The Race

The atmoshere was filled with jubilant shouts and noises as the horses and their riders prepared for the race. This was the most celebrated sport in the world and people from all around the world would gather to watch the exhilarating sport. But the people's most favorite thing to do at these events was the betting. Winners would would win big whilst losers will weep greatly. The practice was considered as illegal since it also incited violence and criminal activities, however it did not stop people of creating secret online platforms to do their bidding and also form secret underground clubs to do their betting.

A bit far away from the arena, where the riders were preparing with their horses for the race, a small group was gathered around one racer. This group consisted of a woman, a girl who looked to be a teenager in her middle teens, and another girl who looked to be in her early teens, and also a boy who looked about the same age as her. They were all gathering around a man with a black stallion with a white lightning bolt marking on its forehead. "Well....the big day has finally arrived", said the man whilst stroking his horse. "I also cannot believe it. The day arrived sooner than we all thought. But I guess that's just how it is", said the woman and she placed her hand on the man's shoulder. "But I am sure you are going to win Dad. You and lightning bolt have never lost a race before. I am confident that you are going to beat him and we are going back home with that trophy." Said the older girl with enthusiasm. "Yes Dad! Sister is right! You are going to become the world's best champion derby racer ever! And we know it!" Said the boy and he went to his father's side and also started stroking the horse but his father stroke his hair and said, "Thanks Champ! Thanks everyone! Your support means a whole lot to me. And I promise to make you all proud. I love you guys with all my heart and don't ever forget that", said the man. "And we love you too honey...and you make us proud everyday", said the woman and she gave her husband a quick kiss on the lips. "We love you very much Daddy", said the younger girl and she went and hugged her father and the rest of the family followed suit and they hugged each like it was a goodbye.

Their precious moment was interrupted with the anouncer announcing for the racers to come take their positions for the race. " Good luck my love and show 'em who is the best", said the woman. "Yaa good luck Dad. Show them who is the King of Derby racing", said the boy. "Thanks guys. LightningBolt and I will do our very best." "Ok kids lets go sit in our reserved booth and watch your father racing ok!" Everyone else then left to go watch the race except for the elder girl, she remained standing in her position and watching her father prepare to leave and go to stand in his position.

"Are you not going to watch the race sweety. Don't you wanna go and cheer for me?" Asked the man. "I am going but I....just wanted to say something...." Replied the girl and she ran and hugged her father tightly and said, "Please come back to us Dad. I don't care if you don't win the race but please just stay alive and safe and come back to us...." And tears were already streaming down her face. The father was taken aback with the words that his daughter just uttered and he wondered what was wrong. He gently disengaged himself from the hug and looked straight into his daughter's teary eyes and asked, "What's wrong sweety? Why are you saying such things? Is everything ok?" "I don't know Dad but...I just have this bad feeling...I have this feeling that....that I am never going to see you again and that scares me a lot. So please Dad...please stay safe and come back to us. Please...". The father took a deep breath and said, "Sweety...I know how you feel. Racing is a good but also a dangerous sport. I get it that you are scared that I might get hurt but don't you worry, I am going to be just fine. And I promise that I am going to come back and you and I are going to have a race in the fields back home at the ranch to celebrate my victory. But...even if something happens to me...I know that I have a strong, beautiful, brave, talented and intelligent daughter who is also a champion in this family and love is the biggest trophy that she has. And she will make sure to take care of everyone even when I am not there with them. But I will always be there for you and also be there forever in your heart". " You...mean it Dad?" Asked the daughter. "Yes! Yes! I do. And here..", replied the father and he took off his golden neck chain which had a golden key that was shaped into a horse hocked onto it and he placed it on his daughter's neck. "This neck chain...will always remind you that...even when I am not here. You...hold the key to everything and I promise you that this key...will guide you to everything that you may ever need...you got that!" Said the father. "Racers!! This is the last and final call!! Please come and stand in your positions for the race!!" Blared the voice of the announcer.

