Chapter 12

Take This Feeling & Make It Grow

I galloped as fast as my legs could take me, my thoughts were diverted, I was panicking. I couldn't disappoint my best friend. I just couldn't. We had always been so loyal to each other. He trusted me like no other. And yet finding or even keeping track of that wild stallion seemed like the most difficult thing I had ever attempted to do. Where on earth could he be? If it were up to me, I'd gladly let him run for the hills away from our lives. Everything became so hard once that mysterious mustang joined us. What if he was already gone?! I flew past the fields, the river bank, and of course that round pen...when suddenly, there he was. He stood by the. gate of the pen, silently...fuming? I wasn't sure yet. But he looked mad. The last time I was this happy about something was when Little Creek returned to me safe and sound from that wooden fortress.

With a heavy, and yet relieved sigh I slowly approached him. It was actually very surprising that he hadn't attempted to escape by now considering the circumstances. He was no longer held down. He could easily leave. What was stopping him? This stallion never failed to confuse and puzzle me.

He sensed my presence and with a hardened expression, looked back at me. "I don't understand you at all! What kind of a mare are you?" He whined desperately. "First you prance around lovingly with that two-legged skeleton while rejecting your own kind. Then you infuriate a dominant stallion, cry out for help. And after you're rescued, you've got enough guts to snap at your rescuer? You have issues!" He concluded, making his point clear and unmistakable.

I froze, for the first time unable to respond. He looked genuinely confused and angry, his hooves digging the ground hard clearly out of frustration. "But then again, how should I expect a human pet to behave the same way we do? If your scrawny, two-legged mate has some kind of fantasies that he'll get on my back and turn me into you...a-a trick horse! Well, he has another thing coming! Cause I'm getting the hell out of here!" With that he turned and got ready to lope away.

But I had gotten too furious at him. He hurt me with his unforgiving tone and aggressive outburst. I wasn't planning to let him get off that easily. Instantly, my ears lay flat on my head, my nostrils flared up and I jumped right in front of him, neighing loudly. "I'd love nothing more than to see you get out of here once and for all!" As I cried this out, I detected how the fiery and spirited eyes of the stallion suddenly sank in sadness. That didn't stop me, I continued passionately. "Who are you to tell me how to live life? Just because you don't understand the meaning of friendship and loyalty doesn't mean that we're all like you! But right now, I can't let you leave and you're gonna stay here until my owner decides to set you free. Got it?" I snorted and narrowed my eyes, satisfied with myself.

The wild stallion seemed a little taken aback with my behavior and after regaining his composure, rolled his eyes slightly, and the cocky smirk animated his features. "Oh really? And who'll stop me? You?" He mocked.

"You can't leave!" I insisted, slowly losing my patience at his stubbornness.

"Yes, I will." He threw back, reared slightly and in a blink of an eye, thundered off galloping away from the place. This reckless stallion was the fastest horse I had ever seen! I watched him go with a slight disappointment. I had tried, but in the end I couldn't hold him down. And to be honest, his last actions irritated me so much that I wanted him gone! I was partially quite happy that we wouldn't deal with him ever again. I could just only hope that Little Creek wouldn't be too upset about the news.

As the evening approached the land, and the hot glow of the sun began to cool down, I found myself wondering to my favorite place. I needed some time alone to figure everything out. It had been such an eventful day. There was a lot to think about. I stood at the hilltop, under my favorite apple trees, that overlooked my homeland beautifully. Whenever I wanted to be alone, I'd always escape here. My mother had showed me this place when I was young and I had loved it ever since.

I had messed up! Everything that happened today could've been avoided if I had avoided a conflict with Great Conquest in the first place. I didn't know what came up on me. It was his tone and demanding...sort of dominating manner in which he asked me to become his mate that had irritated me so. Great Conquest was truly an outstanding horse and a magnificent leader. But he was also proud and haughty...and very studly. He couldn't stand disobedience and obviously thought very highly of himself. And even though, we used to be friends...I realized that this incident wouldn't go away that quickly. He was at fault as well! He had disrespected me and degraded me in every way possible. If that dun mustang hadn't come for my rescue things would've turned out horribly.

