Here's a Todd-Focused chapter! Showing in greater detail the competition he won and providing some background to Todd's family.
We are the warriors, who learned to love the pain
We come from different places but have the same name
'Cause, we were, 'cause we were,
'Cause we were, 'cause we were Born For This
We Were Born For This
We are the broken ones, who chose to spark a flame
Watch as our fire rages, our hearts are never tame
'Cause, we were, 'cause we were,
'Cause we were, 'cause we were Born For This
We Were Born For This
Born for This - The Score
(I've decided that this is Todd's theme song)
Flashback:
Date: July 6th, 2016
Location: Taupo, Central North Island, New Zealand
The two men quickly adjust their shirts and smooth out their hair before the cameraman in front of them holds up three fingers and slowly counted them down.
"Ladies and gentlemen welcome back to the beautiful town of Taupo, I'm James"
"and I'm Donovan," the man next to him said
"and what a day we have had so far, We started with ten racers and now we are down to the final two: Samuel Stevenson and Todd MacLaren"
"A bit about the finalists today: Samuel Stevenson, eighteen years old from Auckland, has been racing for seven years, winning his fair share of local competitions. No doubt today is one of the most important races of his career.
"Now hold your horsepower there, Donovan" James spoke up "The same can be said for Todd MacLaren. Flying in from the South Island town of Cromwell and also winning his own share of local competitions. However, the most impressive fact is he is the youngest racer of the competition, at only sixteen years old. Despite that, he has proven he can hold his ground. In my opinion, it is truly is anyone's race"
"No matter the outcome of today we are all in for a treat! Both racers should be incredibly proud of themselves" Donovan finished
Meanwhile, Todd and Samuel walk to the middle of the track, and for a brief moment, both stare into each other's visors. Todd held up his hand, Samuel stared for a moment before gripping his hand and pulling him in close, patting him on the shoulder.
"Good luck mate," Samuel said quietly
"You too" Todd replied
Suddenly a voice on the loudspeaker came on: "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to present your two finalists today, Samuel Stevenson and Todd MacLaren!"
Samuel then grabbed Todd's hand and raised it above his head causing the crowd to clap and cheer louder. Two cameras panned down to Todd and Samuel's family, showing them cheering louder than one else.
The two racers then mounted their bikes and revved their engines. Donovan then stood in between the racers and loaded a blank pistol.
"Are you ready?" He asked the racers.
Samuel gave a firm nod while Todd gave a thumbs up
"On your marks" Donavan then pointed the blank pistol in the air
Todd closed his eyes and took a deep breath...
"Get set!"
Todd's snapped open, determination carved on his face... 'Let's go!'
*Bang!*
Todd and Samuel almost instantly tore down the track quickly arriving at the first turn.
Todd's heart beat fast, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he tore down the track. he glanced to his side and saw Samuel right next to him, both were literally right on each other, neither one unwilling to relent.
Both racers came up to a bumpy lane, they both slowed and rode along the top of them to keep their machines in control.
Both came up to a jump they sped up and got airborne, no tricks were performed, now was not the time for elegance.
Now in front of them was a U-turn, Todd turned slightly faster into the inside nearer to the curb, forcing Samuel to take the slightly longer outside, causing Todd to smirk under his helmet.
Todd tore down the track but Samuel was not giving up without a fight, as he quickly was right back on Todd's tail.
Meanwhile, the commentators were going nuts and all of the crowd were all on the edge of their seats.
"They are right on top of each other!" James yelled into his mic "No one has been able to break away!"
"Well as I told you, James!" Donavan also yelled in excitement "We are all in for a treat!"
The crowd was also going crazy.
The finalists expertly tore through the track, neither one able to take a decisive lead, they were always within reach of each other.
Both racers performed a sharp turn and saw in front of them saw a jump with the finish line at the top.
Todd's eyes narrowed and pushed his bike to its limit...
and crossed the line.
...
