I stand straighter as I see who it is. I give him a salute and invite him in.
-Good evening sir, please enter.
Cruz-Good evening and please call me Cruz. We're not at work.
-Sir?
Cruz-At ease officer Garcia.
-........
I put myself at ease as he enters the house. He looks at my grandpa and offers his hand to shake.
Cruz-Are you her boyfriend?
We look at each other surprised and we let out a low chuckle.
-No, he's my grandfather. My mom's dad.
Cruz-Oh my, I'm sorry but you look barely less than ten years apart from each other as a maximum age difference. So I assumed, I'm really sorry.
Ha-Is okay, a compliment like that is always welcome.
Cruz-Good, well then, the reason of my visit. I would like to give you a promotion. Ascension.
-I'm sorry but I think maybe you are confusing me with another person.
Cruz-No, is you.
-But, today was only my first day at work.
Cruz-I'm very aware of that but you have a potential that I haven't seen in years. You saved the department of police and gave hope and incentive to the academy to the new recruits again. You gave them back their inspiration.
-What do you want me to do then?
Cruz-Field police agent. Working on the streets. Now you can choose how to transport yourself. Walking, bicycle, car, horseback or a motorcycle if you would prefer. I think that with a slight push in the right direction you can be the best and even surpass all of us in a short period of time. Look, you are young, strong, smart and you have the necessary skills to be the best. You just have to be acknowledged by the others.
-While I do appreciate your offer I don't think I'm that good, at least not yet.
Cruz-Now you're being modest. Tell you what, why don't you think it over and give me a decision tomorrow when you go back to work. Sounds good?
-Yes, is the least I can do.
He takes a card and gives it to me and he goes away with a hopeful smile. I close and look at the card. I let my arm fall at my side. I go to the living room and sit down with grandpa. He mutes the TV as I keep looking at the card in disbelief.
Ha-What are you thinking about?
-I don't understand, why me? I just started today. So, is kind of a huge shock. I don't know if is a prank or if is the truth.
Ha-He looked very honest, I don't think he was lying. You should try it and if it turns out to be a joke, well bad joke but if it's the truth you will be just fine.
-So you're saying I should accept the offer.
Ha-Exactly, take the risk. It will pay out in the end.
-You know, I actually would like to be out on the streets.
Ha-Can I ask what method of transportation you would prefer?
-Horseback. I would prefer to transport using a horse.
Ha-Why?
-Because is the only one that I can pet, talk to if I don't have a partner and I would look totally badass on top of a horse.
He laughs at that last statement before he kicks me out to my room.
Ha-That sounds good now go, out, get to sleep so you can get earlier to work tomorrow and not late as today morning.
-Alright alright, I'm going. Just, do something for me. Make sure I don't sleep in.
Ha-Sure, but do get to sleep.
I give him a quick kiss before I head to sleep. I take a bath and change into my pajamas and I sink in the bed allowing sleep to take me.
When I wake up next morning I prepare normally and when I get downstairs I look at the clock for the first time and I smile as I still have one hour to spare. As I eat my breakfast I hear the principal door as it opens and closes and I take his green smoothie and hide it from him. I take it from the fridge and put it on the floor besides the leg of the table by my side, out of his field of vision and I resume eating my breakfast as he enters the kitchen and he heads for the fridge. I watch as he checks behind everything on the fridge and then he sits down and I watch as he taps his fingers against the table anxiously and taps his foot against the floor. He looks around anxiously and pass a hand through his hair from time to time.
-What's wrong?
Ha-I need my smoothie.
-Why is it so important? Can't you have a glass of water instead.
He shakes his head and looks at me.
Ha-That calms me down. Eases my breathing, it helps me go through the day.
I sigh and I cautiously use my aura to get his smoothie from the floor and around the table to his side. I point him to look and when he does his eyes light up as he takes and drinks it in big gulps. He doesn't put it down until he's finished with it. I watch as he puts it down with a smile.
-Is it really that delicious?
Ha-And healthy. Are you ready for your promotion today?
-Yes, I just hope that the others don't have those rituals of initiation for the newcomers although they will probably play a prank on me or something like that.
Ha-Then I guess I should wish you good luck. Have a good day.
-Thank you, bye.
I put the dishes on the sink and go away to the police academy. When I get there I clock in and go straight to captain Cruz's office. I knock at the door and enter the office afterwards.
Cruz-Hello Garcia. I assume you've come to a decision. Is that right?
-Yes sir.
Cruz-Well, what did you decide?
-I decided to take the offer.
Cruz-Excellent, glad to hear that. Now, what method of transportation would you prefer?
-By horse. When can I start?
Cruz-Right away if you like and feel good about it. But after you choose your horse, come this way.
He stands from his desk and leads me to a stable on the far end of the academy where the horses are. He starts explaining things and methods.
