It was just another Saturday morning in the Old West. I woke in my bedroom and stared around my room at the stained glass of the horse and girl: I had observed in the past that the horse was dark brown with 4 white socks on his feet and a little blotch of white lay in the middle of its forehead while the girl with her yellow hair tied back in a ponytail with feeding the horse a red apple, and as I looked adjacent from that I saw the picture I took of the horse I ride out at R.O.C.K. of a grey Arabian gelding horse named Kashan—that picture was placed on the wall behind where I lay. He looked like he was staring back at me. I felt my body get heavy, and as I lay on my back I whispered, "Man, I can't believe I'm the only person here—it seems like...who doesn't have a horse."

Just then I sprang up from my bed, grabbed my favorite black jacket—the one with the picture of the red rose and the words Himalayas Katmandu etched on the back, and ran into the living room. "Hey mom, I'm going out" I yelled, passing through.

"Okay dear, just be back at five..." she paused, before I could ask why; she said, "I have a surprise for you" she winked.

"Alright, mom; all be back at five..." I paused, then added—in a low voice. "If I have to" I growled. Hinting that she's tricked me by saying that before,

I headed out, and ran next door to Kailey's house. The only other person like me—I mean, the only other person like me who doesn't own a horse.

While it may be true that we don't own a horse we do ride on occasion.

As I approached the house, I began to have second thoughts. "Why am I here?" I asked myself. I rummaged through the thoughts in my mind, trying to find any sign of reasoning in this. But, I found none—nothing as to explain my presents into coming here. Nevertheless, I went up the walkway leading up to Kailey's house. When I knocked on the door I was greeted by Kailey's mother.

"Oh, hi...Sydney" she seemed surprised. "What brings you here?"

"I, I...I—don't know" I stammered.

"You don't know?" she frowned. "Well, I guess since you're here, do you want to see Kailey?"

"Yes," I replied. "This is my chance, to find out why I'm here..." I paused, mid-deep in thought. "...yeah, maybe she'll have an explanation...for this" I finished my thought. As I walked in, slowly; I heard her mom shout "Kailey! Oh, Kailey!" Kailey came downstairs; hugged me, and said.

"Hi, Sydney! How are you?"

"Good" I replied, fatly. She waited for me to ask the same to her.

"Hi, Kailey! How are you?"

"Good, good. Actually great." She almost screamed in spite of herself.

"Why?" I asked, with great caution.

"Because..." She paused.

"Because what?" I said, eagerly.

"Because, I'm getting a horse!"

"You're kidding" I squealed. She looked at me dumbfounded.

"I never kid about..." she paused. "Why would you think I..." she broke off. Then she burst out laughing, as she said. "Oh, you thought I meant..." then she paused, looking at me with great concern, I must have looked confused. Suddenly, I saw her face turn from an: are you crazy? hilarious face to a more serious-surprised combo one. As she exclaimed, "Oh, you're serious!" I heard her squeak the saying out.

"You got that right. Why would I lie?" I cocked my head.

"Wait...what are you talking about?" she sounded confused.

"Why, your horse!"

"My...my horse?" she blurted out the question. "Yes, your horse"

"My horse" she repeated. "Oh, you must mean my new Breyer horse."

"No, I mean...your real horse."

"What? A real horse! I don't have..." she paused. Looking at me with wide-eyed. "Oh, you were serious?" I rolled my eyes, and did a half-smile like chuckle; as I said,

"Uh, dah"

"Oh..." she said, feeling dumb. "Look Sydney, I'm really sorry" she shrugged her shoulders as she added, "but, what did you expect?" I broke in.

"Well, I thought that—you...had...a...real...horse" I stammered on that last sentence a bit.

"Well, I don't!" she roared, "and thanks for bringing that up!" she roared again. I watched her as she buried her face in her hands as she ran into her room crying. Just then Kailey's mom came in,

"W...what happened?"

"I...I—don't know I just talking to Kailey, and..." I broke off. Looking down I sighed, "We were talking about two different things" a tear slipped out of my eye.

"What were the two different things?"

