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Post by Onzy on May 1, 2011 18:14:09 GMT
  Bella led the young gelding from his paddock as the sun made it's presence felt in the morning. It was farrier day today, and all the horses were due for shoes except for Danger. The pregnant mare had hers removed, as Bella felt that it was too much hassle for a mare that was starting look rather rotund. Flame, who's nickname should have been Dragon, fought her at every step, but he was the last one left to be taken to the vet stables. Biscuit and Manor were the more patient of the three, but the dun gelding was young and learning. Knock it off! she scolded the gelding as he latched onto her shoulder with his teeth sinking into her flesh. Pulling his head back he nearly jerked her off her feet. Poking him in the jaw, Bella carried on towards the the block. Every time the farrier came in, the guy paled when he saw Flame. The gelding was everybody's worst nightmare. Last time the horse had been done for shoes, it had resulted in a chase as Flame had managed to get loose, but not before managing to get in a well timed kick at the farriers legs. This time Bella was asking for a light sedative. Thankfully Flame would be the last to be done. Manor was to be the first with Biscuit to follow.
Flame didn't agree with his confinement, even for the time being, and banged noisily against his stall door. Bella left him, and wandered the aisle, looking at some horses that were in there because of injuries. One looked highly familiar, but it was unlikely that it was the same horse. As far as she knew the mare had been put down a few nights ago. Hey Hawk, she greeted the mare, and knew that Chuck's kindness had won through, but why didn't Max know. She hadn't seen him around the stables, much less in the dorms or even class. He was obviously mourning the loss of a horse that was very much alive. The details that she had gotten out of him was that Hawk had twisted gut and he had given the orders to have her put down. Hawk was looking a bit worse for wear, but that was to be expected especially after a colic operation.
Reaching for her cellphone that she had eventually gotten back from Kian, who had saved it from Ieuan. She texted him, knowing that if she called then her voice would betray what she knew. Bella was surprised to find the mare still alive, and fussed over her. Here was a horse that Max adored, lived through the pain of losing, only to be reconciled.
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Max had been discharged a day later with a broken wrist and a slight concussion. His return to the college had been less than cheerful, his thoughts returning to Hawk every time he thought of his spunky mare. He had been in his room since then, not wanting to face the pain of fetching her tack and seeing an empty stall or paddock minus one. The dark room was suitable for his mood. He had showered and changed clothes, barely eaten for the last four days. His wrist pained him, but he had tablets for that. No medication was available for a broken heart. His phone vibrated again on the counter, and checking the caller ID found that it was Chuck. He had been avoiding his uncle, and the people who cared. His voicemail box was full, messages he didn't answer, but he kept his phone on.
No more than twenty minute later, another short vibration, but like all the messages, he merely read them, nothing more. It was from Bella, but it sounded important, and something compelled him to get out of his stupor. Pulling on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, he slipped on his flops. The light that accosted him from outside the door hurt his eyes, but he merely blinked several times. He walked to the vet barn, in no mood or condition to drive. He saw horses playing and frolicking, and their owners trying in vain to catch them. The closer he got, the more he created a vision for what happened that night. Hawk lying motionless on the sterile floor as her life ended. Anger coursed through his veins as he wondered why Bella had summoned him.
Passing her three brutes, he found her closer to the operating room side than with her animals. She was staring at a stall, wonder on her features. Noticing him, she beamed, and pointed to the stall. Peeking inside, he saw an all to familiar face. Hawk? he said with disbelief. It couldn't be. She was supposed to be dead. Around the mare's stomach a white bandage was wrapped, and she was nosing the sawdust. An obvious survivor of a colic op. A tear slipped down Max's face as he entered the stall. Wrapping his arms around the mare, he wept quietly, thanking his uncle for saving the mare. |
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