Cruz-Here is the equipment, the horses eat over there, clean up over there, here to the right for when they get sick and there when we let them run wild and free. Oh look, there are some right now? Lucky you, these are the horses without a partner yet. Without a rider. Feel free to choose freely the horse that you like the most, go on, choose one. Keep in mind that he will be your partner until death.
I nod and I look at the horses as they eat when I see the horse. Is completely black and his hair is black as well and long as is his tail with dark red stripes at the points except for one that is pure white and it falls between his eyes every time he stands upright. I watch as it runs and runs, galloping trough the other horses smoothly and fast without bothering them. Moving as if it was part of the wind itself.
-Got you.
Cruz-What was that?
-Oh, sorry, I already decided which one I want.
Cruz-Wich one did you choose?
I point at the black horse on the back.
-That one in the far back.
He opens his eyes wide in surprise and he looks at me.
Cruz-The black one? G e one with the long hair? Black and red and white.
I nod at him smiling.
Cruz-Choose another one.
-What's wrong with that horse?
Cruz-Is just, that horse, no one has been able to get close to him after he came here. They only could get close when he was brought here but not once could we afterwards. No one can get close much less ride him. That's why we baptized him with the name of Storm. Because he's as wild as the wildest storm.
-Then that's the more reason I should get that one.
Cruz-Do you still want that one?
-Yes, I still want him. He'll be my storm.
Cruz-Well then if you're sure. Cadet! Get all the horses except for Storm back to the stables.
The cadet does as instructed and pretty soon Storm is the only one on the field. I change into the horse rider police uniform and as I'm about to enter to ride him pretty much the whole academy is watching from outside the fence. They came to watch me try to ride him. I close the fence door and when I'm about to turn around when the captain stops me for a moment.
Cruz-Be careful, remember to keep eye contact with the horse and stay calm. No sudden movements or it will attack you.
-Rest assured that he will bow down to me. You'll see, have a little faith in me.
He nods and lets me go and I approach the horse slowly. I can see he knows I'm there by the way he moves. I stand in front of him and he puts himself on his back legs repeatedly but I don't move an inch and I don't break eye contact. I lift my hand to him and let it rest with my open palm to him. He takes an aggressive posture so I take a step back and I bow my upper body as a sign of respect, that seems to calm him down a bit as he too takes a step back. I take a step closer to him and he does the same. He lowers his upper body giving a bow of his head to me and stands again. He walks over to me until my stretched hand is touching the front of his nose. I raise my other hand and I pet him a bit more before he steps closer to me rubbing his head against my chest, pushing me back a bit. I look at his back and I stretch my hand out to touch him. I take a deep breath as I touch him slowly, watching his reaction. I put both hands on his back and I pat him slowly, he shakes his head a bit from side to side. I finally manage to get on top of him and he walks back a bit. As is his first time with a rider he is a bit spooked but he stays balanced so I don't fall from him. When he starts kicking wildly with his back legs I grab him from his neck and I start humming in his ear to calm him down. I can feel as the kicks stop and when I'm sure that he is clam I let loose of his neck and I pet him in the side before I give him as light push so he starts walking and before I know it he's at top speed racing across the field with me on his back. He slows down a bit and then he makes a position that I recognize very well. He's about to stand on his back legs. Sure enough he does and when he's back on his four legs he walks slowly to the fence. I sit straighter on his back and I step down from him and he pushes me happily and playfully with his head. I back him away a bit laughing and I watch as he takes a more playful stance. I take a couple of sugar cubes that the captain gave me in case and I put them on my hand as I offer them to him. I see as his attention goes from me to the sugar cubes and he eats them joyfully. I give him a pat on the ass to make him go away and he does but he keeps looking back at me. As I'm about to go outside the fence, some other riders are running towards me to help me but before they can get close to me Storm is between them and me. He stands protectively between us, not trusting the other riders to get close to me. I pat him in the back and he takes some steps back towards me. I take one of the other rider's hand in mine and I put it on his head, at first he backs away but I calm him down enough. He let's the other rider pet him before he goes away convinced that I'm safe with them.
Rider 1-I can't believe you tamed him.
Rider 2-How did you do it?
Rider 1-No one has ever before get close to him and he even bowed to you.
-Easy, I just showed him that I respected him and accepted him as he is. Let him know that I trusted him and I took everything slow. Slow and easy and without forcing him.
Cruz-I must say I'm impressed. You gained yet another prize. The horse, Storm, is yours to keep. Now go and get the equipment so you can patrol the city together.
I nod and after a handshake I call Storm to me with a whistle I take the equipment as he comes over and then I put it on him, making sure it's secure before I ride him. I accommodate on the saddle and take position as I keep him from moving too much just yet.
-I'll show him off discretely. See you next time.
