Attention: This chapter contains mature elements and darker themes. It's very different from my previous chapters, so please keep that in mind before reading.
Chapter 18
Monster
"All this bad blood here, won't you let it dry?
It's been cold for years, won't you let it lie?" - Bad Blood by Bastille
"Just how long are you plannin' on keepin' us here?"
A dissatisfied grumble slipped away yet again from a sullen old man as he tried to keep himself hidden in low pointy shrubs. He shuddered, chattering his teeth violently, clumsily blowing his hot air and attempting to keep his gloved hands warm by rubbing them together.
"And just how long are you plannin' to whine?" Sharply responded a younger man, crouched next to him; his cool, grey eyes scrutinizing the peaceful Lakota settlement that lay ahead.
The gusty wind had started to steer stingly once more, flurrying the cold snow from the ground and into the faces of the two men. The sun had long set and the darkness enveloped the surroundings, making the atmosphere empty, chilling and somewhat unnerving, except for the cozy, inviting light that shone from the tribe's camp.
"Damn it, Johnny! You're stubborn as a mule! Let's get outta this godforsaken place." Urgently insisted the older man. "Your Injun's not here."
"Shh...keep it down, Gus." Spoke up the collected young man, not taking his stern gaze away from the village. "He'll show up."
"We've been spyin' on this village for two days. He ain't here. What if he relocated or somethin'? You know how these savages are... always on the move and up to no good."
"Not possible." Dryly answered Johnny.
"What makes you say that?" Old Gus turned to him in surprise.
A small smirk tucked on Johnny's thin lips as he finally acknowledged his companion with his cool stare. "See that paint filly over there?" He pointed his finger towards the settlement. Currently the villagers had gathered around a large campfire and were singing prayers and playing drums in honour of the winter's coming end. Intrigued, Gus leaned forward straining his eyes in order to spot what Johnny had designated to show him.
He cursed under his breath. "Those hostile, dirty Indians have mottled ponies everywhere. Which one are you implyin'?" Mumbled the angry, frustrated old man in confusion.
"There's only one paint and she's tied to a bay horse. Look!" Johnny bumped his shoulder, getting slightly impatient at the grumpy old man.
"Oh, I see!" Gus said, at last noticing the bright-coloured, beautiful mare in the midst of the fire-lit campsite. "She's a purty thing, but what's that gotta do with anythin'?"
"That's the Injun's horse. If he had moved as you suggested, he would've taken the mare with him."
"Hmm...what if he didn't want her?"
"Don't be an idiot." Groaned Johnny. "I've been here twice before and he seemed to really prize that filly. Not to mention, she looks to be in foal from what I can tell. You know how much value she has to him? Horses are the primary possession for these people and I highly doubt he'd abandon his treasured filly – who by the way, might deliver a new foal – and relocate somewhere without her. There's no logic to it." Explained the young man sensibly.
"Alright, then where do you think he's hidin'? We've been here for almost two days and haven't detected any sight of that dirty dog."
"Who cares? Important thing is that he'll return."
"So we should come back later?"
"No."
Gus blinked, feeling quite uncertain of what Johnny meant by that. He glared at his companion rather questionably. "Come again? I'm tired of being here. I'm cold and I'm hungry. I wanna go home!"
"We will..." Nodded the calm young man. "And we'll take his mare too." He also added unswervingly.
"Why?"
"I just told you; he values her the most."
"So?"
"Are you really that dumb or just naturally blonde?" Johnny asked, surprised and very embarrassed at his friend's inability to comprehend his schemes. "If we capture the filly, the boy'll be sure to come after his property and then he'll have no other choice but to tell us how the hell he managed to tame that devil."
"Ohhhhh... I see...so we'll use the filly as bait." Gus spoke, his eyes sparkling at that thought. It was always so maddeningly exciting when Johnny pulled off impossible stunts.
"More like an exchange. If he'll help us trap the wild stallion, we'll give him his mare back. If not, I'll keep the mare as well as her foal, and we'll find another way to catch the devilish horse." Smiled the young wrangler in reply, his countenance was gleaming malevolently. Oh, he was good! So good!
"You already have a devil for a horse." Gus remarked, as his nervous gaze wandered over towards the liver chestnut Arabian steed, solemnly tied to a nearby branch. "He downright sends shivers in m'a entire body."
