Disclaimer: If it's cool, it ain't mine. If you don't think it's mine, it prolly isn't. Enjoy!
The crowd was cheering loudly, seeing only the glitz and glitter of the rodeo. Sharp dressed cowboys competed for the title and prize money. Our faithful clown Bubba told his raunchy corny jokes. The crowd was awed by the animals raw power and beauty. They were blinded to the behind the scenes drama by the glamour.
Behind the scenes things were different. A game little horse limped by as a concerned rider tried to figure out where the lameness was located. A cowboy dressed in all black was vomiting in a corner. As he finished he staggered drunkenly, probably as he result the result of a concussion received when he fell from a bad bronc.
Intermittently leaned on or sat against rails administering to their own wounds. Bandages and splints were in high demand. One boy - he couldn't have been over sixteen - was holding the side of his face. Blood ran between his fingers and over his gray shirt, staining it a grotesque purple. Though gravely injured the boy uttered no sound, only let the friends tending him do their work.
These men were the casualties of a sport.
Amidst this the lucky - and skilled - competitors went about their business. The healthy and able had a show to finish.
Faye Valentine leaned against the rails that had been painted red yet let rust peek through. The old wound in her shoulder ached. She was going ot be in more pain tomorrow. A dark wet stain covered her knee, spreading down her leg. Just before she had come off, Crankshaft had scraped her knee under the rail. Keeping an eye for Spike, she rolled up her pant leg. A narrow gash split the taught skin over her knee cap. Thankful that it wasn't worse, she began to wash the blood away. Wrapping a bandage around her knee and rolling her pant leg back down she lit a cigarette. Faye sighed as the smoke burned a trail to her lungs. The bittersweet pain made her sure that she was alive for the present, though she would be wishing she were dead when the pain caught up with her. Leaning her head on one of the steel pipes, she tried to relax before the next event. Some sixth sense made her open her eyes a few seconds later.
Ambling toward her was none other than the Lunkhead. He was bringing himself and a tray of food. Never had he been more welcome in her presence.
"Thought ya might be hungry." He handed her a hot dog as he ran his eyes over her body, assesing her injuries. Without chewing he proceeded to cram the whole dog into his mouth, making him look like a chipmunk.
Faye laughed and took a bite of her hotdog. "You jerk, chewing tends to help." Spike looked at her and gave a sheepish smile around his mouthful. Sitting down next to her he lit his cigarette off the end of hers. "Even though we're tied, I'm still gonna win. The next events a girl can't hope to do well in. They need both strength and speed. You just won't have enough, Faye." He looked straight ahead, not meeting her eyes. Please let her back down before she gets hurt. Casually he flicked the ash off his cigarette.
Faye became offended. "Getting intimidated Spike? Trying to talk me out of it so you can win, I should have expected it of you. You're just like every other man I know. Can't stand to be beaten by a girl." Her words cut deep and quick. She stood and turned away from him.
Here I am, just trying to look out for her and she accuses me of being petty? He stood up suddenly, every muscle in his body rigid with barely suppressed rage. Why am I so upset? She's the only person since....since HIM that could do this to me. "Fine Faye. Do whatever you want. Kill yourself for all I care." He walked away with long strides, the rigid set of his shoulders betraying his hidden feelings more eloquently than words ever would.
Faye looked down at her dusty boots. She wasn't ready to die and she was too stubborn to give in to death just yet.
I can't die...not until I kill that evil bastard. I will avenge my family!
Calves were loaded into the chutes. Horses were warmed up. In the ring riders could be seen limbering their roping arms, lasso's twirling while horses loped. Spike and Faye passed in the ring but didn't acknowledge each other. They were both stung by the other's words.
"Clear the ring please. We're ready to start our calf roping event. Our riders are going to try to have the fastest time roping and hog tying a calf. The calf has to stay tied for three seconds. Then the rider gets a time. They're ready, let's go!" The announcer was still loud and clear, but a close listener could hear the slight rasp that told of the strain on his voice.
