New Life, New Face ((OPEN))

[horsegirl41]

An early morning mist layed upon the ground. Lately, these early mornings have been the only thing keeping her from slipping back into old habits. Gravel crunched under the weight of her Dodge Ram 1500 and four horse Featherlight trailer. She reminded herself to breath as she pulled into the stable yard. No one knows you here, its alright. Start over, you have nothing to worry about. she thought, if just to keep herself calm. She sighed. What was she doing?

Why did she move again? All that ever came from her previous moves was heartache, addiction, and a longing to die. She had lost so much in her life, now she lost her home too. All she was now was a pretty face. Her hopeless life loomed in front of her just waiting to be stopped. She had no friends, no happiness, and no love. Why was she even here? She shot a glance to the passenger seat. The very things that had ruined her life already once layed there. So close. She reached over and grabbed one of the many objects next to her. The glint of a diamond taunted her, taunted her with memories of her past life. She rolled the window down, determined this time to get rid of it for good. She could not, just like before. Because she was weak, spineless, hopeless. She fought back the ever present tears. She set the ring down, hoping for an escape.

Kia parked her truck. She got out and shivered in the crisp morning air. She walked around to the back of the trailer and easily unloaded her palomino gelding, Rascal. He looked at her with the big soft eyes that melted her heart every time. She buried her head into his mane and felt the tears welling up in her eyes. Why did her past still haunt her? Rascal let out a high pitched whinny and stomped his foot. He was always there to remind Kia that life did not stop just because she was feeling sorry for herself. Rascal was hungry and wanted his food. Kia turned twoards the barn and Rascal followed. She put him in his designated stall and fed him.

Kia left the barn, she would come back later. Now she was in no mental state to take care of a horse, or be in public. She walked to her truck and got in. The tears then began to pour out of her eyes, again. They stained her pretty face with their wet trails. Kia pulled out a letter from her father. It was the last one he ever sent her. The black ink was smeared with her tears, how could he have left her like that! She fumbled with the letter in her dirty hands. He had written it right after being drafted. One of those just-in-case letters. Well it happened. She remembered his funeral, it was on a sunny day. Over a thousand people came, to her it seemed like they where all celebrating the death of her father, Col. Jack Adair. Kia rested her head on the steering wheel and cried. The sun was coming out and the fog was clearing up. Kia did not notice. She was asleep soon, letter still in her hand, eyes still red, and her face still tear-stained.

When she finally awoke it was mid-day. The sun was out and hot. Kia looked around at her surrounding, trying to get her barrings. The stable yard was full of people. She got out of her truck, slightly suprised that no one had awakened her. Kia made her way to Rascal's stall. Hey there bud. She said, putting on a false good mood. The horse looked up from his feed and walked over to the stall door. Kia let herself in and slipped a halter on the horse. She dropped the lead rope on the ground, Rascal would stand. Kia groomed him slowly, still in shock that she was there. When she was done Kia made some food for Rascal, he had a nasty stomach ulcer and needed ten pills, twice a day. She fed him and while he ate she sat at the back of his stall, head in her arms.

[luminol]

A muffled sigh echoed throughout a large, desolate home. The sound was the only thing that showed anything was alive in the house. Shortly after was the sound of claws clicking against a hardwood floor, two German Shepherds seeking their waking friend. The largest, a male, poked his head through the doorway and immediately ran to the bed. His large legs pushed off of the floor and easily onto his sleeping master. "Ugh . . . Get off of me, Raiden! You big oaf . . ." A head emerged from under the sheets, blonde hair messy from tossing and turning all night. He reached his arms up and patted Raiden affectionately. His crystalline blue eyes opened and he turned to gaze at the dog still on the floor. Her blue eyes stared at him with happiness. "Hello to you too, Seika." The head and arms that popped out from under the blanket belonged to Kade, the only current resident of his large home. Sighing, the boy pushed Raiden off of him and stood. Kade's muscled legs emerged from the blanket and it was obvious that all he wore was a pair of boxers. Rubbing sleep from his eyes, he strode toward his windows. He opened them, glanced at the surroundings, and then opened his closet.

