Riding to Win

Chapter 8: Breaking (Violet)

After seeing Rango, I just start running. I don't know where to, I just start running. As I go past more and more people, I hear a familiar voice and someone grabs my waist spinning me. Through my panicked state, I can hear the person that grabbed me calling my name. It's clear, but yet it sounds like the person is trying to talk to me from inside a tunnel. I hear what sounds like a hundred people coming after me, so I tear myself from the person's grip and run. As I sprint out of the rodeo area and past the tents, I can make out the line of trees behind the tents. My panic has caused my vision to go out half way so things are blurry.

I run a little longer before me legs give in and I tumble to the ground, hitting something hard. I don't give the pain time to rush through me before I force myself to crawl to a large tree. I slump against it and try to calm myself down. I realize that I'm hyperventilating and my heart is racing uncontrollably. I close my eyes and don't open them again because in that moment, my body gives way to exhaustion and I pass out.

"I told you she is a slippery one," I hear a voice say. I roll my head and let out of soft groan. "Easy kiddo. Don't make any sudden movements. You took a pretty good fall in the woods."

"Vi, are you alright? How do you feel?"

I open my eyes and am blinded by a white light. It dims as my eyes adjust to it, allowing me to look around. Im laying in a bed in a white gown with gray polka-dots. Around me are Tucker, Tyler, Dale, and Jim. I try to sit up, but pain rushes through my body, knocking me down.

"Don't try to get up on your own," Tucker says coming over to the bed. He picks up a remote and presses a button causing the bed to give me support and raise me to a sitting position. "There, is that better?"

"Yeah, how did I get here? How long am I going to be here? What happened to me?"

"Easy there firing squad. You're just fine. Tyler was on your heels about ten seconds after you took off. Your boss helped him out by grabbing you by the waist. You heard him coming with the medical crew and wiggled free just to take off in a sprint. You got into the woods and tripped over a tree root. You got back up and went a bit farther before you slumped against a tree and passed out due to exhaustion and pain. The doctors say you have no breaks or fractures. You have no concussion and you are being discharged in an hour or so," Tucker answers my questions in a calm and steady voice.

"Violet, what caused to take off like that," Dale asks me. "And while I'm asking questions, why did you get scared where Tyler got to you with the medics?"

"I ran because of Rango. The trainer's couldn't get a hold of him and he made eye contact with me before he charged in my direction. When Jim grabbed me, I was freaking out and being super paranoid. When I heard you guys coming, there were so many running steps that in my head combined together and sounded like a charging bull so I ran for my life. I'm sorry if I scared you guys too much."

"Darling, I'm sure that I speak for everyone when I say we are just glad that you are okay, " Dale says.

"Okay indeed," someone says from the doorway. Everyone turns to see Dan closing the door as he comes in. Tyler goes and stands in front of him.

"Leave her alone Dan. She had been through enough. Violet doesn't need you bothering her."

"Calm down Tucker, I was just bringing her this card and these flowers," he says coming up to the bed. "These are for you. I hope you are back on your as soon as possible."

"Thank you Dan, this is really nice of you," I say out of surprise. He kisses my forehead and leaves the room. "How did he know that wildflowers are my favorite?"

"Because he is a creep," Tyler mutters. "He probably put a camera or something to hear everything we say."

"Alright Ms. Violet, you are all set to go. Here are your clothes that we cleaned for you so you don't have to do it. Have a nice day sweetheart," a nurse says coming in with the clothes I came to the hospital in. Everyone but Tucker clears out. He helps me change into the clothes that he had brought me from my hotel room before we leave. The nurses have me sit in a wheelchair until I'm out the doors of the hospital. Tucker helps me to his truck and helps me get in while Tyler carries my duffle bag.