Fallen: A Short Story

Morgan McClain

9/1/16

Fallen

My eyes burned with dust. Red clouds of it blew up around me swirling in the air. "Get up"! screamed a harsh voice. "How many times are we going to have to go through this. Everyday you start on one side of the hurdle and never make it to the other" the director yelled at me. I knew that if I didn't get u p now she would pull me up. I stood and dusted my self off. I came out of the dust cloud to see my director glaring at me with dark , harsh eyes. " I will see you again tomorrow t o continue practice" she said never releasing her stone hard glare. She spun around with a flip of her dark curly hair and walked away.9/6/16

I watched as she walked away glaring at her back. Finally I broke my death glare turning to see Stella patently waiting. All my anger faded looking into her dark warm eyes. Stella's coat was a speckled gray. I brushed my hand against her coat I slowly calming down as I took my hand away I saw it

was coated in dust. "Well Stella enough for today lets get you back" I said. Yes I know I talk to my horse but hey she's the only one I could talk to. I grabbed the worn out fuzzy lead rope and started my way back to the stable Stella close behind. 9/8/16

The stables were made of a weathered wood. I walked Stella down the row of stables. Heads of other horses pocked out from the Stalls. Almost to the end of the row I stop and open the door to let Stella in. I put her saddle and other tack in her assigned locker. The stables were simple but beautiful. Warm sunlight lit the hall and a breeze kept the air fresh and crisp. A small corner was taken up be lockers while the rest was row upon row of stalls for the horses. Stella's head pocked out and her eyes had something to say. I smiled knowing exactly what she wanted. "All right all right" I said with a laugh. I gave her an apple that was suppose to be my lunch but after todays fall I wasn't sure if I could eat. I smiled as she crunched at the apple. 9/12/16

"Heard you fell again" said a voice behind me. It wasn't hard to know who it was I could picture the mocking smile in my mind and as I turned around that’s exactly what I saw.

"Bella well guess I shouldn't by surprised, let me guess your such a good student that they let you out early and you just begged for your guards to come with you" I replied talking the way I might to a 3 year old.

" I guess your right I am such a good student that the instructed thought I could use some time off so I took it. Although I'm thinking that’s not why you’re here is it" she remarked with a smile. I frowned at the thought of falling again and again. Reminding me of the pain in my legs and back. " Well I'm off don't need to waste any more of my time here with a bad rider and a undisciplined horse. She added before she flipped her perfect blond hair and walked away her two friends trailing behind her. 9/16/16

Her hair swishes side to side as she walks with a bounce in her step. Finally when they turn the corner and are out of sight I relax. I let a deep breath out and try to focus again. I finish taking care of Stella and head back to the dorms. The stables is close by and a just have to walk the short cracked path to get there. The dorm building is nice outside. Windows everywhere in there perfect lines a simple door. Green ivy climbs up the red brick walls making it look majestic. Inside is a whole other story. 9/20/16

I pushed the heavy wooden door open into the dark hallway. The floor was a worn wood with dents and scuff marks on every board. Small dim lights line the hallway giving just enough light to see. The windows let in as much a the ivy outside will allow. The hallway is lined with door after door. The first floor is director dorms ,offices and the kitchen. I walk down the hall my riding boots making clicking sounds on the wood as I walk. My dorm is on the highest floor. I climb the stairs Feeling the peeling paint on the railing as I climb. When I finally get to the 3rd floor I still have to go to the other end of the hallway. My dorm is last of all. I push my dorm door open and I flood with relief to be alone. "Finally some silence" I whispered. 9/22/16

My dorm is lit with the minimum light coming from the window. The only furniture is a small nightstand bed and dresser. Some of the girls spend time decorating there dorms but I never really cared. I flop down on the bed. My pillow is flat and I only have a skinny quilt but I like it that way. The quilt smells like the cool breeze that sometimes into my room. I take a deep breath to calm myself down after todays failure. "Why can't I do it. Why can't I just make it over that hurdle "I whisper to myself. I just don't understand it shouldn't be this hard. I let a breath out I close my eyes. I just need to think. 9/26/16

I wake up an hour later. "Darn it how did I fall asleep" I say as I get up. I turn and look at the clock at on my nightstand. "great now I'm late for dinner" I trough on a pair of shoes and run to the first floor the kitchen door is right next to the stairs. I open the screen door and prepare myself. Dinner here isn't a bunch of people politely sitting waiting for the food to get passed around. Here the kitchen staff(one old lady who hates us all) unlocks the door and you fend for yourself. I see girls on the counters looking for food to eat. There is food everywhere. At this point the fight has broke out girls are fighting for food now. As I walk through the door a frozen pizza hits the wall above me. Spaghetti is on the cabinets and all other food is on the floor counters and walls. Yes I said walls. We're all just so polite here right. 9/28/16

Dinner here I always a food fight. There isn't always enough food to fed us all so you have to fight to get something decent. I walk in and start to look for food but most of it is all ready gone. "Give it to me" says a demanding voice across the room. Bella is my emdate thought. This should be fun. A little girl is in the corner she has a small plate of food. She holds onto it like her life depends on it. She is small with her brown hair in a ponytail. Bella stands above her with her friends as back up. " give me the food or I'll take it myself" she yells. The volume in the room slowly decreases as girls gather around hopefully for a fight. I smile ready to do what o do best. Annoy the heck out of Bella.

