I wrote these two chapters at the same time so I hope you like it :D
The next weekend we all sat in the stands biting out nails in nervousness for our favorite competitors.
Thus far all of our 'team' had made it in the money be it first or tenth.
Anju pranced in on Thor. The great black and white paint. The great stallions sides heaved in anticipation. he shook his head twice. The bits jingling before calming with a heavy sigh. Anju kept her eyes and form facing the same way.
Suddenly she faced the arena. Thor gave a roar, reared high, hooves thrashing the air before taking off like a shot. Thor lived up to his name. His hooves thundered around the barrels his musscles shifting powerfully. His took off from the first barrel his hooves digging deep in the soft arena sand. She crossed the timer with Thor living up to his name as keeper of Lightining. She was in the lead then with the new arena record of fourteen point nine. The crowd erupted. Toothless cat-calling and howled. Ziggerastica rooster called and zoomed high into the air, triumphantly. She waved and left the arena.
"Great run Mrs. Brooks. Looks like the rest of our competitors will be vying for second, tonight. Next up Miss Lori McRean, riding Colonel Dees Doc. When you're ready," came the booming echo of the announcer.
She tore through the arena slidding around the first barrel and shooting to the next. Doc's stumble on the second barrel should have been warrning but none of us listened to it.
When he got to the third barrel his gront legt leg gave out from under him. At that moment, time seemed to slow. Doc reared up trying to catch his footing but got over balanced. He fell backwards.
"Nooo!" I shouted. I faintly heard her scream but I saw everything clearly. She slipped from her seat enough for her skull to be right in line with the barrel and the falling horse to miss her. The base of her skull hit the rim of the barrel and a sick feeling like ice clutched my stomach.
"ASTRID!" I shouted running down the steps and vaulting over the arena rail. I ran over to her still form.
"No,no,no,no," I cried falling to my knees, "Please, God no. I can't loose her again." I scooped her into my arms.
"Astrid, please, Astrid, please open your eyes," I gently pushed her hair out of her eyes. They fluttered open and landed on me with such love I thought I would burst.
"Hi-Hiccup," I smiled, tears forming in my eyes.
"Oh, Astrid!" I gasped.
"Heh. Haven't replaced me have you?" she asked, reaching up and cupping my cheek.
"No...but you subcanciously replaced me," I whispered.
"Eugh. Damn. Guess I'll have to fix that later," she said, weakly before closing her eyes again.
"Lori!" I heard Trevor yell. He and the peramedics came running.
As they took her off the E.R. Trevor turned to me.
"Hank, you were like her brother. Would you go to the hospital to see her with me?"
"Of course," I sent Ziggerastica to find Anju and Toothless to let them know where we were and I was off to see my Astrid. My Astrid, mine again.
YAY SHE IS BACK! Lori is Astrid NOW!
