The Power Within

Chapter 1

Lisa, Carol and Stevie arrived at Pine Hollow early one weekend morning. They had work to do. In a few days, the Regional Equestrian tournament would take place. Mrs. Reg though, had found out that they had left the house that morning without much breakfast, and that wouldn't do. She took the three of them into the lounge for some of her world-famous pancakes. While they were sitting there eating, Mrs. Reg turned on the T.V. the news was on. A news story caught their attention.

"Dateline Gate City," said the Reporter, "Gate City's Mysterious hooded hero has made another appearance. A Rave the Warehouse club down on Water Street turned into blazing inferno when the DJ's stand shorted out the electrical system and ignited the alcohol behind the bar.

Our hooded Hero was seen walking through this man-made hell apparently unharmed by the fire and few minutes later emerged Carrying a young woman who was trapped on the lower level.

The mysterious young man placed the woman in the grass and disappeared into the crowd before the paramedics could reach them. The girl was too over come by smoke to positively describe the hooded hero, so it seems that his Identity is still a Mystery."

As the news anchor signed off the girls heard a sigh behind them. The turned to looked and found Veronica and Kristy standing there having walked in while the story was unfolding.

"He's so dreamy," she sighed

"You don't even know what he looks like," said Carole, "Nobody does."
"I'll find that out when I meet him," said Kristy, "Somethings are just meant to be."

"Oh please," Said Stevie, "The chances of you ever meeting him are about a zillion to one!" Kristy just huffed. The girls finished their breakfast, washed up and headed out to the barn.

The girls tacked up their horses and headed to the jumping ring. As they rode, Lisa suddenly remembered something.

"Hey guys," she said, "My Mother's god son Jace is coming to stay with me and my mother for a few days would it be alright if he hung out with us?"

Stevie shrugged

"it's fine with me."

Carole nodded,

"Yeah, he's more than welcome."

"Thanks, guys," said Lisa, "I know you'll like him he's a really nice guy." By the time they finished their practice Eleanor Atwood was pulling in to the parking area again. The car stopped and a handsome 15-year-old boy with wavy brown hair and blue eyes stepped out of the passenger's side.

"Thanks for the ride, Aunt Eleanor," he said before shutting the door.

He straightened up and looked around. He was wearing jeans, sneakers, a dark red T-shirt, and a denim jacket with a hood. The most unique part of his wardrobe was the black leather triple strap wristband that was on his right wrist.

Lisa jumped off Prancer and ran over to him.

"Hey Jace," she said throwing her arms around him and giving him a big hug.

"Hey Lise," he said hugging her back, "It's been too long."

"Way too long," she agreed, "Come meet my friends." She led him over to where Carole and Stevie had dismounted.

"Jace this is Carole Hanson and Stevie Lake," said Lisa, "Guys this is Jace Connors."

The girls exchanged greetings with Jace and walked toward the stables. When they got inside, the first person they met was Max. Lisa introduced Jace and Max asked the first question that he asked most newcomers.

"Do you ride?"

"I'm no champion but yeah I ride a little." Said Jace

"Fine," said Max, "Tell you what, if you like you can ride Comanche while you're here."

"Thanks," said Jace shaking hands with Max. Max turned and hurried up the stairs to his office.

"You'll have to cut us all some slack," said Lisa, "The Regionals are only three days away, so things are kind of hectic around her right now."

"Don't sweat it!" said Jace with a wave of his hand, "Now one of you needs to introduce me to Comanche."

"Right this way," said Stevie, she paused and turned to Lisa, "Would you untack Belle for me?"

"Sure, go ahead," said Lisa rolling her eyes.

Stevie led Jace to Comanche's stall.

"This," she said pointing to a chestnut brown horse with the black mane, "is Comanche."

"Hi Comanche," said Jace holding out his hand to the horse, "Let's get acquainted." The friendly horse came up and nuzzled Jace's hand. Then he moved his head up and nibbled at the front of Jace's jacket.

"Hey," said Lisa as she and Carol walked up, "He likes you."

Jace laughed as the horse continued to nibble at his Jacket,

"I think what he actually likes is the granola bar in my pocket." The girls laughed.

"What's so funny," asked another Voice

The girls turned and saw Phil walking up. Phil walked up and pecked Stevie on the cheek.

"Jace," said Stevie, "This is my boyfriend_."

"Phil Marsten," Jace finished shaking hands with Phil

"Yeah," said Stevie, "how did you know?"

"Phil and I Met a few years ago at the summer camp that my grandfather James Connors owns," said Jace, "I was there to visit my grandfather at his house across the lake from the camp. Phil and I became friends."

That afternoon, after all the lessons were over with, the girls, Phil, and Jace went on a hack. Girls noticed that not only was Jace good looking, but he also sat a horse pretty well. Lisa explained that Jace's had always been smart and a quick study. His grandfather owned horses and had been the first one to teach Jace how to ride.

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The next morning after their morning practice Jace was Helping the girls Muck out their horses' stalls. Stevie and Lisa were working in their horses' stalls. Phil was there too but he had been acting strange all morning. he had been hanging around acting like he was trying to get up the nerve to talk to Jace about something. Strangest of all, Jace could swear he was avoiding Stevie. He was about to say something when Carole brought wheelbarrow out of the stall and looked around. There were two bales of hay sitting there.

"Jace," she said, "We're going to need at least one more bale of hay, would you get it please?"

Jace nodded and headed for the hayloft. When he got to the top of the stairs leading up to the hayloft. He reached around to the other side of the doorpost and grabbed a pair of hay hooks off the nail they were hanging on. He had just stuck them into either side of the nearest hay bale when he hear footsteps coming up the stairs. He didn't even have to look to know it was Phil.

The footsteps stopped at the top of the stairs and there were several seconds of silence. Finally, Jace couldn't take it any longer. He turned and looked Phil straight in the eyes.

"What is it Phil?!" he snapped

"Jace," said Phil, "You've got to help me! I've made a big mistake!"

TBC… Please read and Review

What is Phil's big mistake?

Why is he avoiding Stevie?