DIANA POV
I walked out of the hotel half-hearted and totally annoyed. It would be nice to stay at the bar a little bit longer, but I don't want to be harrassed all night by some drunk pervert. Still, I don't want to sleep with bad vibes and a heavy heart, so I thought of something that I can do to clear my mind from the upsetting bar encounter.
As I follow the stone pathways, I suddenly remembered that there was a stable at the back of the hotel. Could there be horses? Or goats? Maybe cows? Probably chickens? I might be really crazy looking forward to spend time with animals over the company of people.
I trailed the stone pathways toward the far back end of the resort until I reached a bunch of bushes and thick trees that seemed like a dead end. I searched for sign of passages for I am too sure that the stable is somewhere near here.
Luckily, I noticed a passable narrow portion in the bushes that can fit a person. There were also noticeable foot trails. I hesitated a little before going in because only the brightest stars in the moonless sky emitted light. I took a deep breath, and slowly walked through the bushes. I used my hands to move the branches and pave the way. The farther I go, the darker it gets. The crickets and frogs made a resounding melody that accompanied my trek. I didn't feel an ounce of fear, for my curiosity and eagerness to see the stable presided more.
After a few minutes of walking in the dark, I finally saw a yellow light and the wooden stable I've been anxious to see. It was an 8-door wooden stable, that is made of oakwood with white beams. There was also a large white fence adjacent to the stable that could most possibly be for four-legged animals. I looked closely to see what's inside, and to my delight, I exclaimed, "HORSES!".
During my teenage years, my mother made me attend equestrian lessons. I didn't know when it would become handy, but I quite enjoyed those times. The adrenaline that I felt, when I and the horse run as one, gave an inexplicable pleasure. I clicked my tongue a few times catching the attention of the horses. I clicked my tongue some more, and this time harder and louder. I guess they are sleeping. I whistled gently and in a few seconds, one horse peeked out through the window. A big black horse with a white spot on his forehead graced me of his presence. I carefully come closer with my hand extended, attempting to touch it.
"Hello? I'm Diana… Will you let me touch you?. . .", I spoke to it and stupidly waited for a reply. It snickered softly and lowered down its head. Slowly, I touched its face and then caressed its neck before I rested my forehead on his. "Thank you, your mane is so soft and shiny. You must be well taken care of", and then, my heart suddenly became full.
"Don't touch him," a tiny voice impulsively blurted out. Startled, I searched where the voice came from.
"I'm down here!", said this cute little girl, wearing a floral puffed dress, carrying an old oil lantern. She had these small pigtails, white socks and black shoes, as she wave her tiny hand hello.
"Oh hello! What are you doing here?", I moved closer and bent down to see her cute little face. She look so adorable with those pink cheeks.
"I live here. Don't touch that black horse, he's mean like his owner. He might bite you", she frantically said.
"Is that so? I guess I'm lucky he didn't bite me yet. Don't worry, I'm good with horses. I'm Diana, What's your name?", I asked, tucking a lock of her dark blonde hair behind her ear.
"I'm Isabelle. Me and my brother, Isaac, take care of the horses.", she smiled sweetly as she sway side to side.
"What a pretty name! Aren't you too young to take care of the horses, Isabelle? How old are you?", as I tap her stubby nose.
"I'm 6 years old, I'm big already sister! Look at me!", as she struggle to tiptoe.
"Alright young lady, if that's what you say", I chuckled in her cuteness. I noticed there's a scratch on her cheek. "What happened here, Isabelle?", she winced as I graze her face gently.
"That tickles!," she giggled. "I played in the hay last time, and something scratched my face", she grabbed my hand and hugged it on her cheek. "Your hands are so cold sister, and you are so pretty. I like you", she adorably said while rubbing her face on my hand with her eyes closed like a puppy.
"Come! Let me show you the other horses!", she pulled me towards the stable, and pushed the doors open. Handing me the oil lantern, Isabelle went up the stacked boxes on the side, and opened the lights. "There are…" she counted with her tiny fingers. "5 horses!", confidently putting up 4 fingers instead. Isabelle held my hand and enthusiastically introduced every horse inside each stall. "The smallest one is Aurora. The black one is Ebony. The white one is Ivory.. and the dark brown is Caesar", she continued with a serious face while moving around trying to see the horses.
"How about this one? What's his name?", before I could even touch the horse, someone yelled just right behind us.
"That's Apollo! And please don't touch him! He bites.", a voice of a young boy worriedly said. The young lad wearing a white shirt and brown jumpers hurriedly rushed to us while scratching his head. He looked the same as Isabelle, and apparently, they look quite similar.
"Isaac! Be nice! Pretty sister already touched Apollo, he didn't bite", Isabelle exclaimed while hugging my leg. She looked up to me and said, "Sorry sister, Isaac is just worried. Apollo usually bites everyone who touches him. Maybe he didn't bite you because you're so pretty", she buried her face on me with a very charming smile.
"You should return to your place, Miss. Guests are not allowed here. And my twin sister and I should be resting now.", Isaac grabbed the arm of his sister trying to pull her away. "Come on, Is". How admirable to see how this young boy is too respectful for his age, I thought.
"Umm, I was wondering, do you think I can borrow Apollo for a ride tomorrow?", I eagerly asked the two.
They shared a different look. "No can do, Miss. The horses are for the island owners only. They are a bit snob, especially Apollo", Isaac said. "Alpha Scott would surely get furious if he finds out someone took him out without him knowing", he nervously added.
Isabelle tugged Isaac's jumpers and whispered audibly, "Please let her, Isaac. She said she's good with horses".
"How about this, I'll treat you to whatever you want tomorrow, but let me ride Apollo in secret? I promise I won't get caught by anyone", I winked and gestured my index finger on my lips. There could be no much difficult request these kids could be asking in an island.
"Anything?", Isabelle asked in excitement. The siblings turned around and whispered to each other. I tried to hear what they were mumbling about but, I didn't hear a word.
"Okay, come back here at sunrise tomorrow, and then we'll let you ride Apollo. The Trevors and Alpha Scott are not even here so maybe it's okay..", Isaac said as he look up to me with those round eyes.
"Okay. . . And what would you like in return?", I curiously asked.