Broken [In Revision 2023]

Chapter 10 - Restart

Jake awoke to the sound of thunder, the sky outside his window was carved in two by a bolt of lightning. His head pounded from yesterday's mistakes. He shuffled his way to the bathroom, cautious of the chaos on the floor that threatened to snare his ankles. The light didn't work, he tried it twice.

The hallway light was out too, and the kitchen. He grabbed his coat and walked out into the storm. The horses were unsettled, they whinnied for his attention and ran circled around their paddocks. He reset the breaker and was relieved when the kitchen and porch lights came back on.

He zipped his coat up to his chin and set about the task of bringing the horses inside. Dezi came in easily, she was grateful to be out of the wind and rain. Moonie was more of a challenge, the weather had whipped him into a frenzy, he jumped at everything almost flattening Jake against the side of the barn.

Jake took his time to catch Sunny, the sedative had worn off and Jake was expecting it to take forever to catch him. But the horse took him by surprise, it only took a couple of back steps to draw the horse close enough to accept the halter.

Sunny was ready to be out of the storm, he jogged alongside Jake, partially pulling him towards the sanctuary of the barn. Dezi squealed at him as he walked past and took her frustration out on the door frame.

"Knock it off Dez, he's one of us now so be nice," Jake said firmly, he led Sunny into the stable next to Moonie.

Dezi pinned her ears back and pulled a face.

"You too, Moonie." Jake patted the giant chestnut horse's neck.

He pulled some fresh hay out of the loft and threw a section in each of the horses' hay racks. Jake worked quickly to scrape the excess water off the rain-soaked horses, throwing a fleece blanket over the back of Dezi and Moonie and stuffing it with fresh straw to help them dry.

Jake rummaged through the leftover tack and equipment for something that might fit Sunny. He had no choice but to carefully introduce the flowery pink rug to Sunny, it was all he had and the horse needed to dry properly to stop him getting sick.

Sunny snorted a few times, but the warmth offered by a blanket and straw soon overruled his objections. His body ached from the sedation and prolonged shivering. He was grateful to have some degree of comfort.

Jake left the light on in the barn and closed the door. His bed was calling him again, the cold had magnified his headache to the point he was falling a bit sick. Sleep took him as soon as he closed his eyes.

*****

Sunny snorted at the strange object in the middle of the arena, Jake's line forcing him to take a step closer. He tried to pull away, but the direction shifted and pulled him off balance.

Jake drove him forward once more, keeping him moving as he took up position beside the saddle. He watched the horse intently, waiting for the signs, changes in posture to indicate the search for connection.

Sunny's left ear locked onto Jake, his eye still focused on the mass of leather at Jake's feet. He lowered his head, his chin hovering above the sandy surface, and made chewing motions with his mouth.

The pressure dropped, Jake had stopped chasing and was now turned so his back was facing the bewildered stallion. Sunny slowed to a walk and closed the distance until he could rest his nose in the small of Jake's back.

Jake could feel the warm breath tickle the back of his neck as the horse sniffed at his hair. In a swift but cautious manner, he turned to face Sunny and ran his hand down the stallion's face. The horse didn't move.