Race Mare

• Kade Buntine, Grade 6
• Short Story
• 2015

Race Mare

I push down on the kick-start with all my might. A ferocious scream roars from the muffler. I slowly pull the clutch in and shift into first gear, then second. 15 seconds to go. I pull the throttle to halve way, 39 other two-stroke racers do the same. I remember the other race, the one that put me off riding, the one that broke my collar bone. But I’ve worked hard to get where I am, this is my heart, soul, life.

5 seconds. I put on more throttle. 3, 2, 1. They fall. I dump the clutch quickly, flying off down the start strait. Into the first corner and then power through a sand section. Coming up to a double and play a huge whip that brings me over it quickly and places me in 5th. Speeding towards a tabletop and just manage to pull a scrub over it, landing a bit ruff. I rip through a loamy berm leaving a deep rut. I pass two riders on a flat area putting me in 3rd, still not good enough.

I race towards a towering hill, trying to maintain my position. It launches me into the air and I land perfectly. I pass second and first. Heading toward the finish line. I spring across the finish line. But it swallows me. I’m falling. Into a black pit.

I’ve got to get out. See my family. Something drops. I walk over to see what it is. I unzip the bag it’s in. I reach inside. I feel a hand. I reach onto my helmet and take off my go-pro. I shine its light into the bag, it’s a dead body! I shine it around to see I’m surrounded by them! I start falling through the ground. I’m fading! Disappearing! I pull myself out of it. I sit up sweating, in my bed. Birds are chirping tweeting. The sun is shining. I’m thinking. Thank god that was only a dream, a night mare, a race mare!

By Kade Buntine