[Phase One]Shaky Introduction

Freja and Lacey stood in front of the stall of the tiny grey stallion, his body covered in sweat from the IV sedation that had been injected into him. His head swung back and forth in the corner, as though even on ketamine he just couldn't shake the thought of his buddy out of his mind. 

Lacey looked at Freja, a somber glitter in her blue eyes. Her arms were folded neatly against the door she leaned on, one boot crossed over the other. Freja kept her gaze on the stallion, uncertainty evident on her face as she watched him drunkly weave back and forth. 

“No, not this one.” She said quietly. “We don't have the time this one will need.” Her hand reached up to rub Lacey's back softly. 

Lacey looked at her girlfriend in distress, her mouth opening to protest immediately. But Freja quieted her by moving, removing her hand and placing it on her shoulder. 

“I know how hard it is to leave them behind. He's just not a good fit right now. He's gorgeous, someone will pick him up within days.” She tried to offer a reassuring smile, but she knew it wouldn't help. The downcast look Lacey returned to her was proof of that. 

“What if everyone else thinks that too..? Or he gets placed with someone that doesn't know what they're doing and they get hurt? Or he gets put to sleep?” She brought her jacket sleeve to her face, swiping away the tears beginning to form. 

Freja bit her lip, looking at the horse then back to her girlfriend. After a moment of deliberation, she sighed in defeat. “I suppose this is your project, so you should get to pick.” Laceys’ eyes brightened immediately, but Freja put a finger in the air to silence her squeal of excitement. “But, promise me you'll be safe. And if he becomes too much, you'll agree to return him. You tend to jump into these things impulsively.” 

Lacey waved her hand, a cheerful grin on her face. “Don't worry; I've softened a giant Vasteuro into loving me and they're far more dangerous to handle than these guys.” Her eyes became glued to the stallion, who had momentarily stopped his wobbly weaving to glance over at them with tired eyes. 

There was something behind them though; a spiraling, flaming whirlwind of emotions held back by the sleepiness brought on by the sedation. Even now he was look-ey, pupils darting around, searching for something. The only information the pair had received on him was that he's buddy sour, and it got really western when the volunteer trainer had attempted to ride him. 

“It's been a while since we've had a real project around. I'm excited personally.” Lacey proclaimed, reaching for his halter. The black rope felt old and thin in her hand, as though it might be older than this horse. Judging by how grey he was, she'd say he couldn't be older than 4 or 5. Nobody had the chance to see his teeth yet, there was just no way. He'd no sooner arrived, and they were desperate to move him through as soon as possible. Lacey pulled his number tag off the halter, spinning it in her hand. Number 11041. Red tape. Dangerous. 

They returned to the front of the stables, immediately finding the person who'd pointed them toward the horses. Lacey presented the tag to the volunteer, handing the files she'd received back as well. “We'll take him.” 

The volunteer smiled, writing down the number. “When can you pick him up?” 

“We can take him home today, if that's alright.” Freja answered. 

The volunteer gave them a thumbs up. “Let me write some paperwork up and we can send you on your way. Thank you for choosing our rescue!” 

As they walked off, tapping a pen to their lip, the two girlfriends looked at each other. A loud bang came from within the barn, apparently from whoever was attempting to halter the stressed stallion. The sedation had clearly worn off. 

Lacey gave an anxious grin to her worried partner. “What have you got us into..?” 

Hooves crashed against the side of the trailer, the stallions panic spreading like wildfire. Some of the other horses at the rescue, unsure of why he was causing such a commotion, had raised their heads and began pacing anxiously. Some called out to him in distress, while a few others ignored him completely. One of the deaf mares had her back completely turned, unaware as she munched lazily on a mouthful of hay. 

The volunteer had just finished helping the pair file paperwork and an agreement stating they wouldn't sue the rescue if the stallion did something crazy. 

Freja walked off and stared at the rocking trailer as the occupant threw his tantrum. The sedation had officially worn off the moment he saw the trailer. It took backing up to the corral and a few volunteers waving flag sticks to encourage him to load, and a miracle unlike any other that someone was able to close and lock the divider in place. 

Another volunteer swiped the sweat from his brow, cursing and stating how glad he was that “that headache is leaving”. 

Lacey rolled her eyes. ‘Not your headache anymore.’ 

As she scanned the trailer with her eyes she caught sight of his for a moment. Terrified and confused. To her, this was not a violent horse. This was one that was reacting to an incredible amount of fear and insecurity caused by the flip-flopping of whatever home situation he was in before, to the rescue, and now onto another trailer. This horse was intelligent. He knew what a trailer meant. 

Lacey suddenly became aware she was nervously chewing on her lip and bit her tongue to stop. She rested a hand on her hip as she walked over to Freja, who had kept the pen she'd signed the papers with and was clicking it anxiously. 

She jumped when Lacey reached out to touch her back, smiling anxiously as she met her gaze. 

“Almost ready to head out?” She asked. 

Freja nodded, taking a deep breath. “If you're totally sure..” 

Lacey grinned. “Like I said, I've dealt with worse. This guy will be a breeze. The old stable hands from before the ranch was put in my name were harder to convince than this guy was to put on the trailer.” 

Freja rolled her eyes. “I still think you were too soft on them.” 

Lacey waved her hand. “Let's not dwell on it now. C'mon, we've got a long road home.” 

As they finally pulled out of the driveway and were heading west to get back home, the sun was beginning to set. They'd purposely timed it to be driving home at night so the poor horse didn't get baked alive in a tiny can under the Wyoming summer sun. Glowing orange and gold clouds littered the skyline, casting a beautiful glow on the fields on either side of the road. 

“Montana is beautiful country.” She said distractedly from the passenger seat. The rumble of their black 2500 acted as a lullaby as she grew drowsy. 

Freja smirked. “You have to drive in about an hour. Don't get too sleepy.” 

“Just a nap.” She whispered around a yawn. 

Thoughts drifted slowly through her mind as she was pulled into a brief nap about what she'd do to get this horse started back on a good path. 

‘He could be paired with one of my bred mares perhaps. They'd keep him company but not let him get sour.’ 

The sky grew shades of purple as the sun began sinking into the horizon. The gentle hum of the truck was getting to her more. 

‘I bet Missy would make a good field mate for him. Or one of the new broods.’ 

Right as she was losing her battle to stay awake, a last thought popped into her head. 

‘I wonder if I could find his buddy..”