Storm Circle first version - discontinued

CHAPTER 2 The Purple Van of Doom

'Hey! Check this out!' Dakota had the biggest apple in his mouth and was clearly tempting me to take a bite. He stopped besides me and shoved the apple towards me and grinned.

   'Thanks?' I did not have any appetite and nudged the apple aside. A couple of Friesian fillies let out dramatic gasps. They would give anything for Dakota to offer them an apple – they did not understand what Dakota sees in me (so do I). My bright determined amber eyes? My glossy dapple grey Andalusian coat? Or my mysterious horsey-nality?

   Dakota studied me with his warm, dark chocolate eyes,' you haven't been eating in days.' He whinnied. 'In case you had not noticed, there are creatures that still cared about you like me and Judy so stop concerning us by over – dwelling in your miserable horse life and move on because it is the present that matters.' He finished the sentence without breathing. I winced. (The Friesians studied me with prejudice)

   'I appreciate the speech but you cannot stop a horse from thinking the unfairness in life so please just leave.' I stopped for a second to take a shaky breath, 'besides, there are plenty of fillies dying to grab your attention. You can have a bright future. Stop hanging out with a weird filly that suffers from depression. Live your own life and forget about me. The cheerful, inquiring and creative Cloudjumper is DEAD, along with her family.'

   Mean? Sort of.

  Dakota looked hurt,' I cannot believe that you said that!' he sniffed,' but if that is what you want, I'll go.' He left with a heartbroken trot before he drowned in a pool of eager fillies.

  A year passed since my parents' death. Everyone knew better than to provoke the weird, sad and lonely Andalusian foal. I was four. Yay. Even bullies knew better than to torment me. My 'presence' was made it at least drop ten degree. However horses still mutter behind me but I hardly care.

      I got trained like others. Honestly a saddle and bridle were not as uncomfortable as others say. I was a fast learner. I was mounted by Judy when foals at me age were resisting the halter. Two weeks later I learnt to receive signals and trot fluently. I hardly needed the whip. Then a month later I cantered and galloped. I got private lessons since I was learning too fast. Judy said I move with precision – a typical all – discipline horse. I was glad to take extra lessons as it gave me actually something useful to do and not to let me focus on sad stuff. My depression got better.

  Jumping was my favorite part. I started jumping when other foals of my age were first mounted. I loved flying over jumps – that moment I could completely forget about my destiny. Being lean and light, I could tackle jumps easier than others. If there is one thing I love about life, it was jumping.

     The Baroness thought I would make a splendid show horse, so she decided not to sell me. Judy in particular loved my swiftness, intelligence and agility, so she rides me all the time when she teaches riding lessons. She even said I became more 'spirited' when I was running. Since my lessons begun, I used more calories and ate more. My weight gone from very thin to moderately thin. It made everyone glad.

        Things gone well. I should have known that fate play cruel tricks on me and I should have seen it coming. Only this time it happened to me.

      There were a lot of grape vines at the centre. Every morning Judy goes down and delivers them to Carney, the manager.  Today she rode me to the terraces of grapes. She stopped and chatted with Carney. I was swishing my tail when I noticed something that made me choke on my own heart – a purple van was speeding down the Wine Road.

    The purple car's license was PROPERTYOFDC: Dark Core!!!!

    I felt a wave of nausea as I thought of my family – nobody messes with my family and gets away with it! Recklessly, I started sprinting at my top speed, thinking of sacrificing myself for the vengeance of my family.

     'Cloudy!' screamed Judy behind me. I did not look back. I was afraid if I hesitated, I would stop. Surely it was suicide and stupid and reckless, but my body felt hot with rage and the desire to revenge. I jumped over a log and kept running. I would rather die and to those Dark Core idiots a piece of my mind. 

    Judy dialed the stables and said something about Dakota. She thought he could convince me to stop.

      The purple van sped to the Hollow Woods. I followed it tightly behind. I was tired and my breathing was sharp. Every step felt like sticking a dagger through my rib cage.  My hoof felt like it was on fire and I could hardly breathe. My head was spinning like crazy.

        It did not take long for Dakota to catch up with me with Carney; a rope was in his hand.

       'STOP!!!!!! 'Dakota screamed,' YOU KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO DIE ARE YOU?!  DO NOT TELL ME YOU DO NOT CARE!!'

     I ignored him and ran. It was not easy for him to keep pace with a sprinting racehorse – bloodline horse. I left him in the dust.

     'NOOOOooooooo! Please!' I heard him sob.

     'Sorry Dakota, but this is my call.' I muttered with a single tear in my eye. I knew it would be the last time I see my friend.

      Finally I skittered to a stop in front of the car and let out a rear. We were now surrounded by thick woods. The tires screeched and stopped. Dark Core dummies and a man – Mr. Sands came out.

    'What is that   @+#$%&!?> thing doing?' the Dark Core boss screamed. His guards drew out gun at me.  I bucked and reared. I took down a guard by planting my hoofs on his chest. He screamed as he flew up.

   The other guard fired his rifle. I ducked. The bullet flew into a tree. I charged and kicked him hard in his butt. 'MAMA!' he yelled as he took an award escape with a hoof shaped dent in his butt.

     'This crazy   !@@#%$^*' Mr. Sands swore. He threw himself back into the car, using a guard as his shield. He started the car.  I tackled the last guard as I saw the car speeding toward me. Too late.

     I felt excruciating pain as the car forcefully ran over my hoof. I felt all my bones in my hoof shattering. White – hot pain spread from my leg. The car went away just like that. Vroom.

    I tried to stay conscious through the unbearable agony. I was drained from chasing a full – speed car. My vision was blurred.  I would not survive. My conscious was slipping and I was dying. My breath was sharp and painful – and stopping soon. My remaining strength was drained as I passed out. The last thing I remembered was Dakota's worried whinny and Carney's phone dialing.

    'Hello? Judy? We found her.............'

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