"Real horses and Breyer ones, I seemed to think that Kailey was talking about having a real horse..." I sniffed, "Instead of..."

"A model?"

I nodded, looking up slightly.

"Oh, dear" Kailey's mother sighed. "Well, you better go talk to her right away—and straighten this out"

I ran up the stairs, and soon I came across her room, the door was closed, but not locked. I opened it carefully to find her there, sitting on the side of her bed, her back to me.

I went and sat next to her on the edge of the bed where I tried to comfort my friend.

"I—I'm so sorry Kailey" I murmured, rubbing her back.

"It's okay" she sniffed, "You didn't know..."

"Okay well, I'm going to go ahead and leave now, I have no idea why I came over in the first place"

"Oh okay"

I said my goodbyes to her and her mom before walking out the door; once I left her house I looked at my watch—it was only 9:00. "Did I really wake up that early?" I thought to myself as I walked among the tall grass towards my home.

In the distance I heard I deep shrill, I forced my head up and over facing the direction of which it came.

"It's coming from the woods," I thought beginning to run, I ran and ran until I came to what looked like a wooden Popsicle stick looking building.

"Hmmm..." I thought, stroking my invisible beard; my curiosity peeked, the sign outside read "Halt and Welcome to the U.S Calvary". "Calvary hmmm..." I thought about going in and just explore for a mere minute. "It'd be okay, it's only 9:30 and after all my mom doesn't expect me home until 5 so I have approximately... 8 hours left before I have to return home" I concluded, venturing in.

I opened the big, heavy doors—imminently I saw I saw a bunch of horses, no diversity whatsoever, just all brown ones.

"How sad," I thought to myself, with no people in sight I decided to look around. I went up to one of the horses.

"Hey boy," I said, rubbing his nose—he nuzzled me in the arm and nipped at my hair. 'Hey, hey cut it out' I giggled, the horse whinnied playfully. "Are you alone? Where's your master?" I questioned, with that his ears pricked up with just pure terror in his eyes. Someone came out of one of the little wood buildings attached to the facility.

"Oh no!" I thought, hoping to not get caught uninvited I ducked down and hide in some nearby hay.

"Hello? Who's here!?" he barked, I observed that he was very well dressed. More than that of a stable boy, he looked around for a couple of seconds, sweat dripped down my neck and my breathing grew shallower and shallower as he came near; he was so engrossed in his search that he didn't hear the gruff voice calling his name.

"Sargent!" the voice said it, again and again, a few more times before walking in the direction of the stables.

The boy turned around to face his boss, "The Colonel" they called him.

"Colonel," he said surprised, "what are you doing here?"

"Why, looking for you Sargent Johnson; I recently got a call from a few of our boys while they were camping near a field home to several Mustangs..."

"... and did they find anything?" Sargent John questioned, still searching the stables.

"Well... yes" The Colonel stated stroking a few tufts of hair under his chin. "... They said that one of the mustangs' just wandered into their camp one day, anyway they caught it and..." he paused, thinking of what to say next. "Well—just come and see for yourself" he finally finished.

"I will in a sec" Sargent Johnson told him. "I just have to finish up something first" he replied, continuing his search.

"Very well then" his boss stated, "Hey, what are you looking for anyway"

"I thought I hear someone in here" John replied.

"John, I'm not paying you to make up stories" he barked,

"But... but I'm not making this up sir, I really did hear something"

"Yeah right," he chuckled, looking around. "I don't see anything"

"Sir, I swear—I really DID hear someone in here"

"Whatever John," The Colonel said rolling his eyes. "Now come on, let's go see this mustang I hear he's a beaut"

He sighed, discouraged then said "Coming"

I sighed in relief as he left the stables with the Colonel, I slowly crept out of my hiding place.

"A mustang? I'd like to see that!" I squealed at the thought as I slowly left the stables and headed for the area where I saw a beautiful Kiger Mustang, I ducked down as I saw two guys trying to walk it in the big doors, I was shocked to see a halter made entirely out of rope on his beautiful face. I could almost imagine it cutting into its flesh.

