Page 23 of Enchanted Shadows
A few turned their heads over their shoulders.
“Uh, what are you doing?” Sam asked.
“All the better to yell my encouragements,” I told her.
Our feet, arms, lungs all began moving in motion, I noted the speed of the group up front. Jessina and Harlow. They had a briskpace going. If they could maintain it, they’d be just fine. Maybe even beat their last times by a minute or more.
I ran with the women in the back, yelling at them to hustle and move, steady their breathing with their strides. And then I picked up speed, yelling at each of them on my way by. Would I annoy them? Yes. I was counting on it. They could be mad at me all they wanted so long as they passed the trial.
“Nice and steady on that ankle, Vivian,” I said to her on my way by her. “You don’t want to go too hard and not be able to finish.”
“I’ve got it,” she agreed.
She still wasn’t fully healed, but at least she was far better than she had been feeling. I kept picking up speed until I was with Jessina and Harlow in front, barreling toward the big rock we all ran to.
To Remy, I hollered, “Keep it up. Steady feet, but don’t get too greedy.”
I waited at the rock, yelling again at a few of them while they came by. I needed to get moving toward the finish line so I could make sure everyone made it by exactly the cut off time, but I also noted that Zara had been running with Molly when I knew for a fact she could have been keeping pace with Jessina.
So when they reached the rock, I ran with them. “Good work, Molls.”
“Thanks,” she huffed back.
“Zara,” I began.
“What?” It was half groan, half snap.
“Is there a reason you’re holding back today? Hanging back to see if you need to rescue anyone else?”
Zara didn’t say anything.
“It’s the good company,” Molly finally offered but it sounded more like a question and less like a statement.
“That may be, but now that we are on the second half, go ahead and get after it, why don’t you?”
Zara got out between heavy breaths, “Stop. Trying. To. Make. Me. A. Leader.”
I leaned in though our legs and arms never stopped running. “Fine. You don’t have to be a leader, Zara.” I had to stop to inhale deeply. “But what I won’t accept—is you holding back. You not giving me the very best you’ve got.”
And with that I kicked it into high gear, making sure to again yell at all the women in the last half nearing the big rock.
“Elsie, today is your day, move your butt!” I snapped at her.
She ran even harder. Glancing at my watch, I knew she was on pace to make it, but I didn’t want her letting up even a little bit. She could do it. They all could.
“Sam,” I bit out. “How are we going to enjoy your smartass comments if you aren’t here?”
“Rude!” she responded back. “Also the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me!”
I passed Jessina and Harlow on the way to the start, which only seemed to infuriate them.
I made it back in time, but barely. Jessina and Harlow were not far behind me. I grabbed my water jug and took a drink, spilling a little on my shirt as I did. It was a welcomed dampness since I was so sweaty. I stood back up just in time for Jessina and Harlow to cross the finish line.
“Nicely done,” I told them.
“You beat us,” Jessina huffed.
I winked at her. “You don’t get on Team One for nothing.”
