Hope & Skydancer (Book 1)

Chapter 23

My eyes were closed as I sat atop my horse while voices whirled around. Hazel held my hand in hers, talking to me, but all was blurry, hazy. I just tried to relax, and stay relaxed.

I opened my eyes to the bustling people, standing around the fenced off starting line.

"Hope, look." She nudged my shoulder, forcing me to look up to the crowd.

Standing all around, was a crowd, all here to see me off. Most were wearing green shirts with my name on them. I saw my mom and my sisters. There were signs and banners, all around people cheered, and cheered. Then, one particular group caught my eye.

All dressed in bright lime green, a group of children held up a large banner. I searched the group to see Maysie and the girl I met at the campground, huddled in a group of other young amputees. They were all children, with big bright smiles on their little faces.

This is why I am racing today. Not for Ceci, not for prize money, but for these kids.

Their banner is what really caught my eye.

'You are our Hope! Go #12'

I read over their banner, over and over again. I really was their inspiration, and this put a smile on my face.

"We're going to win this. For them." I cooed into Sky's ear. She whinnied, bringing me back to reality.

Hazel kissed Sky's fore head, cooing to her, before she looked up into my eyes. "Good luck. Stay. Safe." She emphasized her words, and I knew she meant it.

Hazel walked away, grabbing Faith's lead and pulling her away, leading me to walk up to the starting line and wait for the sounding of the horn. An eerie silence took place as everybody sat on the edge of there seats, waiting. And waiting.

And finally, it came.

The loud blaring of the air horn broke the long silence. I urged Sky into a gallop and we headed down the trail.

I looked down to my chest, where a camera was clipped on, giving everybody the best view possible. As we galloped, I spotted a few other cameras, sticking out like sore thumbs along the wooded trail.

Concentrate. Keep going.

I came to the first leg. It was a series of jumps make of logs, stumps, and rocks. I brought myself around, cantering down the path. Together, Sky and I jumped over the unfamiliar jumps. Judges watched from nearby perches, jotting notes about our performance.

Skydancer and I continued, passing through other minor legs of mostly jumping. We came upon an obstacle that was far more unusual than others.

It was a large metal pipe, large enough for horse, but not rider. I looked around the area for a possible solution. I saw a wooden post sitting by the entrance.

Sky was to go through the tunnel, but I was not. I looked around for a way to pass myself, when my gaze came upon a stack of haybales. They were acting as a set of stairs, leading to the roof of the pipe. That was my way through.

I reached back and grabbed an apple from my pack. I dismounted from my horsey perch, and hopped over to the stairs. I crawled onto the roof of the pipe and turned toward a bewildered Sky.

"C'mon Sky. I held the apple up at the tunnel's entrance, coaxing her forward. She stopped at the entrance of the tunnel. She was naturally uneasy about entering the unfamiliar object.

I crawled across the top toward the other end of the tunnel, still cooing to my nervous mare. I reached the end and hung over the top, lowering the apple into sight.