I flinched, startled, not understanding for a moment as the 160 lb weight dropped onto my back seemingly out of nowhere.
Rearing back, I screamed in surprise, my loud neigh echoing off the valley walls.
Then I realized what was going on.
A young man, about 15, had jumped onto my back.
This day just got better and better!
I reared back, snarling with malicious glee.
The absolute joy that comes with the scent of human terror courses through me as I leapt forward.
My hooves pounded against the sand as I made for the water, preparing to take the 15 year old to his death.
I was almost diving into my lake, when a jerk on my reins brought me to a violent, skidding halt.
Andy yelped when he felt the horse rear up under him.
His heart pounded with fear.
What he saw beneath him was a plain black horse, but his instinct screamed at him that being on this creature was far worse than facing a gang of bullies.
He struggled to push himself off the animal, but his body was locked in place, held fast o the monsters back as it charged toward the water.
He screamed as the creature threw back its head, crying out in malignant joy at its preys terror.
He fumbled around in the horse's thick, weedy mane and found the reins.
He felt the beast bunching up beneath him, preparing to die into the water, dragging him with it.
Andy tightened his grip on the leather and yanked the reins violently sideways.
I twisted in the direction my bridle demanded, fury burning inside me.
How dare this pathetic human attempt to control me!
The horse twisted midleap and veered sharply away from the lake, roaring in fury as Andy pulled on the reins, trying to keep the thing from heading back to the water..
Rearing up, it pranced sideways, making another furious attempt at the water.
Andy strained against the reins and pulled the horse away again. It twisted into a tight circle, spinning around and around the way he pulled the reins, all the while tearing against them with strength not natural to any horse.
I reared once again then charged, thundering down the shore of the lake.
The boy tried to dominate me, pulling at my bridle and fighting for his life.
I ran hard at the water, trying to dive into my home, regain control and tear the mortals flesh from his bones.
Andy clenched his teeth together and beat the horse's sides with his legs, trying to steer it away from the water.
As they both pulled in opposite directions, the monster swerved down the beach, sometimes veering toward the water other times the woods.
I fought it, howling in anger and occasionally splashing into my lake, only to be dragged away by the power of the boy and my bridle.
The steady pounding of the hooves on dirt and sand suddenly shifted into the harsh crack of them striking pavement.
On the road going into town, the animal strained even harder to reach the water.
Suddenly it twisted and Andy caught a glimpse of its face.
It looked mostly like a regular horse but for 2 details.
The eyes glowed a demonic bloody red and the teeth in its open, frothing mouth were razor sharp and closely resembled alligator's fangs.
I twisted my neck around, growling fiercely and sinking my fangs into the human's leg, ripping them out in a spray of blood as he cried out.
Andy screamed as the vicious jaws sunk into his thigh.
He almost dropped the reins as he fell against the horses back and neck, trying to escape the pain.
It felt as though his leg were on fire.
In the moment he had been distracted, the horse took control, jerking off the road and veering to the lake one more time.
His last chance was here, where the road cut away from the lake and headed down Main Street.
He fought through the pain and seized the reins, wrenching the horses head around and tearing it away from the water one final time.
He beat his legs against its sides as it stormed down the street, dodging cars and moving steadily away from its lake.
NOOO!!!!
I was so close! Galloping down the road, I howled in furious defeat.
My sides heaved, trying to get a breath and I slowed to a trot. Then a walk, exhausted from the fight. My hooves clopped against the pavement and I noticed people staring. I even recognized a couple of my friends, sitting at the outdoor café. Of course, they didn't recognize me.
I wrinkled my nose and snorted. The iron tang of the boy's blood filled the air and I could feel some of it running down my flank.
The bit had cut into my mouth and my lungs burned.
I coughed hoarsely (no pun intended) as he directed me down a side street, heading towards the suburbs and farms surrounding the small downtown.
The clouds burst and rain poured down, soaking us almost immediately.
The thunder rumbling over head did nothing to lift my spirits as the storm id been waiting for finally broke.
I guess today wasn't such a great day.
Andy shuddered, and then let out a shaky laugh as the rain came down.
He pulled out his cell phone and dialed his house number.
His grandpa answered and he breathed heavily, finally finding his voice.
"I just wanted to thank you for teaching me how to ride a horse"