Below are various pieces created merely for exercise or left unfinished.
Colt's Revenge - An exercise in writing for a Western.
The sight of it is too much for Colt to bear. His legs give way underneath him and he falls to the floor. The image burnt into his eyelids, his stomach relieves itself of its contents. With a shaking hand, he wipes the strings of vomit from his mouth and steels himself. He rises from the ground and surveys the stables. The once comforting aroma of hay and horse manure now soiled with the stench of blood and death. He gags once more.
The sight of it is too much for Colt to bear. His legs give way underneath him and he falls to the floor. The image burnt into his eyelids, his stomach relieves itself of its contents. With a shaking hand, he wipes the strings of vomit from his mouth and steels himself. He rises from the ground and surveys the stables. The once comforting aroma of hay and horse manure now soiled with the stench of blood and death. He gags once more.
Colt passes through the stables assessing the damage, his boots sticking to the blood soaked floor. Opening each stable door, he avoids the frozen stares and lolling tongues. Hot tears trickle from his eyes, leaving trails across his dirty cheeks. It’s so quiet in here... I never realised how noisy you all were.
With a sigh he enters the final stable and collapses against the wall, sobbing.
He crawls over to the foal lying on the floor and strokes its bloodstained mane. The foal neighs softly and stirs under his touch. Shocked, Colt moves back to the wall and stares at the foal as it rises from the floor, sobs of relief racking his body.
Just over a month old, Phantom was still a little shaky in the legs. Colt moves slowly towards the foal, cooing reassuringly. “Shhh, it’s alright. Shhh now.”
With shovel like hands, he scoops up Phantom and carries him out of the barn. Colt nestles his face into the horses back, revelling in horse’s aroma. Fresh tears fall as he heads out of the barn. “Let’s get you cleaned up, eh?”
Dusk was settling on the horizon, the clouds ablaze in the setting sun. A strong breeze kicks up dust from the sandy wastes as the crickets start their chattering.
He carries Phantom over to the well and places him gently on the floor. Colt pulls up the water bucket and takes a soothing mouthful. He clicks with his tongue. Phantom trots over and starts nibbling at patch of dried grass. Colt’s strong hands move gently over the horse’s body and legs, checking for any signs of injury. Satisfied, he unhooks the bucket and pours the water across the foals back and head. Phantom whinnies as the cold water runs down his flanks and he shakes all over. Colt allows himself a smile as he places the bucket in front of the thirsty foal and starts scrubbing off the blood and dirt.
Night draws in as the blood is washed away. A bright half-moon rises and the stars flicker into view. Colt shivers as the wind blows tumbleweeds across the dry ground.
He guides Phantom over to the hay barn and ties him up. Colt enters the ranch-house, grabs some blankets and returns to the barn, making a hay-bed for the young horse. Untying Phantom, he leads him into the barn and the foal quickly settles on the hay-bed and falls asleep. Colt grabs a blanket and throws it over the horse’s lithe frame and pats his neck gently.
Why did they leave you alive, eh?
