Emma & Malcom Peabody
Chapter 11: Do or die part 2
The race has started and any of them had a way out of it... moreover ending it, of course. They were actually starting to understand the real meaning of "do or die". So, without knowing what they were doing, Emma and Malcom started to use the cart's reins.
Once they started to have the situation under control, another cart tried to attack them. The cart's driver was trying to push them out of the race hitting their cart with all his strength.
-Why is everyone attacking us?-asked the red-haired boy angrily
-We both know the track isn't big enough for everyone. Their only option is pushing the competition out!-answered his sister
The driver hit the cart even harder making the twins lose the balance. They all could even hear Mr. Peabody screaming their names on desperation. And that's how they didn't see another option but try to stop the cart and put it on its way again.
-Yeah!-screamed the driver when he saw them stopping. But his celebration was suddenly stopped by a crash. Yeah, as he stopped paying attention to the race, he crashed against a wall.
-Oh!-screamed the people on the crowds
-Hey! He crashed!-laughed Malcom enjoying his enemy's karma
-And why are you so happy?-questioned the blonde girl beside him accommodating her glasses. She looked at the sides.-There are still eight carts on the race! Only three have crashed or been pushed away-they recovered the control and resumed the race
-YES!-the persons started to applaud the kids when they continued
-You're right...-renewed Malcom with an evil smile looking at all his "fans".-But we are one of the eight...-
-What's the point?-the girl didn't seem to be interested at all at the applauses or the inspire shouts from the crowds. She only wanted to end the race alive!
-Do you think we can win?-he asked smiling as they finished the first round
-Win? What's wrong with you?-She shouted telling him off.-The only thing I want is going out and you want to win? Don't you understand the danger of these races yet?-
-I do... I do... don't tell me off, you aren't my father...-they passed some carts.-But I think we have a chance, we can be better than any of them-
-I chose life thanks-she answered finishing the conversation
Malcom took a deep breathe. He knew they could win! If only Emma cooperated... He knew that winning one of those races was like winning a car races on their present; everyone loves winners! Moreover, he couldn't take out the words of that man: he could be rich if he wins...
-Fine...-decided the young boy without really taking that idea out of his mind.
After the second turn, they finally understood how to use the reins correctly. Luckily, on the second and third turn anyone tried to attack them because they were too busy attacking to each other. But in the two next rounds two carts were decided to pull them out.
But after some knocks on their carts, Emma and Malcom found a way out. When the two drivers were about to hit them at the same time, the twins ducked and they hit to each other, staying unconscious. For the fifth turn they were only three carts left and, even though that seemed easier, the carts' drivers were now more desperate for trying to destroy each other.
One strange thing about the race was that the people on the crowds seemed to really like the twins! It looked as if they wanted them to win! That sounded a bit silly, but it was obvious that they weren't really conscious of the danger the children were actually running.
With two rounds left, another cart came closer to attack them. It was from the white team and it seemed to be completely determinate to win.
-Hello, little ones-started to say the driver.-I have never seen you on these races, you know...-
-It's our first race-answered Malcom a bit afraid
-Really? Because you seem really good at this... well, except for one thing, don't you know the rules? You can't have two drivers on one cart-he took a knife that he had on his belt
-We are kids... so we have been allowed to be together-
-And girls aren't allowed either because they can get hurt easier...-he started to attack them with the knife
The kids were avoiding the attacks, but, between the turns and the horses-not-cooperation, they were getting a bit tired. Someone had to do something!
They passed the sixth round and the driver was still attacking them when suddenly something hit his knife. The driver looked up and saw Mr. Peabody with a kind of slingshot between the crowds.
Emma and Malcom looked up too.-Thank you!-they screamed
The white dog smiled.-We will still have to talk about this...-he threatened to the kids as he jumped on the white team cart.-But over now, I got this, you two finish this race!-
-But...-tried to say his grandchildren
-I'll be alright; I always have a plan, remember?-
They looked at each other a bit worried but continued the race. They looked back and saw how Mr. Peabody was wining the driver without even looking worried. He obviously knew what he was doing and that made the kids feel better.
They were finally on the seventh round, the last one, the most important one! And there were only two carts...
Emma and Malcom were closer to the other cart and they discovered that it was from the red team too! So, they thought it wasn't a probable threat.
When they were getting closer to the driver, the man looked at them smiling at the beginning, but once he realized it was Malcom the one who was driving by his side, he seemed to be completely shocked.
-Oh, hey, I know this guy!-said Malcom.-What's up, Lucius? Are you still on the race?-
Lucius stared at him and made a frown.-I thought you said you didn't know how to even ride a horse!-
-Yeah, but well... I learnt, it isn't actually too hard-
Emma coughed.-Are you serious?-she said while she was doing her best trying not to crush against anything
The red-haired smile.-Oh, and she's my sister Emma-
-I didn't know sisters were allowed-the brown-haired said almost growling
-Kids aren't it either... but you know: they need to have a great show, right?-
Lucius looked down. He really didn't want to hurt two kids, but if he didn't win the race, he wouldn't have enough money to buy his freedom. And there is nothing worse than being a slave! No one matters about what you think, feel or wanna say. You're supposed to do what they order to you, and almost all the time, the royal people asked the slaves to do stuff they don't really need! They only do it for fun! And worse of all, slaves die because of that! Because of the misery they live everyday of their lives... He was sorry, but he couldn't let them win.
-Malcom, I must confess, I think you're a nice boy-said the teenager
-Oh, thanks, I've already known that-answered the boy
-So, I'm sorry for this-he took off his knife and stabbed one of the kids' cart horses' legs
The horse neighed and started to bleed, but worse of all, he didn't stop, he just started to go faster but without control.
