A Trip to Town (OPEN)

Kaia Johannessen~


I feel the crisp, cold morning air nip at and exposed skin. Autumn is slowly creeping up in District Five, the green leaves of trees are starting to transform into the sickening shades of brown, yellow, orange and red. I sniff the air, it smells so different. I have always noticed the changing scents of the seasons. Spring was fresh and clean, Summer was dry, Autumn was crisp and winter...was just....nothing.


I go into the barn to do my daily chores of feeding all of our animals and watering them. I also have to brush the horses and lead them out to the pastures. We have four horses, three mares, Delilah, Amara and Chic. My horse, the stallion, is Altai. He is a big and ebony. He is also my best friend. I raised him myself since he was born. I was like his second mother. Amara didn't mind me around her colt, she trusted me. But sometimes Amara was a bit sick of me so in the pasture she would trot off with Altai.


I hear my mother's voice as I slip Altai's halter on to lead him to the pasture. "Kaia, will you ride over to the store to get some things for me?" She asked. I quickly lope to the barn entrance to see my mother standing on the porch about 30 feet away. "Write me a list!" I answer quickly then turn to retreat to the feed room.

I take Altai's large brown saddle then carry it to the stall. I set it down on the ground then go back to get the bridle and a saddlebag. I also retrieve the small box holding my grooming supplies then set it down by the saddle.

I brush Altai before setting the saddle pad upon his back, then lay the saddle bag on the back of it. I heave the heavy saddle on top then adjust it so that it sits just right on his back. I then take the girth and tighten it, Altai's ears pin back and he tries to nip me. But that's because it's like putting on a bet as tight as it possibly could go...or at least that's my opinion.

Altai has a little trouble taking the bit, bit he does eventually. I slide open the stall door and lead him out. He follows me along, relaxed. He follows me out of the barn and I stop to see my mother jogging up with a list. I take it, fold it, then put it in my slightly over-sized jacket. She grabs me by the head and lays a sloppy kiss on my cheek. "Be careful! Don't let Altai push you to run." She says sternly. I pull away. "Mom! Altai's fine, he hasn't had his grain so he's going to behave!" I look at Altai, his attention is focused to wards my mother and I, ears erect, eyes glistening with curiosity. He nudges me, as if saying 'C'mon, let's go!'. I rub his neck. I look at my mom. "I'll be back soon..." I say before putting the reins over Altai's neck and mounting. I turn Altai and trot him along our property before we reach the road.

The dusty 'ole dirt road...I've traveled it many times, but not with Altai. Dad and I would drive a cart with Delilah and Chic to town to get some larger supplies. It is a bit of a ways to town, about a 20 minute ride, but that's walking...why not canter? I make a kissing noise and urge Altai on to a canter. He eagerly changes the gait. He canter's rhythmically down the road. Altai snorts happily.


We finally see the edge of town and I slow him down. He pants a bit out of his flaring nostrils and snorts again, clearing the dust from his nose. I stop him and dismount. I hitch him up near the bakers and stoke his slightly sweaty body. "I'll be back later boy, okay?" Altai looks around at everything around him. He moves his jaw and plays with his bit, he's bored already. I smile and pat him once more before venturing into town.