The Life Of A Horse

Chapter 17

A Few Days Later

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It has been a few days since we got away and we have had no trouble. I know we are almost by the stables when I hear whinnies of joy. I turn to see the herd trotting toward us. Magic throws his head in the air. He rears up and gallops toward them. I follow him and Princess follows us a little unsure of what is going on.

When we reunite I am happy and sad at the same time. Well not sad, but I kind of liked the stables. I sigh, it's so complicated. Magic announces Princess as a new member of the herd. She whinnies and rears and the herd answers with more whinnies.

And then Magic shocks me. He announces me as the leader. Well the second leader. I just stand there trying to grasp what it means. I rear up and whisper to Magic, "Why did you do that?" He smiles and answers, "Because you're a great leader." "How?" He ignores me and says, "I love you."

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That night I sleep by Magic and Princess sleeps nearby with some other mares. I know it will be impossible to sleep so I just stand there thinking of the past week. Magic, Princess, and I make a great 'team.' I smile thinking of our adventures together. I notice Princess glance at the horses and then walk over to me.

"Dakota, can I talk to you for a second." "Sure," I say. We walk a little ways away from the horses and then she says, "Do these horses' know about you and Magic being horse shifters?" "No," I say. "And I would prefer them to never know." She nods and then she gasps. "What?" I ask. "The feelings. How do I stop them?" "Picture Princess." I say. She nods and then closes her eyes. I'm guessing it works because she relaxes.

"Thanks," she says. "I'll talk to you tomorrow." "Ok, goodnight Princess." I say. She walks back over to where she was sleeping earlier. I walk back to Magic and decide to try to fall asleep. But of course my mind is distracted. This time by the foal. I wonder what it will look like. I am drifting off to sleep when I think I hear horses' galloping. I jump and look over but there is nothing. I look closer, or is there?

There is a horse. A... Palomino. Please don't let that be Sunstruck. It comes closer and I am absolutely terrified to see that it is him. I quickly wake Magic and he looks at the horse quickly coming. He rears and neighs. Is that a challenge? "Oh no," I mutter. These brothers may be horses but Max is older. He will probably crush Magic and take the herd. I will NOT let that happen. I walk behind Magic as he walks to Sunstruck.

They are talking but I can't understand a word they say. Then Magic rears and neighs. That is definetely a challenge. I shudder. Magic makes the first move and tries to kick Sunstruck but he easily dodges it. Sunstruck responds quickly with a hard bite on Magic's chest. He winces and rears kicking Sunstruck in the face. They both rear and Sunstruck kicks Magic hard in this chest. Magic kicks his leg hard but Sunstruck stands there and then when Magic is least expecting it, he knocks him on the ground and kicks his side as hard as he can.

I can't just sit here and watch. I distract Sunstruck by nipping him hard and his side. He rears slightly and kicks my side. I turn around pretending to walk away and then kick him hard on his chest. He groans and Magic pushes him to the ground and is about to jump on him when he rolls out of the way. Magic quickly tells me to go away because I am pregnant and even though I haven't been for long, I still am.

I nod and walk out of the way, still prepared if Magic goes down again. The fight is pretty even until Magic is bitten hard and kicked as hard as he can on the side repeatedly. I gallop over ready to defend Magic when Sunstruck kicks Magic hard and then knocks me on the ground in the middle of a gallop. He stomps my leg just hard enough to keep me down but not to break it. And then I am left there defenseless as Magic is repeatedly kicked over and over.

I close my eyes in defeat trying to cry. Magic is bleeding a lot and he must have gone unconscious a while ago. I suddenly notice the whole herd running away and Sunstruck doesn't seem to care. Then out of nowhere a truck comes from the woods. I shout as loud as I can to the herd, "Right!" They must have understood because they run to the right and get away. The truck is way behind and the driver gets out. He cusses loudly several times. I can't help but smile.

Princess will lead the herd while Magic and I are gone. She might even be able to rescue us. I can see her watching us from the woods. But that's when I remember. When we were stuck in that breeding barn one of the people had said that they were going to bring us to Kentucky. We are going to be several states away and we will probably never see South Dakota again. The truck drives over to us. I need to get up. Or I can pretend to not get up and then they can't get me in the car. Which choice? I have seconds to decide.

I try to get up but it doesn't work. I fall back down, exhausted. Sunstruck changes and then he and the guy talk. "I was forced to injure the mare, I'm sorry but she was attacking me." Max and the guy look at me and then Magic. "Why did you injure the stallion so much? He might not even make it." Those six words make my blood go cold. 'He might not make it.'

They look at me. "I don't know how we will get her." Max says. "And the stallion, we probably can't even bring him." I stare at them shocked and then I look at Magic. "Please wake up, Magic," I whisper to him. At least he hasn't lost that much blood. I would turn into a person but then they would be able to pick me up.

Then the guy says, "Let's stay here for the night, and then when she is able to stand we will lead her in." Max nods and they get in the truck probably to sleep. I must be laying there for 30 minutes when I fall asleep. I wake up probably a few hours later. This is my getaway... If I can 'getaway.'