly changed paths once more, and she was quick to follow. Her awkwardly long legs were flinging in every direction, and her mane was flying in the wind. A huge smile over came my face, and I was screeching like a kindergartener. She snorted and whinnied whenever I changed course on her. It was like an infinite game of tag, which I never wanted to end. She bucked mid stride and tried to cut me off numerous times. I slipped but caught myself with my hand. Mud was being flung behind us, getting us filthy, but I didn't care. Mud is a symbol of youth and fun, and all I wanted to do was roll in it. I was heaving for air, and was forced to stop and catch my breath. She skidded to a stop and took a break with me. I couldn't stop laughing. I reached over and firmly patted her neck and back with both hands. I looked down and saw that the lead rope was caked with mud, and the last thing I wanted to do was touch it. I unclasped it and let it return to its mud bath on the ground. I took a few steps forward, and she followed directly behind me. I picked up the pace, and she was right next to me, our strides in sync. We eventually approached the wash-rack. I sprayed her off, but didn't get very far. She was attacking the water like a dog does with a hose. It bounced off her lips and tongue and sprayed me straight in the face. All I could do is close my eyes and laugh with my hands as a shield out in front of me, begging for mercy. We didn't get much done that day, but I didn't care. I needed to have fun and forget about all worries, and she was the first one who let me in ten years.