Todd and Samuel rode down the track for a while longer and then dismounted. Todd removed his helmet and looked at Samuel, neither of them could tell who won, they were both so close yet also were only focused on the finish line. Everyone turned to the large screen in anticipation, the screen then displayed the words "Photo Finish"
In the commentator's booth, Donovan and James were going crazy
"We have here a photo finish!" Donovan yelled, almost blowing his mic out.
James looked at the screen, his arms on the back of his head "I can't tell who won!"
"We will find out very shortly, stay tuned everybody," Donovan said in a slightly quieter voice.
A voice then came over the loudspeaker
"Ladies and gentlemen, We have a winner!" The voice said, "But first can we get a huge round of applause for Todd and Samuel!" Todd and Samuel, who were still standing in the center of the track, shook hands and turned to the crowd who cheered loudly for the finalists.
The crowd then went dead quiet, Todd and Samuel turned to the screen and wrapped their arms over their shoulders
"Good luck" Samuel whispered
"Good luck" Todd whispered back
"And the winner is..."
Todd couldn't even look at the screen, he bowed his head down and looked at the dirt, the adrenaline in his veins ran so wildly he felt like he was going to explode, Todd subconsciously got his clapping hands ready.
"... Todd MacLaren!"
The crowd then erupted, louder than any other time that day. Samuel let go of his shoulders and clapped for the winner.
Todd himself just stood there in utter shock, Did he really hear that? he looked up at the screen and saw the moment he crossed the finish line, Todd won by a matter of literal centimeters. Todd with a huge smile plastered on his face jumped and pumped his fist in the air before letting out a scream of happiness. He then fell onto his knees to catch his breath, he then noticed a cameraman and James walking toward him with a microphone.
"Todd MacLaren!" James said in disbelief "Todd how are you feeling?"
Todd shook his head and stood up "I-I don't know"
James let out a laugh "Mate, you have won a Ticket to the Americas with the NZ Ice Breakers!"
Todd had an uncontrollable smile on his face at the news, he then looked down at the Red Ribbon on his pinned on his motocross suit and put his hand over it.
Donovan noticed "I can assume you didn't race for just yourself tonight "
"Yeah, My family" Todd turned to his Mother and Older Step-Sister and waved at them "They're are my biggest fans, and my dad, wish he could see this, I hope I've done him proud, he's the one who got me my first dirt bike when I was eight. This win's for him as well"
Donovan placed a hand on his shoulder "I'm sure he's very proud of you Todd, I'll let you go and get ready for the award ceremony and of course to see your family" He turned to the camera "Everyone your champion: Todd MacLaren!"
Todd smiled and gave a thumbs up to the camera. Todd then ran over to his mother Olivia, and his sister Charlotte, he took off the muddy shirt of his suit (he's wearing a singlet underneath) and pulled them into a big hug.
"Not bad Maclaren," Charlotte said with a smirk
Todd rolled his eyes "Not bad!? You try to do that!" he said pointing to the track.
"I'm just kidding," Charlotte said while patting his shoulder "You nailed it!"
His mother pulled him into a tight hug and let out a small sob "Your father would be so proud of you..."
A tear escaped from Todd"s eye "I hope so" he whispered as he hugged tighter
"I hope so..."
Here's a bit more information for Todd's Family:
(Dates are formatted as Day/Month/Year)
Todd's father died of Leukemia (Blood Cancer) when he was ten years old on 15/02/2010. As a result, he's closer to his family than most people, he loves them very much.
Mother: Olivia Charlotte Knight
Father: Shane Jack MacLaren
Step-Sister: Charlotte Gracie Knight (Three years older than Todd)
Todd's full name: Todd Shane Knight-MacLaren
Todd's birthday: 05/02/2000
Todd is part Irish on his father's side and part English on his Mother's side but was born in New Zealand so considers himself a New Zealander (Kiwi) first and foremost.
This chapter was an interesting chapter to write. Sorry if the race part was too short.
Cheers for reading catch you later