May 2009 Story Contest

The Secret Friend (or is it Fiend?) by keely

I fled from that awful place seeking a refuge from evil and hate. Parlez and I were malnourished. We could not last much longer if we couldn't find food. But there was no time. They were swiftly closing the game with their fresh horses. A paved road! Just what I need to lose them "We'll take a right and hope for the best, Parlez" I whispered in his ear. And then suddenly an old Ford pickup went bellowing by emitting exhaust in our faces. Parlez coughed and swung his hindquarters around.

"Parlez No!" cried as I got ready to be entry #33 in the world class rodeo. Then piece of paper went fluttering by that was all the excuse Parlez needed to get out of there. He then reared up and took off running. He almost got rid of me. But I hanged on. I lost a stirrup and rein so I pulled on the rein I still had and got him to circle. He soon stopped and I was able to get the stirrup and rein back.

There were three girls not far from there. They were saddling and bridling their horses. There were unaware about the adventure they were about to embark on.

"What trail should we take today?" asled Rhiley as she saddled her gelding Go Man Go.

"I don't know" replied Alena as she set the saddle blanket on Diamonds Sparkle.

"How 'bout we go on the forest trail?" offered Marie as she bridled Tick Tock Trotter.

"Great idea" replied Alena.

"Yeah" said Rhiley.

They then finished tacking up. They mounted up. They then warmed up their horses and set out on the trail.

We then set off with Parlez, very high-strung, spooking at everything. I located a trail and got off that awful road. A hog nose snake puffed up and hissed, causing Parlez to rear up, catching me by surprise. Therefore Parlez threw me off. I landed hard and with a huff because the wind got knocked out of me and then Parlez galloped off. I started to check all of my body parts and felt a stinging pain in my left leg. I lifted my riding skirt up and gingerly touched my leg and it felt like it went up in flames. I then crawled to the underbrush and hid hoping, praying, that Parlez would come back. I heard hoof beats approaching my hiding place. I then drew further back as I heard four sets of hoof beats. I hoped that the horses would not smell me. Then I saw a black bridled head. I hissed

"Go away Parlez!"

Instead he muzzled my pockets searching for a carrot or some type of treat. I roughly pushed his head away hoping he would go away and then he pushed me hard. I couldn't help but give a painful yelp. I then realized I had given out where I was. I pushed my self against the solidly intertwined brush searching for a break. I could not find one and then I was surrounded by 3 girls about my age. I stared wide-eyed at them hoping that they would leave me along.

"Hi" said the stocky blonde.

"Who are you?" asked the thin, short, dark haired girl.

"Is this your horse?" asked a slightly chunky dark haired girl.

"Who I am is none of your business," I replied crisply "and yes that is my horse. His name is 'Parlez.' "

I then heard hooves approaching. I said to those girls " listen, you have never seen me, heard of me, or anything else. I do not exist, OK?"

I th n dove (well, not really dove, more like hobbling" into the brush, bringing Parlez with me. I then saw him, the awful Mr. Pennly. I held my breath, willing them not to say anything.

"Hello there, have you seen a girl around your age, thin, reddish brown hair, blue eyes, has a black horse, the girl's name is Freedom?"

"No sir" replied the stocky blonde one.

"Nope" answered the small one.

"Haven't seen anyone by that description' said the dark haired girl.

I sent a silent prayer up to heaven, giving thanks that they had not blown my cover. I then silently backed Parlez up. I then heard a splash, I turned around and saw Parlez' hoof in a brook, perfect to get them to lose my trail.

"What was that?" asked Mr. Pennly.

"A nut" lied the blonde.

A nut was right. I was insane to go through with this but I had to. I was chosen as the scout and we would form a civilization once I found the perfect remote area. I was heading toward Alaska. I thought it was the perfect spot. But what if I freeze to death before I get back? I was scared, to tell you the truth.

I held still, wondering if I should give myself up. I decided not to. I then heard him go off. I slowly moved forward. They urded me on with hand gestures and whispered words. I got out to the road and painfully mounted.

"Are you Freedom? Why did you run away?" they asked.

I lowered myself in to the saddle. Then the world started spinning. I felt myself falling. Then I heard a thud and felt pain. Then I was swept into a world of darkness where there was no pain.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw everything out of focus. And then I saw a doctor, who was packing his bag.

"She'll be fine in a few days. But that leg will take quite a while, she shouldn't apply pressure to that leg" said the doctor.

I remained quiet and he went. I then propped myself up and asked "I can't RIDE?"

"Glad you're awake" replied the woman.

Then there was a knocking on the front door. The woman opened it and I made direct eye contact with him. I saw his eyes gleam with the thrill of evilness. I just stared wide-eyed and petrified. I opened my mouth in a noiseless scream.

"What do you want?" asked the lady.

"The girl."

"Why?"

"She is mine."

"I will adopt her from you" replied the lady.

"How much will you pay?

"Fifty dollars."

"Deal."

"Alright, let's go to the court house."

"COURHOUSE!!!" he practically screamed. "Here is what I give you. Her papers for free. She is an orphan."

"Okay, sir."

And that is how I became free and learned the true meaning of Freedom.

The End.