"Well well Bella long time no see" I say mockingly I smile as the look I know so well comes across her faces. Total annoyance. "I see your picking on someone your own size finally" I continue

" Amber stay out of it I'm just her to get dinner and leave" she replies. " Now give me the food" she repeats. I look around seeing all the girls circled around us waiting for a fight. Might as well give it to them. 10/3/16

I turn back to Bella who is now yelling at the girl. "Hey Bella" I say to get her attention. As she turns I draw back and punch her in the jaw. My hand stings and she falls to the ground her eyes wide with surprise. I shake my hand getting ready. She stands quickly and the fight begins. As I draw my arm back again she spunch's me in the stomach. I fold over protecting myself and she strikes again. I gasp for air as the pain spreads through my body. She gets ready and I jump back. I kick her legs out form under her with a quick kick to her legs. She falls and I kick her leg to keep her down. The girls in the circle around me cheer and yell. Bella coughs on the ground and the fights over. 10/5

I start to walk away triumphantly suddenly I'm on the floor.

Bella stands above me and I move to get up before she kicks me. Punch's are thrown this way and that. I get hit in the faces and a feel a black eye coming. Most of the fight goes in a blur with people cheering and yelling around us. I take a kick at her legs and she falls into a plate of food. I smile this time the fight is truly over. the worst punch for Bella is a punch to her ego. I leave the kitchen and start up the stairs when the doors slams behind me.. I turn to see the little girl coming toward me. There are tears streaks on her faces but she smiles.10/7/16

She walks up to me and without saying a word hands me a plate of food. It's not much just a sandwich but I take it great fully. I had forgotten to eat after the fight. "Thank you for standing up for me" she said. Her voice is quiet it fits her small body. I slowly take the food puzzled. Usually after a fight all I get is a slap on the back if I win. Fights here are more entertainment then anything

else.

"Um thanks" I mumbled. Still confused by her kindness. Kindness is foreign here. 10/11 She gives me one more smile and runs down the hall. I watch as she runs. It amazes me how happy she looks. Happiness is almost as foreign as kindness here. I start the walk up to my dorm. When I finally reach the door I'm still puzzled. Why would she be so nice to me? I flop down on he bed and turn on the lamp on my nightstand. Faint yellow light floods the room just enough to see. I take a deep breath glad to be alone again. After awhile I reach under the pillow and grab the only book I own. The bible. Not most people first choice but right now it the only choice I have.10/17/16

I simply flip through the pages. The yellowed paper comforts me as I think through the night. I joined the fight because me and Bella have an on going battle I didn't I realize was also defending the girl. I play the night over and over in my head. I do this tell I slowly drift off to sleep.10/19/16

I wake to the small glimmer of sunlight. The vines on the window strangle almost all the sunlight but a small patch shines through. I blink the sleep form my eyes and force myself to get up. I rush through getting ready and am done inn five minutes. "Almost I record" I quietly whisper to myself. I tiptoe down the stairs as to not wake anyone else up. At the front door I hold the door tell it quietly clicks shut. The sunlight warms my face and I bolt to the stables. 10/25/16

I hurry through saddling Stella. After making sure she's all ready I hop on and we race to the tails. I always try to sneak out for a morning ride. In the morning the sun is warm and bright and the breeze is gentle and cool. When were finally under the cover of trees I pull on the reigns to slow Stella down. The trail here is beautiful. The sun filters through the green leaves of the birch trees making the light dance and shine on the forest floor. I take a breath of the morning air and relax. This is my last year here at The riders academy and that is such a relief. This place is run down and I hate coming here. Every summer my parents send me here to sharpen my skill at least that’s what they say. Really they just need to send me somewhere so they can work. These thoughts tumble n my head and I try to breath to relax again but I already messed this ride up. 10/27/16

I continue down the trail focusing on my surroundings. The light and birch trees make the forest seem like something from a fairy tale. The breeze carry's the smell of wet leaves and fresh air. Half way through these observations I hear the faintest noise. "wo Stella" I whisper as I pull the reigns. Stella comes to a halt and I listen. I strain to hear what sounds like humming. Random notes with no meaning. I slide off the saddle and take Stella lead rope in my hand. The rope has small water drops on the frayed edges from the morning air. 10/27/16

I lead Stella the humming growing a little louder as a walk. At its loudest point I see a little girl behind a tree. She's on her knees her hands working in the dirt as she hums. I notice the same brown hair in the same messy pony tail. As I take my next step I twig snaps I cringe at the noise knowing my presence is now known. I watch as she raises her head and turns a slight glimmer of fear in her eyes. I smile as our eyes meet knowing I probably look like a stocker. "Um sorry I didn't mean to um well" I say trying to get the words out.

"It's fine I just didn't think anyone came out here" she interrupts me. I smile thinking the same thing.