"Well, only a bigger devil can defeat a devil. Ain't that right, Diablo?" Johnny said, looking at his new stallion in amusement.
The liver chestnut remained silent, as he stood there frozen with an unreadable, cunningly stoic expression, just as a bloodthirsty predator does when scouting its prey. And even though, one couldn't really put a finger on it, there truly was something accursed about him...he was extremely beautiful and so different. But this was no ordinary beauty... the beauty which he possessed was dangerously alarming... chilling enough to intimidate even the most experienced horsemen out of their ultimate wits.
There was that familiar scent in the air...the wonderful scent that foretold of the coming Spring despite the snow and bitter cold. Blowing winter-wind howled, carrying its rustling sounds just like the trumpet of prophesy, apprising all the creatures of the wild that the warmth of spring was no longer as far behind as they all believed. Oh, how sweeter appeared the days now...every hour led the earth closer to that exciting season. The song of the Western bluebird was often heard in the mornings as it rejoiced in the new beginnings and the nature's delightful changes that were slowly but surely approaching the wild ranges of the West.
"To develop a healthy top-line and strong muscles around your body, you'll have to exercise more." Cloud instructed his eager yearling son, who kept nodding at him with his big, innocent doe-eyes. "Remember to tuck your stomachs, always step with your right and arch your necks." The palomino stallion called out loudly, efficiently studying the movements of the trotting colts that circled round him. "Spring is just few months away. You should be able to live independently and join the bachelors soon. I expect good results."
Cloud's gaze followed and traversed over to every one of his motivated students, and from time to time, he made small corrective comments as would a good educator when suddenly, his attentive focus settled on Lightening, Williow's son and Blizzard, Goonda's son, who were both prancing alongside his own offspring. How strange...Cloud blinked his lashes in confusion. What were they doing mingling amongst his band? Before he could inquire about it, however, the older horse was unexpectedly neared by the lead stallion of the herd of Cimarron.
"Spirit? I thought you and your clan left couple of days ago." Muttered the taken aback Cloud.
"I couldn't leave...not just yet." Strider and Esperanza's son nickered softly, his whole aura transmitted certain level of shyness about him and he bore a reserved appearance. It was very unlike the usually fiery, bold and confident Spirit, Cloud was accustomed to. "I couldn't allow myself to leave without apologizing for my ill-mannered behaviour towards you."
The pale gleaming stallion found himself utterly shocked upon hearing those words. "You have nothing to apologize for."
"Oh, but I do." Insisted Spirit right away. "I shouldn't have been so rude and disrespectful. That's not how I was brought up and therefore, I ask for your forgiveness, Cloud." He bowed his head, lowering his brown eyes in reverence.
"Oh, don't be ridiculous." Benevolently replied Cloud, unable to stop himself from grinning. "You were right. Esperanza and I shouldn't have hidden the truth from you. I suppose, we thought that by not saying anything about Misty, we were sparing you from unnecessary trouble. We've been proven wrong and I'm the one that's sorry."
Spirit firmly shook his head, refusing to accept that his actions were justifiable, in spite of what Cloud had said. "No, you've been a good friend and mentor." A small, grateful smile tinted his lips. "Yes, we drove each other a bit insane..." He paused with a chuckle. "...but overall, I was honoured to be sharing grazing grounds with you. Which is why I ask that you forget my previous, ignorantly stated words and join me to the Cimarron valleys."
Cloud was pleased and quite touched to hear such unprecedented sentiments from the young stallion. Nevertheless, he gently shook his head. "As much as I'd like to, we both know that the time to go our separate ways has come. I'm not saying this because I'm sick of you, don't get me wrong..." He joked light-heartedly, causing Spirit to laugh. "...I simply think that you are more than capable of leading your own herd without any outside assistance. You've got this."
"Wait, no. No. NO." Spirit's eyes widened in alarm, as though his one and only hope had gone and slipped from his grip. "That's so not true. I need your wisdom and experience now more than ever. I don't know anything about how to be a proper band stallion and Misty's in foal and Spring is coming and I still–"
"Hey, breathe...you're okay." Cloud interrupted, once perceiving the inner anxiety that prompted to overtake the young stallion. "If anyone can victoriously pull through difficulties, it's you, Spirit. Don't panic, for you have great courage and you are stronger than any horse I know. You'll be fine." Kindly reassured the older stallion.
