Race With the Wind

Chapter 34

It's been two weeks since the incident. Sarah and Leona had to go to court. Mr. Hughes was sentenced to jail for drug dealing, animal abuse and attacking Sarah. We won't be seeing him anymore. I lie in my stable. I get up and look out of my stable door. A lot has happened. It is weird. Glic was weeping when I came back. She seen my weak condition. I told her everything and when I came to Sarah finding out about her mother's death, Glic weeped and cried. I comfort her. Sammy did too he spent most of the two weeks with her. Cara was confused and Kandy. They didn't take it serious. Sir, he actually made sure I was okay. He came up to me and made sure I was okay when I was grazing in the field.

I haven't seen Sarah. I think her dad really gave out to her. He said no horse riding. She fought back though. She told him I was in danger and that our vet was a drug dealer and a crook. She still went horse riding though. She raced me around the gallop. She said I need to get my strength back. I haven't been doing good lately. I'm too weak and slow. Also, we lost a race. A race was on and Sarah's dad made it clear that she is to not to race in it. It was the final race before the Grand National. I thought the race I hurt my leg was the final one. Sarah went to a few meetings. She told the papers that I will definitely be racing in Crabbie's Grand National in Aintree. It's all over the papers. All of the jockeys will be scared and will try to take us down in the next big race. We are dangerous. The Sky Princess though, is now lethal. Whenever you're near her in a race, they call it the Danger Zone. She will strike at you and take you down. I need to be careful.

I'm put out into the field. The sun is shining. The sky is clear. I gallop to the end of the field. I graze the spring grass. It is very fresh and full of sugar. Owners need to be careful when they stick their horse out into the field. Horses do put on weight. The winter here in Ireland was quite mild. It's usually raining but that happened very little. It was quite nippy. I enjoy the sun as it heats my coat. Sarah will be riding me today. I graze on the fresh grass and I see Sir walking up to me through the corner of my eye. ''Hey, how you feeling Scooter?''. He asks. I've never really liked this horse. Grumpy. Moody. Bossy. But it feels like we have something in common. He's interesting to chat to. He is clever. He sees the world as a cruel place for him. He won't tell me why though. I never asked him anyways. ''I'm good''. I answer. It feels like we can chat to each other like normal friends. He looks at me. He studies my whole body. ''You have developed muscle, but your confidence?''. He asks as he studies my body. ''I don't know. It doesn't feel right. Sarah seems to have lost her confidence''. I answer worried. He still looks at my body. ''Please stop staring. Yes. I have been doing a lot of training''.  I say calmly. He wasn't staring at me in a creepy way. He takes his eyes off of me. He looks embarrassed. ''I guess Sarah is scared''. He says. ''She has been going through a lot. Give her some time''. He answers. I nod my head. I guess she is scared. She has to prove that I am ready. I'm also worried why he was studying my body. It's like he knew something or someone when he was looking at me.

Sarah takes me out to the gallops. Leona is with her. I feel nervous. Sarah warms me up. She tots me around the gallops twice and canters me once. Leona asks her to gallop me at the 4 furlongs post(800m). She will time us. Sarah trots me away from Leona. She gives me the transition to canter easily. She stands high in the saddle and keeps a firm hold of the reins. She feels stiff. I can feel it through the bit in my mouth. I don't mind though. After what Sir had told me I don't listen to her body language. I will make her confident again. We canter nearer to the post. I feel Sarah loosening up. It feels better. Once we pass bang on the post she sits low and loose. She gives me rein and lets me run. My feet hit the ground with a thundering sound. I start to breathe under pressure. My heart rate high. I snort and pant. I push with my back legs and extend my front legs forward. I gallop with a long stride. The sand flying from underneath me. Sarah sits low and loose. ''There it is girl!''. She says encouraging me. We pass the finish line. Leona seems disappointed. ''Nope! Sarah you have to ride her!''. Leona says. Sarah doesn't seem happy. She takes me around again. We canter to the 4 furlong post. She urges me into a gallop. I gallop. She sits lower and looser. I race with my head low and stride long. I pant and grunt. I feel my adrenaline kick in. I gallop faster and faster. Sarah urges me on. I've never galloped so fast in my life! And it felt good when I crossed the finish line with a new record time! 22 seconds! Sarah pats me and pets me. ''That's how it's done!''. Leona says delighted. I'm put in the field to graze for the rest of the day.

Sarah's P.O.V

My father stares at me coldly. I'm just after putting Scooter in the field to graze. I'm so happy with her progress. Leona is delighted. My father told me to come inside. He is very unhappy. ''Stop! I hate seeing you on that beasts back!''. He shouts. I feel heat rise in me. Beast. More like friend. ''I hate it when you nag at me every time you see me near a horse. You don't understand. I've been trained for this. I don't want to live in the city! Nor does Sean! He loves it here. In the countryside. I love it too. I feel free. Please listen to me. Mom told me never give up!''. I say to him. We stand in the kitchen. The clock ticks. I don't know how long we have been standing here. The thirty seconds felt like and hour. He looks up at me. ''Don't you dare mention your mother. She's dead! Get over it! That horse got you into enough trouble''. He shouts aggressively. I grit my teeth. ''I love this! I'm doing mom a favour! To keep her farm in business! We have lost a race there last weekend! We couldn't afford to lose that race! It's over now! Go live in the city! I don't care! I'm staying here though wether you like it or not!''. I shout back. He nods his head. He walks out of the kitchen. I breathe in and out slowly. I've never fought with him like that. I didn't mean it. He just won't listen. I wish mom were here to help. I look out of the kitchen window and I see the horses waiting by the gate. I race out to them and take them in for the night. I forget about my father as I fall asleep in Scooter's stable. I snuggle up against her. It's like she's part of something. This mare has stolen my heart. She has been by my side. It's like she has a human in her too. She breathes her warm breath on me. I curl up in a ball and I dream of the Grand National. I see us racing to finish. I see the smile on my friends and family. I see my mother who stands tall and proud of me. If I never met Scooter, my life would be a mess.

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Hey guys hope you enjoyed!
School is back after a little mid term break so I will not be updating as much. I'm trying though!
Thanks guys for being patient!
I'll see ya's in the next chapter!❤️❤️🐴🐴