Chapter Text
The sun is hot this early spring morning. There isn't any wind either. It's just the sun beating down on Will Byers' back as he trudges through mud to feed his horse. The feed bucket is heavy with his horse's wet feed. It's filled with some medication for the springtime allergies and beet pulp.
"Damn allergies."
He grumbles as he carries the feed closer and closer to the gate. If someone told him it weighed fifty pounds he would believe them because of how heavy it feels in his arms. Of course it isn't actually fifty pounds. What's making it so heavy is most likely all the water he has to soak into Orion's feed.
The gate is now right in front of him. He finally puts the food down to open the gate enough so he can get in.
"Orion! Come get your breakfast!"
Will shouts out into a large pasture with trees lining the far end before a nearby abandoned road. The next thing he sees is a beautiful mare trotting her way over to him. Her dark bay coat shines in the early morning light. Glistening and clean like usual. She never liked rolling in mud or dirt and it was a good thing too. Will and Orion did have a reputation to keep up after all. His mom has owned this property for his whole life. Will lives in the small blue and white home further into the property with his mom, Joyce, and his brother, Jonathan. Though Jonathan is rarely at home due to school and work.
"Good morning girl. Easy night for you?"
Will asks even though he knows the answer. Orion always has an easy night. She has a shelter, that is practically a small house, to hide in from rain and wind. Access to clean water at all times; and a good section of grass to graze on. He softly places her food down a few paces from the gate. Orion lets out a soft nicker and bends her head down to eat. Will smiles then begins to gently brush his hand along her back. The dapples along Orion pop against the sun as it coats everything in a soft, yet bright, light.
"Will?"
Joyce calls out to him as she nears the gate trying to avoid all the mud. Which is difficult because it's practically everywhere since it's spring.
"Yeah mom?"
"Me and Jonathan are out to get more feed for the horses. We'll see you in a bit. Oh, and don't forget that we have a new TA (teaching assistant) coming in today. You'll have to show him around and what to do. Thank you Will!"
Joyce smiles at him as he has a slightly annoyed look on his face. The last thing he wants is to show someone new around. What if they've never even been around horses before? What if they're annoying? Will sighs and leaves Orion's pasture making sure to close the gate. She lifts her head from her food chewing on a big bite still. She snorts and shakes her main to get the flies off of her.
"I wish i could just eat and run around a field all day." Will speaks softly to himself. he sighs then lets off the gate and heads back towards the barn.
The barn door opens as Will walks in. It's definitely cooler inside which is nice and not only for him, but the horses too. He glances at the clock. It's 7:32.
"That TA should be here soon. Hopefully." He says going to the tack room to grab brushes and saddles for cleaning. At least he won't have to clean alone. That would take hours given how many saddles they have for all the different horses. Having all these different saddles is important though. They have all been fitted to different horses to ensure the most comfortable ride for the rider and horse. Keeping the saddles clean and well kept is a given. At least the brushes are easy to clean. A quick pull on all the hair trapped in the curry combs and hard brushes takes an hour max.
All of the saddle stands are set up. A few already have saddles on them. There are five more stands that need saddles. Just as Will heads back towards the tack room to get another saddle he hears the door hinges on the barn door squeak. Footsteps fall next ont the concrete flooring of the barn. They are soft. Like whoever is walking in is nervous. Will turns around and sees him.
"Uh, hi. I'm Mike."