The whole crowd gasped when they saw that situation.
-You make really good friends!-shouted Emma trying to control the horse
-It's not time for your sarcasm! What should we do?-
-Try to make him stop!-
Both of them started to pull the reins with all their strength until the horses stopped. The bleeding one seemed to be really hurt, so Emma went down of the cart and pulled up a part of her dress and surrounded the injury with that piece of cloth.
-He's hurt... but I think he can continue the race-she opined.-Just let's not go fast-
Malcom growled-Who cares about this stupid horse?-
-Malcom! He's still a creature as you!-
-Lucius betrayed me! And I will have my revenge with or without you!-
-Perhaps he did it because he didn't have another option! Have you ever thought about someone else moreover you?-
-He's a traitor! And he'll get what he deserves-he made the horses ride again leaving Emma on the track's ground
-MALCOM!-she screamed trying to stop him, but he didn't mind, he was decided to make Lucius lose.
Using the reins, the young boy was making the horses run really fast, faster than before, and he reached the traitor of Lucius.
The race's ending was only a few meters away, and Malcom passed over Lucius and didn't give him time to do another thing against him. The kid was going to win!
Every person who was watching the race stood up, even Julius Caesar and Augustus, completely expectative to whom was going to win.
Malcom made a revenge smile as he passed Lucius, but the teenager didn't seem angry or desperate... he just seemed sad.
-No, no, I can't lose, I will never be free!-said the driver as the red-haired surpassed him.
He looked so desperate, so sad, so destroyed... And Malcom suddenly started to feel something strange; something called "sorrow". The kid knew that Lucius really needed to win that race... he needed the money to buy his freedom... And he didn't even need the money. He stopped to think: what will he actually win if he won? Moreover his grandfather and sister screams? Nothing. Lucius was the one who really needed the money!
"Do or die"... that phrase sounded so stupid! He wasn't like those guys on the race! He didn't need to kill anyone; he was there by a mistake, that's all. What if the phrase was "do or forgive"?
Being only two centimeters away from the post Malcom took the reins and stopped his cart.
Lucius passed over and won the race instead of him.
Everyone at the Circus stared at him completely confused, he was about to win! He should have won! He was able to! Why has he lost on purpose? Well, nobody understood...
The same man who made Caesar start the race appeared inside the track and stared at the winner.-What's your name?-
-I'm Lucius-he answered still a bit shocked
-AND THE WINNER FROM THE RACE IS LUCIUS!-the man screamed
All the persons at the Circus stood a bit shocked but they started to cheer the new winner.
-Congratulations-continued the man.-Now you have won yourself this-he gave the driver some coins
Lucius smiled.-I'll be able to buy my freedom!-he screamed happily and turned to face Malcom, who was still on his cart.-Thank you-he said to Malcom nodding his head on a sign of respect
-Malcom!-screamed a familiar voice behind him
-Hey, Em-
She went on the cart and hugged him tight.-Thanks god you're ok!-
-Yeah, I'm fine, don't worry-
-And what you have done for Lucius! That was... incredible! I'm proud of you, bro'!-she said hugging him more
-Yeah, yeah, you can stop hugging me, if you want to-
She smiled and dropped him off.-Oh, sorry-
-Don't you ever do that again!-screamed Mr. Peabody getting into the scene too.-You could have died-he freed Malcom using a knife to cut the ropes which Malcom was tied up with.-We will have a serious talk about this when we come back!-
Back to the penthouse Mr. Peabody was giving Emma and Malcom one of his famous sermons, while the twins looked pretty tired of everything.
-And I still can't believe that you two have been inside a chariot racing! Chariot racing! One of the most dangerous games from the whole history!-was saying the white beagle walking one side to the other and without letting them speak.-After this whole situation, I have real doubts about letting you use the WABAC-
-Wow, what? Hold up a second!-interrupted Malcom.-Yeah, we were wrong, but we survived without having any injury-he said raising an eyebrow.-That means that we are capable to use the machine without running any risks, ain't I right, Emma?-
The girl looked down pretty ashamed of the situation.-We are really sorry, grandpa-
-Well, you should! Now, go to bed!-decided the genius dog pointing their bedroom
The kids turned around and started to walk away.
-Malcom! Can you stay a second?-asked the dog while the kid turned around and got closer to him
-Yeah?-
-I just wanted to mention the race ending... which was a big surprise for everyone, you could have won-
-Well, the horse was bleeding and I know it would have...-
-Don't lie; you did it because you knew the young man against you needed the prize more than you. And yeah, it was completely irresponsible and you out your life on danger... but at the end, you let him win-
-I know, I'm sorry-
-I haven't stopped talking yet-
The kid sighed.-Sorry-
-And that's why I'm really proud of you-
-WHAT?-
-Yes, you decided to let him win, even though I noticed you wanted to win in revenge... Only a really good person would be able to forget someone and give him what he more needs-
-Woah... thanks!-
-Malcom, you must know that the most important thing in life isn't knowing the moment in which you have to win someone; it's the moment in which you forgive someone. And only a really brave person does that-
Malcom looked down a bit shy and smiled.-Thank you, grandpa-
-Now, go to sleep... I bet you're tired-
The red-haired boy went to his bedroom.
Fate is coming, that I know
Time is running, got to go
Faith is coming, that I know
Let it go
Here right now
Under the banner of heaven, we dream out loud
Do or die...
Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Oh, and the part in which Malcom let the slave win it's bit based on a chapter from Riders of Berk in which Hiccup lets Snotlout win. Anyway, most of it it's based off my crazy mind xD
Thankd for reading!
And please wait until the next chapter :D