by Ann Hunter
"…Noses apart! Here's the wire… too close to call!"
Alex's white-knuckle grip on the rail tightened. Venus galloped out and around the turn. "Did we win?" Alex asked.
Brooke looked serious. "I hope so. For North's sake."
"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer echoed over the crowd, "in the closest finish of the Breeders Cup Distaff, and in new track record time… Soda Pop finishes second with Venus Galaxies…"
Brooke and Alex started yelling and jumping up and down, cheering wildly. Venus had done it. Vindication for Mr. North's loss. It was a win for everyone at North Oak.
Venus Galaxies was being led into the winner's circle. Brooke tugged at Alex's elbow. "C'mon. We gotta go get our picture took!"
"Why me?" Alex asked.
"Hurry up, slow poke!"
Even with Brooke guiding her, Alex felt lost in the crowd. That was until she noticed all the cameras. She hadn't really paid much attention to them in the day's earlier races. But now that she was in the winner's circle herself, she couldn't ignore them. They were everywhere.
Flash
Pop
Click
Alex's heart hyper-raced. Mr. North pushed her to the front of the group.
"No, please, don't," she begged. Someone was going to see this photo somewhere and alert the authorities, and that would be the end of things.
"Don't be shy, now," Mr. North encouraged her.
"No, really." This will end badly, instinct gnawed.
Pan.
Zoom in.
Focus on runaway orphan.
Flash.
Pop.
Click.
BORN TO RUN
Trampled betting stubs littered the apron of Churchill Downs's clubhouse, the result of broken and greedy uncashed dreams after a long day of racing. Alex watched janitors sweep them up as she walked toward the backside track stables alone. It was quiet now, with the crowds and press long since gone. Alex kept playing the winner's circle scene in her head over and over. Her stomach knotted.
I'm screwed.
She came to Venus Galaxies's stall and let herself in. Venus, who had been polishing off her dinner, craned her head around and whickered. Alex crossed over to her and leaned her head against the mare's soft, warm neck.
"I don't know what to do," she whispered. "If I stay, they'll find out, and that's it. Game over."
Tears welled up and she brushed them away. Venus seemed to sense the girl's pain and stopped chewing her dinner to rest her head against Alex's back. The mare whuffed softly.
"There has to be a way out of this." Alex sniffed.
Venus Galaxies nickered. Alex leaned back, holding the bay's head. She stroked the faint star on the mare's face and gazed into her deep, soulful eyes. Something storm-like stirred in Alex. "What if we ran away together?" she whispered.
The mare tossed her head. Alex grasped it again. "No, I'm serious. It would be perfect. You could run forever, like you were born to. You and I, we could be free."
Venus Galaxies shook her head and pushed past Alex to the grain bucket. The mare swished her tail.
Alex pushed open the stall door and crossed back to the bay's side. She placed her hands on the mare's back, trying to figure out how to get up there. A thousand thoughts swam in her head. Someone will see you. Don't do this. Find another way.
She bit her lip.
I know she means a lot to North Oak, but I need her more!
Just as she was about to try and pull herself up, Brooke's voice chimed in behind her. "Uh. What are you doing?"
Alex rounded. Venus Galaxies startled slightly, swinging her haunches right into Alex. Alex tripped forward and caught herself on the stall door. She looked up at Brooke guiltily.
"Don't tell me you were about to get on North Oak's most valuable horse."
Alex swallowed. "No, no. I was… uh." Going to solve my problems.
"She's worth at least the two million dollar purse she won today, Alex."
Alex straightened, but her shoulders slumped. "We were just having a talk." She couldn't bring herself to meet Brooke's eyes as she lied. "Honest."
Brooke folded her arms, turning her head to one side. "Are you sure everything's okay?"
Alex swallowed. "Yeah. Great."
"Well, I figured I'd find you here. Only place to find peace this weekend. Hey," Brooke said, trying to get Alex's attention. Alex finally looked her in the eye, but wanted to disappear. Brooke offered a smile. "This never happened, okay?"
Alex bit her lip and nodded.
