I don't own HM or any of it's characters. Nor do I own any of the Holy Scriptures, Jesus, God, Heaven, Angels, or anything supernatural related. I just own this small tribute to the beauty that is Jesus Christ.

Chapter 14: A Day at the Races

"Lord Jesus, please help Cliffgard today in the race. I don't want to sound selfish, but this could be a huge boost for the village. You know we need it. Please, give us this victory today. In your name, Jesus, amen." Ann sighed and squeezed Gray's hand once more before letting go.

The Army stood in a circle in the backroom of Rick's shop. The Army consisted of ten people—Ann, Cliff, Popuri, Basil, Lillia, Gray, Doug Green, Rick Green, Anna the mayor's wife, and, surprisingly, Joseph the head carpenter/blacksmith.

"Thank you for praying with me." Ann said happily. Anna spoke up with the reply, "Honey, it's what friends are for. Don't forget, you can come to us for anything." Ann nodded and sighed. "I guess we'd better go. Race time is soon."

BANG! BANG! BANG! Jack jumped out of bed and landed on his floor with a thud. He looked towards the source of the noise: the door.

"Just a second!" Jack called, but the banging didn't stop, telling Jack that whoever was doing it didn't hear him.

Jack hurriedly got dressed in the overalls he had worn the day before and answered it, looking as disheveled as he did.

"What? Did I wake you up?" Karen asked with a laugh. Jack groaned, "Why are you here? I set my sprinklers last night for auto just so I could sleep in!" Karen put her hands on her hips, "Did you forget?!"

Jack inferred from her furious expression he had forgotten something big. Then it clicked, "The… race! Oh man, I'm sorry! Are we late?!" Karen sighed, "We have plenty of time." Jack sighed a sigh of relief. "Okay then, let me get dressed and we'll be on our way." Karen sighed and shook her head in disgust. "Hurry up! I want to get some good seats!" Jack just grumbled a response and walked back into his house closing the door behind him.

After Jack walked back into his house, he walked over to the couch where he thought Cliff was still sleeping. "Lazy bum…" Jack muttered as he shook the blankets that covered the couch, expecting to shake Cliff awake. Instead, he only managed to grab just that, blankets. Cliff was not on the couch. "Weird… I wonder where he went…"

The square was bustling like it was New Year's Day. The horse races that happened twice a year, once in spring and the other in autumn, were some of the biggest festivals that Flowerbud Village boasted. It was second only to the Flower Festival, which drew merchants and tourists alike from all over the world.

"Dunk the clown and win!"

"Come on! Knock down the cans and win a big bear for your girlfriend!"

"Test your strength! Hit the bell and win!"

Venders from various booths and games all seemed to be focusing on Jack as he and Karen walked by. Jack merely ignored them although the comment about winning a big bear for his 'girlfriend' caused him to blush.

"What do you want to do, Karen?" Jack finally asked. Karen smirked, "To the betting booth!" Jack smiled, "Why not?"

The two moved through the crowds towards the betting booth. Anna sat at the table, taking the offered money from the various gamblers.

"A hundred for Champion." Karen said while slapping a hundred G. bill onto the table. Anna smiled, took the money, and gave Karen the receipt for her purchase.

"Are you going to bet, Jack?" Karen asked. Jack shook his head, "Maybe later, when I feel more confident." Karen shrugged, "Suit yourself! Just don't go begging me for money when I collect my winnings!" Jack laughed, "Whatever."

"Darn it, Jack! If you hadn't slept in, we wouldn't have to sit all the way up here!" Karen cried in frustration as the two took their seats on the bleachers near the top. Jack sighed, "Hey. At least we can see the whole track from here!" Karen growled, "We'd be able to see the whole track from down there too!"

Jack groaned and then he smiled. He pointed down near the middle of the bleachers. Ann's family, plus Cliff, were sitting there. There just happened to be enough space for Jack and Karen to sit there too. "There! We can sit there!"

"No." Jack whirled to look at Karen in surprise. "No?" Karen nodded and pointed to another family right next to Ann's. "Popuri." Sure enough, Jack saw two familiar pink-haired women sitting side-by-side right next to Gray. Next to them was a man, who by judging his hat could only be Basil, Popuri's father, whom Jack had met earlier that week.