"Well, well, well..." The Colonel reported once they got close. "What do we have here?"

"We found him by the supply wagon sir!" the two sergeants, George and O'Bryan replied.

"Hmmm," The Colonel thought, holding up a twig and placing it under the mustangs' chin. "The Army has dealt with wild horses before. This one will be no different". And with that the stallion chomped, bending the twig.

"What should we do with him?" Sargent John asked.

"Well John, I should have..." he started.

"What? Man, is his mane ever long" John stated, walking over to the mustang—he reached out a hand to run his fingers through the long, black, mane.

"Careful John" the colonel warmed,

"Yeah, yeah" he stated in a sarcastic and overly annoyed tone. Reaching his hand outward towards the mustang; that's when the unthinkable happened... the mustang reared and tried to bite.

"John!" the colonel cried, "Get back"

John quickly pulled his hand away, "Man, that horse is wild" he exclaimed, turning to the colonel.

"Agreed" he replied

Just then Murphy came out, "Well, we'll see how wild he is when I'm done with him".

I watched in secret as the blacksmith lead the mustang into a four-wooden pole box so he would be sure to stand perfectly still, he brought out some weird looking succors and began cutting at that beautiful mane. I was about to totally flip out, just then the stallion bite at Murphy's hand. He moved back as he dodged it.

"You wanna do ya?" he replied, as he moved on to the hoofs, a few of the men tried the hoofs back to the post, "Make sure that's good and tight," he said, razing a hammer.

He banged the first horseshoe on, but the stallion managed to kick him in the face and behind—after two more tie-downs, they decided that to keep him from biting that they would tie a bag-muzzle around the stallion. They managed to successfully do it once, but by the second time—he got ready to brand him by then.

I watched horrified as I saw the blacksmith holding up a big, hot, and smoking banding metal stick, thankfully the mustang managed to struggle his way out of the bag-end the people had used to muzzle his muzzle, he pulled his nose completely out of it. Staring angrily at the man he banged his large head into the man's, knocking him down.

I sighed with relief, thankful that the mustang wasn't hurt.

"How horrible it must be to get branded," I thought,

The Colonel frowned "Sargent!"

"Which sergeant are you referring to?"

"Ummm, Sergeant John" walking over to the colonel the sergeant replied, "Yes"

"I'd like for you to: Tie this horse to the post. No food or water. Three days".

"Are you sure sir, he doesn't seem to be hurting anyone—well, not on purpose?"

"Are you going soft on me, newbie?"

"No sir, it's just that..."

"Then do as I say, or else"

"Sure thing sir, right away sir" John replied in a half panicked, half scared tone. He went over to the mustang, he noticed that the mustangs' eyes were glowing red with anger and hatred.

To ease the tension, Sergeant John petting him and talked softly to him before unlatching him from his standing prison.

As they walked over towards a little wooded corral with one big post sticking out of the center of it, the sergeant secretly felt bad for the poor horse; but he couldn't let the others know—they would tease him constantly for sure.

As he reached the corral he commanded the mustang to "Stay there" as he unlatched the lock on the little corral area.

He led the horse through the gate to the post; as he tied the lead rope from around the horses' head to the post he began to think again about the horse and if this was the right thing to do.

He sighed, knowing what the answer would be. As he turned to leave, he glanced back at the mustang; the mustang looking at him with big, sad eyes.

"Sorry boy, orders are orders" he sighed again, latching the gate behind him.

Some days later two sergeants brought in a small dark-skinned boy, as they dragged him past the mustang, he grunted and turned his head.

"Whatcha looking at boy?" one of the sergeants said, hitting the boy in the head.

Once they got up to the colonel, the colonel replied. "A Lakota, not as tall as the Cheyenne, not as fine featured as the Crow".

"Corporal, take him to the stockades"

"Not the stockades, the post. No food or water"

A few hours after he was tied down, night began to fall and I decided it would be a good idea to come out of hiding,

I snuck home as my watch said that it was after midnight, as I looked through the front window I could see my cell on the coffee table—I quietly opened the door and quickly retrieved it.

