Her hooves were like an earthquake that shook the earth. the wind pulled at my ears and dried my eyes. but I didn't care. I was here.
One year earlier
My dad and I were on a trip in Spain. he was taking me to see the beach, when I heard a sharp cry. I yelled at my dad to stop the car. I ran out and tripped over my feet.
"June!" he yelled.
I didn't listen. I turned around and looked at my heavy air tank. I couldn't carry it. I yanked the tube from my nose, spun around, and ran towards the noise. it got louder and louder as I neared the beach. There, on the edge of the water, stood a big white mare. her mane blew around behind her, as she reared up and splashed around in the water. I stopped in my tracks and grasped a tree for balance. I gasped and looked at the beautiful horse. my dad never let me ride. he said it would my cancer worse. I couldn't carry an air tank while I rode. I had a passion for these animals. I had been diagnosed with lung cancer 2 years ago and since then, my dad hasn't left my side. literally. he was always with me. it was annoying. I am 16 for gods sake! I started breathing heavily and I reached around for my air tank, soon realizing I left it in the car. I heard my dad run up behind me and he spun me around. then he gently put the tube nubs in my nose. I breathed in the oxygen deaply and held on to him.
"D-Dad, look at t-the horse. sh-she's gorgeous." I grabbed the tree and turned around to look at her again. she was now a few feet closed to us. her ears were pricked forward and her nostrils were flared. She looked at me intently, then she bucked up her hind legs and ran straight at me. I heard a muffled voice scream, "June, run!" but I couldn't move. I watched the horse come closer and closer, when suddenly, it stopped. we were nose to nose. I could feel her warm breath on my cheeks. it made me shiver. She had a wild look in her eyes. I saw them suddenly soften, as her mane blew in the wind. it blew my hair into my face and when I moved it away, she was gone.
I searched for that horse for days, calling her by the wild scream she called me with. I scoured the beach and still could not find her. then I heard her scream. I raced toward the noise and saw her then. she threw her head up and whistled at me. I giggled and whistled back. I slowly walked towards her, dragging my air tank behind me. I stopped a few yards away and breathed quietly. Her eyes seemed to taunt me. you can get me. you can't ride me. She pranced over to me and stopped a foot away. I very slowly reached out my hand and held it there. her white body twitched with anticipation as her eyes never left my hand. then she inched her nose closer and I felt a shiver course through my blood as her muzzle skimmed my fingertips. a smile inched onto my face. I felt her nose prickle my palm as I pushed my hand forward. I slowly moved my hand up her long snout and brushed her forelock with my fingers. she looked at me intensely and just stood there, ears pricked forward, legs steady with the weight of her body. then I heard a rustle behind me. the horse pinned her ears and widened her eyes. then she turned and took off. she was gone again but know I knew where to find her. I whipped around to see the intruder who made the creature run off. my dad stood there, his eyes sick with worry.
"Dad... I'm fine. really. she let me pet her and-" he stopped me mid sentence.
"You touched her! I have been waiting for you in the car for 30 minutes... and you ended up endangering your life!" he scowled at me and picked up my heavy air tank. as we walked through the woods, I said,
"Dad.... she didn't hurt me. she *cough,cough* let me pet her." I watched his face for any sign of forgiveness, but his expression remained blank.
