Common

A long drawn out sigh escaped Kimber’s dark lips as her gaze studied the others grazing across the meadow. None were familiar to her; not a single name, nor scent coming to mind as she was surrounded by strangers. The only one she knew as if made of her own flesh and blood, was nothing more than a shadow. Kimber knew he watched her, even now, but it left her lonely and wanting.


Despite the bitter anger Kimber had grown up with, as she matured, she found it did little to help her. Yes, he had given her the strength to make several swims alone. But where had that really taken her? No family, no herd, no future; not even her mother had wanted to keep her. It was like a sign she could not read before, and now refused to believe the word written in plain sight.


Unwanted.


Ears pinning, she dropped her head slightly in self shame. Her experience in the Common last year had been for not; no one wanting to take the gangly filly home. But surely now, in the height of the season and her body fully matured that someone would want her? Feeling as if she came to this conclusion from desperation fueled loneliness, Kimber set off from the safety of the Meadow and to the Commons once again. Meeting someone of her own free will had not worked for over a year, and she hoped that now….. maybe….. just maybe….. that she could find a home.


When she crossed the invisible line and stepped into the new opening, she stopped to let her gaze drift across those who were already there. With a snort and head held high, Kimber bellowed out a commanding call. Unlike before where she slunk through the shadows, the painted woman demanded the attention she wanted. Secretly hoping it would work this time.