Unicorns
“Unicorns aren’t real.” My best friend Emily says to me, as we sit in my bedroom.
“I know that.” I say. “I’m just saying that maybe at one point, they existed, like, a mammoth or something.”
“A mammoth?” she says staring at me.
“Yeah, like, an extinct breed of horse, you know?” I say, slumping down on my bean bag chair.
“Hmm, sure.” She says, giving me a sideways glance. I walk over to the computer and pull up a chair. The subject of Unicorns is an embarrassing one for me. I actually think they do exist.
“I think we should look for one. Tonight.” I say, logging onto a website.
“LOOK FOR THEM?” Emily asks me, alarmed. I giggle.
“Look here,” I say, pointing to my screen. “this website says that they’ve been spotted most in this part of the country, because they like it really cold.” I say, matter-of-factly.
“Yeah…. sure.” She says, looking down at her phone, and chewing her giant piece of double-bubble.
“Are you even paying attention?” I snap.
“Yeah, ok, yeah, we will look for ‘em tonight.” She says, still texting. I smile, satisfied.
That night, at 5 o’clock.
I stand outside Emily’s driveway.
“I don’t even remember agreeing to do this.” She says, as she comes outside her house, shivering and wearing a very over-sized sweater.
“Don’t be such a baby.” I say. She glares at me.
“Common, it’ll be fun. Like an adventure!” I say excitedly, as I pull her into the back lane.
The night darkens quickly as me and Emily walk around, looking for Unicorns. Suddenly, we see a white horse. And standing on its head, is a horn, a beautiful white horn. I gasp when I see it, basking in the moonlight. Emily grasps my hand, and I grip it tightly, both of us in awe. But then, suddenly, the moment is broken, when a dirty man in a dusty jumpsuit comes out of the lane with a whip. He whips the back of the horse, and I wince.
“Common, get back in your stall!” he says, whipping it again. I run to the horse.
“STOP!” I shout at the man, blocking the horse. In closer view, you can see that the horn is not a real one, its fabric and taped on with duct tape.
“Git outta the way girl!” He says raising his whip. “I’ll whip you too if I gotta! This good for nothing horse is going back to the circus!” he says, raising his voice. I stand my ground. I will not let this horse get hurt. Emily stands away, watching, making sure that I don’t get hurt. I’m scared, I think to myself. I’m really scared. As the man raises his whip, our parents run out of the bushes.
“Emily! Jenna!” they shout. I sigh, relieved. The man lowers his whip to his side. I run over to my parents and hug them. I then run to Emily, and she runs to me.
“I’m glad that you’re alright.” Emily whispers to me.
“Me too.” I say, still a little nervous form the whole situation. I look back at the man as my parents yell at him. The horse just stands there, waiting for its owner.
When our parents are done yelling, they come back to us.
“Mom? What is going to happen to that horse?” I ask her. She looks sad, and sighs.
“It’s going to go back to the petting zoo.” She says sadly. I gasp.
“No! But it’s horrible for it there!” I cry.
“We have to do something about it!” says Emily.
“Don’t worry girls.” Says my dad reassuringly. “We will.”
“Like what?” I say to him
“I don’t know yet, but something has to be done, because this is serious.” he says in a no-nonsense voice. “I do know this, though.” Everyone looks at him quizzically.
“Never go to the circus again.”