"Karen! They're on the other side!" Karen growled, "I will not go anywhere near that… that…"

"Okay! I get it! We'll stay here!" Jack said wide-eyed. Karen smiled in satisfaction, but before she could say anything else, the announcer began announcing the schedule for the day.

"…And they're off! Champion takes the early lead, but Star C. is right on his tail!" Karen held her breath as the two horses pulled out from the rest of the pack before even the first turn.

"Champion's picking up speed! He's leaving Star C. in his dust!" They were nearing the second turn and, after that, the finish line now. Karen was sure that she would win this time.

"Come on, Champion! Finish the race!" Karen jumped up and screamed as the two horses rounded the last turn and onto the final stretch of course…

…then, the worst thing possible happened… Champion got tired…

"And it's Star C. for the gold! Champion for second, and Patoka for the bronze!" Karen sank back down in seat, disappointed in the fact that she was down a hundred G…

Karen growled and threw down her ticket and crushed it beneath her feet. "Stupid horse…" Jack laughed, "Come on, let's get something to eat. I'm starved." Karen brightened up, "You're buying." Jack shrugged and the two walked towards the nearest food vendor.

Gray sighed and leaned heavier against the guardrail in front of the track as he watched the jockeys train their various horses, getting them ready for the upcoming races. If only I could… "Hey." Gray jumped and looked at the person who was now leaning against the rail next to him. It was Popuri.

"What'cha doing?" Gray sighed, "Dreaming…" He sighed once more and sat down on the nearest bleacher. "I just wish…" He trailed off; Popuri knew what he wanted.

"You want to ride again?" Popuri asked as she sat down beside him. Gray nodded slowly never taking his eyes off the training horses. "It's just…the injury…"

"Why?" Gray looked at her. "Why what?" Popuri looked at him with a glare of determination. "Why do you still use that old injury excuse? The accident was three years ago, Gray. Even the doctors say that you could ride again if you'd just get the courage. The injury wasn't permanent. If you'd just get over your fear, you could win this, Gray! You know as well as I do that Cliffgard works best only when you are riding him!"

Gray looked at Popuri with amusement. "You have a really good memory, do you realize that?" Popuri waved the complement off, "Don't change the subject." Gray crossed his arms across his chest, "What is the subject, Popuri?" Popuri sighed, "God hasn't given us a spirit of fear, remember?"

Gray opened his mouth to reply, but no sound came out. She's right… Once again, Gray's thoughts were interrupted, "So, what are you going to do about it?" Gray looked down at Popuri with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I'm gonna find a way to race… right after we pray."

Popuri's eyes opened widely in bewilderment. "Pray? Here? But everybody can—"

"God has not given us a spirit of fear, remember?" Popuri laughed when Gray turned her own motivational words back on her. "How ironic…" She said. Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "Oh well, okay, do you want to lead it?" Gray shrugged and nodded.

"Lord, first of all, I want to thank you for sending Popuri to me at this desperate and depressing time." Popuri began blushing furiously. "I… well… thank you for giving her the words to say. Now… we're coming before you, Lord, in hopes that I will be able to race again. I know that we can't imagine any way I'd be able to get into the race today, but, God, you are the God of the impossible. Nothing is too hard for you, Lord.

"Please… I want to race, God. It's in my blood. You gave me the gift of racing and it seems such a waste to just let it be thrown to the wind. If it is your will… if it's… your will, find a way to get me into the race today. I don't care if I win or lose, I just want to race. In Jesus' name, amen."

Gray gave Popuri's hand one last involuntary squeeze before letting go of it and rising to his feet. "Th—" Gray was cut-off as his father ran up to him, panting. "Gray… something's… wrong with… Cliffgard…" Doug said in-between pants. Gray had no time to think of the strange coincidence before he was running towards the door that would take him out to the track and the horse pens.

Cliffgard was going mad. It was the only way to explain it. Madness.

The purebred horse was rearing up and down again and again. The horse jockey had been the first one hit by a flying hoof. A stable worker was the second. The jockey was out cold, but the worker was okay. Gray was nearly the third unlucky soul…

"Cliffgard! Calm… down!" Gray cried out as he managed avoiding yet another hoof. "Gray, be careful!" Popuri screamed from behind. Gray paid it no attention though as he was devoting his entire mind to grabbing Cliffgard's reigns and stopping the wild horse.

