“Dad can’t this thing go any faster!”
“Relax Abbey, they’re all not going to disappear before we get there.” my mother soothed me. I sighed but remained silent. We had been driving down this dirt road for what seemed to be hours but in fact had been only five minutes and all I’ve seen is the sign that hung over the drive that said “Mr. Dublin’s” with horses rearing on either side of it and trees, endless trees.
Suddenly to my great delight, the road curved off into a huge clearing that contained an old, restored Victorian House and a huge barn painted the traditional coat of red. Next to that was a wide, fenced off area that contained a few horses grazing. I grinned excitedly. When I was younger my parents promised me that if I behaved and did well in school then they would buy me a horse on my twelth birthday and that day had finally arrived. For the past couple summers I had worked on a horse farm so I would know how to take care and handle my horse. The owner of the farm, Mrs. Bradley, had suggested going to Mr. Dublin’s. She said he sold the finest horses around and had good horses for a first time horse owner like me.
As I looked around I drew in a deep breath loving how the smells of hay, grass, and horse all mingled together. I could barely keep myself from running to the barn. Its open doors seemed to call to me to come inside and take a look at the treasures it had in store.
“Hello! My name is Mr. Dublin. You must be the Fenderson’s Mrs. Bradley told me about! Welcome!” a portly man dressed in a blue plaid shirt wearing blue jeans and a cowboy hat and boots walked towards us smiling broadly. “Yes, thank you. This is our daughter Abbey. She’s come to get her first horse.” my dad said shaking Mr. Dublin’s hand.
“Ok then, why don’t you come inside and get started. I’ve got plenty to choose from.” he said smiling.
We walked towards the barn and I almost started to shake I was so excited; I wanted to scream with happiness. Instead, I walked quickly towards the yawning opening in the barn and looked inside. I could hear fans whirring above me and the snorts of horses and the rustle of movement as they peered out of their stalls to get a look. I walked slowly from horse to horse looking at their descriptions, petting a few. Though strangely none of them got my attention. I still felt a pull towards the back. There was one beautiful brown horse called Buttercup that originally I would’ve been all over but still I moved down. Then when I had reached the back I gasped when I saw Her. Her coat and mane were white. So white she seemed to glow. I gazed upon her awestruck, expecting to see wings as if she was a Pegasus. It was like she was out of a fairy tale. I shook my head to clear it and when I opened my eyes the magicalness was gone but it didn't manage to take away the horse's beauty.
As I looked closer I could see her coat was yellowed in some spots from not being washed and had straw and dirt hanging from it and in a lot of spots it was matted. I slowly walked towards her, she turned her head towards me. I gasped shocked. Her eyes were blue! Blue like the sky on a sunny day. She continued to look at me with her intelligent eyes as if she was assessing me. Apparently she thought I was okay because she gave a whuff that sounded like a sigh of relief and leaned her head out towards me. I was surprised to see that my left hand had unconsciously been raised half way up towards her. I stepped towards her and laid my hand on her cheek and stroked her carefully.
“Miss! Miss! Get away from her, she is highly dangerous….” Mr. Dublin trailed off as he saw what was happening. “Bu…But she…she's highly dangerous!” he exclaimed clearly bewildered.
Dangerous? I thought. How could this beautiful creature be dangerous? She felt so gentle and delicate in my hands. I looked at him quizzically.
“We found her wandering the woods. She put up quite a fight; had to tranquilize her actually. Nobody can go near her ‘cause she rears and bites at them. The only one who’s ever gotten near her was me. If she didn’t start acting nicely we would’ve had to put her down. The only reason we haven’t so far is because no one has the guts to do it. She’s such a magnificent creature.” he explained.
“Abbey, maybe we should try a different horse. She sounds dangerous.” My mom said eyeing the horse uneasily.
I gasped, “But Mom! This is the one I want! Angel.” I pleaded with her. I called her Angel because that’s exactly what she was, an angel. “See? She’s not even biting or rearing. She’s being a perfect little lady.” I smiled her.
