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.