The Forest of Love - Prologue

The metallic explosion of a gun-shot ran through the trees of the forest chased by the thundering of stampeding hooves. The herd galloped away from the threat, their sleek equine bodies making quick work of the obstacles covering the leaf-strewn floor. The speed with which they moved was astounding and nothing could be considered more beautiful, however, there was a panic about them that marred this beauty.

“Hyar, hyar,” A rough voice shouted from a jeep that seemed to growl with menace as it forced the herd to run faster. “Get a move on!”

The herd were being pushed towards the edge of the forest and they tried to turn into the thicket. It was then that then leader spotted movement and diverted the group away from the potentially deadly net that had been strung across between the trees. They headed to the opposite side but found the same threat; they were trapped with only one direction in which to move.

The large black jeep moved ever closer and the herd began to back up, moving ever closer to the forest edge and the large truck that was parked at the end of the net funnel. The metal ramp led up into a dark box that looked far too ominous for the leader of the herd.

“Get up there!” The large male in the jeep let off another shot which immediately caused the males to move in front of the females and young.

“You have nowhere to go and if you don’t move…” The man pointed the barrel of his shotgun at the leaders head. “The next shot won’t be a warnin’.”

Slowly, the herd was pushed into the trailer and the door was closed, hiding the herd away from the prying eyes of the public.

“You will never get away with this,” The prince of the centaur herd shouted through the gaps.

“We already did,” A small man in a suit appeared in the prince’s view and smiled. “There’s no-one who can help you now.”

It was with his laugh that the centaur herd were left with as the lorry pulled away, stealing them from their home and leaving them with an uncertain future at the end of the road.