Emma Enchanted ***WORK IN PROGRESS!***

Chapter One

I look down at my feet, pounding on the track. They come down, then almost immediately come back up. I lift my head up, taking in the sight I see before my eyes: masses of coats, umbrellas, and tarps. I keep running, but I open my mouth a tiny bit and let my tongue slip through. Every drop that falls on my tongue gives me new strength. A checkered banner comes rushing into my vision. Whoosh! I run through the banner, ripping it cleanly. A deafening roar fills the stadium. I double over, gasping for air. I turn my head, searching for the other racers but instead finding my vision blurred. Surprised, I straighten up. I feel my face, only to find that it is wet. My pulse quickens, my face flushes, and my breathing becomes more labored. I turn away and wipe my tears on my jacket. After I calm myself, I turn back to the crowd, make what I hope was a smile, and wave. I spot my family, a huge mass of ecstatic people, waving and cheering for me. Someone taps me on the shoulder softly and I turn.

"Emma, wonderful job. You struggled a bit at the beginning, but you definitely pulled it together at the end! You ran everyone else into the dust!" Coach Kellie says thoughtfully, coming up to congratulate me. "I really don't know how you do it."

She encouragingly pats me on the shoulder. "Now, go run along. The Taskmaster wants to grant you your trophy," and after a moments hesitation she adds, "plus your teammates want a picture with you."

I grin and pull her into a side hug. Her mouth opens, surprised, then turns into a small smile. "Thank you Coach." I run (well, actually I jog. I'm waaaayyyy too tired to fully run) back to my teammates, who are eagerly waiting with a camera and open arms. Piercing squeals fill my ears, like little girls who just met their favorite princess. I run into their arms, pulling them all into a group hug. "Great job Emma!" One girl says to me. "You creamed 'em!" Lucas claps my back, making me stumble. "Congratulations, Em!" Ella tells me.Their cheers of congratulations race through the air.

Overwhelmed by everything, my head starts to spin. My vision goes blurry again, but not by tears. My hands start shaking and slowly start raising themselves. Sparks shoot from my hands.

"What is going on?!?!" I think hysterically. Hysterical tears start streaming down my face. Every tear that falls goes up in a cloud of smoke. I start to grow hotter and hotter. I hold out out my hands: they are red as a fire truck. Screams penetrate the air, making my ears explode, literally. My ears pop, and smoke pours out. I whirl my head around. I make eye contact with Ella, my best friend, and then Lucas, my guy best friend. Everywhere I look, I see horrified expressions. Everyone's hands are up, their eyes wide, and screams escaping their open mouths. Suddenly, everything stops. The smoke starts to fade, I start to cool down, and everyone is completely still, as if in a trance, except for Ella and Lucas.