Another Piece

Chapter 15

I heard the voice of my mother, calling everyone over to a platform at the center of the gymnasium. I sighed, standing in between Casey and Axel, the latter had his narrowed eyes focused on Drake, who stood in front  of us next to Talia. 

Talia looked behind us and took us in, especially me, and she pursed her lips, gazing in to my eyes, and I shivered. She shrugged and turned around, and I noticed her grab Drakes' hand. I sighed wearily, suddenly tired.

Suddenly, I felt someone grab my hand. I jerked sideways and ripped my hand free, spooked. 

Axel looked at me, he looked sad, suddenly he was looking at the ground. I felt guilty, and reached out and grabbed his hand which hung limp at his side. He looked up as my hand touched his once more, and smiled gently. 

I returned myself to his side and whispered, "You spooked me, Ax." I said, and he shrugged, as if to say, 'It's not my fault you get scared so easily.' And I laughed silently, suddenly realizing that the gangsters were watching us.

I looked back up to the platform quickly, my cheeks heated up. 

"Well, if you're done with your... Ehm.... Whatever it is you're doing... May I continue?" I nodded quickly and removed my hand from Axels'. 

I looked up to see my mother talking, explaining what was going on.

"Our first game will be Gun Run." I heard groans raise up from the kids, one of who was Axel, and another being Talia. I smiled gently, this was obviously a crowd favorite. Note the sarcasm. 

"For those of you who don't know how to play, Gun Run has two relay teams who are going to run from one end of the gym to the other. For this, we're going to the countryside, so follow me to the truck, people." I followed my mother, Axel and Casey at my sides.

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We arrived fairly quickly, and I saw two red lines, one signalling the starting point and the other signalling the end. 

"Okay. This team," I heard My mother announce, walking over to the left line, "Will have Axel starting, then Marty... Imern, then Talia, we'll have Anz, but then me, and to finish it off, Grecia Dozeri." 

A tall blonde man with charming green eyes stepped forward, a determined expression gave him the look of a modern prince, and he went over to the left and smiled at us as we waited for him to speak.

"Over here, my team... First will be Casey, and then Drake, and then Jayden, then Jack Morcloff, Caspian Dozeri, and lastly, me." The man finished. 

I heard a countdown, but didn't look around to see. I was too concentrated on Casey and Axel. 

Axel gave out a whoop when the countdown reached ten, bending over to touch the dewy grass. He planted his back foot to the point where his leg was almost fully stretched out. He jumped slightly.

Next to him, a few feet away, Casey was almost parallel to the ground, and I watched him look at the ground, determined. 

A large beep signaled the beginning of the race and Axel was off instantly, and I could barely see his legs. I saw Casey slightly behind, then Axel, then Casey, then Axel once more, near the end, Axel gave a sharp burst of speed and slapped Mr. Imerns' hand. Mr. Imern took off without hesitation. 

I heard another slap and I looked over to see Drake take off, faster than a jaguar. Drake caught up to Mr. Imern and passed him, on the way back he looked at me, and nodded. I held out my hand and he slapped it and I took off. 

My legs hurt like hell, but I refused to stop as I forced my limbs to carry me forward faster, grunting all the while. I was halfway back when I tripped, feeling a foot crash into my legs, and I grunted in pain as I fell forwards. I slipped getting back up, but was quick in the recovery, forcing myself to run forward once more, only with a slight limp. I slapped Mr. Morcloffs' hand. I tripped once more and grunted again, pulling up my pants leg to reveal a good sized bruise already forming.