Keila Aartila

“A Dark Horse - Part 5” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #288

A Dark Horse – Part 5 [Jenny, flabbergasted and confused by his outburst, quickly handed him the leadrope, her eyes wide. “Should I call the vet?” she stammered. “No!” Kip shouted. “He’ll be fine. He’s fine.” Kip scowled. “I’ll just walk him. Get me the Banamine! It’s in the office!” She took off at a quick jog to get the medicine. “And a syringe!” he called after her. “C’mon, you dumb horse. Let’s walk. You’re just trying to make me look stupid.” The horse tried to sink to his knees again. “Get up, Dummy!” Kip hollered, while kicking at the...

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“A Dark Horse - Part 4” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #287

Jenny couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she did see Mr. Thompson gesture toward her. Soon after, they were gone. Jenny continued her session with Trey. When they were finished, she passed Kip in the barn aisle looking a bit miffed. “Happy now? It’s all your fault!” He scowled at her as he hissed out the words. She had no clue what he was talking about, but she was soon to find out. Kip stomped after her ... ***A Dark Horse – Part 4 Jenny led Trey into the stall and took his halter off. She patted him on the neck and spoke, “I’ll put y...

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“A Dark Horse - Part 3 ” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #286

Kip and the girl both entered the barn through the back door. Jenny went to meet the owners of the colt, Kip disappeared around the corner to avoid them. He remained in hearing distance, though. Jenny handed the Thompson’s the cash she had in hand. “The colt’s right out back in the paddock, if you’d like to see him,” she offered. “No. We best get going. He’s all yours now! I don’t know why you want him, anyway, after what Kip says, but we have our eye on another horse. One that I think will be better, anyway, we’ll collect the remainder from...

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“A Feeling of Wonder” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #285

Memories are a special phenomenon to behold – especially those from childhood, which offer a sense of being bigger than life, but it's also a time when you believe that anything is possible. Why do we outgrow that feeling? Can we get it back? I remember when … I used to dream, vividly as a child, making heart-felt wishes on shooting stars, about all I have now. Well, those dreams were a little over-the-top as my childhood imagination sprinted away, but I revel in having made most of those dreams my real-life as an adult, in a more comprehens...

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“A Dark Horse (Part 2)” by Keila Aartila

I sighed with relief as I watched that boy walk away. I twisted my ears forward and leaned toward the girl rubbing my nose. Her touch was soft. Kind. She smelled good. Safe. The boy turned the corner around the doors to the outside of the arena. I took a timid step forward, closer to the girl. She started to stroke my neck and whispered to me. I liked her voice. I let my ears twist and move to better pick up on the gentle tones. “What should we do now?” I snuffled lightly and dropped my head a little toward the ground. She picked up the drag...

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“A Dark Horse (Part 1)” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #280

***“No, don’t!” I shouted as he threw his arm back with the whip for another lash to the black coat. I saw him hesitate before taking the next swing, leaving another welt upon the flesh. The young horse half reared and jumped sideways in order to avoid the blow, but his head was still forced into the circle by the boy’s grip on the long-line. He couldn’t get away. I ran up and grabbed the kid’s wrist, forcing him to drop the whip. It slid to the ground. The lead fell from the other, hitting he sandy surface of the floor with a muted plop. Th...

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“The Wicked Redhead (Part 3 - Conclusion)” by Keila Aartila

When Belle and I meandered our way back to the farm, at the edge of the yard I was surprised to see the truck and trailer parked in front of the house, all set to go. My mouth went agape with the vision of my dad following us this morning and offering me the sandwich and a tip of the hat. My heart beat wild, and tears filled my eyes with instant rage. It was a trick! He tricked me! In a quick panic, I pulled the mare around and took off again at a gallop. With tears streaming down my cheeks in the wind-whipped feelings of anger and betrayal,...

