Magic Ball: the Billionaire in Ranch

93 Snowflakes in The Dark Night

On the latter-day, Noah immediately set-up the time and date to meet the man that commented on the forum he made at a particular site. His heart was overjoyed, and he couldn’t shy away from the thought of prying open a secluded treasure box filled with the secrets of the Magic Ball.

Earlier that morning, as he was done imparting a message to Jennifer, Noah had gone out to the stables. He had his newsboy hat on, and a lit cigarette hung between his lips. He pushed the gate open, its creaking sound a startling noise to his ears.

His heart sped, and Noah jumps a little from the noise it produced. Probably because he was excited about meeting the man who knew how to transcribe his book’s contents, or maybe it could just be an inherent reaction of his body after drinking two cups of espresso. Regardless, Noah recommenced with his morning routine.

He quickly stroked each of his horses’ heads, to which, in turn, them nestling their noses to Noah’s shoulder. It was an everyday greeting from him from time to time. He had a pail of carrots and apples for today’s breakfast. He had his sleeves already neatly rolled up to his elbows. He wore suspenders—an item of classic clothing that made him get into the mood for attending to his animals’ needs. Noah manually sets the food in the feeder to utilize less electricity.

He liked doing it despite the enormous effort needed. He poured food bucket after bucket, and he would never grow tired of it.

Noah watched Night gnaw at the vegetables he had in his hand. The horse was gentle and reserved, the exact total opposite of what Bean’s been doing. The obsidian, Frisian Horse, had his head inside the feeder, chewing vigorously at the bountiful amount Noah set on the stallion’s silverware.

The horse didn’t care about whether Noah was jeering at him or not, and with that, Noah felt entertained. His hands located the top of Bean’s head. The horse was startled for a short while, but Noah flashed him a smile, another carrot wrapped in his hand. “You look like you’re starving,” he said, “so I’m giving you another carrot.”

Bean’s eyes glittered like the simple joys of a child as he stuffed in his mouth on the approaching carrot. Noah glanced around as Bean caught the carrot away from his gloved hand. Suddenly, barking echoed from outside. Furry dogs rushed toward Noah and licked at his pants. Noah angled his body and caught sight of his three German Shepherds wagging their tails at his presence.

He lowered down and smiled. His hand caressed their furry ears. Mik, his cream-colored furry friend, wheeled about on the bucket alongside Noah, “Not for you,” he stated as he hoisted the bucket away from their reach, “this one’s for the big guys.”

Noah was about to head back to the farmhouse to get the dog’s food, but he witnessed something that made him freeze in his tracks.

Bean stuck his head over the wall between him and Snowflake’s cubicle. The stallion was still biting the carrot that Noah gave him, but he wasn’t chewing it. The horse gruffed and lightly stomped his feet on the ground, his eyes holding shadows that Noah can compare to sadness.

On the other hand, Snowflake remained to lie on the stack of dried hay Nancy provided for her. Her iridescent, silky fur cascaded down like curtains beside her head. Her light orbs were pallid and empty. Noah observed her breathing was becoming slower, and when forced by Nancy to have her daily morning run, the mare horse would have tantrums as they have never seen before. Noah had to admit it was worst when Bean was competitive. The Frisian Horse never shared his food, but here he was, reaching out to her as if telling her to eat a portion of what he has. The selfish stallion that always likes to win and placed his well-being above everyone else couldn’t stand that his sister was fading away from this delightful place.

The ache inside Noah’s heart felt like two enormous stones were squashing it. He immediately ran to Snowflake’s cubicle. The moment he lifted his feet and had a look inside her shed, Noah was both in awe, and at the same time, sad for the current state of his beloved mare. “What has happened to you?” he asked without the intent of answers, “you poor thing.” His eyes scanned on the scattered hay, a few carrots lying on the side of her wall next to Bean’s.

Noah realized Bean must have been giving away some of his carrots for her to eat. They were kept untouched on the ground, and this has worried Noah all the more. He couldn’t afford to lose this beautiful creature. Besides the money he had invested in her for the past years, the animals had already occupied a space inside his heart. It would appear that he was to lose a child if it happens. He couldn’t bear such a thought.