Almost… there! Gray grabbed them, but they was immediately ripped out of his hand as Cliffgard reared up yet again.

Gray growled and, in a daring attempt, dove forward and grabbed the reigns once more, just barely avoiding the hooves as they were brought to the floor one last time.

"What upset Cliffgard?" Doug Green demanded of the stable worker. The stable worker, who was still shaken up from being hit by the stray hoof, muttered out a shaky, "I dunno." Doug sighed, "I guess we won't know until Rob wakes up." He said indicating the unconscious horse jockey. "Smelling salts! Does anybody have any smelling salts?!" He yelled out to the various people milling around. Nobody even paid him any attention.

"Water? What about water?" The stable worker shrugged and went to find a pail of water. "Dad." Doug turned to face Gray. "Do you think he'll be able to race?" Doug sighed, "I doubt it, Gray. It looks like we'll have to sit this one out. There's always—"

"I'll do it then." Doug nearly choked. "You?! But what about your—"

"I'm fine." Gray interrupted with steely determination. "But… but…" Doug trailed off. "What about Cliffgard? Unless we find out the problem, it could happen again!" Gray sighed, "Dad, whatever it was, it's gone now. Look, Cliffgard's fine." Sure enough, Cliffgard was milling around, ready to be run around the large oval-shaped course.

Doug sighed in defeat, "If you want to do this, I'll stand behind you. But, you'd better hurry up and get him and yourself warmed up! The second race is coming up soon! We're in the last one, but that doesn't give you much time!"

Gray smiled a rare smiled and whistled for Cliffgard to come over. Cliffgard did without hesitation. Gray quickly saddled the large horse and, after a moment of hesitation, climbed into the saddle.

…That's when it hit him… Gray hadn't ridden in a race for over three years. Sure he had ridden the horses every once in a while, but to race was something he hadn't done for a while.

"I…I can't…" He muttered quietly. "I just… I…" Popuri cleared her throat, "God hasn't given a spirit of fear." It didn't help much this time.

Gray began climbing down from the saddle, but he felt his father's large hand grab his leg, preventing it from going any farther down. "Gray, you need to face your fears. Everybody has to do it. Even Jesus had to do it sometime. Fear is the only thing stopping you. If you get rid of that, you'll be unstoppable.

"Remember, you have something a lot of the other riders don't—Jesus. Jesus is on your side. Whether you manage to win the race or not, you'll still be the winner, because you beat your fear. If you quit now, you'll just be handing Satan the victory on a silver platter." Gray sighed shakily, "I know, but, it's just… the village and…"

"Forget about the village. Forget about the race. Forget about it all. Just focus in on God. He wants you to do this. He wants you to conquer your fears. To do that will just be another blow to Satan.

"If anything, think about the testimony. Think about how you'll be able to give God the victory, whether you win the race or not. Think about the lives that will be touched by your testimony about how you conquered your fear."

Gray, unknowingly, climbed back into the saddle. "I…" The steely determination fell over his eyes again. "God has not given me a spirit of fear." Doug grinned, "That's my boy! Now, let's get out there win one for Jesus!"

"Still can't believe I lost…" Karen grumbled as the two walked around the packed square. Jack groaned and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a single hundred G. bill. "Here take this. Now I'm the one who lost. You didn't lose anything." He said while holding the bill out to Karen. Karen grinned hungrily and snatched the bill out of his hand. "Ha! Now I can win the next race!" Jack just groaned louder. There goes a hundred…

"I lost… again?!" Karen screamed in frustration. Jack groaned and muttered, "Two hundred G… gone… I hate gambling…" Karen looked at him quizzically, "Who're you talkin' to?" Jack just smiled, "No one. Just thinking out loud." Karen glared at him, "Well, quit it! I don't want people to think I'm here with a nut!" Jack just smiled and, together, the two walked back out of the bleachers and into the square.

"Hey, guys!" Ann yelled as Karen and Jack emerged from the track. Karen waved, "Ann!"

Ann ran over to them, "Hey, you guys been here for a while?" Jack nodded, "Yeah, we've been here since before the first race." Ann nodded thoughtfully, "Where've you been? I've been looking for you. I had saved a seat for you two!"

Karen growled softly, "Well, if you weren't hanging out with Popuri, I would've gladly sat with you!" Ann smiled and shook her head, "The old Popuri is gone, Karen. A little while ago, Cliff and I lead her to Christ. She's a brand-spanking new Popuri who couldn't care less about the things she used to care about."

