Ghost

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I watched the barn, waiting for the girl to come. It was early morning, and the dew sparkled on the grass. Everything was perfect. Then, it became even more perfect as my girl stepped out of the bar. I took a closer look at her. She had wild, jet-black curly hair and smooth dark skin with a splatter of freckles across her face. She had on a jade-colored long-sleeved shirt and jeans and held a carrot in her hand like she was waiting for me. I let out a soft nicker as I watched her. Her brown eyes turned to mine...

And we were one.

I approached her cautiously, and she slowly walked to me. We met in the middle of the hill.

"Who are you?" The girl whispered. "Where did you come from?" I suppose she didn't recognize me, in my new form. I nuzzled her gently, breathing in her scent. She smelled of the forest after it had rained, and fresh grass. The girl laughed and tickled my nose.

"Wait here," she said, "I'll be right back." She slipped back into the barn and emerged carrying a nylon halter and lead rope. I lowered my head so that she could put it on me.

"Aren't you a good boy!" The girl exclaimed, stroking my neck as she put the halter on. It felt so right. The girl clipped the lead rope onto the halter, and gently tugged on it.

"Come with me, boy." I followed her to a large, pale blue house decorated with potted plants. The girl tied me up to the flagpole and went inside. She came back with a tall, strong man. He whistled when he saw me.

"Sylvie, where did you find this horse?" Sylvie. That was my girl's name. Sylvie and Atlas. That had a nice ring to it.

"I told you, Dad, he was just standing on that hill by the barn." A tall boy stepped out of the house. He looked about two or three years older than Sylvie, with a curly mop of hair and a blue shirt.

"Why is there a horse in the yard?" He said.

"I found him! Well, he found me." Sylvie said. No, we found each other, I wanted to say. Sylvie walked back over to me and fed me the carrot. It was delicious.

"What are you going to do with him?" Sylvia's brother (I assume he's her brother) said. Sylvia turned to her father (also assumed that) and said,

"Umm, well, I was wondering... maybe we could keep him in the barn until we find out who he belongs to?" I stamped my hoof, but no one noticed. I belonged here. I was sure of that. Sylvia's father rubbed his chin.

"I suppose so. Only until we find whose horse he is. He can have the stall next to Trix." Sylvie grinned from ear to ear, and hugged her father.

"I'll take him to his new stall!" Her father opened his mouth to say something, but Sylvie grabbed my lead rope and led me to the barn. She opened the doors, and called out,

"Horses, this is... he doesn't have a name yet, but I need y'all to be good. That means you, Prince." Six pairs of horse eyes looked at me as Sylvie led me to my new stall.

I suddenly felt very, very nervous.