Chapter 92 Ch. 62
Zara sucked in a sharp breath as she stared at herself in the mirror one last time. Her dad had been calling her name downstairs and she had said, "I'm coming," a hundred times that day.
She didn't feel ready for her race at all. Her chest pains had returned that week and had affected her all throughout training. She could only pray she made it to the semi-finals.
She grabbed her backpack and went out of the room, running down the stairs to her dad who rolled his eyes.
"Drink lots of water."
"I don't think I want to have the urge to pee while running," she said, smiling faintly.
"I'm pretty sure that urge will make you run faster," he snorted, laughing lightly.
They walked out of the house together. The morning air was cool, and there was a soft smell of freshly cut grass in the breeze as Ryan, the guy who mowed their lawn, was there.
"Good luck, Zee," he called out, packing the lawn mower away.
"Thanks!" She grinned cheerfully as she slung her bag higher over her shoulder and got into the car while her father went around to the driver's side. The moment the engine started, she pressed her palms together on her lap and stared out of the window.
"You nervous?" her dad asked, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Maybe a little," she muttered.
"You've been training for this. You'll be fine."
"I hope so," she whispered, pulling her hair into a tighter ponytail. She wasn't sure how well she was going to do with the chest pains. She had been enduring through practice, but it was never quite the same.
"You're going to do great, Zee," he said, glancing at her briefly before turning the car at the next corner. "Just focus and don't overthink it."
She smiled, though her stomach still twisted. She didn't want to worry him, so she hadn't told him anything. Moreover, the last time they were in the hospital, the doctors hadn't seen anything wrong.
They drove in silence for a while. When the school's sports complex came into view, she could already see students gathering near the field. Bright tents had been set up for different schools, and the chatter of the people there reached them from a distance.
Her dad parked the car and turned to her. "You got everything?"
"Yeah." She opened the door and grabbed her backpack.
"Good luck, sweetheart."
"Thanks, Dad," she said, giving him a small smile before stepping out.
The moment her sneakers touched the ground, her heart began to beat faster. She adjusted her tracksuit top and took a deep breath before heading toward the crowd. She spotted Prunella and Noah by the refreshment table and waved.
"Zee!" Prunella grinned, jogging over and pulling her into a quick hug. "I just know you're gonna kill it."
"Thanks for the compliment," Zara muttered, laughing under her breath. "I feel like my chest's about to explode."
"You'll kill it, you always do," Noah said, handing her a bottle of water. "Just don't burn yourself out at the beginning or whatever coaches tell y'all runners."
"I know," she said, twisting the cap open and taking a sip.
"Where's Ethan?" Zara asked, glancing around.
"Over there," Noah nodded toward a group of students near the track's edge. Ethan was standing beside Jace, who looked more relaxed than usual, leaning on the railing and talking to some other students.
Zara walked toward them, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. Ethan turned when he heard her approaching, his eyes meeting hers.
"Hey," he said, giving a small smile.
"Hey yourself," she said, forcing a small smile. "Didn't think you'd come this time— and... Jace, isn't it? Nice of you to show up after skipping school this week."
"Had to see the star runner before she disappears into the woods," Jace said with a grin. "And my, you look stunning."
Zara laughed lightly.
Ethan rolled his eyes, his hand brushing against his phone in his pocket. "Ignore him. He hasn't been out in daylight for too long. I think the sun's frying his brain."
Zara smiled, shaking her head. She could feel her nerves rising again. She looked past them toward the track, where other runners were warming up.
"You okay?" Ethan asked, tilting his head slightly.
"Yeah. Just nervous."
"You'll be fine," he said quietly.
Zara stared at him for a second longer, trying to read his expression. He was calm, like always, but with the way he looked at her...
"Zara Castillo!" the coach called from the loudspeaker.
"That's my cue," she said quickly, grabbing her water bottle.
"Good luck," Ethan said.
She gave a short nod, smiling faintly before jogging off to the starting point. The other runners were already gathering. Zara stretched her legs, rolling her shoulders as the referee briefed them on the route. It was a cross-country track— through the open field, into the wooded area, and looping back around.
"You ready?" one of the girls beside her asked. She was from another school. It was Michelle, and although Zara didn't particularly know her, they were always friendly with each other. The girl had placed fourth in the state championships last year.
"As ready as I'll ever be," Zara said, forcing a smile.
"Good, 'cause I'm on fire today," Michelle grinned.
"Ouu, now I'm nervous," giggled Zara. She could spot Raina— her teammate rolling her eyes.
Her heart pounded in her chest as she got into position. The whistle blew once for attention.
"On your marks!"
She bent slightly, her fingers brushing the ground.
"Get set!"
The gun went off, and they were flying.
The first stretch was easy despite the pain. Her sneakers hit the soft ground rhythmically, her arms pumping at her sides. She could hear the cheers behind them, her name faintly among them, but she focused on the sound of her heartbeat.
The morning air stung her lungs as they moved past the first bend and into the woods. The sound of branches snapping under their feet echoed faintly. Zara kept her eyes forward, focusing on the faint red flags tied to the trees.
She could feel the ache in her chest return even more painful than it had been before. She slowed down a little, pacing herself, counting in her head.
"Come on, Zee!" Michelle shouted behind her. She was about two hundred meters behind. Raina was somewhere there, too.
She didn't look back. She just nodded and kept going, increasing her pace so she was way ahead. She needed to give herself enough gap between herself and anybody so if anything happened, she'd be closer to the finish line and still win.
Suddenly there was a loud bang.
Zara froze mid-stride, her eyes snapping toward the sound.
Another bang followed, but this time, a scream cut through the air. Zara turned sharply, and saw a man collapse near the sidelines— one of the linesmen. His orange vest was easy to spot even through the trees.
The camera crew that had been stationed nearby because it was the quarter-finals turned toward the scene, but before they could capture anything, another shot rang out. The lens shattered, and one of the crew members ducked instinctively.
Zara froze, breath caught in her throat.
"Zara, get back!" Michelle shouted, but before she could move, she felt arms grab her from behind.
"What the hell—" she gasped, thrashing, trying to pull free.
A rough hand clamped over her mouth, muffling her scream. She kicked backward, but it did nothing. Whoever it was dragged her deeper into the woods. She heard a few more gunshots and several shrieks.
She twisted, trying to see his face, but a mask covered it. Her nails scratched at his arm.
"Let go of me!" she cried.
"Shut up," he hissed, dragging her faster.
Zara stumbled, her knees scraping against the rough ground. Panic clawed at her throat. She swung her elbow, hitting his side, but it only made him grip her tighter.
She could hear distant shouts now. Someone must have seen.
"Hey!" A voice shouted from behind. "Let her go!"
Zara turned her head just in time to see Michelle charging toward them. She used a stick to hit the man who let go of Zara temporarily, but it was too late.
The sound of a gunshot rang out, and Michelle dropped to the floor instantly, blood spreading from beneath her.