June Story Contest

Chapter One - Storm’s Story
By: Thesoapgirl3
Age: 15

This is Storm

     The newborn opened his eyes. He blinked in the morning sun.

     “Hello, my angel.”  The colt’s mother nuzzled him contentedly. 

     “Blessing,” said his father. “He should stand by now.”

     “Relax Lightning, he’s fine.” she answered. She stood and let her color
shine in the sunlight. She was a bright, blood bay, while Lightning was a bright
golden chestnut.

     “I’m sure he is... but make him get up anyway.”  Blessing nudged the little
foal. He yawned before attempting to use the spindly twigs he was supposed to
use for legs.  One foot, then another, then the other two. He hoisted himself
from the ground, and unlike other foals, did not collapse afterward. He stood,
his legs braced beneath him. 

     “Come on, darling. You must walk now.” Blessing said coaxingly. The foal
took one unbalanced step. Then another, and another still until he had begun
walking. “You see, I told you he was fine. He hasn’t even fallen over yet.”   At
that moment, the little buckskin toppled over sideways.

     “What was that about falling over, Blessing?”

     Blessing glared at Lightning. “I’m sure you fell over when you were born.
It’s the first time he’s used his legs.” Lightning only flicked his ears.

     “What are you going to call him?” He asked after a moment. There was a
pause. 

     “Like my grandfather, I think I’ll call him Storm.” She replied.

     “A strong name... I like it.” Said Lightning. He jumped. “What was that?”

     “Sounds like horses. Probably only some of the herd fooling around.”
Replied Blessing.

     “I don’t think so.”  Lightning pricked his ears Northwards. He half reared
as the horses came into sight, riders ordering them to charge faster. 
“Blessing, run!” He cried.

     “No! He’ll get trampled or caught!” She screamed rearing and pawing the
air.

     “Blessing, we have no time. Perhaps we can draw them away and come back
later.”

     “I won’t!”  She cried.

     “Blessing, move!” Lightning caught Blessing sharply with his teeth, forcing
her to move. He chased her out of the sunny clearing, praying all the time his
newborn son would make it. 

     Blessing galloped through the forest, hoping vainly that they could draw
them off quickly, so she could try to save Storm. The horses thundered closer.
Blessing, despite her fear, was in no shape for galloping. Lightning was forced
to slow his pace for her. The riders slowly began to close in. The more Blessing
fatigued, the more she had to slow. 
     
     They closed in faster, until the weak mare was caught around the neck, the
stiff rope growing so tight it began to choke her. She began to fight hard, but
was in no condition to. Lightning struck out with his hooves, sending sound
blows into the mix. The riders surrounded Lightning, one of them wrapping a rope
around his legs. Then, two men jerked, sending the stallion to the ground.

     Blessing was held firm by two riders. Each of them on a side. They held the
rope taught, she could only kick with her back legs, and the more she struggled,
the more the ropes cut into her neck. Blessing could fight no more.

     Lightning stood, but was once more jerked to the ground. They did this
until Lightning lay motionless and panting on the ground. 

     Step by painful step, each of them was drug away.

                               *** 

     Storm lifted his head. He blinked at the darkness surrounding him, and
looked up at the starry night sky.

     “Mother?” He cried. “Mother?”  A breeze blew through his soft coat and he
shivered. A crackling came from the bushes beyond. “Mother?” He asked.  He
stood, awaiting his mother’s comforting whinny. But it didn’t come. Instead, a
bone-chilling howl echoed through the land.

     Storm tried to run, but he was too young and too weak from not nursing. The
wolves rushed him. He had no way to defend himself. Surrounded, Storm’s life was
about to end before it even had the chance to begin. Then:

     “HAH! Go, run you cowards!”  The young boy continued screaming. The wolves
back off but little. Storm shied towards the boy, hoping this was his savior.
“Do you not have ears? I told you to run!” The boy waved his arms at the wolves,
flailing his limbs and shouting. The strangest part? Both Storm and the wolves
could understand him. The wolves were too shocked to attack. Who was this boy
who spoke to animals? This young twoleg that dared defend a foal agaist hungry
wolves? They slowly cleared off. Was this human the son of a sorcerer? If so,
what other powers did he weild? “Go on, run away!”  The wolves eventually
scattered.

     The boy approached Storm. “It’s alright.” Said the boy, reaching out his
hand. “My name is Erin, I won’t hurt you.”

     “My mother says to never go near humans.”

     Erin thought for a moment. "Did she say why?" 

     "Yes." Storm said matter-of-factly. "They take you away and... And..."
Storm sighed. "I don't know."

     "I do. Well, I know what I would do." 

     "What would you do?"

     "Well, since your parents are gone, I would let you stay with me. And the
cow, Clara Belle."

    "That's a funny name." 

    "Maybe to you." Said Erin. Erin reached out his hand a rubbed Storm's fuzzy
forehead. "You should come with me, you're not safe on your own."

     "But..."

     "It's alright, you can trust me.


To be continued...