“Get your lazy ass up, Zona!”

I yawn slowly sitting up from my uncomfortable bed. With the familiar ache in my back, I stretch to relieve it.

“ZONA! Do I have to come up there?!” Yells my owner Nicolas from below. I laugh to myself trying to imagine him climbing the ladder.

“I am coming Nic.” I grumble under my breath. I get out of bed and throw on some pants before climbing down from my loft. Nicolas stands in front of the barn doors that lead to the outside. He looks like he has put on more weight overnight which I couldn’t understand how. I look down at him and roll my eyes, “Okay I am down.” I can almost see my reflection in the top of his shiny white bald head.

“Get to work you slacker. How much…” I roll my eyes and tune him out. For being about five- foot four and easily over three hundred pounds, it amazes me that he can walk around at all. I yawn in his face and turn around going to work. “This is your last strike Zona.”

I turn back slightly looking at him, “Sure it is.” I smirk seeing him get angry. He turns to walk back to the house. I start to do my chores for the farm. I first start off feeding and watering the animals. Nicolas doesn’t own a lot of animals. A few pigs, a couple of goats, and an old war horse that has seen better days. I sigh as I get the water pan and head over to the horse pin. Bruce, the warhorse, is already tearing up the newly repaired pin. He has never liked me, as I will never like him. I throw an apple across the stall to distract him and quickly fill his water bucket. I barely get my arm out of the pin before he tries to kick me. I glare at him, “Watch it Bruce or you get no more apples.”

It looks like he rolls his eyes at me as he starts to drink out of his bucket. For being a thirty-year-old horse, he still looks as black as midnight. He would be considered in great condition if it wasn’t for his leg; it was broken a couple of years ago. He mainly just walks the pasture and causes me a shit load of trouble. I glance him over one more time leaving to finish the rest of my chores. The farm has been becoming more and more useless ever since about a year ago: small farms like these don’t last long with only one slave

Later in the morning, I go down to the river and decide to take a break. This small creek leads into a major river downstream and has a small lake upstream. I find this the most relaxing area within miles of this farm. As I look into the water and see my reflection, I notice how I am covered in sweat and dirt. I can barely see my almost flawless white skin underneath all this grime. I take some water and wash it all off. I analyze my face. I have been told if I wasn’t a slave, I would be beautiful. I never understood why others thought this. I was plain. There is nothing remarkable about me, except maybe my eyes. I have very light green eyes and paired and with raven black hair, I guess I could stand out a little bit. I have even heard someone comment how I look like a doll. I quickly dismiss these thoughts because it doesn’t matter: I am a slave. I frown and kick the bucket into the water. This produces a grumble because now I must get the stupid bucket. I take off my pants and slowly enter the water. Usually the bitterness of the water does not affect me but today it is unusually cold. I reach out for the bucket but pause to hear the rustle of leaves. I slowly look up to see a white wolf sitting on the other side of the river. It watches me carefully, waiting for me to move. I grab the bucket as I back up slowly and get out of the water. Our eyes never leave each other. I quickly turn to run towards the house, but I look over my shoulder to see the wolf run into the forest. I quickly put on my pants. I head to the main house already scowling at the fact I must deal with wolves on the property.

As I get to the house, Nicolas is eating another lunch. Plates are stack on either side of the table. He looks at me with disgust, “Are the chores done?”

I roll my eyes. “Almost, but we have wolves now.”

He eyes me and coughs a little. “Wolves? I have never had wolves here in all my life here. You must be crazy to think you can get out of the work I have planned for you.”

I huff at that, “I am not trying to get out of work. I saw a white wolf. So, I want something to deal with it.”

He chuckles, “Right. I am not giving you a weapon with the last stunt you pulled.”

I grip my arm in frustration. “Just give me something so I can at least defend myself.”

He pauses and hands me a knife. He gives me a dirty look. I look down and take it, slightly angry. I leave before he can say anything more. I walk straight down to the river and roll up my pant legs. Anger brews within me at the fact he threw my accident in my face. I grip the knife until my knuckles go white. I head across the river. I am not a mistake