“Excuse me Mrs. Fenderson, but she's right.. She is being remarkably docile. It's truly a miracle.” My mom pursed her lips in thought. Oh please, please! Let me have her. I pleaded silently looking at her expectantly. “All right,” my mom sighed. “You can have her. But the moment she starts acting up. She’s gone. Do you hear me?” she asked sternly. “Oh yes! Oh thank you, thank you!” I ran to her hugging her tightly and kissed her on the cheek. She chuckled, “Ok. Now get her ready to go.”
“Ok.” my dad asked, “How much?” While my dad discussed prices with Mr. Dublin, I got Angel ready for the trailer. Letting myself into the stall, I found her halter and slipped it on her leading her to the trailer that was hooked to the end of our truck. She hesitated for a bit but she came up the ramp after a few encouragements.
“Thank you very much Mr. Dublin!” I called out to him as we pulled out.
“It's my pleasure. Thanks for stopping by." I waved until his smiling face disappeared. I leaned back into my seat and sighed contently as I thought of my beautiful Angel riding in the back of the trailer.
We lived in an old, ranch style house that had come with a broken down barn that over the years we’ve restored. We had several acres and had fenced off some of it for the horse, clearing it of stones. When we arrived I jumped out of the truck and ran to the trailer, quickly lowering the ramp, my heart pounding, as if I didn’t see her soon she would just disappear. I stopped as soon as I saw her, relief pouring through me. It was as if she emanated calm and it affected me. I led her down the ramp and into her stall. My parents had gone and unhooked the trailer and put it away in the shed. I leaned against her stall door as she moved around poking her hay, water trough and the new halter that hung up on the side wall; I had already put away her old one. If I didn’t know any better I’d say she was investigating her new home. Man she needs a brushing badly I thought. Walking over to the other side of the barn, I picked up the brushing kit and headed back, opening her stall. As soon as I shut the door she turned towards me, sniffing the kit curiously and then turned towards the hay munching silently, satisfied with her investigation. Setting down the kit and grabbing a brush, I began to vigorously brush her. Soon there were dirt, straw and white hairs flying all over the place. I knew my brown hair and clothes were covered in it. My mom would throw a fit when she saw me. I could see Angel loved the attention, making horrible faces of ecstasy, making me laugh. Ohhh…that feels sooo good! I dropped the brush in surprise. It sounded female, and was the most beautiful voice I'd ever heard. It definitely wasn’t my mom’s voice. I didn’t recognize this voice. I looked out the stall to see if anyone was there. The barn was empty. I looked around confused but then I shrugged. It was getting late and I was tired from all the excitement of the day. I had probably just imagined it. I picked up the brush and continued. Excuse me but could you go over my back? I have an awful itch there. What the..? I looked out and again, saw no one. “Hello? Is anybody there?” I called out. I was getting kind of irritated. “If this is supposed to be a joke it’s not funny.” Angel turned her head towards me and stomped her foot impatiently. There isn’t anybody out there, it’s just me talking. No get back here and finish brushing me! I looked at Angel stunned. “Angel! Was...was that you talking?” Yes. Now can you please finish brushing me? She pleaded.
“But that’s impossible! Horses’ can’t talk!” I stuttered backing away towards the wall. My foot hit something and suddenly I was falling. I felt a sharp pain as my head hit the wall, blackness descending.
Abbey? Are okay? I groggily opened my eyes to see Angel’s blurry face sniffling over me. “No, no. This is all just a dream.” I murmured to myself. I closed my eyes again hoping that when I opened them everything would turn normal. No strange, beautiful voices coming from animals that weren’t supposed to be talking. I felt Angel’s warm breath as she snorted. I’m afraid not dear. This is not a dream. Now, get up, slowly though. I started to sit up and gasped when pain rushed in. “Ouch.” I moaned putting my hand to my head. “It hurts.” Of course it does. You banged you head against the wall. I leaned against the wall looking at her though it was kinda hard. I must've been out for a while because it was already dark. “How is it,” I asked warily, “that you can talk?”