"I appreciate your encouragement...I really do. But we both know how untrained I am in the ways of our wild society." Strider's son spoke uneasily. "I'm lacking all the experience, all the mandatory teachings that guide the social dynamics of herds. I'm a horrible band stallion. I need you now more than ever." Desperately beseeched Spirit. "Please, don't leave me hanging." And altogether he began to sound like a newborn foal who had lost his dam.
"Shut up!" Cloud commanded, rebuking him in a fatherly fashion and gave him a firm nip on the shoulder. "Stop acting like a little colt. I won't allow you to say such absurd things about yourself!" The stallion's meaningful expression deepened; he silenced for a second, heavily drawing in his breath, right before continuing.
"I was wrong to force you to become something you are not. You should never change for the sake of being just like everyone else. No, that won't do. Forget all I taught you and...now this may sound very silly but bare with me." Cloud hesitated, knowing that what he was about to say would sound nothing like him. Eyeing the surprised Spirit for a moment, he decided to carry onwards with his speech and finish what he had started. "...just follow your heart."
Spirit stared at the older horse in puzzlement. Taking a deep exhale so as to prolong his dumb state, Spirit scavenged for some kind of response to stutter from his mouth, however, Cloud out-stripped him.
"I know how contradictory I sound to you." He admitted quietly, snorting out the cold air from his nostrils. "But I truly mean it. You don't require me to teach you anything and you certainly shouldn't be like anyone else. Because whether you like it or not, Spirit... you are different. You have achieved incredible, unthinkable deeds. Not even your brave father was successful enough to return back to his family...and yet you have. So no, you don't need me to nag you on how to be a 'proper' band stallion, whatever that means. You must simply follow your intuition...and whenever you feel as though you are stumbling, lost or unsure of something, listen to the wind...pay heed to the sage warnings of the eagle...observe the flowing river...let the light of the sun direct your path...there is so much wisdom in our wild world. It's all around us and they're all here to guide you. For we, the Mustangs, are part of this land...we belong here and we shall always belong here. As long as you keep that in mind, you'll be able to pull through anything. I believe in you. You've got this, Spirit-Who-Could-Not-Be-Broken." Cloud completed his worthwhile declamation and bowed his head ceremoniously, paying tribute to the son of Strider in deep admiration.
If the first part of Cloud's unforeseen speech had come as a bewilderment to Spirit, now he was downright astonished, as he stood there, stupidly gawking at the pale horse, unable to find anything appropriate to say in his answer. "Thank you..." Spirit finally managed to scrape out of his frozen vocal chords.
"I'm proud of you...and I'm sure Strider would've been too." Warmly smiled Cloud.
Spirit extended his nose and exchanged breaths with him in a friendly, affectionate familial manner. "Thanks for being like a sire to me."
Cloud was just about to make a kind reply when suddenly, a strange, foreign scent that swirled in the breeze caught both of the alert stallions' attention.
"Is that what I think it is?" Cloud shot Spirit a pointed look.
"You gotta be kidding me." The younger stallion spoke up, his eyes narrowing in anger, once he quickly scanned over his surroundings and noticed the source of all his troubles. It was Misty! The shameless mare had wandered some yards away from the main herd and was at present, provocatively interacting with a rogue stallion.
"I'll handle this." Spirit grumbled to Cloud and as quick as bolt of lightening, snapped himself into a swift gallop, almost ready to knock someone all the way and to the other side of the Mississippi River. Preferably Misty!
Upon storming on the scene as the whirlwind itself, the strange, bachelor horse spooked away when he saw the furious Spirit, and instantly broke off his engaging exchange with the black mare. It was only when he jumped so violently, did Spirit realize that the 'rogue' horse was barely a three year old...he was a colt who had probably just left the security of his natal band to join the bachelor herds. Leave it to Misty to find naive, innocent souls to prey on.
"What the heck is this? Your new boy toy?" Demanded Spirit, paying no mind to the stallion, glaring at the black mare instead. "What are you doing?!"
Misty did not even acknowledge his presence, she kept gazing at the dark brown stallion in front of her. "Oh...sweetie, this crazy stud over here, is my former 'lover' so to speak. He still thinks he's entitled to own me. What an ass, am I right?"
"What did you say?!" Spirit gritted his teeth, glowering at the two horses in utter fury, while Misty giggled gleefully, entertained with the situation. "Crazy? You haven't seen crazy!" He threatened both of them.
