Falkirk Mine

Marc and Jake continue to be surprised by Steven’s shenanigans.

Written for a Tumblr Ask from NKP1981: What good reason did Steven give Mark and Jake for the horse standing in their bedroom and eating apples?

Marc felt Jake’s agitation and confusion almost immediately. It was so strong that it pulled him from the ‘back room’ with force. Usually, it was only anger or distress from either of his alters that brought him to the surface of his mind, but these feelings were so unusual, especially from Jake, that it was frightening.

When he reached the surface and could see out of his body’s eyes, he was surprised to find that it was Steven who was fronting, not Jake. Jake was there, however, and Marc felt a tinge of relief from their most stoic alter when Jake felt his presence. Then Marc was able to focus on what was going on.

Steven was sitting on the bed feeding a horse an apple.

A horse. In the flat. Next to the bed.

“What the hell is going on?” Marc asked, Jake’s emotions making complete sense now.

“Oh, Marc!” Steven responded, his voice bright. “I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to explain to both of you at once so I don’t have to tell this story again.”

“Steven, there’s a horse in the flat!” Marc knew he was stating the obvious, but saying it comforted him for some reason. As if he was seeking affirmation that he wasn’t going crazy. Again.

“Yeah, yeah!” Steven agreed cheerily. “This is Falkirk Mine. And don’t worry. I’m cleaning up after him carefully while he’s here.”

Marc noted that there was a large canvas tarp covering the floor, and big 50 quart utility bucket and shovel against the wall; there was already a few horse apples in the bucket.

“Hermano,” Jake said, his voice tight, as if he was holding on to his patience with a thread. “Why is it here?”

“He is here,” Steven started, emphasizing the pronoun, “because he belongs to Corben Greeley.”

“The gangster?” Marc asked.

“Yeah,” Steven confirmed. “Gangster, con man, crime boss, and all-around horrible man.” Steven paused and reached back to pull a bag of baby carrots from the other side of the bed. He opened it as he continued talking; the horse, a big brown animal with a black mane, tail, and legs, make a soft rumbling sound when he saw the treats. “Falkirk Mine lost the Derby on Saturday.”

“I remember hearing about him now,” Jake said. “He was heavily favored. Undefeated. And he lost.”

“Yeah.” Steven started feeding the horse the carrots now. “His first loss. His fans were heartbroken. His owner was just mad.” Marc could feel rage building in Steven now. “Greeley was going to kill him. Poison. Make it look like he colicked. Get the insurance money out of him now that he’s not going to make them as much money as a stud as he would before he lost.” The righteousness and fear in Steven’s voice was palpable. “I wasn’t going to let that happen.”

“How do you know that?” Marc asked, his own anger in check. Steven reacted more with emotion that the other two put together.

“I have a friend who works as a groom on the track. Falkirk Mine’s groom went to him looking for help. There wasn’t much time, so Raul and I snuck the horse out last night and brought him here.”

“How’d he even fit in the elevator?” Jake wondered.

Marc wasn’t concerned about that. “Steven, you just stole a horse worth millions of pounds. How, exactly, do you think this will end?”

“Here’s the thing,” Steven explained, his voice lighter once more. “The cops finally have enough evidence to arrest Greeley on murder charges. The ex of his current girlfriend went missing a few weeks ago, and they found his body a couple of days ago. They finally have DNA evidence Greeley did it.” He gave the horse another handful of baby carrots. “So, Mr. Man here is going to hang out with me until then.”

“And then you’re just going to what… slip him back into his stable unnoticed?” Marc couldn’t help the sarcasm.

“Raul and I will take him out to Woodcote Park in the wee hours. There’s a fenced-in area along the road by the golf club that used to have ponies in it. It’s safe enough for him. We’ll put him there and let the staff find him in the morning.” He reached up and rubbed the horse on the forehead. “But not until I know he’s safe.”

“You can’t guarantee having Greeley arrested will keep this horse safe,” Jake grumbled. “Greeley gave the order and it will be carried out with the belief that Greeley will get off somehow.”

Marc felt Steven’s frown.

“I can make sure Greeley doesn’t get off,” Jake growled.

“Jake…” Marc started.

“He was on Khonshu’s list,” Jake argued. “I remember it.”

“But we don’t work for Khonshu anymore,” Steven said.

Steven shrugged, his body relaxed enough that Jake could manipulate it. “I don’t need orders to protect the innocent, and I don’t just mean this horse.” Marc felt the simmering anger flow through the body. “This man has killed more than once, has coerced women to have sex with him, which is rape no matter that he says they were paid for it, and has cheated and lied his way into his powerful position. He needs to go.”

They were all silent for a while, the crunching of the horse eating the little carrots the only sound in the room.

“I won’t stop you,” Steven finally said softly.

“Neither will I,” Marc agreed.

“Tonight, then,” Jake told them. “In the meantime, how are you going to explain this horse to Layla? Her flight is supposed to be in before noon.”

“Layla loves horses,” Steven smiled, perking up. “I bet she’ll want to keep him!”

THE END