Running Free

Chp 2

I've been free for almost a year, my second birthday was in two weeks and something was off, I felt anxious for the day and I couldn't figure out why. In my moment of distraction a human snuck up and threw a rope around my neck, causing me to panic and buck. After dragging the man a couple of feet another human man came and helped by roping one of my front feet as I reared and pulled it forward so I stood on three legs.
"Feisty one, let's get her to the boss." The first man suggested, huffing.
"Alright." The other agreed gruffly, helping the other man pull me along to who knows where.

~~~~

After walking for about half an hour we arrived at a strange farm. The barn was huge, I almost thought it was the house before I saw the actual house, which was just a small two-story log cabin.
The men pulled me into a round pen and pulled the ropes off, allowing me to run away a good twenty feet.

Everything here is so much bigger than at the other farm.....

I stayed as far from them as I could and paced at a trot, tossing my head with irritation.
"Easy girl, the boss will be here soon." The first man soothed before leaving with the other man.
"You caught another one?" A new voice asked the men.
"Yes Raven, stay away from her ok? She's dangerous, even more than the other horses." The first voice answered.
"Aye aye!" 'Raven' replied, peeking through the bars to watch me.

His black hair fell in front of his bright, curious amber eyes as he continued to watch me pace.
"Hiya girl." He said, reaching a hand through the bars. I snorted and tossed my head before slowly walking over and sniffing his outstretched hand.
"You're so pretty..." he mumbled, his fingers tickling my whiskers.

"Raven get away from her!" Another man shouted, spooking me. I bolted to the other side of the round pen with a whinny and the boy looked back at the newcomer, a man with dark brown hair and worried amber eyes.

Must be his sire....

"Dad! Isn't she pretty!?" Raven said excitedly, his eyes twinkling with delight.
"Yes but she's dangerous, you can't just reach in there whenever you want, she could've bitten you." He scolded, watching me carefully.
"But dad, she's super sweet, just scared."
"Exactly, and a scared horse is more dangerous."

I snorted and pawed at the dirt until Ravens dad turned away.
"Come on son, let's feed the others before we bring her dinner over."
"Ok!" Raven hopped off the panels and left to go to the barn with his dad, leaving me alone.

I took this as an opportunity to trot over to the door and check the latch, sadly it was a clip and Kin never showed me how to open doors anyway. I huffed and continued pacing the fence as I waited for an opportunity to escape.
Raven came back out after dark and squeezed through the rails of the round pen, earning himself a snort from myself as i pawed the ground. Just because I allowed him to pet me doesn't mean I want him in my space all the time.

"It's ok girl, I don't want to hurt you I promise." He tried soothing as he inched closer. I noticed his hands shaking slightly and sighed inwardly before I stepped closer and nuzzled his cheek.
"You need a name don't you?" He asked softly, stroking my neck.

No I don't, my name is Stargazer, and I want to be free.

"How about... American Jewels, or Jewel for short?"
I gave him a snort, which for some reason he took as I approved when I don't.
"I have to go to bed, but I'll visit again soon I promise. Be good girl." He pat my side once more before scrambling back to the human house.

This is going to be very unpleasant isn't it?

I allowed myself to lay down and fall asleep into dreamless oblivion, wondering what the new day will bring forth.

~~~~

I woke up the next morning to the clanging of the round pen door and shot up in a panic, the dust from the sand beneath me swirling in the air.
"Easy girl easy, I'm just going to bring you inside." Ravens father mumbled, coming closer with what my dam called a halter and lead.

He better not think he's getting anywhere near me with that thing...

As he got close enough to touch me I jumped away with a loud, angry neigh, effectively knocking the halter out of his hand.
"Alright, I guess we'll have to work you some first." He walked over to the fence and pulled something in, It looked like a pole with a tail that had a split end on the end of it. If I could, I would've raised an eyebrow at it as I watched him.
Out of nowhere he flicked his wrist and a loud CRACK! Resonated through the air. I spooked and took off at a gallop, going around in circle as my nostrils flared and I struggled not to slip going in tight circles.

After running for several minutes sweat began to run down my body and I was panting heavily.
"Alright, take it easy girl. Catch your breath." Ravens dad said, setting the terrifying pole on the ground and trading it for the halter and lead.
I slowed to a trot and continued to go around, tail and head raised as I looked for danger. My sides heaved as I caught my breath and my legs trembled with unused energy and tiredness do to lack of running for long periods of time.
"Good girl, easy." He cooed, coming closer slowly. My muscles quivered and I let out a petrified whinny before I jumped away from the man.
Sadly he didn't take no for an answer and soon I was tired from evading him. I huffed in irritation and tossed my head as he came closer again, wishing they could understand horses.
When he was close enough to get the halter on I raised my head as high as I could and looked down at him, letting out a neigh the sounded suspiciously like a laugh at the look on his face. He glared playfully almost and turned around like he was going to leave. With a soft sigh, I lowered my head and watched him curiously.

As soon as my head was down he swiveled back around, put the halter on my face and clipped the rope onto it, disabling me from getting it off. I pinned my ears as he chuckled and sat back on my haunches as he tries pulling me from the round pen.
"Oh really? That's how it's going to be hm?" He asked, sounding slightly amused.
I nickered in response and pulled my head back slightly.
"C'mon girl, it's better inside. It's warmer, you can eat hay and maybe I'll even give you a stall that's attacked to a small paddock so you can have some grass too, what do ya say?"
I thought it over as another man -the first one from last night- came over and laughed.
"Are you seriously negotiating with a horse Ray?" He asked Ravens dad -who I now know is Ray.
"Maybe I am Scott, what's it to you?" Ray asked, shooting him a glare.
"Raven wants to come play with her, and apparently he gave her a name." 'Scott' replied, watching me.
"Really? What is it?"
"American Jewels."