"Look, I don't want any trouble. There's been a misunderstanding-" Nervously gulped the bachelor, trying to steady his racing heart. "I didn't know she had a band stallion...um, I was only-"
"Listen, buddy!" Spirit spat, striding up to the anxious horse, intimidating him even more. "I don't know what lies she told you, but she's in foal. So, why don't you postpone your little 'romance' for a while? In fact, I'll gladly let you have her once the time comes. For now, unfortunately, she must stay in my band...as much as I hate it." He added the last part quietly and curled up his upper lip at the mare in distaste.
"Oh...uh...I didn't know she was expecting." Muttered the horrified, young stallion. It looked as if his eyes were about to pop right out of his head. He gaped at the mare's round belly in shock, mentally reproaching himself for not noticing her condition before.
"Jeez...you're so possessive." Mumbled Misty, finally letting her dark glare settle on Spirit, who was still staring at the stunned brown horse.
"Well, now you know. So beat it!" Ordered Spirit with a mighty exclamation. The confused bachelor didn't need to be told twice, he swung round and before they knew it, was out of their territory as though he were never there to being with.
"Studs... you're all the same." Misty said in disgust after the bachelor was gone and out of sight.
"Misty, what the hell were you thinking? I thought we agreed; no more flirting with every single stallion on the prairies!" Yelled Spirit as he turned to her with his commanding presence.
"You're so hot when you're angry." The black mare drawled, teasing grin flashing her dark countenance. "I'm loving this."
"Are you serious right now?" Huffed Spirit, his jaw almost dropped in disbelief. "You promised to follow the rules I set for you! It hasn't even been a week and you're already inviting bachelors in my herd? Are you completely and utterly out of your mind? What is this insanity?"
Misty let out a petty, dissatisfied scowl. "Okay... screaming isn't that attractive, so just keep your voice down, hot-shot." Smirked the black mare as she raised one of her brows curiously. "What? Why are you trying to murder me with your glare?" She questioned the silent stallion.
"You promised."
Misty couldn't help but cackle loudly at that small sentence. "Yes, I did...but then I remembered that I never keep promises."
"You are testing me, Misty, and I would kindly advice you against it. If you don't want to see my bad side, that is." Cautioned the golden-colored stallion, setting his jaw in a tight grimace.
"Well, now I'm intrigued." Misty's eyes gleamed darkly as she coquettishly moved towards him, swaying her hips to and fro with an evil smirk on her face. "I want to see this 'bad' side. Care to show me?"
Oh brother! This mare had a sick way of making everything sound inappropriate! Spirit snorted in frustration, angrily tossing aside his black forelock that was constantly getting in his eyes and adding more annoyance to his already irritated state. "Flirting won't get you anywhere with me. I know your tricks all too well and they're getting very old, by the way. You won't seduce me. Now move your butt back to the herd." He pinned his ears, dropping his neck low, ready to force her back if he had to.
Misty bucked in protest. "Pfftt... Don't flatter yourself, as much as I find your whole 'bad boy' image somewhat sexy...my heart longs for the mysterious, handsome moonlight I met the other day. I can't seem to stop thinking about him."
Spirit scoffed and couldn't eliminate the strong urge to roll his eyes. How typical! What can one expect from this shrew?
"I'm afraid, that poor unfortunate soul, whose life you've decided to ruin next, will have to wait for a little longer. Back to the herd. Now!" He ordered, giving her a stern shove towards the direction of the two bands.
"Do you honestly think I'll meekly comply to your idiotic demands?!" Furious Misty lashed out at him as the stallion stopped in his tracks and glowered at her. "You think you can intimidate me just because you have male parts and arrogantly believe you run the show? Well, screw you, Spirit! I belong to myself and I'll come and go as I please. No one owns me and tells me what to do. No one! And you won't be able to do anything about it. I forbid you to treat me like dirt!" Said Misty and pivoting round, smacked her long tail right in Spirit's face. "Just try and boss me again." She warned dangerously, before triumphantly strolling away from him and back to where the herds were stationed at.
Spirit quietly fumed after the retreating mare, seething from head to toe with unexplainable sense of infuriation. That was it...Misty had crossed a huge line this time! She was messing with a wrong stallion! But if that was truly how she wanted to play her little, twisted games, well...he was more than ready to join in and show her what he was made of...having him as an opponent would be the most inconvenient and tiresome experience ever, because he would outsmart her and be ahead of her cunning tricks every single time. "Just you wait, Misty...just you wait..."