Karen's mouth dropped and Jack winced; this wasn't going to be pretty…

"You… what?!" Karen yelled loudly enough to cause people surrounding them to look at the three in interest. Ann winced as Karen continued in a lower voice. "Even if your little beliefs are right, since when does Popuri deserve your, so called, eternity in Heaven?" She demanded.

Ann smiled warmly, "Karen, Jesus died for everyone. He doesn't care where you've been or what you've done. He died so that anyone who came to Him could live. He loves her just as much as he loves you or me."

Jack was hit with a pang of longing. Ever since he had rejected God six fateful years ago, he had felt so empty. So… without a purpose…

He shook the thoughts off immediately, reminding himself of what 'God' had done to him…

Instead, he listened in on Karen and Ann's argument.

"Have you forgotten what she did?" Ann smiled once again, "Karen. If God is willing to forgive, why shouldn't I be?" Karen growled and whipped around so Ann wouldn't see the look of pure disgust on her face.

Finally, she asked, "Have you forgotten what she did to… Gray?" Ann was silent for a few moments. Even though she had put on a brave face for Gray and Cliff, what Popuri had done still bothered her. Finally, she answered with much less passion than before. "No… I haven't… forgotten. But, I've… forgiven…" Ann trailed off as Karen whirled to face her again.

"Sure doesn't sound like it. Sounds like you need to talk to your God a little bit more, Ann. You sure don't sound like him." Karen's voice dripped with contempt. Ann didn't answer for a long time. Finally, she managed out a simple, "I'm not perfect." Karen scoffed, "No duh. Come on, Jack. Let's leave Ann with her God."

Jack gave Ann a quick apologizing look and let Karen drag him off to the gambling booth. "Wait!" Karen and Jack froze at Ann's voice. Once again, Ann ran up to them, only this time it was slower. "I almost forgot to tell you why I approached you in the first place! Gray's riding Cliffgard in the race today!"

Karen looked down at her newly printed betting receipt. It was for Cliffgard. "Great. Another hundred down the drain." She threw the ticket down to the ground and walked towards the track. Jack sighed heavily, "I… I'm sorry about that, Ann. That was totally uncalled for. I'll… talk to her about it, just… I'd get the log out of your own eye before coming after Karen again. Those are Jesus' own words if my memory is correct."

Ann cocked her head to one side, "Jack, you never cease to amaze. One day you're in a battle of wits with Cliff about Christianity and the next your giving me advise." Jack sighed, "I'm making a suggestion to a friend. I also don't want you destroying your friendship with Karen over something so trivial as a fake God."

Jack quickly grabbed the fallen receipt and walked quickly towards the track. "He's not fake, Jack. You know it. Search your heart. You know He's as real as you or me." Ann said loudly enough for jack to hear. Jack paused only for a second before continuing on after Karen.

"Having trouble, dear?" Ann jumped at Anna's voice. She sighed, "Yeah. I am. I want for them to know… the Truth so much, but both of them are just being so…"

"Stubborn?" Anna finished. Ann nodded, "Yeah. Stubborn." Anna shrugged, "Give it time. God will show you the way soon enough. Trust Him and it'll all be okay." Ann nodded, "Yeah, you're right. Well, I've gotta go get ready for the race. Gray's racing if you didn't already know." Anna simply nodded and returned to taking the various bets.

"Well, folks. This is quite a surprise! Robert Clemmins, who was to ride Cliffgard, has been hurt in a horse accident and, to take his place, Gray Green will be riding Cliffgard. Gray has not raced in three years, folks. That's gonna mean some serious rustiness. He's going up against some tough competitors today. I guess we'll just have to see how the rookie does."

Gray grit his teeth as walked Cliffgard into the stall beside all of the other horses and waited for the gate in front of him to open. "Gray has not raced in…" Gray stopped listening to the announcer and began checking everything from the reigns to his clothes. Everything was set and ready to go.

Gray closed his eyes and said a quick prayer. As soon as he managed to whisper amen, the gunshot rang out and the gates flew open…

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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! I'm so horrible… I'm so mean with cliffhangers like that. They're just wrong! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Anyway, R&R as always!

God Bless!

--Ben