Ghost

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

The next day, Sylvie woke up early and brushed me.

"I'm going to take you riding today, Atlas." She said to me, petting my nose. I wasn't so sure about riding. I wanted Sylvie to ride me more than anything, but what if we start showing, become amazing, then I become a ghost again and everything is a disaster?

Eh. That probably won't happen.

I couldn't show. I'm terrible at it.

Sylvie placed a Western saddle on me, and tightened the girth real tight.

REAL tight.

I lowered my head so that Sylvie could put the bridal onto me.

"C'mon, Atlas." She said, prompting the bit into my mouth. I took it, but I didn't like it. Too cold.

"I need you to hold still, 'kay Atlas? Please, please be good or Dad won't let me ride you." I would be good. She put her foot in the stirrup, and hoisted herself onto me. I stumbled a little, but otherwise held my ground. Sylvie patted my neck, and gently kicked me. We walked out of the barn at a steady pace. I could feel Sylvie's nervousness; she was very tense and gripped the reins and saddle horn like she expected me to take off at any moment. I made sure to walk slow and steady for her. I suppose she knew I sensed her uneasiness as she said to me,

"Sorry, Atlas. My dad doesn't know I'm riding you. I'm scared that if he finds out I'm riding you without his permission, he might sell you or just give you away. But, at the same time, I know he would say no if I asked him if I could go riding." She relaxed a tad bit, but still gripped the pommel tightly, her knuckles white. We went into a big, dusty arena, and walked around for a bit. Then, Sylvie gently rodded at me with her boots, urging me into a trot.

"Wow, you're smooth!" Sylvie exclaimed. I flicked my ears happily. Sylvie was a great rider. I had experienced some... not so good riders in my past life. When I was alive.

I pushed those memories out of my head, and focused on my trot.

About an hour later, we were both sweaty and tired. Sylvie led me back into the barn, where the other horses gaped and gawked at me.

"She rode him?!" Trix said, like it was some sort of crime. Sam flicked his tail, and whispered to Trix and Prince,

"It's only a matter of time until she finds out what he is." Prince nodded.

"Gossip all you want!" I huffed. The horses pretended like they never said anything as Sylvie put me in the crossties and took off my tack. She brushed the dust from the arena off of me, singing softly as she did so. Suddenly, the barn doors opened, causing Prince th whinny in fright. But it was just Michael, Sylvie's brother. Beside him was a small, adorable girl wearing a pink shirt and jeans. Her curly black hair was up in two buns on each side of her head, and she rushed over to Prince.

"Prince!" She squealed, wrapping her arms around the palomino pony's neck. Prince looked very happy, and nuzzled one of the girl's hair. The girl pulled away from her pony, and ran over to me.

"Sylvie! Is this the new horse Daddy was talking about? He's so pretty!" The little girl gave me an enormous hug. Prince looked extremely jealous.

"Careful, Lainey! You have to be careful with him. He's a big horse, and could hurt you." Lainey continued to hug me, then said,

"You wouldn't hurt me, would you?" Her bright brown eyes were big and sparkly, like Sylvie. I'm thinking Lainey is Sylvie's little sister, and I'm pretty sure I'm right.

"Does he have a name yet? I can name him! Frosty, Snowy, Candy Cane, Snowflake..." Sylvie laughed, and tickled Lainey.

"It's only November! No Christmas names yet, silly." Michael came over to us, a frown on his face.

"Sylvia, were you riding this horse?" Sylvie looked away from her brother, and said,

"Maaaaybe. And don't call me Sylvia. You're not Dad." Michael rolled his brown eyes.

"Well, I know for a fact Dad wouldn't let you ride the horse that just showed up! He could have worms, or some awful contagious disease that would make the other horses sick. Maybe he has gut problems, and is going to colic tonight. You never know!" Sylvie looked at her brother with pleading eyes.

"Michael, please don't tell Dad! He could take Atlas away!"

"I think Candy Cane is a better name than Atlas." Lainey interrupted, petting my nose.

"Please, Michael!" Sylvie begged, ignoring Lainey, who had now moved on to braiding my white mane.

"Such a pretty boy!" Lainey cooed. I have to admit, I don't hate her.

"Fine, I won't tell Dad. But if Atlas is harboring a dangerous infection that will kill the other horses, that's on you. C'mon, Lainey." Michael turned to exit the barn, Lainey skipping after him. Sylvie sighed a breath of relief.

"That was a close one."