And with that I click my tongue twice and Storm dashes forward at top speed. I go through the streets and I stop at the corner of the street to the house. I take my phone out and I make a group call to my family. Grandpa, grandma, mom, dad and uncle Osiris.
-You all get out at the front door of the house. I mist show you something.
I hang up and wait for them to show. I wait patiently until they tell me they're ready. When my phone rings I answer fast.
-I'm on my way.
I hang up and I give Storm the signal to move slowly and when we're facing in the right direction I click my tongue twice and he rushes forward and when we get to the door to my house I make him slow down and turn around. I take a hand out and motion to Storm and myself.
-So, what do you think?
I step down from Storm and I take him inside to the garden. I walk over to them and smile widely.
-Isn't he adorable?
I hug mom and dad and Storm joins in on the hug, smelling them and he sneezes before he bows to them all.
I see as he familiarizes with my family before he goes to check the other things at the garden respectfully stepping on the stones. He's so smart.
-Where's grandpa? I thought I told all of you should be here to see him.
D-If you would listen for a moment you could find out.
T-He went to the police academy to see you. We figured you would bump into each other and come together afterwards.
D-Go, you might still have a chance to catch him if you go now.
-Got it, thanks. I'll be going now. Bye.
I whistle and as Storm trots to me I go up over one side and as he speeds up I struggle to get on his back again and a second later I feel a push and when I look I see that Storm is using his head to push me up his back. I take a last pull and I finally made it to his back and I laugh out loud as he accelerates. I see the police academy at the distance and I rush Storm to go faster he odes and as we get closer we almost hit someone, if Storm hadn't stop frantically and raise in his back legs we would hit him. Storm turns to the side a bit and he backs down a bit before putting himself on four legs again I calm him down with soft, slow movements. I turn to the person we almost hit.
-Are you okay? You spooked him. He didn't hurt you did he?
He takes his helmet off and I'm stunned by the face behind the helmet. He's so handsome, I could kiss him right now. I'm awoken from my fantasies by a sudden movement from Storm and I calm him down a bit.
Handsome Guy-I'm fine, he stopped just in time to not hit me and, I'm sorry if I scared him.
-Oh no, don't apologize for that. Have you seen a tall guy, around six tall, purple eyes, silver hair, tan skin. Seen him around here?
Handsome Guy-Sorry, haven't seen anyone with that description.
-Shoot, I must've missed him again. Thank you anyways bye.
Handsome guy-You're welcome, I hope to see you again. Oh, my name's Esteban by the way, what's yours?
I turn and I answer with a smile.
-Name's Tikvah. Take care now.
I make my way back to the streets and this time we go slowly. Just walking, I keep an eye out for troublemakers and lawbreakers but everything seems normal and no signs of trouble at all so I decide to take a break. I get down from Storm and as I stretch my muscles I let out a sigh. I tie him up to a post and I enter a restaurant for some food.
-Can I get an apple and some sugar cubes for Storm, my horse.
I point at Storm out the window and she gives me my order. I go out the store and I give Storm his apple which he eats in three bites. I eat my food as well and when I'm finished I throw the leftovers away and I take the laces off of Storm and I walk besides him, leading him with me back to the police academy. This was a calm day, no trouble, no action, nothing. I let out a sigh as my thoughts go back to Esteban, the handsome guy I almost kill by accident. I'm so lost in my own thoughts that I don't notice a car approaching me and almost hitting me if Storm had not pushed me out of the way. I land on the other side of the road and I stand and I look to Storm on the other side as the cars keep passing through. When they finally stop I whistle and he comes trotting to me.
-Thanks for the save back there.
He pushes me happily and I laugh at his happiness taking him again by the laces. When we get back to the academy, before I can even enter I'm greeted by the captain outside.
Cruz-Have a good day, good meaning no problems.
-It was good. Except for when I was coming back.
He looks at me thoughtfully and he crosses his arms.
-I would've been dead or seriously if it weren't for Storm. I almost got hit by a car and he pushed me out of the way. But I'm fine, nothing to worry about.
Cruz-Then why are you here? Your shift is over.
-I came to return Storm to the stables and to clock out on my card.
Cruz-You don't need to return Storm. You can take him home with you if you like. This stables are for the horses without a rider, still on training and for the ones that are sick mostly. When a horse has a rider, he can choose to leave him here or to take it with him to his house.
I look at Storm and I let out a tired laugh.
-Thanks, I really wanted to take him home. Well, I clock out and go home.
I take my card out and clock out. I exit the academy and I whistle for Storm to come. I pull to his back once again and I make my way home with him. Not wanting to stop I use my aura to open the door a bit before we get there and he just passes through the door. I lead him to the backyard and I take the saddle and the rest of the equipment off of him before giving him a sugar cube for the night and I step inside as he goes to sleep in the shadows of the trees.