The Serum

The Race

~Karter Burgs~

"Sure, what's the harm in that," I said sliding off the bed. Hannah and Lexi nodded and followed Autumn out of the bedroom. I threw the magazine on the bed and followed, shutting the door behind me. I walked down the hallway with my eyes closed. I knew this place like the back of my hand. I've been Autumn's friend since she moved here and been here more times than I could count. I justed reached the stairs when I ran smack into a bulky body.

"Ouch!" Hannah yelped in surprise. I opened my eyes to see Hannah's head right in front of me. I was easily looking over her though. "Watch where you're walking," Hannah muttered and continued down the stairs. I kept my eyes open and followed her down them. We came into Autumn's kitchen, which was nicely open, painted red, silver appliances everywhere. I quickly exited the room before I became to ingrossed in the detail. I should study interior designing in college, I thought to myself as we headed through her French Double Doors, into the big backyard that was outlined by a woods area.

"How about we take this little race into the woods?" Lexi asked. "I'm all for it!" Autumn replied. "I might get my clothes ripped and I have a date with Dane later this evening!" Hannah complained. "Well, you shouldn't have come out here then," Autumn murmered. Hannah glared Autumn down. Something's been up with those two...they've been more aggressive today than normal. I raised an eyebrow and decided not to mention it.

"I'm fine with it." I piped up before anything could happen. Autumn shook her head and smiled towards me, her sharp teeth glittering in the sunlight. "Let's race from here to Hangman's Tree. Whoever arrives first wins." Autumn said.
"What do we get if we win?" Lexi demanded.
Autumn scratched her head, clearly taking the question to heart.
"Winner gets first choice of what we do tonight. They also get 5 dollars from each the losers," she smiled.
We all nodded in agreement. I took off my Addias sweats I was wearing and put them on a sun chair. I had my basketball shorts on under, the others were already in shorts and tanktops. Knowing how far Hangman's Tree was (and how bad I sweat) I took off my shirt and folded it, placing it by my pants.

As we were walking to our starting line, we jumped as a voice sounded from behind us.

"Hey guys, whatcha doing?" Alex called as she rounded the side of the house.

"About to have a race to Hangman's Tree. Winner gets 5 dollars from everyone and the perks of choosing what we do tonight! Want in Asthma girl?" Autumn replied, with a cocky half-smirk.

"You know I never back down from a challenge. I just hope you can keep up."

We all got down and ready. Autumn was farthest to my right, Alex came to stand right beside her, then Lexi, Hannah was next to me staring at her passage into the woods, I was the last on the left. "On your marks, get set..........GO!!!" Autumn cried. I took off without a single thought.

I took the lead not daring to look back. I felt my arms pumping, legs pounding, heart racing. I hit the woods, jumping over a fallen log. I took this time to look behind me. Hannah was right on my tail, Lexi was running with my pace, Autumn was right beside Hannah. How has Autumn stayed with Hannah?? She was never as fast as us! Also where's Alex? There's no way she passed me. I was to busy thinking that I stumbled on a vine and fell towards the ground.

I landed face first into a pile of leaves and brush. My hands ached and my knees burned. I heard the rumbling of the Earth as Lexi passed me shooting a cocky grin. I got to my knees, not going to let Lexi beat me this time. "Karter watch out!" Autumn screamed. I turned around and saw Hannah's feet fly over my face. I fell to the ground again, but this time on purpose. That was a close one! I remembered this was a race, if I didn't win Lexi would surely outpace the others. Then I'd have to sit through another night of group Tindering. I quickly got up and lept back into action.