//------------------------------//
// A Little Trip 
// Story: Bloom : An Apple Horse Tale 
// by Devious Dazzle 
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As the months passed.

I became far more active in nature.

Not really noticing that sometimes I would simply pace around my claustrophobic room. My hooves unable to stand still and my spirit aching for the gentle breeze of the wind in my mane. The wooden floors of my room imprinted with the shape of my hooves, a constant reminder of my current circumstances.

I suppose it was these few incidents that lead to this moment in my life.

I was lured into quite an enormous trailer connected to Karen's emerald green truck. My mom promising that everything would be absolutely fine, I trusted her with my life. But this ride in the back of a truck was bumpy and long, my heart sinking into my chest at the thought of where we could be going.

But then it happened.

Light from the beaming afternoon sun poured into my oversized prison, my orange-colored eyes squinting as the silhouette of my mother came into view. Drawing ever closer while my eyes adjusted, only to reveal a woman with long burgundy hair tied in a ponytail closing in on me.

I gave a frightened squeal of uncertainty, my hooves toppling backward sending me falling on my flank. This woman dressed in a small flannel blouse and dark blue jeans, her stylish sleek boots covered in the dirt of a hard day's work.

“Settle darling!” She screamed as I gave her a loud yelp in reply.

I lifted onto my hind hooves ready to try and leap over the woman, Karen suddenly rushing inside the trailer with a look of concern across her face. My mother placing a delicate hand on my muzzle, leaning forward to nuzzle my cheek tenderly in reassurance.

“It's perfectly fine, I promise.” She whispered into my ear as I let a soft whimper escaped my lips.

My ears pinning down as I sat down on my flank once more, heart racing within my chest like a stampede of wild buffalo. The strange woman kneeling down in front of my vision, intrusively prying my mouth open looking strangely enough at my teeth.

Her firm icy touch lifting my front leg picking at the bottom of my hoof in an eerie silence. Karen watching on as if studying this odd woman's every move, a feeling of growing unease swelling forth from deep inside my soul.

“She's an absolute beauty, Karen.” The woman broke the silence with a cheerful tone.

“Thank you, Janice.” My mother smiled in reply proudly.

“If you ever want to sell her, I can guarantee a good price.” Janice cut straight to business, my mother flashing a nervous half-smile.

“No, she's my little pony.” I felt my mother's lips lovingly place a kiss on my forehead.

“Fair enough, I'd be honored to let the little darling gallop around my ranch!” The odd woman roughly yet purposely ruffled up my poor mane.

“Heck, I can even brand her for free!” Those words caused a ghostly chill to cascade down my spine.

I squealed out in horror at the mere mention of a hot iron. My mother just nervously giggling as if a joke had been made, silently motioning with her hand for me to follow her out of the trailer. Both of us awkwardly inching past this psychopath Janice, before scooting outside into the fresh air of the world.

“That's a lovely offer, but I think just some exercise would be fine.” Karen gave a sheepish shrug.

My eyes narrowing to ugly old Janice with a glare, an extra loud snort forcing itself out of my nostrils.

The scenery was something out of a children's book. Lush green grass stretching for miles into the horizon, cute wooden fences tracing the landscape in such a charming design. The sweet scent of nature tickling my nose as I softly sneezed out loud, my ears perking at the melodic tune of birds high above.

This place was amazing on every count. My hooves itching to gallop across the plains at top speed, a desire to fill my lungs with all this fresh air overtaking my senses. I gave a whiny towards my mother. My tail swishing at a frantic pace as she escorted me over towards the open gate, with a loud squeal I rushed inside my heart bursting with excitement.

At a full gallop, I headed for the distance. My body exploding with newfound energy as I bounced and cantered across the fresh dew ridden grass, everything felt new and exciting again. For the first time in a long while I felt free once more, my hooves cantering over to a small clear stream of fresh water.

Kneeling down I drank deep from the earth, tongue lapping up the nourishment given freely from mother earth. This water the purest thing I had drunk in months, lifting my moist wet muzzle to the sky I whinnied ever louder.

The world around was beautiful, I didn't feel so alone anymore. I felt normal for the moment at least, curling up into a tiny ball at the stream's edge I yawned gently. This warm patch of grass absolutely perfect for an afternoon nap, perhaps being a pony wasn't all bad.

Once you learned to appreciate the little things.

Much like all things in life. Good things come to a close, my day at the ranch over before I even knew it. Mother leading me back towards the icy embrace of my trailer, the behemoth a mere void of the abyss. Like an extended jaw of an Ursa Major ready to devour me in one massive gulp, the moments of pleasure I felt quickly becoming a fleeting memory.

I moaned weakly with drooping ears, Karen quirking a thin brow with a delicate giggle. Reaching over to pet my backside firmly, nudging me inside my container with a knowing glance.

“I know you loved it here, Bloom. I'll bring you back soon, I promise.” Her voice spoke with sweet promises.

Yet as the back lifted sealing me away into my dark prison, I felt less than human.

I felt like an animal.