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“The Wicked Redhead (Part 2)” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #278

***After breakfast and clean-up, I stayed in the house acting as prim and proper as expected. That evening, Dad came back in the house. “That horrible mare has been in her stall for 2 days now! No one can move her! We need to clean that stall! My ranch hands are all afraid of her, and I can’t say as I blame them one bit!” I stood in front of my father and looked at him directly. “I can.” “No, Young Lady, you cannot!” “You know I can. You’ve seen me,” I said calmly. “I know you can go to your room.” He pointed firmly toward the stairs. “That’...

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“The Wicked Redhead” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #277

She wasn’t really wicked, though. She just needed some understanding and a lighter touch. She was sensitive. And smart. When the wranglers came to her stall to turn her out and clean, she would always pin her ears and bare her teeth. This behavior frequently resulted in her being left alone, as well as earning a bad reputation, threatening to end in slaughter. I had grown up on this ranch, and was a pretty good hand, myself – especially with the horses. In all of my twelve years, I had never seen anything like that ornery, chestnut mare, Bel...

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“Unexpected Betrayal” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #241

I hopped off the school bus, hitting the ground at a dead run ahead of my two younger brothers; dropped my book bag at the house door and ran down to the barnyard. I couldn’t wait to touch the little horse who would be waiting to see me, after a full day of going through the motions of attending my Middle School classes. I wanted to get home to continue the training of my young horse. He was coming along sop well! The horse had been purchased for a small fee from a poor quality situation. He was of unknown breeding, and a non-extraordinary b...

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“Wind Direction” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #240

The light breeze buffeted the back of my head, raising a small tuft of hair. It may even have been the breath of a whisper. I cupped my hand around the cigarette dangling from my mouth, while I tried to keep the tiny flame of the match from being extinguished. I inhaled deeply and exhaled a stream of anxiety, relaxing into getting started on my plans for the day. When I turned back around upon achieving success with my habit and shaking out the match, a hungry flame stuttering it’s way though the prairie grass caught my eye. I moved to stomp...

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“Vocally Haunted” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #221

The woman/wife/mother had hiked a good distance on her own to breathe in the healing power of nature and listen to the wisdom bubbling up on the bank of the winding creek, replaying the final scene she’d had with her son, prompting this isolated trip. “Go to your room!” she screamed as he walked through the front door. “You’re grounded!” She pointed a shaky finger firmly toward the hallway leading to his room. She knew it was irrational, but she was just so angry. He looked at her in wide-eyed confusion before continuing silently to his ro...

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“Smoke and Mirrors” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #198

“Miss Saphyre Williams, come to the office, please.” The entire class looked up to where the voice boomed over the loudspeaker, then they all looked at her. The girl with blue hair tried to shrink in her chair, until the teacher dismissed her. “Saphyre - take your books and head down.” He knew she wouldn’t be returning. Saphyre stood and picked up her books. She sauntered toward the door, sending a glare of daggers to Miss Popular in the front row, feigning taking a puff from an imagined cigarette and blew the pretend smoke in Saphyre’s d...

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“Out of the Woods” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #189

In all my eighteen years going up here, I had never been this deep into the forest at the edge of my backyard, especially in the dark.  With only my backpack to carry a change of clothes a couple sandwiches, some chips and a flashlight, I set out on foot, following this described shortcut to get to the town next over. No one knew I was leaving, but it was time. I snuck away in the dark to avoid the bitter tears and arguments intended to convince me to stay. It was time to make a life of my own, and I knew the way. It was only a seven mi...

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“Twisted” by Keila Aartila

Submitted to Contest #181

I was twenty-nine when I got married, thirty-one when I got divorced. A short marriage that culminated in a journey lasting a lifetime. Being engaged was a fun concept. I chose the engagement ring I wanted. He complained the diamond was too small. I didn’t want a bigger diamond. I liked the one I chose. He did like the huge discounted price, though. He decided to go with the ring on which I first settled.  The ring wasn’t fitted when he proposed and offered it to me. I wore it anyway, and almost lost it when it fell off in the ba...

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