And So It Begins

    Matthew spent the whole night quietly watching the herd. Occasionally one would wake up, and the previous one on lookout would doze off. He was enthralled. As the sun began to crest over the hilltops, all four horses slowly woke from their slumber, trotting off toward the mountains in a single file line down a slim trail. He took a moment to think, then slowly turned and went to lay down in his bed, a huge grin spread over his face.
    In the next few days, Matthew had little time to think about the wild horses. His mother had returned from the movie shoot and was busy barking orders at his father and everyone else who came into close contact with her. His birthday party was a more quiet affair. He had only invited three kids from school. He wouldn't really call them friends, but they were people with which he passed the time with. Thomas adopted a new puppy and named her Tesil. Chance had taken quite a liking to her, and Matthew was busy keeping him otherwise occupied.
    His first few days as a teenager were rather like those as a child. He did his homework diligently, went to school, and played with Chance. However it didn't last very long. On a warm Saturday, Matthew took Chance to the pool. He was dying for a little swim, as was Chance. When he got there, it wasn't too busy; only a few of the older ladies from the neighborhood were lying on pool chairs tanning. Matthew smiled to himself, and wasted no time jumping into the cool water. He splashed around a little, swam a few laps, then jumped out. Chance got out of the pool as well, shaking himself vigorously.
     Matthew smirked at him, then took out his favorite ball and began a game of fetch. It lasted perhaps an hour, before Chance started panting with exertion. Matthew patted his head, then dried him off thoroughly. Chance barked, then bounded out the gate. Laughing, Matthew followed the spotted dog through the pool gate, rounding the corner toward home....and stopped dead. For there, in front of him, was the herd of wild horses. Right in the middle of town and in broad daylight no less. The frisky younger mare was taking a roll on the grass while the rest of the herd stood around idly. Matthew gasped, pausing for a moment to watch them before skirting their edge and dashing toward the library.

Change Isn't Always Bad

Weeks passed, and Matthew didn't see the stallion again. He became busy with school and taking care of Chance. He made sure to do his homework every night, lest his mother ground him. Afternoons were spent walking Chance, and playing various games with the dog.

When he wasn't busy with Chance, Chance was busy digging holes and other troublesome things.

 Being outside all the time though, Chance quickly got fleas. Thomas had to give him a bath. 

 Since Matthew was at school he took him to the park and trained him to hunt.

 Sabrina got a new boyfriend, Josef. She now spends a vast majority of her time on dates with him or out shopping with her friends.

 

Every thing seemed good. Matthew had almost forgotten the stallion he had seen that night. It was going to be his birthday soon and he was busy setting up his party. His mom was off on some acting shoot, which really meant she was shacking up with some guy again, so Matthew was left on his own to handle his party. But, as fate would have it, the night before the party, the herd appeared again on the edge of his lot.

 

The horses were exhausted from running all afternoon. The wranglers had been after them again, as the value of wild horses was extremely high at the moment. Matthew stood among them for a few moments, watching them sleep as the older black mare stood watch.

First Encounters

    It was a warm night when Matthew Hall first met the stallion he would later adopt and name Commodore. His mother and father, as well as his older sister Sabrina, had just moved to the quiet country town Appaloosa Plains. It was his parents hope to escape the hustle and bustle of Bridgeport. 

    His father, Thomas, was a slightly over-weight, human-sized teddy bear. A pushover at best, succumbing to every whim of his mother, but a good guy in the eyes of everyone in town. 

    Sandra, his mother, however, was the sort of woman you hate, but smile and have tea with so she doesn't ruin your reputation and take away everything that matters. She was at the top of her acting career, and was rarely home. Rumor has it she was involved in a multitude of affairs with various directors and fellow actors.

   His sister Sabrina, well it was like any typical sibling format. Matthew lived to make her life difficult, and she his. She was obsessed with her cat Kitty, and talking on the phone with all her friends she had left behind in Bridgeport.

   And Matthew? He was the scrawny, dorky kid everyone avoided. Sporting a wide cowboy hat, overalls, and cowboy boots he was the epitome of a kid dreaming of bigger things. And he was.

   While his family was unpacking their things and settling into their new house, something caught Matthew's eye. A small herd of wild horses was on their lot. Two older mares, a younger mare and a stallion milled about the light pole grazing and socializing. Matthew couldn't believe his eyes. He stood dumbstruck, watching them intently. After a few moments, he decided he would like to pet one at least before Thomas began to wonder where he was.

   As subtly as a gobsmacked kid can, he approached the large stallion but before he could get close enough to touch him, the stallion whistled loudly rearing up and galloping off into the hills, the herd following close behind him. Rather dejectedly, Matthew turned and went to his room. Chance, his rather large and goofy dog was sprawled on his bed. He smiled to himself, and laid down to go to sleep. He wouldn't rest until he had that stallion.