"Well I guess I gotta go now", and he kissed his daughter's cheek and then mounted his horse. "Go win that race Dad!! I believe in you!!" Said the girl. "Thanks sweety. I promise to do my best. Now go join your mother and your siblings and watch the race.

And be good ok!" Said the father. "I will Dad", said the girl and she started moving away until her father's words stopped her in her track saying, "Oh and Patricia my dear! Remember... you have the key to everything you may need! So be brave my little lamb and remember, 'It started with a race and it will end with a race!' Hyaah!! Giddy up Lightning Bolt!!" And the father left to stand in his position.

"Ladies and gentlemen give it up for our world's second best Derby racer...Simon Milton!!!!" And the crowd roared with a cheer. Patricia did not understand what her father said but she quickly pushed it aside and decided to ask her father about it later. She then went and joined her family in their reserved booth and she started cheering for her father. "And now....ladies and gentlemen give it up for our world's best youngest racer, he is the number one champion that broke the highest record of Derby racing in history...he is...Ricardo Montenegra!!!" The roar of the crowd even became louder, as a rider wearing a silver mask with long dark brown hair flowing freely down on his shoulders, with an athletic body plumbed with muscles and dark brown fiery eyes looking out his mask which was covering his face. He was riding on a massive black stallion with burning dark red eyes that looked like blood was dripping from its eyes. Patricia felt a cold chill traveling down her spine as she looked at this mysterious rider, who was only known by name and nothing else. He has never showed his face to anyone, and he even had the nickname ' the silver masked diablo' due to his mysteriousness and the unexplainable ways that he always won the races. Patricia felt her heart beating fast in fear for her father and she felt someone placing a gaze on her. And she turned and saw the mysterious racer looking directly at her with a piercing gaze and she felt a cold sweat running down her back. Just then she shifted her gaze and landed it on her father who was also looking at her and she instantly remembered her father's words 'remember you hold the key to everything you may need. And also remember IT STARTED WITH A RACE AND IT WILL END WITH A RACE'

A loud blare from the blow horn brought Patricia out of her thoughts. "And the racers are off with Ricardo and Simon in the lead!! How will this end!! Will the world champion still obtain his title or will a new champion be taking the trophy this year!! Everyone's hearts are filled with anticipation as the world's top racers go neck-a-neck!!" "Go Dad!!! You can do it!! Wooo!!" Simon's family shouted. "The finish line is almost near!! And amazing!!! Simon Milton has taken the lead!!! Ladies and gentlemen this could be a new breakthrough in history!!!" "Yes Dad!!! Go! Go! Go!" "Could this be that Simon Milton is about to beat Ricardo and be the new world champion!!! But wait....it seems like something is happening...it looks like Simon's horse has gone beserk" and true to the announcer's words, Lightning Bolt stopped in the middle of the race just a few meters from the finish line and started raising his front legs and stomping on ground. Just then Ricardo and his horse passed them by and crossed the finish line as Simon was trying to calm his horse. However it was futile as Lightning Bolt flung him out of his saddle and he went and fell onto the ground and before he could get up the other horses and their racers came and trampled harshly over him.

It really was a tragedy that was recorded in history but Patricia could never forget the person who was responsible for it, for she clearly saw what happened in that millimeter of a second, that caused that tragedy to happen. However, things went down hill for her family when her father died. Because out of nowhere some papers claiming that her father lost his property to Mr Ricardo Montenegra due to a bet that he made with him. So Patricia and her family were kicked out of their home. And due to the stress of losing her husband and home, Patricia's mother died of depression a few years later. And on that day thats when Patricia swore revenge. She was going to make Ricardo Montenegra pay for what he did to her family. She was going to make him pay, even if it meant losing herself in the process. SHE WAS GOING TO MAKE HIM PAY.

AND SO HER ADVENTURE BEGINS....