Just like that, my thoughts returned to that wild stallion who had left quite an impression on me. I didn't know what to make of him. Sure, I was glad that he was gone, however part of me was also not only disappointed for Little Creek...but for me too. I had the chance to learn more about his different way of life and instead, I didn't ask him anything. I kept pretending that I couldn't care less. Which wasn't true at all. For the past two weeks, I had been spending a lot of time with him. Surprisingly, the mustang seemed like he wanted to warm up to me. But I was the one giving him the cold shoulder. Yet despite all, he had saved me today from Great Conquest's hormonal outburst. How did he even get out of his pen? I guess no one could answer me that question. The stallion was gone. The first horse who had fascinated me and confused me in so many aspects was no longer here.

And why did that thought make my heart sink to my stomach? What was wrong with me? Why did I feel this guilt? Probably because I didn't even thank him for saving me! I assured myself that he was not worth the trouble. After all, he too was aggressive, rude, and just plain crazy! He didn't belong here.

Little Creek had been busy with his daily chores all day. I hadn't seen him since the morning. I wasn't even sure how he'd react to losing that wild mustang. But things needed to be sorted out. I descended the hill and walked slowly back to the camp. By now, the villagers were all gathered by the campfire and listened to their elder's stories. I loved this time of the hour. They all peacefully kept focusing on the wonderful stories the chieftain delivered. Even I sometimes found myself awed by them. Usually, Little Creek was among the listeners but this evening, I couldn't spot him anywhere.

I rapidly walked on towards the round pen where I was sure my owner had gone to. Poor thing. He was probably thinking he'd visit the stallion and had no idea about his escape. With a heavy heart I got ready to console him and take the blame. Although, I was sure my sweet Little Creek wouldn't dare to fault me in this. However, to my utter shock, not only did I find my best friend at the round pen, by I found that wild mustang there as well! He was calmly following my owner as he led him back in the ring. Words can't describe my surprise and puzzlement in that moment. I approached the two wide eyed, trying to comprehend what on earth was going on!

"Hey Rain," Greeted Little Creek with a caring smile, as he closed the gate behind, leaving the stallion inside. "How are you, my girl?" He sweetly scratched my neck and planted a quick kiss on my nose. "Something interesting happened." He continued calmly. "This mustang here apparently learned how to jump the fence and yet...he didn't try to leave."

I stared at the wild mustang in bewilderment, as he gazed back at me with an amused expression. "Can you believe it, Rain?" Little Creek carried on, surprised himself. "He could've escaped and he didn't. Looks like he's really starting to like it here." Then he leaned and whispered in my ear. "All thanks to you, my clever one."

With that, Little Creek turned towards his two friends who approached us and began to tell them the bizarre story of the wild stallion. Of how he had apparently jumped from the round pen and yet remained close by not daring to leave and so on and on. The friends congratulated Little Creek saying that at last he was taming the wild thing. But I blanked them out from my head for a while. I kept staring at the mustang in astonishment. How was this possible? Didn't he leave?

"I thought you were gone." I nickered softly, as the humans continued talking in the background.

The stallion gazed intently into my eyes and a slight smile appeared on his muzzle. "Didn't seem fair to take advantage of your bad situation for my escape." He explained casually, dipping his head a little.

"What do you mean?" I raised my head curiously. "If you could jump this fence all along why didn't you do it before?"

"I didn't know I was capable of it." He snorted, stomping his front foot a little.

"So today was your first try?" I asked in surprise, my blue eyes all wide.

"I heard you cry for help...I had to do something." His response gave me goosebumps. So he had done this for me? He wanted to help me and therefore, did everything in his power to get out of his confinement and rush to my rescue.

"Why did you come back? Don't you want your freedom? Why come back?" I blurted immediately, my emotions getting the best of me. He really was so mysterious.

The stallion silenced for a minute, his eyes were never leaving mine. He stared for couple more seconds before answering gently. "For you...I did it for you, Rain."