Solitude in a silent world pressed on the colt’s consciousness. A creature made for being around others in some ways forced to step away created a conflict in his being. The times he had come around the rest of the herd he had remained aloof and distant, unable to hear their comments due to distance as well. When he stayed for too long an anxious nervousness would consume him until at last he needed to step away and calm himself. The frequency of his returns to the herd had started to increase, allowing him to slowly feel comfort in the presence of others.

This was never true around the mare. When she was within his vicinity, the boy lit up. He did everything in his power to make her proud. When her face split into a smile, the boy beamed at his accomplishment. When she spoke, his eyes focused on her lips, the habit he had picked up immediately for those who took the time to try to speak to him. Shock lanced through his body. He was no stranger to the word ‘monster’. It was a curse for something that could not walk this earth. Something wicked, harmful, or hated. Zeru shook his head in disbelief. You no Monster. he declared. Mother? His tone was questioning, clarifying, an accent on the subtle differences he would have been able to see. He snorted again and stomped his foot, determining that no matter her answer, she was wrong. Such a creature could never be a monster. He had seen monsters. He knew them first hand. They ran in his blood.