Heart of Thunder
Chapter 1
A Teenage boy with dark hair and blue eyes walked through the front door of a research farm on the outskirts or Arlington Va. His blue denim jacket was slung over his shoulder as he approached the reception desk.
"Hello, Miss Joyce," he said, "I was told my father wanted to see me."
The Receptionist, a black-haired woman with a big smile, looked up from her computer screen.
"Hi Michael," she said, "he's waiting for you in his office."
"Thanks," said Michael turning toward the hallway. Michael stepped through the door that separated the lobby from the hallway and walked toward his dad's wondering why his dad wanted to meet him out on the farm.
"Hi Mikey!" said an oily voice. Michael cringed at the sound of the nickname that he hated.
"Uh Hi, Evelyn," he said nervously
"My, My, don't you look handsome today," she oozed, "But then you always were a sharp dresser."
Michael raised an Eyebrow,
"Um, I'm wearing jeans and a white T-shirt." He said
"And you wear it so well," she smiled
"Evelyn Bowers!" snapped another voice. It was her mother, the receptionist that Michael just spoke with, Evelyn grumbled and walked toward her mother. Michael could hear what she was saying as she closed the door.
"Young lady, your having a job here means you're expected to work not hit on Dr. Bennett's son!"
Michael smiled to himself.
A few seconds later he arrived at his dad's office. He knocked and heard his dad call out,
"Come in!"
Michael opened the door and stepped inside.
"Hi Dad!" he said. famous research scientist Nathan Bennett looked up from his notebook.
"Hi son," said Dr. Bennett, "I'm glad you're here." He stood up and picked up a brochure off his desk. He handed it to Michael.
"What do you know about this place?" he asked
Michael looked at the brochure. It was for a riding Stables called Pine Hollow.
"You probably no more about the place than I do." Replied Michael, "Isn't Max Regnery an old College buddy of yours?"
"Yes," said Dr. Bennett, "that's true but I've never been there."
"I'm afraid I can't help." Said Michael, "I've never been there either."
"I was thinking I'd send you there." Said his dad. Michael looked momentarily surprised then a look or realization flash across his face.
"Thunder!"
His dad Grinned and nodded. "I think he's finally ready."
Thunder was a beautiful Andalusian stallion. He had been horribly abused by an owner with a violent temper. He was so badly injured when Dr. Bennett and his colleagues rescued him that the Local vet didn't think there was anything they could do but put the horse down. Dr. Bennett a Vision in the field of Bionics and Cybernetics didn't agree. So, Thunder had become the world's first bionic horse. he looked like a normal horse. but he had bionic legs, an enhanced skeleton. And a bionic eye.
At first Thunder didn't trust anybody. But then he made a connection with Michael. And over the last year or so, Michael had been coming out to the farm every so often to help with Thunder's rehabilitation.
Thunder had gradually revealed and loving and caring heart. And Michael ended up with a horse that could do 80 mph at a canter!
Several hours later….
Michael, His Dad, and Thunder arrived at Pine Hollow. Max came out to greet them. He gave Nathan and big hug.
"Great to see you again Nate!" he grinned
"You too Max!" Nathan grinned back., "This is my son Michael."
"Glad to know you, Mr. Regnery." Said Michael shaking hands.
"Mr. Regnery was my father," smiled Max, "I'm Max."
"Okay," Smiled Michael, "Max."
"and this," continued Michael leading them around to back of the horse trailer, "Is Thunder!" Michael unloaded Thunder and introduced him to Max.
Max rubbed the horses muzzle and Thunder Knackered happily. They took Thunder into the stable and got him settled. Afterward Michael, his dad and Max visited for awhile then Dr, Bennett left.
Michael decided to take Thunder out for hack to stretch his legs. So, he started tacking him up.
Just as he was adjusting the girth strap, when he heard some voices behind him.
"That horse looks like a thoroughbred." Said a feminine voice. Michael glanced over and saw two blonde girls.
"It is a thoroughbred," said the other girl, "That's an Andalusian Stallion! I don't know what some peasant is doing with a horse like that!"
Michael rolled his eyes.
"That's got to be Veronica!" he muttered. Fortunately, Max had the presence of mind to warn him about Veronica the resident snob.
"Oh, go sit on your curry comb! Both of you!" snapped another voice. The two girls huffed and walked away.
A tall girl with long blonde hair appeared. She was flanked by two other girls.
"Sorry about that," she said, "I hope those two snobs didn't give the idea that everyone around her is like that!"
"Don't worry," said Michael, "Max was kind enough to warn me about Veronica."
"I'm glad to hear it," she said, "Oh by the way, I'm Stevie Lake and this is Carole Hanson and Lisa Atwood!
"Hi, nice to meet all of you," said Michael, "I'm Michael Bennett and this is Thunder." The girls said hello to Michael and to Thunder.
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The next morning dawned clear and bright. Michael was up with the sun. after breakfast the girls invited him to go on a morning hack before their jumping lessons. Michael tacked up and they all started up the trail. Their route brought them to the clearing up by the quarry.
When they got there the discovered that they weren't alone. There were two girls and two boys there apparently having a very glamourous picnic. The kids were all decked out in what looked like very expensive riding outfits. And they actually had black suited body guards, a chef and a butler.
"Oh no," muttered Stevie, "it's the kids from the WRI."
"The WRI?" asked Michael
"The Winston Riding Institute." Carole explained, "It's the new rich kids riding school that just opened on the other side of the Valley."
"Well, Well, Well," said a tall blond boy who looked like he was wearing enough hair gel for three people. "look who's here worthless riff raff from Pine Hollow."
The girls rolled their eyes.
"Michael, meet Collin Van Cleef III and his friends Veruca Sanchez, Tracy Waldon, and Clinton De Luca." Said Stevie. Michael looked around at them. Tracy had blonde hair that she wore in a bob haircut she as wearing a designer riding outfit that would have made Veronica green with envy and so was the black haired Veruca Sanchez. Clinton De Luca was a little shorter than Collin with shoulder length straight light brown hair.
"so, you finally got a guy to go on a ride with you, tomboy," sneered Collin.
"Stuff it, Colin," snapped Stevie, "you know that you're not supposed to be on this side of the property line!"
Collin huffed, "this is the better clearing and we're using it!" he turned to the bodyguards.
"Get rid of them," he sniffed, "they're bothering me."
TO BE CONTINUED….Please Read and leave a Review.