"Wow, mom sure is a heavy sleeper," I thought to myself, as I quickly wrote a note to her explaining everything—just then I heard footsteps, they kept growing louder and louder until...

"Where have you been?" my mom yawned,

"Oh, just out..."

"Out where?"

"Just... this place...called The Calvary"

"The Calvary?" she said alarmed, "that's good to know..."

"It is?"

"Yes, it's been three days since I've seen you—I've been so worried, but now since I know where you've been all this time I've got nothing to fear"

"Oh..." I said, raising my eyebrows.

"Yes... wait what's that?" she pointed to the note.

"Oh that... well it's just saying that I'll be sleeping at the Calvary tonight"

"Oh okay, just promise me you'll be home by five tomorrow"

"I promise" I reassured her.

"Well okay..." she sighed,

"Thanks, mom" I replied, as I headed out the door.

I snuck into the Calvary once again, as I walked past the boy on my way to the stables I heard him say in a soft voice. "Hi, I'm Little Creek... who are you?"

"Names... Sydney" I replied,

"Nice to meet you Sydney," he said,

"You too" I replied, "Now if you don't mind I have to make my way to the barn"

"Why?" he asked me.

"Well, to sleep... I'll sleep there tonight and sneak out tomorrow"

"Okay, see you then" he replied,

I waved as I made my way back to the barn, opening the heavy doors I went over to the brown horses' inside.

They whinnied a 'hello' to me as I explained to them that I was going to stick around with them that night and keep them company.

I crouched down in some soft hay, I looked around for a feed bag to use as a pillow, I scanned the barn for one and once my eyes came to rest on one leaning against a post, I dragged it out and placed it near that big pile of hay.

Laying my head down on the bag, I said goodnight to the horses around the barn as I nestled into some hay that I decided to use as a blanket, closing my eyes I went into a deep sleep.

...

At the crack of dawn the next day I was suddenly jerked awake by the sound of a trumpet blaring.

"Oh great..." I groaned with a yawn. "Talk about a wake-up call" I replied standing up, walking over to where the horses' were, and stroking one of them gently on the nose.

Once I exited the barn; I spotted the boy Little Creek still tried to the post. I walked along till I came close,

"Hi" I whispered

"Well, hi again" he replied, "Ummm, Sydney right?"

"That's me..." I replied proudly. "And... if I'm not mistaken your name's, Little Creek"

"That's right" he chuckled, "Glad you remembered"

"Yeah me too" I replied softly.

"Hey, why are you whispering?"

"Ummm, well..." I looked around nervously, my eyes darting from left to right like mad.

"Sydney" he frowned,

"Okay, if I tell you; do you promise not to tell anyone—and by anyone I mean..." I gestured my gaze towards the colonel,

"Oh, I promise" he replied,

"Okay" I took a deep breath then said. "I... ummm... well I, I sort of came here uninvited..." I told him.

"Welcome to the club" he sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I—I sort of was caught looking into one of their supply wagons"

"Oh," I said,

"So... what are you in here for?" he asked

"Oh, ummm..." I started, just then I heard the colonel asked Sergeant John:

"How long has it been Sargent?"

"What?" John replied, obviously spaced out. "Oh, three days sure"

"Corporal, round up some volunteers to, uh, take this animal to the stables". Sargent Adams commanded.

"Not the stables. The corral. It's time to break that horse".

I gasped, as the stallion was untied from his post and led to the beautiful mustang to a small mounting area near the entrance of the corral—they were really going through with this.

One by one I saw each of the men climb onto the stallions' back, although they didn't stay on for long.

Finally, it was the colonels' turn to try, and although he stayed on longer than the rest, he still had his share of struggles.

But to my surprise, he stayed on—I tensed up a bit when I heard him exclaim atop his mighty steed to "move along, mustang" after all of the strength in the mustang had been clearly beaten out of him.

His legs shook underneath him from where he stood in the center of the arena, and when he walked I could hear the cracking of his joints with every step.

My anger built up inside me as he lectured his men about his victory: I listened to his word with great disgust.