"So...I guess this is it." Cloud puffed air from his strong chest as he attempted to search for right words to say to the lovely lead mare of Cimarron herd.
"Thank you for everything." Esperanza dipped her head gently. "You've been an important asset to our family." She smiled up at him with her soft gaze. "This is not a goodbye, we'll see each other soon."
"You're very welcome and yes, absolutely." Cloud's features brightened. "I'll always be around." He promised.
"Take care of Scarlet and her twins for me, alright?"
"You can count on it." The stallion told her sweetly, but there was a certain amount of gloominess written on his countenance. Before Esperanza could ask why that was, their conversation was cut short by disagreeable squealing sounds coming from their herds. A small commotion had been stirred up by Charm, Scarlet's yearling filly and Sky, Cloud's young colt. Both dams, Scarlet and Wildflower, had jumped in between them, desperately trying to calm down the inflamed youngsters that were latched on to each other and stop them from getting hurt.
Without a further thought, Cloud raced forward where the ruckus was and furiously drove his son away from the filly, giving him a small bite on his rump. The colt yelped, springing backwards.
"What is this? Didn't I teach you to treat fillies with respect?!" Lectured the disappointed Cloud. "Where are your manners?"
"She started it!" Whimpered little Sky.
"It doesn't matter! We never fight mares and fillies. That's rude and very unchivalrous. I thought I taught you better."
"But dad..." Whined the colt unhappily.
"No buts!" Exclaimed the angered Cloud. "No matter what happens, you must always take the high road. Never ever stoop so low as to beat a mare. I taught you how to court a filly not how to kill her."
"I'm going to kill her!" Spirit trotted past the father and son, raging and blurting exasperated words to himself.
"Oh boy..." Cloud whispered, his eyes following the frustrated young stallion. Looking back at his confused colt, he spoke up calmly. "Go to your mother and then apologize to the filly. Oh, and don't listen to Spirit." He quickly added as Sky nodded, complying right away, quite relieved that his sire's wrath had abated and ran off to rejoin the group. Meanwhile, Cloud decided to find out what was ailing the son of Strider. Judging from how infuriated Spirit looked, Cloud thought he might have an idea.
"Erm...Spirit...I know that Misty is the she-devil from the underground, but please, keep your wild emotions to yourself." Tactfully commenced the older horse, as he neared the son of Esperanza. "You aren't exactly setting a good example for my young students."
Spirit let out a heavy sigh, pounding his foreleg on the snowy ground, endeavouring to compose himself. "I know. I'm sorry, Cloud. She's just pushing me over the edge."
"Yes, and it seems like you're dragging me down with you."
"Don't you worry, Cloud." Spirit assumed a determined ambience, pausing for a second. "Things will be changing from now on. I'm done playing nice."
The next day came, bringing the March wind roaring like a lion in the sky and made the horses shiver as it blew by. For this reason, Spirit delayed his return to the Cimarron valleys and remained with his band in Cloud's territory, waiting for the blizzard to ease off. Because the herd members had all grown closer over the past few months, they were more than happy to stay together and share each other's company, except for Misty, who was sulking miserably by herself, especially every time she saw how happy Scarlet looked in Cloud's family. Quite frankly, it was utterly sickening to witness her joy and Misty couldn't help but wear an angry scowl on her face. Realizing that the peacefulness of the herd members was irritating her inner demons, she prompted to drift away from their group, seeking solitude. Perhaps, I should go and find that young, lone stallion? She thought to herself. Yes, that sounded about right. She could do whatever she wanted to do. She would come and go as she pleased.
However, as soon as she began to shuffle her legs forward, Misty noticed that Willow and Goonda were also subtly shifting towards her. Misty stared at them suspiciously, before dropping her head to poke around the snowy and brownish ground, pretending to look busy, but she still kept one eye on the two mares. Nothing happened. Strider's sisters had stopped and were back to searching for some good grass to eat. Misty allowed herself to slowly move away and again she noted how the two mares edged towards her. What the heck? She came to a sudden, frustrated halt and both Willow and Goonda stopped in their tracks once more. Were they spying on her?! She was about to gallop away from them when Willow immediately leaped in front of her, blocking her path and shook her head. "I wouldn't do that if I were you."