A rider backed his horse in the chute. He gave a practice swing from the back of his prancing mount then nodded to signal his readiness. The chute holding the calf snapped open and his horse launched at the same time. Three strides of his horse and the loop was around the calf's neck.
Spike looked away. He and Whisky could do this. Had done it a thousand times, in real life and competition. As long as they got a good calf, they would win.
Faye watched apprehensively. That rider was fast. "S'ok Star. We'll just go out and do what we do best." Rider after rider took their go. The times were getting faster and faster. Desperately Faye kept loping circles, comcentrating on keeping Star limber. Finally they called her name.
Star backed into the chute. A rope was stretched in front of her. A yellow flag dangled from the middle of it. The chute holding the calf snapped open at the same instant the rope in front of Star's chest snapped open. Star lunged in to the ring hot on the calf's heels.
Faye kept her eye on the calf's ears. She counted her swings with the lasso. One, two, three...throw! Her rope whizzed from her gloved fingers to settle around the little Hereford's neck. Before the rope had a chance to settle Faye was flying out of the saddle. Star hit the breaks and maintained a steady pressure on the rope.
Running over, Faye pushed a knee into the calf's side as she grabbed two legs. Flipping the heavy animal on it's side, she looped her pigging string around a front foot. Holding the other two feet in place she quickly dallied the rope two times and pulled the end through its self. Throwing her hands to the air, a time keeper snapped a flag down.
Faye had roped and tied the calf in ten seconds.
Smiling, she rose from the ground dusting off her jeans. Gathering Star's reins, she headed back to the holding pen behind the arena. As she passed Spike, she could see the admiration on his face, though they still didn't exchange words.
One two three. One two three. Letting the beat of Whisky's loping stride pound into his brain, Spike glanced at Faye. She had done well, and she knew it. Right now she was seated in second place. I'll be damned, she sure can throw a rope. Spike shook out his lariat, building the loop and preparing to take his go. Hearing his name, he loaded Whisky into the chute. The calf broke perfectly with Whisky hot on his heels. The lasso came alive as it opened over the calf's ears, snubbing tight around the hairy neck. Slamming on the brakes, Whisky slid to a stop. Before the dust had settled around the roan's hooves, Spike was leaving the saddle. His right leg swung over the cantle leaving his weight in the left stirrup. As he slid his foot from the stirrup, an audible pop could be heard. Spikes saddle fell into his hands sliding from Whisky's shiny pink hide.
All Faye saw was Spike's body falling into the dirt and become lost among the churning hooves and dust. With a cry she vaulted over the fence intending to run to his side.
The crowd gasped in horror. As Spike's body lay beneath his horses hooves, the calf was still lassoed. Unfortunately, the lasso was still attached to the saddle.
"Whisky, you ornery mule! Don't you dare step on me!" Faye heaved a sigh of relief. He was yelling. That meant he was ok. She watched as Spike rolled from under his horse, who was now standing stock still and pulled a knife from his boot top. The calf lit out for the safety of the chute while trailing a length of manilla rope, bawling his head off the whole way.
Throwing his saddle on Whisky's back, he led the roan out of the arena to a smattering of applause.
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The dark figure perched on the grandstand roof swore. That fall should have killed Speigel! No one had that many lives! He had the luck of the devil.
All the watching, waiting, it was all for nothing. Slowly the shadow slid down the roof to vanish. If he watched long enough, Spike or Faye would slip up. Then the bounty would be his...
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I know it's been a long time since I updated this. I apologize! Things have been kind of hectic around here. I know I still didn't finish the rodeo part, but decided to post this as it was done, and I know people were waiting for it.
Don't worry, this just means I get to spend more time on the bull riding...
Gee, bull riding can be pretty dangerous...and someone is out to get them as it is...and Faye is injured...who will win the bet? Who will ride their bull? Will someone have a near death experience?
THANK you to all of my wonderful reviewers!
