And here comes the devil...

[Speak of the Devil]

A truck rattled into the driveway, screams erupting from the trailer that tagged along behind it. Loud clatters shook the steel trailer, many dents had been made in the walls. Onlookers stared open mouthed, wondering what kind of beast was inside of the walls of the trailer. Another squeal and bang was heard. Anybody could tell that the horse inside was not happy, not happy at all.

I couldn't stand horse trailers. I hated them. It was a million degrees in these things, like it had been in fire. I was terrified, angry and tired. Where were those damned humans taking me? I had been in trailers before, don't get me wrong, but after the fire, I decided these things plus humans were the cause of the fire. They must have started it and said 'Oh jolly lets leave Diablo last so he can get burned.' I shook angrily, my eyes darted around the trailer, showing their whites. I'd have to admit, I was absolutely terrified. Another scream made it's way up my throat and into the air. Finally the ramp dropped, light flooded in.

Whoever the man was that thought he was so brave and put me in here, I'd get him back. The very same man just happily stomped inside the trailer, walking to untie my lead. I snaked my head over as far as I could and took a chunk out of him. With a satisfied sigh I turned back placidly and walked out, rearing as soon as I could.

OOC: Crap post, auction post will be better.

[Ashley Whitecross]

Ashley contentedly strolled down the aisles of her new facility, admiring the hard work she had put it to bring the old barn back to its former glory. Everything was so clean and professional looking. To be honest with herself, Ashley never thought she would end up getting so lucky with owning her first barn. Sighing deeply, she thought to herself how incredibly awesome this was. She couldn't kid herself. The butterflies in her stomach made her feel like the first time she found out a boy in her class liked her or like Christmas morning before her parents let her see all the presents underneath the tree in the living room.

The end of the aisle came upon her all too quickly, the bright afternoon sun slightly blinding her and causing her to shade her eyes. In the distance, Ashley could see an unfamiliar trailer in the driveway. Ah, she thought, it must be the new horse, Diablo. Confirming her thoughts, she witnessed the driver unload the black Peruvian stallion. The minute the Peruvian Paso had headway, he leaped skyward, making his prescence, and anger, known. Ashley felt a pang of pity for this gorgeous equine, who obviously was troubled. Despite his angst, she couldn't help but admire him. He was a very beautiful horse.

Ashley was soon next to Diablo's trailer. "Hey guys," she spoke, addressing the driver and the horse in a friendly, genuine tone of voice. She looked over to the man with the lead rope. "Rough trip? she asked, already almost positive of the answer she would recieve. She then glanced over at Diablo, who was still distressed. "Hey there fella." She didn't offer her hand or lay one on him just yet. He needed to relax a little first, as she didn't want to frighten or anger him any more than he already was. Her soft, brown eyes, however, never left his as she tried to understand what must have happened to him.

[Speak of the Devil]

My ebony coat shook slightly as I begun to shiver with fear. My eyes showed mixed emotions of terrible fear and fury. I looked around briefly, many humans were staring at me. I reared again and shook my neck which at this point was rather thin, I had been refusing to eat for several days now. My ribs were just beginning to show, vaguely hiding the previous burn marks to the fire. My face was slightly bony from refusing to eat, but still it held the incredible beauty and free will I brought with me everywhere. But the free-will was gone, replaced with confusion, fear and anger since the fire. Before the fire I had been a lovely horse, willing and friendly. I was the horse of everybody's dreams, everyone wanted to have me or at least ride me. When I moved I floated, all because of the extreme happiness I felt daily. But now, I drug my feet, moving with sorrow.

Gone was the everyday happiness. Gone. My harks flicked as another human approached, she begun to speak in words no horse would every understand, never. I turned back to the man as he begun to speak. "Not just rough trip, rough life." he said with a sigh. "Never met a horse so sad, I've heard he used to be a dream, but now it is hard to believe." I shook my head and tried to pull away, snaking my head in anger, pelt still shaking. Get away, I cried in my head. The man took a step away, flicking the lead at me so I wouldn't bite him again, he was still bleeding from before. I jumped sideways and squealed with rage, but I stayed in my place, giving the man a stare down, finally I left him alone, lipping at grass but not letting it enter my mouth, I still wasn't eating.

"He hasn't been eating lately, he's gone to therapy before, never worked. He is one sad horse." the man said with another sad sigh. "Now he is up for sale for cheap, we really hope this will be the proper place for him, otherwise it is the end of the line for him."

[Ashley Whitecross]

No matter how hard she tried, Ashley couldn't see the past she wished didn't trouble this horse as much as it had. He trembled, his actions unpredictable and driven by fear. You poor thing, she tried to convey to him silently. As the man who held him spoke, Ashley tried to picture what Diablo was before his terrible accident. As she looked at him, she could see the real Diablo, and what he would look like with the proper care and handling.

The lead rope was passed to her, and she gripped it tightly, making sure Diablo couldn't tear free from human hands. What a disaster that would be. The stallion dropped his bony head to the grass beneath him, yet simply held it in his mouth. Ashley could see he had no will to eat anything. He was a seriously depressed horse. The man was saying something to her, but Ashley was lost in this stallion's eyes. The only words she heard were "end of the line for him". The thought of such a thing could've brought tears to her eyes. It just wasn't fair to him. He deserved a chance to live the life he used to live, without fearing everything around him.

"We'll take good care of him," she replied, in a soft tone of voice. She looked at Diablo, and then to the man. She nodded thanks for him for driving him out here before getting ready to bring Diablo into the barn. She softly tugged the rope in her hands, not pushing him too much. However, he needed to relax. Maybe, perhaps, even eat a little something.

[Speak of the Devil]

As she took the lead rope the man remembered one more thing to say. "Now whatever you do, make sure he never sees fire or gets too hot. Fire is what screwed him up, anything that resembles it will terrify him and anger him." the man smiled sadly then hopped into his truck, waving a last goodbye, mostly to the horse, but maybe a little bit to the barn owner. Through the review mirror he saw the black steed plant his feet and refuse to move.

I wasn't following this girl. Who did she think she was? I snorted and pinned my ears back warningly, daring her to provoke me further. Why was I mad? Even I didn't know, maybe my fear was to be taken out on humans. In the dreadful day of the fire, my life had rested on their shoulders, I had trusted them, and they had only betrayed me. The memory made me shiver slightly, I began to walk, shuffling slowly and sadly, my eyes still showing nothing but fear. I was frightened, I hated stalls. I hated barns. But all of it was part of a horses life.

As we entered the barn I felt sick with fear. I planted my feet again and looked desperately at the rolling acreage, wishing I could be out there, running away from my past life. Running forever, knowing that the chase would never ever end, never. I sighed again, only knowing I'd have to be standing for hours. I put on my most annoyed face and pinned my ears back again before following the girl. If any human was smart they would hopefully get my message. 'I hate this but I'll go anyway.'

[Ashley Whitecross]

Ashley expected Diablo's response. His pinned ears told her none other than that the stallion was pissed. She felt the tension in the lead rope as Diablo stood his ground, not wanting to budge. However, he eventually began to drag his feet and follow her. The sadness in his eyes pained Ashley. No horse should have to live this way. She had second thoughts about putting him in a stall. The way he glanced out at the large, fenced pastures only confirmed her doubts. This boy needed some serious time to himself. He was in no shape for the sale barn whatsoever.

Ashley turned towards the pastures and urged Diablo forward with her. his rehabilitation was going to start now. She wouldn't let this poor horse waste away in misery like this. It was going to change.

(This thread is complete. Andy, I know you're good to roleplay here anyway, haha. Feel free to respond one more time here and then I'll make a post in the pastures.)