The black mare was stunned. It were mostly Willow and Goonda that stuck so unbelievably close to her, but she also began to notice that other herd members were very much involved in keeping her positioned in the band. All of a sudden, Misty's dark gaze caught the sight of the the golden stallion, who was currently rather playfully prancing in tight circles, shaking his regal neck and neighing to his flying companion, the Bald Eagle. Misty was definitely no fool and it all started to make sense to her. Spirit! Her blood boiled in fury. He was somehow behind this, no doubt!
"Hey, hot-shot!" She screamed, her nagging voice ringing out in annoyance. "What is the meaning of this?!" She cantered over to him and glared at him demandingly.
"Oh, hey, Misty. Is everything okay?" Nonchalantly responded Spirit, showing no interest in her at all, his focus still concentrated on the wise bird.
"Why are your aunts shadowing me?!" Accusingly asked Misty, stepping further into the clearing to demonstrate that she was not pleased one bit.
"I don't know what you mean." Simple reply from Spirit, made the black mare gasp sharply. It was obvious that the cocky stallion was taking great pleasure in getting on her nerves.
"Stop playing innocent. They're following me everywhere and when I tried to leave Willow forcefully got into my personal space!" The mare narrowed her eyes in distrust, a huff of smoke was released from her nostrils.
"Well, then...why don't you stay with the herd and she won't get in your 'personal' space anymore?" Suggested Spirit innocently, powerless to prevent a small smirk that appeared on his muzzle.
"You unfathomable bastard. Is this your way of keeping me here against my will?" Her disdain for the situation was highly visible. "Am I your captive now?"
"No need for dramatics, Misty. I'm not enjoying this at all, but you'll have to remain here till my foal is born. I asked you kindly to abide by the three principles, didn't I? But no, you decided to trick me and well...guess what? I also happen to have nice, little stunts of my own. Your heedless behaviour caused me to reinforce the rules. Again, I wouldn't have done this if you weren't carrying my foal."
"Your foal?!" Cried the indignant Misty. "Last time I checked, I am the mother. Your tiny contribution means nothing."
"If it weren't for my 'tiny contribution' you wouldn't be in foal, so shut your big mouth!" Spirit fired back with contempt.
"Entitled bastard. I hate you." Scornfully hissed Misty through her teeth.
"Feeling is mutual." Spirit retorted and leaned closer to her. "Don't mistake me for one of your boy toys, Misty. I don't play around."
"Go screw yourself." The black mare shot him a dirty look.
Spirit scoffed mockingly. "I don't even know how that's possible, but hey! What the hell, I'm open-minded. Although, why would I need to do that, when I have you as a desperate volunteer that keeps throwing herself at every male?" Laughing at his jokes, the stallion began to stride away from her disagreeable presence.
"I hope you die like a dog!" Misty shrieked after him enraged, causing a scene.
"Yeah, okay."
"Why couldn't you just stay captured?! I despise you! You hear?! I wish you had fallen off a cliff or something!"
"Stop baying like a bitch. You're stressing the unborn foal."
"I'm not even kidding, I want you dead!" Misty neighed and charged at him aggressively, kicking her heels at his flank.
"Yeah, well...get in line." Spirit shrugged, swerving from her attack. "Oh and grow the hell up. Do you really think you'll hurt my feelings by name-calling? You're hilarious." He chuckled.
Misty took a step back, her tongue floundering for something to say...something really hurtful. She stared at the ground for a moment. Frustrated exhalation puffing from her nose before locking eyes with him. "You know, I still have such wonderful dreams every time I replay that romantic scene of Rain dumping your sorry ass. Oh...it was indeed a glorious day."
"Hmm...nice try."
"Truly it was." Continued Misty, her eyes gleaming cruelly. "Poor, stupid Rain...she was so shocked and shattered when I told her the truth. It was like I saw her entire heart ripping right out of her chest. It was pathetic and so well deserved. And then that little idiot actually tried to defend you and called me a liar, only to be so heavily disappointed. It was the best day of my life." Giggled Misty maliciously, knowing full well that she had managed to get under his skin this time.
Spirit's unconcerned expression soured as soon as he heard those harsh words. Where once sat a carefree smirk, his strong punctuated face quickly melted into the gloom. "You told her on purpose." He concluded with a shake of his head.
"Oh, I didn't realize it was supposed to be a secret." Naively drawled Misty. "I thought there were no secrets between you two love birds." She ridiculed.