Bean’s heavy gruff echoed inside the stables. Snowflake lifted her head and proceeded to place it on the crook of Noah’s authority. His hands shot through Snowflake’s fur, feeling the softness of it locked between his fingers like tiny webs.

“I will find a way,” he vowed. It was true that having Diana back on the farm once in a while would complicate things, but Noah was doing it for his animals’ lives.

He felt his shoulders go damp from Snowflake’s tears. He patted the mare on more time and said, “we will do something about Diana.”

The mention of Diana’s name made Snowflake lift her head away from Noah’s shoulder. Her full, circled eyes stared straight at Noah’s. She c****d her head to the side, her fur following the movement.

Noah patted her head once more, “Yeah, you heard me.” Noah smiled at her. “We would bring back your beloved rider.” Snowflake gruffed as if to make fun of what he has said.

Noah pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. Somehow, the heavy feeling was gone again, and it was replaced with uneasiness. “Come on,” Noah gestured to carrots Bean had thrown over her cubicle, “Bean never shares his food.” The horse neighed from the other side of Snowflake’s booth, “so, you better eat that now and tease him about it later.”

Snowflake obliged.

* * *

“I’m heading out,” Noah said to Thomas. The older man was crooked down. His face was impassive as he was inspecting the weeds that had been growing out of the fertile ground.

“I suppose you won't say where,” said Thomas as he ran his hands on the damp soil. “Fitch hadn’t been back in a while, and now you’re running everywhere.”

Noah didn’t feel the need to tell him anything, especially when it came to matters regarding the Magic Ball. His free hand found the back of his neck, “It’s not something you should concern yourself with.”

He walked to the other side of the field. Thomas arched his eyebrow, “Sure?” he said, “it’s not like I’m demanding you to say anything, lad.” Cole, with his ebony fur, slid between Thomas’ arms. He snuggled him as his eyes remained on downward.

Noah wasn’t willing to tell anyone about the secret of his success with the Stream Ranch. There was a hundred percent that none of them would believe an unthinkable truth, and Noah already acknowledged that no one is ready to accept a world with magic. After all, through the years, magic was considered destructive. It wasn’t like the animals and plants that Noah grew. In storybooks and folklore, magic was as twisted as the human mind.

He removed his gloves and waved his hand in the air. Thomas watched him. His mouth pressed in a thin line. The older man didn’t say anything as he walked toward the farmhouse, and later on, came out with the key in his hand.

Noah was one door away from the truth of the Magic Ball. His heart hammered, and he couldn’t slow down his steps. He would thank whoever the man is. He would accept every information he would tell him.

* * *

Noah sat still on a table at the corner of an Italian restaurant he and Jennifer liked to eat dinner. Now that he’s here, he instantly felt his nerves. He couldn’t stop the tampering of his feet. He was nervous about what he’s yet to uncover. Too many thoughts ran through his head, and he couldn’t pick one to settle.

The ancient books lay stacked beside him. When he arrived at the restaurant, it was as if his self-control snapped. He kept scanning pages after pages.

With each turn, his speculations grew. Noah’s heart pumped fast that he felt its beating on his ears. It was making him deaf, the sounds surrounding him becoming muffled with the clock’s ticking. He almost stood and walked back to his car, but Noah convinced himself that everything would be alright. This was the resolve he didn’t know he would need. The desire silently ate his satisfaction. And soon, he demanded to know more of the place.  He just denied their existence in his head.

A man with dark-colored hair marched inside the room. He fastened his checkered shirt as he made his way toward the usher perching in the counter. His head shifted and located the corner to where Noah was seated. The man’s footsteps reverberated on the wooden floor. And soon, he was before Noah. He drove his glasses upward and smiled.

“Mr. Martin?” he beckoned, unsure of what to say next. 

Noah looked up so fast he felt his head was rocked by a tornado, “Literary Fanatic?” he questioned. It was the man’s username on the site he posted at.

“Hi,” he stretched his hand, and Noah willingly took it. He shook it deliberately, his heartbeat protesting inside his chest.

“Have a seat,” Noah said with a brilliant smile, “we’re going to have a long talk.”