5 CHAPTER 4
The twenty-five racers sped off like a flash of lightning, like a blur, leaving trails of dust and color. The cameras hovering after them were barely keeping up with the speed. They were a smear of different colors on an artistic brush, it was hard to see a racer properly, their color was the only thing visible enough.
"It's a marvelous performance from the Blue; so far one of the Blue is maintaining the lead, with the Gold struggling to make it through." The commentator said.
He had his eyes and mind focused on the screen and whatever his eyes picked out from the race, his mouth voiced out. "From behind the grays are still following. And here comes the man in Red, he has maneuvered to pass the Blue and now he is on the lead."
Jeff cursed when he was pushed away again. The five Silvers in front won't let any of the Grays pass, trapping them in the fifth position which was considered the last when checked in terms of clans. They were in the tenth lap already, with fifteen more to go.
Sweat beaded Jeff's clothing, the fast rushing air wasn't enough to dry off his anxiety. He had tried several times to find a loophole in the speeding walls of the Silvers, but all his maneuvering skills were falling through.
"Ouch" Jeff exclaimed as one of the Silver rammed his shoulder into his head. That blow alone could have left his skull throbbing for weeks, but thank God for the helmet.
Jeff pulled back a little. It was almost impossible to get a pass. He needed to change his speeding tactics. His fellow grays were not making any progress as well. They were all trapped in a single position and—
Yes, that is it; the closer they are, the easier it is to trap them, but if they soared solo instead of working as a team...Yes, they still have a chance.
Jeff's body was bubbling with excitement, he never thought about this until now. The jump and catch skill was the right skill he needed to break him off formation. Jeff knew how dangerous the skill was. He had learned it from TV, from the greatest racer in Anadan, his father. He had several collections of his father's race, known for his great acrobats and stunts, but also as a great racer who never made it first to the finish line. Jeff had practiced with Matt ever since and He knew that if he falls off his board he would be disqualified or worst die. But, he kept that fear in check; he suppressed them, not letting them prevent him from doing what he must do. It was the only way if he were to win. He wasn't afraid that he might fall over and die, he was afraid that he might not reach the finish line before the others.
Just like your father. A voice whispered in the back of his head, but Jeff ignored it.
Bending his right foot to acquire more momentum, Jeff steadied himself. He knew what to do; he had practiced a dozen times with Matt.
The familiar sensation of adrenaline filled him as he gained more speed. Just then, he came close to the silver racer in his front. The racer tried to block his path, but instead of struggling with him, Jeff jumped overhead, leaving his H-board which slid pass, underneath the boy. With a smooth grace, Jeff landed on his H-board in front of the boy. He would have loved to see the surprised looks on the boy's face, but right now, he aimed to get to the first position.
Matt got the hint and followed Jeff's lead, jumping and landing. Dodging, twisting and deflecting. It was fun to watch. They were like flexible air gymnastics, in an Olympic dance.
Some of the Grays who weren't accustomed to the skill tried to follow suit, but they fell off their board almost immediately.
"This is the best race ever" the commentator shriek in delight.
"The Grays are making improvements, and I think there are only two out of five remaining. Wow, What a spectacular stunt from the kid in Gray. It's been long since I watched a mind-blowing race like this. Oh, I could bet my mother and children for this race to continue."
"HOWARD" A woman's voice bellowed on one of the speakers.
"Ah, sorry mom, didn't know you were" the commentator apologized.
The crowd cheered as the racers rounded another bend; they were now on the final lap.
Matt soared alongside Jeff just like they had practiced a hundred times. Jeff couldn't tell their position but he knew without being told, that they had set their mark and had beaten an unbeatable record. They were on the top five he guessed; they just needed to maintain it to the finish line.
Jeff managed to pass the Blue guy in front, but the Red suit was miles away and it was impossible to cover the distance separating them, let alone pass him. He decided to maintain whatever position he had; at least he and Matt had achieved what other Grays deemed impossible. Even his father who was referred to as the big Gray blur of Anadan had not made it this far.
Now I am comparing my effort with my father's.
Guilt started welling up in his stomach and anger replaced it. He felt ashamed of himself. He was the cause of his father's death. If he had listened to his mom and remained in the sitting room that afternoon his father would still be alive. He would have been here today to see him break this racing record.
Wait a minute—
Jeff's eyes had adjusted and he could see the Red suit. He didn't know how he had done it but it just happened, he could see thousands of miles away and clearly.
In his attempts to fix the puzzle, the Blue suit boy passed him but Jeff did not notice. His eyes were still on the Red boy who was miles away.
Every now and then the Red guy would lean a little and touch his board with his glowing hands.
Jeff quickly remembered history had it that the Reds were the blurs of the five clans, they were the fastest ever known in the history of Anadan. It was now that Jeff understood; nobody knew how to use the glow of speed. That was why no one could match the Red's speed.
Jeff leaned forward; he did not understand what he was doing. His instincts were driving him now. He bent down hugging his H-board and at that instant; he felt something rushing through his vein, not adrenaline this time but something else, something he had never felt before. He felt alive; he felt power like the refreshing breath of a newly born baby, like the amazing breeze coming from the outskirts of freshwater habitat, like the soft drop of water on the petals of a rose flower.
With the power he could imagine his hands or body glowing, but what was happening? Jeff kept that thought at bay as he transferred the power rushing through his vain into his H-board, and then...
...It all went dark.