"Why? Why, Misty? Why do you take so much pleasure in torturing others?" Spirit asked suddenly, his whole bearing had changed. He quickly went from nonchalant and slightly amused to provoked and now to extremely sorrowful. "I don't understand...out of everyone, you should know what it's like to be abused. Yet you rejoice in others suffering whether it's physical or emotional. Why? What did that blue roan savage do to turn you into such a monster?" Questioned the downcast Spirit, pitying the mare in front of her. "Scarlet was also in a similar situation but she never let her experience define her. You, on the other hand, have an ice for a heart. I feel sorry for you...I really do. I tried to be nice to you...I was your friend –"
"With benefits." Interrupted Misty, throwing daggers with her eyes.
"I didn't do anything you didn't wish to do. And besides, stop pretending like you ever cared for me. Yes, at first, I actually believed that your resentment towards Rain and I, was because you were jealous. But no...no, no, no. You don't care about anyone but yourself. You used me as a tool to suit your hidden intentions. I mean, that's why you were so desperate to have a foal, isn't it? You wanted to have some sort of status to climb high and become a lead mare. You are power hungry and I don't even want to think about what you'll do if you were ever to receive such ranking. I don't doubt for a second that you saw Rain as a threat and tried to get rid of her. No one matters to you, but your self and your constant desire for power. What kind of mother will you make? A horrible one! This is precisely why I've decided to keep you here against your will, because our unborn foal deserves to have at least one sane parent. I'm far from perfect, but at least, I'm trying to do the right thing... while you don't want to change. My poor foal has a monster for a mother. A monster." Spirit ended his despairingly hopeless speech in a sad, low tone and turning round, walked away from the black mare.
Misty, however, had successfully managed to keep her composure during Spirit's dolorous discourse, but as soon as he left her side, she let a small tear spill from her dark eye for the first time in forever. "Monster...but who turned me into one?"
"O, daughter of the mist and fog...whom do you blame your evil deeds? Do you speak of the blue roan stallion that now lies dead by the canyon?" Said the wise eagle, flapping his magnificent wings and sitting himself on the branch of an oak tree. He eyed the black mare compassionately, as though understanding her point of view.
"No."
"Then who?"
What followed this was stillness. The air was cold and cluttered. The atmosphere almost mocked the black mare with how calm it was, while all she wanted to do was scream in silent torment. Barely holding her voice from quivering, Misty decided to speak. "...my family. Particularly my mother and sister." She muttered strenuously and laughed bitterly. "What kind of mother will you make? He says to me. How would I know when I never had a mother to being with?"
"Your mother...of course, you had her. A white mare of Andalusian and Arabian blood. Bonita...they called her." The Eagle told her.
"Yes, that is true. She used to be a domesticated horse and perhaps, that's exactly why she failed as a dam..." Misty's glaring pools darkened, as she lowered her muzzle to the damp, cold ground. "She favoured my spoiled, selfish sister, who was perfect in her mind, all because she was the daughter of her beloved, deceased stallion. I always suspected it but then one day, it became a reality when my uncaring, ego-centrical, sister ran away from the herd. She believed she was better than us and even though I was very young, I remember how distressed the entire band was. Whole world seemed to revolve around my self-centered sister. And my mother, well, she left me and ran off to find her precious daughter. I was only six months old...I was still nursing and yet she unfeelingly abandoned me for her older daughter, who could fend for herself. Unlike me..." Misty lifted her head to look at the intelligent, stoic expression of the Eagle, before continuing with her narrative.
"Yes, my father was in the herd with me, but he was so worried about my sister and my mother that did not even notice me. I was just a pesky nuisance that got in everyone's way. There were no other foals to play with and the adults were all anxious. I was so scared, bored and hungry...I wanted my mother back. I couldn't help but feel as though my sister had stolen her from me." The black mare bit her bottom lip, closing her eyes for a second, trying hard to keep herself collected.
"That same night, the herd was unexpectedly visited by a blue stallion. I still remember his scent...he was bulky, stained with blood and sweat. He terrified me... I was very little but even I knew that he had come to kill. And that, he did...he maimed my father right before my eyes. The mares in the herd scattered but I just froze there, unable to do anything. I haven't felt such terror ever since. He forcefully took me back with him while my unfortunate sire was left to die a slow torturous death. I couldn't even cry...I wanted to, but the shock and horror was far too great to let me produce liquid or sound. All I could do was hope that my mother would somehow come back for me and save me..." Hysterical, painful laugh escaped Misty's lips, as she derided her own self.
