35
The race was on.
Well, not exactly a race since she was the only one on the track. But off she went! Over the ramp. Airborne! Yes!
She landed with a crash, the wheels wobbling, but she quickly recovered. She had this. She raced around the corner, it was time to take on the big beast.
This was it. She was prepared.
She had her helmet.
She had her knee pads.
She had her magic flying cape.
All she had to do was hit the ramp and she’d fly off the other side.
Something registered in the back of her brain. A noise. But she pushed it aside. She could do this.
Brick, Elias, and Sterling had left early this morning. She was going to miss Elias and Sterling, even though they had promised to visit. Brick promised he would be back soon, so it was just her and Xavier here. But Xavier had gotten called in o the hospital about an hour ago.
This was the first time she’d been left on her own in weeks.
Then she started pedaling her bike towards the ramp she’d set up, and out of nowhere, a body appeared. Oh God! She was going to hit him! A squeal left her as she darted around him, nearly falling off her bike. She came to a stop, panting, her pulse racing.
Turning, she saw him stomp towards her. He was breathing heavily, thunder filled his face. Uh-oh.
“What the hell did you think you were doing!” he roared.
She winced.
“Hi, Papa,” she said cheerfully.
“Don’t you ‘hi, Papa’ me, Twink. What were you just about to do!”
Well, she thought that was obvious. “I was going to take the jump, Papa. But you got in my way. You should be more careful. I could have hit you.”
His hands clenched into fists and his jaw clenched.
“In the house. Now.”
“But, Papa. I need to try.”
“Now.”
“Papa, I was being safe.”
“How?”
“I have my helmet on.”
“Nope.”
“And my knee pads.” She was proud of herself for remembering them.
“Nope.”
“And I can fly.”