"WHAT?!!" Nick's loud yell left my ears ringing, but after what Clare had told us, I would've done the same. "You were attacked by an assassin? And he ended up shooting Johnson instead of you?!!!" Nick was holding Clare, her body violently shaking.
"Y..y..yes.." Clare was sobbing into her hands, her body nearly convulsing with each sob. "As we were going over..a..a jump..a bullet came out of nowhere, right at my chest. Johnson turned as we...we..were going over the jump, and it hit his hindquarters instead..of...m..me. We both hit the ground, and I rolled out of his way. He didn't roll very far, but blood was pouring from the bullet wound. I am beyond grateful that some vets from Tennessee were there. They managed to get the bullet out and stitch up the wound. Because Johnson turned, the bullet didn't hit anything major." Clare spoke more calmly now, but I could still hear the echo of her crying.
"Oh, Clare! I'm so sorry!" I stood up from my spot on the floor, since Nick had kicked me off the sofa so he could sit next to Clare. Now all three of us were crammed on the sofa, Clare sandwiched in the middle. "The only thing I don't understand is why someone would try to kill you. You're not a politically important figure."
"I know why. An anonymous business man wants his family to rule the equine show world. So, he's been sending trained assassins to kill off the best riders in the nation. Or sometimes their horses."
"Clare, why didn't you tell me this earlier?" Nick pulled back from Clare, looking for any sign of the girl he used to know.
"I've only been home for three days, and I was scared to see you again. I was afraid you wouldn't care about me anymore." Nick looked startled, as if he couldn't believe what Clare had just said.
"Clare....." Before Nick could say anymore, I decided to take matters into my own hands. If these two were in charge, we'd never get anything done.
"Okay! Enough super lovey dovey savvy stuff. Clare, how many riding champions have been hit? And what events?" I looked at Clare, fear creeping through me. I hadn't heard of these attacks, but if an assassin was taking out the top riders in each event, would it be my turn? And when?
Nick was about to snap, but before he could say anything, Clare pulled out her phone. It was an old, beat-up, flip phone, but Clare was completely okay without newer technology. "I have to look it up. I can't remember all of them." After a few minutes, Clare was able to find a list of all the great champions who had been murdered. As Clare started listing off horses, riders, and events, I knew that dressage wasn't on the list, but it soon would be. "Jumping was the last event to be hit, and thankfully, neither me or Johnson died. But he'll never jump quite the same. We can compete at regionals and such, but the Olympics are a no-go." I saw tears starting to form in Clare's eyes, and I began to realize how much this situation had actually ended. It had ended many lives, but also many dreams.
"Clare, dressage wasn't on that list. I'm going to die. I'm the top level 3 dressage rider in my age division."
Instead of a comforting gesture, or the words 'no you won't', Clare simply lowered her head and have a slow nod. She knew.
ŞİMDİ OKUDUĞUN
Losing You
Teen Fiction" No, No, No, this can't be happening. I can't lose you now!" The desperation in my voice is evident, even to those who do not know me. Cavallo, or The Knight In Shining Armor, my forever faithful gelding, was heaving, each breath more strained than...
