Deep Conditining - Chapter Twelve -
Story by Cederwyn Whitefurr on SoFurry
Palen awakens from his coma, at first bewildered, confused and disturbed - but Stephen finds something has changed in his companion Stallion - something he never expected...
Deep Conditioning
Chapter Twelve
- Cederwyn Whitefurr
10th June, 2019.
All Rights Reserved.
For the next two weeks, Rosie slept and stayed by Palen's side, only leaving to go outside to go to the toilet. She refused food, getting weak and gaunt, until at last Stephen forced her to eat. Rosie kept watch over Palen, laying her head on his shoulder and staying with him day and night. Eventually, Stephen took the weak and exhausted doe, holding her in his arms and he carried her to his bed and lay her down.
“Master - “ Rosie whispered, then struggled to get back to her hooves, but her body was weak and exhausted, almost emaciated, and her head slumped back onto the pillow as she shuddered.
“Rosie, honey, please – you won't do Palen any good, if you starve yourself my love.”
“He needs me - “ Rosie began, then she shuddered and moaned softly, as Stephen depressed the plunger on the needle in her neck, the sedative working swiftly, dragging the doe into a deep, restful sleep.
“I'm sorry dear Rosie,” Stephen sighed, as he stroked her ears and draped a blanket over her. “I can not afford to lose both of you, I love you both so very very much.”
Quietly, he walked out of his bedroom, and lay down behind Palen, pulling the blanket up over them both, as he rested his arm over Palen's unconscious body, feeling the heart beat faint but stronger.
“Come back to us Palen, please - “ Stephen murmured. “You've got to come back to us - “
*
Next morning, Stephen awoke, weak, stiff and exhausted. He took nearly ten minutes to get up off the floor, eventually resorting to pressing against Palen's hind hips to help himself get up. As he staggered into the kitchen, he prepared his breakfast with a heavy heart. He was lost without Palen, he knew that, but he did not know to help his beloved companion – or even if he could...
*
Stephen awoke with a snort, laying beside Palen again, when he felt the stallions body convulse, then a weak, gasp escaped Palen's muzzle.
“Palen? PALEN?” Stephen screamed in joy, sitting up and dragging Palen's head into his lap, tilting it back to Palen's airways were less constricted.
“Mas - “ Palen gasped, his eyelids flickering, as he struggled to draw strength to open them.
“I'm here, oh my dear, sweet, beautiful stallion, I'm here my love - “
“I - “ Palen shuddered and went limp again.
Stephen thought the worst had happened, but he held his fingers firmly against Palen's throat, feeling the heart beating much quicker, the pulse growing stronger by the minute. Quickly, Stephen fetched a bowl of cold water and he shook Palen until the groggy stallion awoke. Stephen managed to roll him onto his knees and held the bowl up to Palen's muzzle.
Gratefully, Palen dipped his head and began slurping down the water, it seeming to awaken and revitalise him. After a few aborted attempts, Palen managed to get his front hooves under himself and he stood up, all four hooves splayed out as he shook himself and trembled as if stricken by a virulent flu.
Palen frowned, then shook his head and snorted, before he backed away a few steps, staring at Steven as if he wasn't there.
“Palen? Are you alright honey? It's me – Stephen - “
“You...” Palen whispered, then his frown deepened and his ears snapped back, his eyes narrowing as his nostrils flared.
“Hey, Palen – it – its alright!” Stephen gasped, as he moved backwards.
Palen snorted, stepping forwards, before he glared with a malevolence at Stephen.
“YOU HATE ME!” Palen suddenly screamed in rage and grief.
Confused, Stephen held out his hands in a placating gesture, then shook his head.
“No, Palen, oh my dear, sweet, loving companion – why do you say such terrible things? Of course I don't hate you, I love you and Rosie both!”
“Ros...what did you do to her?” Palen snarled, as he stepped closer. “Where is she?”
“Rosie's...sleeping Palen, please, calm down, its alright, I don't know what's wrong with you, but this – this isn't who you are. You're kind, gentle, loving...come on, easy now...”
“I...” Palen blinked and shook his head, confused and angry, the two emotions fought with equal strength inside his mind – the conditioning trying to reassert itself, but something, some spark inside of him, fought the compulsion. “NO!”
“What did you say Palen?” Stephen asked, dumbfounded.
“NO!” Palen screamed at him. “I will...I will not – will not – obey!”
Stephen stopped, stunned in his tracks, as Palen screamed and dropped to his knees, shaking and sobbing helplessly. He collapsed onto his side, his legs twitching and the convulsions growing worse, before Stephen ran to him, wisely standing behind him, then held the stallions head in his lap.
“No, I will...not obey – anymore - “ Palen gurgled, his eyes rolling and body shaking as he willingly fought the conditioning forced upon him.
Stephen was confused, not understanding, as Palen screamed again, the agony in the terrified Stallion's cries unmistakable. Blood cascaded from Palen's nostrils and mouth, as he thrashed and kicked wildly.
“Mas...master, please – it – it hurts so bad!” Palen ground out from between his clenched jaws.
Not knowing what to do, Stephen rose, then he leaned back and snapped his hand across Palen's cheek with a sickening slap. Palen screamed again and again, before Stephen hit him even harder, then yelled at him, Stephen's voice filled with grief, love and anger.
“Get up damn you Palen, you hear me – get up and do what you're told, now!”
Palen's body responded before his mind caught up, and he rolled to his hooves and stood, his body shaking, before Stephen raised his hand again – then Palen shuddered once and swallowed, his ears timidly flicking forwards.
“Please...don't - “ Palen whispered, eyes wide and fearful.
Stephen lowered his hand, then carefully reached it out, his fingers brushing Palen's nose, as the equine took a deep, shuddering breath, re-bonding himself to Stephen's scent.
“I'm...” Palen began, then nervously swished his tail, his ears flicking too and fro.
Stephen stared into Palen's eyes, then he gestured at the floor. “Palen, kneel down.”
“I - “ Palen's knees buckled, before he snorted and lifted his head up. “Nnnngh...no!”
Stephen stared incredulously. “What...what did you say to me?”
“I said...nnnn...no!” Palen spoke, his voice stronger and more assertive. “I will...not obey you, Stephen. You...you no longer – control me...”
To Be Continued...