Days of Love and Blood

saw hundreds, some with collars and tags - some with cut tails and ears, but most ran away in skittish form as if the sudden departure of humans made them fearful and suspicious. Or maybe weeks of solitude suddenly brought back wild instincts that the many years of taming were useless to penetrate.
    I often saw large packs of dogs moving with the homicidal herds when I spied on them. I knew why they accompanied the herds although I never actually saw them act out my suspicions. They became scavengers. Certain breeds are smart; they learn quickly. The homicidals left fresh kill behind and the dogs found a way to survive. But they didn’t hang behind like most scavengers. Some of the dogs walked ahead with their noses to the ground, as if they were part of a giant hunting party.
    My parents didn’t have any livestock or horses on the farm aside from the chicken coop. The cleanup would have been horrendous if they had. I never found my Mother’s cat, Miso. She must have put him out before she closed the door behind her for the last time. The gate to the coop had been left open and the hens were gone.
    I stood on the porch for a few minutes just to watch the horse for a while. He was close enough for me to see the bridle and bit. I didn’t have any feed in the barn but I was sure I could find some. I imagined that a horse would be useful, perhaps even a few of them. The trick would be getting the poor creature to trust me when I had little experience around them.
    I clapped my hands together firmly to draw his attention. I figured it would be better to alert him of my presence now rather than suddenly spooking him when I appeared at a closer distance. The long neck of the horse snapped up at my attention and he gave a quick trot backwards before holding his ground. I whistled a few times and walked toward him slowly.
    “Here, boy,” I called in a high-pitched tone. “It’s alright fella. Do you need some help, huh, big guy?” His tail flicked his side repeatedly and he let out a few grunts and huffs. When I was twenty feet from him, I could see the flaring of his nostrils. I stopped moving to see if he would come to me.
    “Come here, big guy. Come on. I bet you want to someone to take that bit out, don’t ya? I bet you do.” I made a clicking noise through the side of my mouth using my tongue - the same noise I always heard riders make while directing the animals. I thought a familiar noise might help. It worked. I held out my arm as he slowly walked towards me. His wet nose touched my hand and his lips opened, looking for any food I might have. I should have brought something with me.
    After a few minutes the pale horse let me stroke the length of his broad nose and then move to his poll and crest with its long, matted mane. His hair was the color of light honey and his mane would have been silver but appeared dark grey from months of accumulated dust and dirt. I didn’t think I would have any problem leading him without the bridle so I removed it. Even if he didn’t follow me, the poor animal needed it to come off. Horses can eat with the bits, but I couldn’t imagine the discomfort. After removing his headpiece, I rubbed his skin where the leather had bound him while I continued to utter random coos in soothing tones.
    “No!” A familiar voice screamed in the distance behind me. The horse balked and took a few steps back when I whirled around.
    “Ronan! Run!” the voice yelled. It took only seconds to scan the situation, but by then it was almost too late. Ronan had snuck out of the house to watch me. He was hiding behind one of the maple trees in the yard. It was Cooper who yelled from the bedroom window. A homicidal was closing in from behind Ronan - pickaxe drawn high.
    “Ronan!” I screamed. He was facing the homicidal, already aware of the danger. I couldn’t see his face. I couldn’t hear him crying. “Ronan, turn around. Run to me! Run fast!” I was already on my toes. Ronan turned around and began moving his little body. I was able to see his tightened face then - the terror - and his arms were held out toward me. I had the same face. The homicidal was closer than me and closing in. With a screaming heart I realized I wouldn’t make it in time.
    “No! No! No! Leave my baby alone! Kill me you son-of-a-bitch! I’m the one you want to kill!”
    Cooper smashed through the front door and jumped across the porch. I heard the first shot which did nothing. The homicidal was only one more