"Well, c'mon, then." Brooke motioned for Alex to move out of the stall so she could close the door. "Mr. North is taking everyone to dinner to celebrate."
Great, Alex thought grimly, just great.
Wine and champagne corks popped, and glasses were filled with liquid cheer. Alex slouched in the booth beside Hillary and folded her arms. Mr. North stood and raised his glass.
"It has been a long time since North Oak has had a great day such as this one. Without Venus Galaxies, we would not be here. It is with much gratitude that I recognize her grooms as well." Mr. North smiled at Brooke, who raised her glass of cherry cola, and Alex who grimaced and squirmed. Hillary smiled and patted Alex's knee. Alex tried to wriggle away from her.
"But mostly to my sister, Angelina," Mr. North continued, his blue-gray eyes fixating on Alex, "who dreamed of this moment. While she may not be counted among us, she is here with us… and always will be."
"Cheers!" everyone murmured, glasses clinking.
Alex shrunk in the booth under Mr. North's stare. Yeah, Alex decided, that's weird.
Dinner passed in a haze for Alex. She couldn't bring herself to eat anything offered to her and only pushed her food around on her plate. Luckily, it seemed everybody was too busy enjoying themselves to notice her dismal mood. Another attempt to run, thwarted. Hillary's words rang in her ears. Once you're in, you're in deep.
Alex stabbed her food and stared at the silverware standing at attention. She dropped her forehead in her hands. Hell.
The rest of the night wasn't much better.
Alex lay wide awake in the hotel bed, wondering if there was any way to sneak out. She knew, however, that if Laura had heard her talking in her sleep, then Laura was probably a light sleeper herself and would hear her trying to leave. There goes that plan.
Alex flipped onto her side, staring at the red numbers on the digital clock near her. 11:59 p.m. She thought she could feel the minutes ticking off. Midnight. Day eight.
She wondered if Mr. North had timed it like this. Ten days would be Monday. Alex smooshed her face into her pillow, grunting. Of course he did. Stupid adults. She hated how it felt as though he was trying to buy her trust. She was not some racehorse that could be bought and sold!
She hated herself for falling in love with this amazing world. A world of adrenaline, and color, and horses that ran through mist and shadow right into the light. A dream world. A world she didn't want to allow herself to have. Why did I keep letting stuff stop me from leaving? She couldn't have this life. Not with the threat of incarceration hanging over her.
Trying to sleep wasn't an option. Sleeping meant dreaming. Alex had no desire to face Ashley's death, day or night. It was hard enough living without her, without being reminded whose fault it was all over again.
She rolled over with her back to Laura, feeling completely trapped, and let silent tears roll.
Sleeping in for Brooke meant six-thirty in the morning. Her eyes opened at six-twenty-nine. The sound of something sliding beneath the hotel room door had her attention. She hopped out of bed and turned on the bathroom light, shining on two morning newspapers in the hall.
She stooped to pick them up, unfolded the first, and flipped to the sports section. A grin smothered her face at the sight of a picture of Venus Galaxies, Alex, Brooke, and the whole North Oak team spanning the page. She refolded it quickly, grabbed the room's key card, and went into the hotel hall. I gotta show Al!
&
nbsp; Brooke padded down the hallway for several doors until she came to Alex and Laura's room, and knocked. When no one answered after a minute, she tried again. Still no answer. She pressed her ear to the door and heard the shower running. She chewed her lip and tried one last time. The door cracked, security chained latched, and Alex peeked out, squinting.
The thirteen-year-old rubbed her groggy face, and pushed scraggly strands of black hair away from her green eyes. Brooke noticed the skin around her eyes was a little puffy and her nose was red. "You okay?"
Alex proffered a fake smile.
Brooke opened the paper to their picture and showed Alex. "Look, we're on the front page!"
Alex grabbed it immediately, eyes going wide, and turned. Brooke caught the door before it shut. "Al? Alex."
Alex sagged against the door, causing it to close. Brooke got her fingers out of there just before they were shut upon. Her brow furrowed. Why isn't she happy? Making the front page is awesome. Brooke banged on the door with her fist. "Alex, open the door."