It’s a very long story. One, I believe that would be best told in the morning when you feel better. Right now, you need sleep and probably food.She said. As if on cue, my stomach growled noisely. I sighed, frustrated. “But how will I be able to sleep with this on my mind? I’ll be up all night trying to figure it out.” I told her. Angel looked at me contemplating. No. I'll tell you in the morning. I huffed in irritation but finding it hard to argue with a pounding head, I got up and left. When I got to the kitchen I made myself a sandwich eating slower than I would usually have done. My parents were asleep, assuming that I would want to spend all my time with the horse they didn't really expect me to sleep in the hourse. I've slept in the barn dozens of times before. In the ordinary, plain kitchen away from Angel’s fairy tale presence it was hard to believe what had happened. I got ready for bed oonvincing myself uselessly that it was fake. Just a trick of the mind. But even as I was closing my eyes it didn't really take.
All right, if I must, I must. I grinned mentally, happy to get the mystery solved. Ok. She said, lying down on the straw. I come from a land called Gardenia. A place filled with magyk and mystical beings. There many types of horses there. They used to fill the place, covering every corner. I come from the noble line of Pegasus’; unfortunately I happen to be the last. She said sadly. Gardenia is not just filled with creatures, but with man too. Until recently Gardenia was happily ruled by a man called Hiroldo. Hiroldo was a kind and fair ruler making Gardenia a safe and happy place to live in. Now, there’s a black horse called Zeroc. He has been dabbling in the dark arts of magyk and thus has turned cruel and ambitious. One day Hiraldo met Zeroc on a trip to a nearby friend. Zeroc tricked the King into liking him, using his magyk he whispered evil thoughts into his head thus turning Hiroldo evil and practically insane listening to only Zeroc and no one else. Zeroc had Hiroldo murder his own son so no one else could take the throne. Zeroc knew of the possibility of being killed by someone stronger than him so he told the King to wipe out all the magykal creatures, leaving only the dumb beasts that human eat upon. We lost many but a few of us managed to hide using our abilities, like the Zorse’s, they are able to blend in but Zeroc created a type of hell dog to sniff them out quite accurately. There was a prophecy spoken that spoke of hope. A girl, touched by the land itself, would save us. Zeroc also knows of this and has sent out his minions to kill you to make sure this never comes true. I have spent nearly half my life looking for you, to save you Abbey and make sure the prophecy does come true. Angel said gravely. I looked at her astonished. “But that can’t possibly be!” I cried. “I’m just a girl. A human girl, with no special powers whatsoever! There’s no way I’m the one who’s supposed to save you.” I said stubbornly shaking my head. But you are Abbey! I can sense it. I told you Gardenia was a magykal land. Magyk rides on the air currents filling the air; it flows through the babbling creeks and streaming rivers. It is in the very veins of the earth Abbey. And occasionally it will manifest itself in someone or something. You and I are very special creatures Abbey; we are the few who can say we have Silver Blood, magyk blood. That is why I know you are the one. I can sense it. The blood we share is why we are able to communicate with each other. I don’t actually talk; it’s more of like I’m speaking to your mind. Your Silver Blood is very strong. When we go to Gardenia it will start to awaken and you will know what to do for it is a part of yourself and thus instinctual. Denying it would be denying yourself. “So let me make this straight,” I asked. “You are a Pegasus that comes from magical land called Gardenia which has been taken over by an evil tyrant and you expect me, an average teenage girl, to what…kill him?!” There was no way I would ever kill anybody. The thought of it made me shudder. Sure I played video games and killed people and things on there, but that was fake. Pretending and actually doing something are totally different things.
Yes, she said looking at me sadly but gravelly. And the word is magykal not magic. “Whatever.” I replied absentmindedly to her still absorbing all this. I had to leave Tennessee, my parents, friends, and everything that I loved and was familiar with, and go to a strange dangerous place that I just learned about a few minutes ago. Yeah right, like any normal person would immediately say yes to that. I jumped at the sound of my stomach growling looking down in astonishment as if it was strange that it would make such a sound. Why don’t you go home and get some food and rest. You can think all this through and maybe make a decision in the morning. Angel suggested gently. I nodded agreeing with her but I had to quickly stop as the pain in my head started to throb. Food would be nice I thought as my stomach growled again, a nap too, I yawned. I got up stiffly from sitting for so long and made my way back to my house, surprised to see it was so dark out.