"You see, gentlemen. Any horse can be broken". I growled as he punctured his spurs into the mustangs' sides. "Move along, mustang. "There are those in Washington who believe the West will never be settled. The Northern Pacific Railroad will never breach Nebraska." He stopped and glanced towards my new friend known at Little Creek. "A hostile Lakota will never submit to Providence." I growled, "No one talks to my friend that way" I snorted to myself. The Colonel continued "And it is that manner of small thinking that would say this horse could never be broken. Discipline, time, and patience are the three great levelers."

Just then I saw the mustang snap, throwing the colonel off his back! Thank goodness.

"Go mustang" I shouted, without thinking.

"Who said that?!" the colonel barked,

Realizing what I had done I covered my mouth with my hand, the colonel shrugged it off and to my shock I watched him pull out a gun.

"No" I whispered, turning towards Little Creek, worry and panic written all over my face.

"They can't do that! Someone has to stop them"

"Well..." he stated, "I would do it, but it seems my hands are tied" he replied.

Rolling my eyes, I hopped over the fence. Hearing the colonel yelled in that gruff tone of his.

"SOLDIER, SECURE THAT HORSE!!!" he pointed the gun at the mustang, and once I heard the chick I was so angry; I was boiling—my heart raced as I threw myself in between the man with the loaded gun and the mustang.

"Don't you dare!" I growled, my head bent.

"Get out of the way you ignorant girl, or should I just kill you too?" he ordered,

"Well you can try to kill me; however, I would recommend it" I spat out, slowly raising my head, my eyes were red and glowing with anger.

"Give me the gun now!" I growled,

"Not on your life" he sneered

"Okay, then I'll have to tryin' steal it from ya"

"Try me" he challenged, walking towards me.

"Umm, no—on second thought..." I turned, walking away slowly, back towards my friend.

"What are you doing?" he whispered

"Don't worry, I've got a plan" I reassured, climbing back over the fence.

"Well, looks like I scared that little cry-baby right home to mom" he laughed, "Now, where were we?" he turned his attention back to the mustang. I knew I had to act fast,

"So that's it you're just going home?" Little Creek said, turning to me.

"Me? Go home?" I smirked at the thought.

"No" I whispered, "I'm not leaving here knowing that that mustang's being tortured"

"That's a relief" he sighed, "what are you gonna do?"

"You'll see..." I assured him. "Oh, but don't tell the colonel what I am doing" I ordered Little Creek, "For all he knows: I chickened out and went home"

"Don't worry, I won't-- promise"

"Good, now watch this" I turned, moving my feet sneakily around the arena's wooden perimeter until I was behind the colonel.

"Okay, gotta time it just right..." I thought, slothfully reaching for the gun; sweat fell from my brow as I was so focused on the work at hand—not getting caught also crossed my mind.

"Got it" I whispered to myself once I grasped the gun, careful not to set it off accidentally; I quickly stashed it and walked back.

"Wow Sydney that was some sneaky stuff"

"Yeah, I know" I giggled.

"Hey" the colonel suddenly growled, after reaching around to grab the gun out from its holder. "Where is it?"

"Where is what, Colonel?"

"Umm, my gun—it's gone. Someone stole my gun" he looked around frantically.

"Umm okay, come on-- I'll help you find it"

"No, I'll just take this on myself"

"Okay, I'll just leave you to it then" Sargent Adams turned and walked away.

He searched the grounds thinking he may have dropped it, just then he heard one of his men pipe up again,

"Colonel? Is the gun really that important?"

"Yes?" he snorted, still searching the ground, "Now where could it be? I can't kill this mustang without it"

"Well, do you think that maybe by any chance that girl has it?"

"What? Impossible I drove her away" he barked at the sergeant.

"Oh, you don't think she faked it?"

"Well..." he stopped dead in mid-search, thinking. "Maybe..." he sighed, as he growled under his breath, standing up he walked across the dirt-covered road to where I was sitting with my friend.

"Get down" Little Creek gasped when he saw the Colonel coming our way.

"Already on it" I whispered, slinking into the safety of the barn.