The Phantom's Daughter

Chapter Two

Humans! Humans, humans everywhere! They surrounded me, and whip me! Drag me with ropes. But I was young and strong and fought back. I reared and struck out with my hooves, I bite and charge and watch them scurry out the way. Yes, I am strong and fierce and wild! Seasons out in the open, away from the cruel human hands had hardened my will, unwilling to be handled, unwilling to be trained.

They are trying to get me underground! In the cold, unfeeling dark, where I will be trapped and where I will stay and they will never release me! No no no! Never in the dark again! Never trapped in the dark cordiers again, not feeling the light, no no no! I will never go down there again!

Many more humans surrounded us looking, their faces in awe at my power and the struggle. I heard a few say I needed to be shot—too wild, too fierce, what they’d do to tame me to be docile. Ha! Let them try! Pierre already tried that. But I escaped, I was let go, and I was free. Never again would I trust the hands of man—they are brutal beasts; they are the ones that need to be shot and beat until docile!

I pulled and kicked and struggled, biting where I could and screaming. Giving up, the men pulled me towards a paddock nearby. I was not dumb. I knew that I could not keep up this fight. So I let them direct me to the paddock. At least I could move around. Anything to get their hands off me. I pulled on my ropes, towards the paddock. As soon as they knew I’d end up through the gates they let me go with my ropes. But I would not stay there—oh no, I would give them a show! I tore across my little paddock bucking and kicking, showing off my great majesty and strength. I was a beast for sure! I was a handsome beast, with thick feathered hooves and a long, thick flowing mane and tail, tangled and matted but still handsome looking.

But they shook their heads in disgrace. “What’s it worth? He could never be tamed. Best to shoot him. Starve him till he’s tame. Beat him to learn him who's boss.” Ha! Let them try! I had known the fierce hand of man and I will never go back to that. Pierre was cruel and tried to break us, but he could not. And then the little girl set us free.

I had tasted freedom for many months; I had grown and matured in freedom, galloping around the French countryside, jumping into pastures to mate with mares. Life was good until I was caught, and they loved my confirmation and my beauty and my black coat. They wanted me to be a circus horse! To perform on stage!

But I would show them. I would not be tamed. I will not be their circus animal. I would never go back. Never never never.

Never.