I watched in pure horror as my older brother sliced open the horse’s stomach, while the horse hung from the ceiling by chains with hooks dug into the body. I never knew why we did this, and I’ve been alive for 15 years. All I knew is that if an animal showed the slightest bit of sickness or injury, it was put down in a brutal way.

Harley lets out a whine of happiness and leans down and nudges my knee. I hesitated, but slowly reached out and pet his nose. He licked my hand. It was Harley, he wouldn’t hurt me, but how was this even possible.