The Writers Voice
The World's
Favourite Literary Website
The Ark
by
Lana Star
Chapter 1
Our story is not one often heard by your
kind, humans I mean. To your kind we are just the creatures that walk your world
for your own pleasure. We are just the things to either love or hate, depending
on the mood your in. Well, we are tired of being your play things. It’s time you
knew the truth, animals have feelings to.
By Land
I awoke early to the sounds of the stable brought to life. I rose and was
greeted by my handler Brian. He patted my neck as he talked quietly to me.
"Today’s the day, Jem old girl." I snorted.
"Sorry, I forgot, your not old are you?" he said laughing as he headed off to do
his other chores.
I was only three years old and the fastest horse in the whole state of Colorado.
I was a tan mare with a blond mane and tail. A pure bred racer.
I breathed deeply and inhaled the smells of the stables, but also the smells of
the dessert in the morning. I could hear the other horses talking wildly around
me. I turned my right ear toward Jessebelle, the stable gossip, in the stale
next to me. "Did you hear? Old man Walker’s going to put a horse out to pasture
this afternoon. I hope it’s that Cobalt. He’s a fine horse, but a bit to wild
for my taste," she said loudly. "If he was your taste Jessebelle, he’d be as dry
as those twigs you call straw," I said tossing my head.
"Well, excuse me your highness, I didn’t realize you were awake," she said with
fake sympathy.
"I could hardly stay asleep with all that ruckus your making that you like to
call talking," I said as I stomped. Just then old man Walker came by. "How are
you doing this morning, Jewel?" he asked as he handed me a carrot. I ate it
happily as he stroked my neck.
Brian and Walker talked about up coming events and if I should enter. Brian was
not only my handler, but my jockey as well. "I think she’s ready," Brian said.
"I don’t know. She was almost run off the track by that Night Hawk," he said as
he rubbed his chin. He looked to my head hanging over Brian’s shoulder. Brian
had been sad enough most of the week, I just didn’t see why old man Walker
wouldn’t let him race. We’d beaten Night Hawk before.
"I just think it’s to soon to tell if your ready," he said as he placed a hand
on Brian’s shoulder.
"But Jewel’s the fastest horse around," Brian protested. "I was talking about
you lad. I don’t know if your ready to ride in your father’s place." So that was
it. Brian’s dad was the best rider around. He was supposed to ride me in the big
re-match between Night Hawk and me, but something must have happened to him and
now Brian wants to take his place.
I had to agree with old man Walker, Brian wasn’t ready for the big leagues yet.
"We’ll wait a few days and then we’ll see how you are," Walker said as he
started to walk off.
"Just put Jewel in the pasture for now," he called back.
As Brain led me to the pasture, I nudged his arm. "You always know how to make
me feel better don’t you girl?" he said quietly as he patted my neck. "What can
I say? It’s a gift," I said. Of course he couldn’t understand me, but I didn’t
care. Suddenly the quiet, still air was shattered by a loud neigh from a jet
black stallion. "I guess Cobalt’s glad to see you," he said as he let me into
the pasture.
I walked calmly into the field. Cobalt met me at the gate.
"Morning Jem," he said happily as kind of bowed his head. "Good morning Cobalt,"
I said stiffly.
Why did I always get so tense around him? He kind of laughed at me. "You don’t
have to be so formal, I’m not going to trample you," he said calmly. I relaxed.
Something about his voice made me see him, the real him. I heard muffled
laughter behind me. Brian stood at the fence. He seemed to know what was going
on and found it rather amusing.
Cobalt seemed to see he was bothering me
and charged at him. Brian fell backward, narrowly missing Cobalt’s rage filled
charge. I suddenly felt light on my feet. I took off at full speed and neighed
as loud as I could. I could feel something following me. It was Cobalt. He
matched my speed and pace exactly. We raced each other around and around the
field until we could hardly pick our feet up anymore.
Brian came back later and took me to a training ring where he tacked me up. We
walked in circles, trotted and cantered. Once I was warmed up did we start the
real work out. A man came and watched us work. He was tall and looked old, but
he also looked familiar. "Dad!" Brian called when he saw him. So this was the
famous Michael ‘Hurricane’ Hunt. I watched Mr. Hunt as he watched me.
"She’s beautiful horse son, but she looks restless," he said. "She is, she wants
to race," Brian said proudly.
"No, I think she wants to go back to that stallion in the pasture," he said as
he pointed behind me.
I looked to see Cobalt at the fence, waiting for another race. He neighed loudly
and I returned it.
"I also think she’s worried about racing with you in the big race. I don’t think
your ready for the Dust Bowl," he said.
"But Mr. Walker is giving me a few days to prepare," Brian tried.
"I don’t think that’s going to be enough," he said shaking his head.
"Well, you just wait and see. I’ll show you, I’ll show you all. Jewel and I are
going to be champions," Brian said, standing firm. His dad only laughed.
"You sound just like me when I was your age. Well I guess Steve knows what he’s
doing so we’ll see what he has to say," his dad said as they both fell silent.
I was beginning to wonder if Brian had even been in a big race like the Dust
Bowl.
I guess we’ll find out soon, I thought.
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