"How stupid and naive I was. She never came...whenever I tried to fight back, the stallion would beat me. Other mares in his band had it worse, so I never complained. But then I became of age, and the abuse doubled. Basically we were all there to keep him satisfied and if anyone protested, they died. Several mares were beaten to death. A year passed and his son took over...the blue roan that was called 'killer'. He was worse than his father. Brutal, stone-hearted and cruel. 'Blackie' he called me...neither father nor son ever bothered to learn my name. Over time, I grew to accept my fate and got used to the fact that my mother would never come to help me...no one was going to save me. I was all alone. So I dealt with it...I didn't protest him and I let the beast have his way with me. Afterwards, I discovered that I was going to have a foal." Misty shot the surprised Eagle a cool, blank look.
"I didn't know what was expected of me as a mother, but what I did know was that the foal was going to give me some sort of purpose in life. So I was actually looking forward to becoming a dam...but that wish was also rudely taken away from me. I still recall that cursed, spring day when I delivered my son, as if it happened yesterday...he couldn't stand up, he had a broken spine and I knew right then and there that he wouldn't make it. The blue roan stallion killed him before my eyes. I knew it was for the best and that he was putting him out of his misery, but part of my heart died with him that day. It is sickening to watch your offspring that you carried for eleven months be murdered so ruthlessly." Tears streamed down the black mare's face as she shuddered at the torturous memories.
"After that, I promised myself that I would never endure such painful loss...so every time I found myself in foal, I terminated the pregnancy right away. It was difficult to do it for the first time...it was as though I was ending an innocent life, but then it got easier over time. After all, what kind of future would my offspring have if they were born into such a terrible band with such a disgusting savage as their sire? And I myself, didn't have the warmth to give to them as do mothers...that role wasn't for me.
Long story short, one summer, my life took a strange turn. A beautiful, golden-coloured stallion, who shone as the sun itself, swooped in one day and defeated my villainous band stallion. I don't know how he had done it...but he brightened my life for sure. Things began to get better slowly. I don't know anything about 'love', but I quite liked my spirited rescuer and found his herd to be charming. It was really different from everything I knew. Spirit was adventurous and charismatic and I had fun with him. He had this thrilling way of making me forget my horrific past... until he too, just like everyone I cared about in my life, left me. He was captured and all hope of him coming back was lost. Esperanza continued to have faith; I however, did not have any positive thoughts. I couldn't...all I knew was that everyone abandoned me in my life.
And yet, he did come back and proved me wrong, unfortunately, my happiness was short-lived. It was like a nightmare when I first saw him standing next to her...and the worse part was...she reminded me of...my sister. My spoiled, selfish brat of a sister, who was the very reason of all the hellish troubles I went through. That paint Rain had her aura, her fragrance...not to mention, her beauty, and she too used to be domesticated like my uncaring mother. Even though, she hadn't done anything to me, she represented everything I loathed. And as if taking Spirit, – the only horse I trusted– wasn't enough, she also took away my hope of becoming a lead mare someday. I resented her so much...it wasn't her fault for reminding me of my disgraceful family. In a way, she was innocent but goodness, I hated her with a passion and hate her still. I couldn't allow her to ruin my life...no, not this time."
Misty drew in her breath, trying hard to stop herself from weeping, knowing that it only made her appear weaker and more than anything, she detested being fragile. "So yes, I did push her that stormy night, in hopes of securing my rightful place. You want to call me a monster for that? Fine, I'll be a monster...I no longer give a damn."
I've been wanting to write about Misty's past for so long, since the first installment of this story to be exact. But I needed to develop the story more...I hate rushing, which may drive some of my followers impatient. I apologize for that, nothing I can do though. It's my style. As many of you may know, I always try to expand characters and deepen their arcs. That's what makes them relatable I think. No one is perfect in my stories, they are all flawed...
I hope this chapter was not too depressing. I realize that it's quite different from my usual writing.
Before anyone asks: Yes, mares can abort their own pregnancies.
For the next chapter we will leave Misty and Spirit for a little while, and the focus will shift to our other characters who are in interesting situations.
Thanks for the support! Till next time.
