Demon 3

by Summer
(PMB South Africa)

The thud on my right shoulder sent me sprawling back. And in those valuable moments the men escaped with my mother dragged behind them. I run after my mother but they slammed the gate in my face and no matter how hard I tried I could not get at her. I watched how they dragged her struggling and screaming into a small trailer that would have been more suitable for a cow or sheep than a massive horse. After a lot of beating they managed to cram her in and lock the gate. Then the trailer moved of.
I paced crazily up and down the paddock fence, calling for her. She turned her head and between the bars of the trailer she saw me and whinnied. And that was the last I saw of my mom.


My life changed after that. I had seen the men beat my mother and that it changed me. Because I was a horse who’d rather hate than fear, I hated those men more than ever and never let down a chance to make their life as miserable as possible. Just the sight of them drove me crazy and while the other horses ran away, I charged at them. They started to fear me. I had become a devil, a monster, a killer, and because I was a natural leader, that where worried that the other might learn from me.
Although at first when they had shot me on my shoulder I had not felt anything but a thud, the pain came afterwards. It was terrible- and I suffered a lot. I soon found hat I was unable to use that leg and had to limp around. But that did not stop me rebelling against my owners. In fact, that only added more fuel to my fire of hatred because I knew it was they, the men that had caused my injury and all the pain that came from it. When I looked I could see all the dry crusted blood around my wound.
I must have caused more trouble than I was worth because one day, a few men came over to our field. As usual, I charged at them, daring them to come inside. But simply stood there and it took me no time to see that they where pointing something at my head. There was a familiar bang and I saw something whizzing past my eye and hit me with great force on my shoulder- next to my old wound. This time I felt the intense, overpowering pain almost immediately. In fright I reared up, neighing in anguish. As I came down, a stinging pain shot up my leg. I felt myself staggering then slowly dropping to my knees. The next thing I knew was that the men where around me, tying up my legs. I felt faint but I struggled in vain. Then I was dragged towards a waiting truck. The rough ground tore at my skin till my skin wore out and my flesh was visible. I seemed to be in a dream- a nightmare- where I had lost all control of myself. It was only when they lifted me up into the truck did I come to my senses. Taking the men by surprise, I suddenly began struggling with all my might. I had to get free, I just had to. I knew where they were taking me. I wasn’t going there. No, I would never let them kill me. I would fight, fight till my last breath.
And with that, I gathered all the remaining strength in my body I struggled against the ropes that held my legs together. I fought against the men who began shouting and beating me. There was a sudden tearing sound and I found my legs where free. With a great heave I scrambled to my feet and bit wildly at everyone around me. The pain in my shoulder was great beyond imagination but I was too furious to take much notice of it.
I would probably go on fighting if I had not heard another bang. This time I felt nothing but I suddenly noticed that all the men where running for cover. And in front of me was a fence and an open gate. And beyond that lay hills and fields and woods for as your eye could see. And there, invisible to the human eye, laid my dream. I tossed my head and neighed a neigh of triumph before trotting through the open gate. And with the happiest of hearts, I embraced my freedom.
To be continued…….