Storm Circle first version - discontinued

Chapter 3 A New Home

I snuggled up in the warm July sun. My mother was brushing my mane with her tongue and smiling brightly. My dad was going through ( the hundredth time) how my mum met him under a willow tree in a hot summer day like this when he was escaping from Dark Core company.

             Dark Core.....

           I snapped back to conscious. Of course, just a memory!

          As my vision cleared, I found myself in my usual stall. The lights were dimmed. The smell of fresh hay filled my lungs. The soft whinny of fellow horses was comforting.

       I shook my mane off my face and stood up. Bad choice. Immediately I almost blacked out of pain putting weight on my leg.

      I thought of the stupid idiotic car – of course. I started to remember what truly happen. I looked at the clock on the wall 13th November. I was out for three days.

     I looked at my hoof – it looked like it went through a meat grinder. Bandages wrapped it tightly so it was twice the size of a regular hoof. I tried to move it carefully. OUCHHHH!

     I fell backwards and crashed into a bale of hay. The pain was unbearable. I took a few deep breathes.

    Judy came back inside. She looked complicated when she saw me awake. 'You...you must be starving. Here, have this.' I munched the carrots. Judy said, with hesitation,' Cloudy, Doc.... Doc said you broken 18 bones in total. Even she mended them, the muscles and bones will not cooperate correctly. I am sorry. You can never go faster than a walk again.'

      I was not too horrorstruck and crushed. Somehow bad things happening in my life was like a routine. What? To never trot and canter and gallop and jump made me .... sad, but not as much as I expected . At least worst could happen. I could have died like my parents.

       Another problem to me was that I could no longer be a use. I would be sold! And who would want a horse with a limping leg? This question daunted me the most.

         I turned from a talented young filly to a limping creature. Judy still trained me, but not so enthusiastically.  A walk for 15 minutes could wind me up easily. My stamina decreased rapidly. I felt really useless.

        Finally the thing I dreaded happened. I would be sold in a coming horse market for cheap. Well, it may not be so bad, I told myself. After all, looking back, it was the best day ever.

       Dakota came to see me one afternoon. I did not have a chance to thank him since he saved me from Hollow Woods. He took a deep breath and smiled bitterly at me,' Hullo Clouds. I came to say goodbye. I am sold to a man, some Mr. Anwir.' He let out a hollow laughter. I was taken back.' But....but is he a good owner?' I asked cautiously. 'NO.  N – O. He was famous for exhausting horses to death.'

      'Oh....' I said, my voice sorrow. I could not believe that my best friend would have such a hard life like me. 'Take care, ok, Clouds? And do not run off again like last time.'

      I stood up and nuzzled Dakota. He gave me a goodbye kiss on my cheek. (Jealous screams in the background) His eyes filled with the uncertainties of life as his gaze met mine. 'Take care and bye, Cloudjumper.' 'You too. We will meet again, I am sure of that.'

      Dakota's trailer pulled away. I sighed as I watch my only friend zoom away, barely noticing my cheek blushing.

     'Take care, Dakota.' I muttered. Little did I know we will meet in the future soon again.

     The horse market was a chaotic place. Horse dragged by their owners filled the road. It was buzzing with eager buyers. There were streamers and flyers everywhere. I got put in a pasture of thoroughbreds, which instantly started teasing me.

    The show started. Many people stopped to look at me. I guess a purebred Andalusian was pretty attractive. They were even more surprised to see my price – man, I was cheap! About 10 buyers stopped to look at my gaits.  Then they saw my saw my injuries and went away. I tried my best to impress buyers by acting extra – friendly. However, no one appreciated my effort.

         By lunchtime, I was the only horse left in my pasture – all the thoroughbreds were sold. I munched my lunch. Oats and barley and hay. I was randomly walking in circles when she appeared. The person I was meant to all along. And it was the most magical thing.

        Kirsten Swiftwalker came strolling through the row of horses. She was about thirteen, with a curious expression. She had shoulder – length caramel hair, barely visible because of her cowboy hat. Her eyes were a shade of honey gold. She wore a brown and sturdy hiking jacket , sturdy jeans and hiking boots. Her skin was tanned and showed she loved riding.

        I found myself anxious to impress her. Kirsten reached out to pat a Connemara. The pony wrinkled his nose and backed away. She stroked an Arabian, which trotted away. Kirsten had this mysterious aurora – which most horses clearly do not like. It was hard to explain – like radiation, powerful but mysterious. And I had this feeling instantly like I was attracted, like a magnet.

        Kirsten clearly noticed this peculiar sensation in her. She came closer. I wanted her to like me. She stroked my outstretched head and ran her fingers through my mane. To her surprise, I did not retreat. Her touch was warm and comfy. We locked eyes – and I felt a dozen times more powerful than before – like we could stir up a storm together. Then we could hear each others' heart beating – in sync together. We found who we were meant to be with! It was like we have known each other forever. It was without a doubt the true bond of a girl and a horse. I had never felt that with anyone – even Judy.

       It did not take long for Kirsten to discover the true and peculiar bond within us. We spent the next 15 minutes in each others' embrace. I felt unstoppable, safe and revitalized for the first time. I did not take long for Kirsten to notice my injury, but she did not care. We locked eyes with the same determined expression – we need to be together!

       Kirsten confirmed her payment with Carney. She let out a carefree laughter as she slipped a light blue halter onto me. Then we walked away. I looked at Carney one last time. He made a thumb – up sign to me.

        I stood straighter as Kirsten led me into a horse trailer. My past was behind me. Now it is time to start a fresh page of life with Kirsten Swiftwalker.