The newspaper slid under the door. What the? Brooke grabbed it and rolled it up, tucking it under her arm. She pummeled the door again. "I'm not leaving until you tell me what's going on."
She put her ear to the door again, listening. Soft sobs came from the other side. Brooke stooped, her hand pressed to the wood, wishing she could console the girl.
"I'm right here. Talk to me."
A moment later, the door opened, chain still attached. Brooke gazed into Alex's tear-stained face and rose slowly from her bent position.
Alex's voice was thin. "You're not gonna like me if I tell you."
Brooke took a deep breath. "Well let's talk about it."
Alex chewed her lip.
"Hey." Brooke reached through and tried to touch her shoulder. She frowned when Alex flinched away. "C'mon. You can trust me. Undo the chain."
Alex hesitated. She moved Brooke's arm and closed the door enough to slide the chain off and fully open the door. She stood back and swung her arm in a come in manner.
Brooke stepped inside, offering a smile. "Laura in the shower?"
Alex nodded and crossed to her bed, turning on the light on the nightstand. She sat on the edge of the mattress and stared at her hands. "Never knew anyone who bathed so much. It's kinda weird."
Brooke chuckled. Alex glanced up. Brooke's smile faded. "Tell me what's wrong."
Alex lowered her eyes to her hands and swallowed. "I'm not sure if I can."
"What could've possibly happened that you'd be afraid we wouldn't be friends anymore?"
"It's not just you. I'm afraid no one will want me around. I don't deserve to be loved."
Brooke sat beside her. "Don't say that. Everyone deserves love."
"Not me."
"Of course you do. You—"
"Killed someone." The color drained from Alex's face, and she swallowed as though fighting back bile.
Brooke stared at her.
The faint sound of electricity working the room and the shower in the background pulsed. Brooke's mind was numb. She didn't speak for several minutes, not until the shower turned off. Her words were hoarse. "What do you mean you… killed someone?"
Alex looked straight forward. "I mean I took a gun, pointed it at a woman, and shot her." She took an unsteady breath. "And it's only a matter of time before they find me."
God, Brooke thought, unsure if it was a silent plea. She found Alex's eyes searching for hers.
The thirteen-year-old's hands trembled. "Are we still friends?"
Brooke rose, running her hands through her hair. Pacing. She listened to the sound of a blow dryer in the bathroom. "We have to tell North."
Alex shook her head adamantly. "No. If you're just gonna rat me out, then let me go. Let me run."
"I can't do that."
"I don't want to drag any of you into this." Alex got to her feet. "Please. I feel so trapped. I stand a better chance of making it on my own."
Brooke turned to her. They stared at one another. At last, she reached out to Alex. "That's just it. You're not alone anymore."
Alex shook, fists clenched, jaw tight. Her chin trembled with a blush rising beneath rogue tears. Brooke's heart ached watching Alex fight falling apart in front of her.
Brooke closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around Alex. She didn't care if Alex tried to push her away. She cared that Alex knew one thing. "You have us now. Not just me, but Laura, and her mom and dad." She rested her hand on the back of Alex's head. "Whatever happens from this moment forward, you won't be alone in it."
Alex sank against Brooke, sobbing into her shoulder. Brooke held her in silence. Out of the blue, another set of arms wrapped around the both of them and damp, blonde hair leaned against their heads. "I don't know what's going on," Laura said, "but I never miss a chance for a group hug."
Brooke rolled her eyes and half-laughed. "You're such a dork, Laura." She turned her head to see her friend still in a towel, shoulders wet and bare. "And this just got really awkward."
Alex wiped her cheek with the back of her wrist and let out a long breath. "What happens now?"
"Well, North and Pop are tied up at the track being the second day of the Breeders Cup races. So telling them will have to wait."
"Tell them what?" Laura asked.
"So we should probably see if Dr. Showman is around and tell her," Brooke concluded.
Laura lifted her head. "What are we telling them?"
Brooke looked at her. "Oh, nothing. Alex shot someone is all."
Laura's eyes went as wide as saucers. Her breath audibly caught. She blinked, then swallowed, stammering, "Awesome."