The morning was beautiful, he had to admit. Mist was settled on the ground and no doubt, dew was thick on the grass blades. Today, though, he was fairly busy. The night before, he'd received a call that some horses rescued from an abuser were confiscated and needed immediate medical attention. Though he was a veterinarian's apprentice, he and his mentor were obligated to go and check on the horses. He threw on some clothes, having took a shower last night, and stretched. Life had become absolutely bland recently. After his girlfriend had been killed in a car accident, he had nothing to live for anymore. He had Rain, his horse, which was the only thing keeping him from going berserk. But really, he needed something. Anything. Motivation to keep him going. Shaking his hair into place, he strode out of his room and down the steps. The kitchen was next to the living room, and once there he grabbed a granola bar and exited his home. His dogs had food and water all day because of their automatic feeders and they had a dog door to the back yard.

Kade climbed into his dark blue Ford Titan and shoved one half of the granola bar in his mouth. It was cool in the truck. Comfortable enough that he could roll the windows down and enjoy the air. Something about the morning made the day seem like it wouldn't be horrid. Like it would have meaning in it. Though, as he pulled into the veterinarian's office, he started to think otherwise. About a dozen horses were piled into the round pens, all needing full shots and exams. There were four vets in, though, so everyone only had three to check. Not so bad, really. As he worked on the skinny, muscle less horses the sun rose high in the sky. Heat began to pour down upon the earth with intensity. He couldn't bear standing in the pen with a bunch of sick horses anymore. He loved it, but really, there was more to do. He quickly waved a goodbye as he put some sterilizers back onto the shelf and left.

His truck pulled into a space at Pinewood Stables, the place he wished was his home. He lived close, yes, but not . . . There. Being away from the place was like not truly living. He jumped out of the car, a brand new pink halter in his hand. Pink was the only color that really stood out on Rain, so he stood for it. Besides, her lead rope was pink, too, so she'd match. He walked into the barn and instantly felt better. The scent of the barn was enough to rid him of any problems. He strode right toward Rain's stall where a plaque read 'Raindrops on Roses - Rain' stating her show name and barn name. She nibbled on some hay, but instantly came to the front of the stall as he opened the door. He slipped her new halter on and lead rope as well. Her soft muzzle prodded his chest and he pulled out a peppermint treat for her. "Here you go, pretty girl." He chuckled at her head bob and turned her in a circle before walking out of the stall. He shut her stall door and loosely tied her to it, knowing she wouldn't pull as long as she could turn her head. Her stuff hung on the stall door in a portable hanging bag, filled with brushes and muscle rubs. Her riding equipment was in his truck, and he'd have to go get it eventually.

He pulled out a curry and began to groom her already-clean coat, making sure all loose hair was out. Quietly he made his way past using the hard brush and soft brush, until all he had left to do was pick Rain's hooves. She nuzzled him when he stood by her head and he stoked her softly, taking great pride in his partner in crime. As he grabbed the pick and turned, something caught his eye. The stall across the isle . . . It was occupied! A palomino stood there in the stall, eating some food. Kade thingyed his head and strode over, pick in hand. He leaned against the stall door, not making a move to touch the horse, but just looking at him. He smiled and moved to turn away, but something caught his eye. In the back of the stall was a girl, head in her arms. She was around his age, he could tell without seeing her face, but something was wrong. He wanted to ask her if she was OK, but rather decided to attempt a joke. "Stalls are for horses, you know," he stated with a joking, soft voice.

His blue/silver eyes flickered around, but he didn't move. "It's nice to finally have another person here. And I'm sure Rain will enjoy actually gazing at another horse rather than an open stall." He pointed back to Rain, who looked at him curiously. "My name is Kade Evans," he said curiously, wondering what her name was. "And forgive me for being forward, but are you feeling OK?" He gazed at her, worried, though horribly trying not to show it.