Learn to be Lonely

Child of the wilderness
Born into emptiness
Learn to be lonely
Learn to find your way your way in darkness

Who will be there for you?
Comfort and care for you?
Learn to be lonely
Learn to be your one companion

Never dreamed out in the world
There are arms to hold you
You've always known
Your heart was on its own

So laugh in your loneliness
Child of the wilderness
Learn to be lonely
Learn how to love life that is lived alone

Learn to be lonely
Life can be lived
Life can be loved
Alone.

-

Antrium had been looking for new Racing blood, since the majority of the horses at Antrium were from Abyaz’s line, and had been arranging to get a breeding from a little known, family run racing blood stock farm in the southwest of England. There were to be three foals from the agreement, all with bloodlines completely unrelated to the White Stallion. 

Not long after the foals were born, however, Antrium received tragic news that a storm caused by the tail end of the newest hurricane had caused a tree next to the barn to fall, crashing into the stables housing the mares and their foals, killing all three mares and two of the foals. Antrium refused to refund the purchase, taking pity on the owners, and brought the remaining foal back to Antrium - a predominantly black colt with chimera white in the shape of a half mask. Despite how handsome the little man was, he was ruined by the trauma he’d experienced. 

He was showing every sign of being depressed: standing with his head hanging, showing little to no reaction to food or stimulation. Being far too young to be without his mother and Antrium having no broodmares - or any mares that’s were able or willing - to accept the baby had left him seemingly a shell of what he should have been. He was introduced to other foals, hoping that he would react to some play mates, however, he merely ignored them, even when pushed over in play he simply got back onto his feet, shook himself down and wandered off, head still bowed. 

Seeing that the little lonely colt wasnt going to be helped by his own kind, the staff had no choice but to try hand rearing the colt. Delegating the majority of her tasks to others, Amalie took over his care. Sleeping in his stall and hand bottle feeding him, she eventually took over the roll of surrogate mother for the baby but the victory was bittersweet; now she could see just how broken the little black foal was. 

Sorrow hung over his features and posture like a smog as he remained stuck in perpetual mourning. His eyes were either lifeless or lost, on occasion accepting the girls’ offer of comfort, walking over and burying his head in her chest, much like a human child would. Amalie knew it was unlikely that he would ever recover fully, he may never seek other equine companionship, but he would be alright. She would still make a race horse out of him, maybe not a big named one, but he would need focus. He would need purpose and she would give him it. 

He may never get over his loss, but he would learn to live. Learn to be lonely.