Alex winced. "Yeah."
Laura pulled them both close to her again and rubbed Alex's shoulder. "We'll figure this out. No more running, okay?"
Alex sniffled, her voice wavering. "Okay."
"I feel like you might think that's all you've been born to do, to run." Laura leaned her cheek against Alex's forehead. "But I think God has bigger plans for you. Why else would He have sent you to us?" she whispered.
Brooke smiled. "Even if we never know, I'm sure glad He did, kid."
NO ESCAPE
Hills: We'll be home tonight.
Cade: I watched the race last night. Great run.
Hills: Have you seen the paper? My hair's a mess.
Cade: You're beautiful.
Hillary smiled. Her husband always knew how to make her smile.
Hills: I love you.
Cade: I love you most. I miss my girls.
Hillary held her phone, hesitating.
Hills: …Even Alex?
Someone knocked at the door. Hillary glanced down to see if her husband had answered yet, and set the device aside when he hadn't. She went to the door and opened it. Brooke stood behind Alex with Laura. Alex stared at the floor.
"Alex has something she needs to tell you," Brooke said.
"Okay?" Hillary smiled.
"You're gonna wanna sit down for it," Laura told her.
Hillary backed from the door, allowing the girls in. When all were inside, she shut the door and turned to them. Laura pulled out a chair for her mother. Alex hadn't looked up yet. Brooke guided Alex to stand before the chair while Hillary sat.
Brooke squeezed Alex's shoulders and then sat on the bed beside Laura. Alex glanced at them from the corners of her eyes. Her hands clenched. She bit her lip. Hillary leaned forward in her chair.
"Well?"
Alex raised her eyes slowly to meet hers. Her swallow was audible.
"You've got me with baited breath, dear," Hillary laughed nervously.
"I may have murdered someone," Alex blurted.
Hillary's eyes went wide. She took a sharp breath and tilted back in her chair as though the words had thrown her back. She stared at Alex. The girl turned her head away, eyes closed tight. Hillary glanced at Brooke and Laura, then back at Alex.
"Okay, that… that I was definitely not expecting."
"
I know, right?" Laura said.
Hillary's phone chirped with a text alert, but she ignored it. She took a deep, steadying breath. "When did this happen?"
Alex stood awkwardly, holding an arm. "On my birthday. October eighteenth."
"Before you joined us."
Alex nodded.
Hillary gripped the arms of her chair. "Tell me what happened."
Alex looked away. "What's there to say? I shot the lady taking care of us."
"Why?"
Alex's breath caught. After a long moment, she exhaled it hard.
Hillary tangled her fingers in her hair. "I've been harboring a fugitive." She locked eyes with Alex. "Do you know what could happen to me and my family for that? We could all go to jail for being accomplices." She looked away momentarily, deeply angry with North. How could he not know about this?
Every obscenity Hillary knew and repressed rushed into her, she bit her tongue hard to keep from letting them all out.
Brooke took a deep breath. "Where do we go from here? What do we do?"
"We?" Hillary's eyebrows raised. "Do you want to be accomplices?"
"No," Brooke said.
Hillary rose slowly. "Then there is no we."
Alex winced.
Laura and Brooke both rose together. "She needs us," Laura argued.
"I am protecting you both." Hillary turned to the thirteen-year-old. "Alex needs to turn herself in. Unless she wants to tell us exactly what happened."
When Alex remained silent, Hillary pinched the hollow beneath her brow and blew out a breath. "This is bad."
"Don't you think I know that?" Alex cried suddenly. "Don't you know I can't sleep at night, or live with myself for what I've done?"
"Then why haven't you told us until now?"
"Fine. I'm Alex. I shot my foster mom on my birthday." Tears welled in the girl. "Is that what you wanted to hear? How 'bout she killed the only person I ever really loved and was about to go after the others." She was yelling now. "Are you happy now?"
All three of the girls stared at Hillary.
Alex caught her breath. "It was bad enough I got dumped on you like that. You really expected me to tell you I killed someone, when you didn't want me to begin with?"
