Finding Yourself
Disclaimer: I do not own, or claim to own, Hidalgo.
Chapter Seven: First Night
As it was getting dark, everyone was preparing for the night camp. Kaitlin was worried how she was going to camp in the dessert. But she needn't worry. She would watch the others and figure out what to do on her own. So finally, she reached the campsite that the others were using and staked out a spot for herself and dismounted from Zodiac. Kaitlin saw to his needs before her own and had Zodiac cooled out before Frank rode in on Hidalgo. Like when he had raced before, Frank was the last one in. He saw no reason to rush Hidalgo so he was taking his time with the race.
Frank was glad to see that Kaitlin had safely arrived at the first night's campsite. He noticed that she was staying away from everyone else and he was happy with that. He himself had also camped a ways away from the others when he had run the race. Frank dismounted from Hidalgo and led his horse to a spot in between his daughter and the others.
He watched his daughter from a distance. He was having a hard time refusing the urge to go and talk to her and see how she was faring but he knew it would be suspicious if he did so he didn't. He understood things better than most people thought he did. And he had a good understanding of the race riders from his previous race.
Darkness fell swiftly and Frank jumped when he heard an Arab yelling to Kaitlin. He listened carefully to catch the conversation.
"You are doing good for a cowboy, cowboy. It has been awhile since a white man has attempted our great race. Not since 1890. But that matters not," said the Arab.
"Why the hell not?" asked Kaitlin, defensive.
"Because you will not survive the race. It was just a fluke that the other cowboy won. You will die soon. It is Allah's will."
"And so you think that you will win?" Kaitlin said with a snort.
"Yes I will. The cowboy only won because he found favor with the Christian lady and the Sheikh. You have neither," said the Arab convinced he was better than her.
"And you do?"
"Yes. I ride the lady's horse and my father used to work for the Sheikh."
"So? Your point is?" asked Kaitlin, sarcastically.
"Go home while you still can or be prepared to forfeit your life. You will never survive the race."
"That's what you think."
The Arab had nothing more to say and neither did Kaitlin. Frank just sat there, going over the Arab's words. The Arab was the rider for Anne. Great! And he had hoped that she had finally given up on the race! No such luck. And his father used to work for the Sheikh of Sheikhs? So that meant that his father was either dead or had been removed for some reason. Frank didn't like this Arab.
He was now beginning to get a very bad feeling about the race. Should he convince Kaitlin to quit and go home with him or should they stay a little longer? He had promised her that she could race and unless he had a good reason, she would refuse to leave. And he didn't have a good reason. He just had a feeling. But a feeling wouldn't cut it for her. All he could was wait and watch. Watch for a threat to either Kaitlin or himself. He could do no more than that.
Author's Notes:
Yay! I finally was able to write this chapter! Sorry that it took me a day longer than I had originally thought. I hurt my hands yesterday and couldn't type and didn't have this typed yet so I couldn't post this. I was able to post for my other story because it was almost finished. But my hands are healing so I was finally able to sit and type this up. Since one of my stories is ending, I should be able to post more often. So expect the next update on or before: Monday, November 1st.
Reviewers!
(Chapter 1)
k3ra – I'm glad you like it! Good luck on writing your own story! We need some more Hidalgo stories!
(Chapter 5)
Soccer-Bitch – Glad you liked the chapter! I'll try to update more often now.
Kovu's-gurl-1992-12-2004 – I'm glad that you like it! I was worried that no one would. It's okay that you are taking your time updating. School has been hard on me too so I understand. The best time for me to update is on the weekends.
lanna710 – I'm glad to hear that you like the story! I'll try to update a lot because people seem to really like it!
(Chapter 6)
Soccer-Bitch – So glad to hear that you liked the chapter! And I hope that I can keep updating too.
Dreamchaser – That's a good question. He would be pretty old by now but mustangs can live pretty long lives. And I think Hidalgo is one of those who will live a long time. I'll try not too because I really Hidalgo and don't want anything too bad to happen to him but it works for the story, then there isn't too much I can do.
Kovu's-gurl-1992-12-2004 – Thanks for the cookies! And yes I'm back with more story! Which is a reason to celebrate!