Nick’s face clouded. He shook his head and shoved his fists in his jacket pockets, muttering under his breath.
Teena wasn’t so controlled. ‘Now listen here, you are definitely not wasting your time. Why do you reckon the twins freak out whenever you beat them?’
I shook my head. ‘I don’t know.’
‘Well, I do. It’s because you’re good, Ebony. Real good. Like Mr Gordon said, you’re a natural.’
I shrugged. ‘What difference does it make? Dad said I can’t go.’
‘You can’t let him do this. You have to stand up to him, Ebony. You have to make him stop this.’
‘How? You don’t understand what it’s like. What he’s like.’
‘I’ve got a pretty good idea.’
‘It just isn’t worth it. Even if I wanted to go, I can’t.’
‘Like I said, the girls can come with us,’ Nick said. He knelt down to speak to them. ‘How would you like to come to the athletics carnival? We’ll sit in the grandstand eating meat pies and ice cream and watch Ebony and Teena race. What do you reckon?’
‘Can I take Manket?’ May held up her tattered blanket.
‘Sure,’ Nick said.
‘All right,’ May said. ‘I’ll go.’
‘Yay!’ Rose leapt up and down. ‘Nice cream!’
Nick stood up, smiling. ‘Well, that’s sorted.’
Teena slipped her arm around her dad’s waist. ‘Now, are you going to get yourself dressed, or do I have to do it for you?’
My mind churned. If I went to the carnival and got back before four, Dad need never know. On the other hand, he might come home early. Or he might phone to check up on us. I might not even make it through my heats, let alone into the finals and it would all be for nothing. And if Dad found out I took the girls into Oxford and ran at the carnival when he’d told me not to, my life wouldn’t be worth living.
It didn’t matter, though. Even if Dad thrashed me, I knew I had to go. I wanted it too much.
‘Give me two minutes,’ I said then bolted inside.
In my bedroom, I tugged my sports uniform on. As I ran towards the door, I stopped and turned back, reaching under my mattress for the dragon. When my fingers touched it, I felt a zap of electricity. I kissed the cold porcelain then slipped it into my pocket. I was going to need all the dragon magic I could get.
By the time we reached Albert Oval, a million butterflies were fluttering around inside my stomach. I slipped my hand into my pocket to feel the dragon.
‘Are you okay?’ Teena said.
‘I need to pee.’
‘Think about lollies.’
‘Lollies?’
‘Yeah, lollies. Whenever I’m nervous I think about lollies.’
I lifted my eyebrows at her.
She shrugged. ‘It works for me.’
For a while the lollies trick worked. Then I heard the marching band music whirr into life over the loudspeakers and caught the smell of frying bacon and eggs wafting towards me. I saw the grandstand overflowing with coloured banners and screaming kids from every school in the district. My stomach flipped. The butterflies and my urge to pee came back with a vengeance. I raced off to the bathroom, resurfacing a few moments later feeling much better.
Teena dragged me up the grandstand steps through the chanting, roaring, raucous crowd. None of the events had started yet, but everyone was already pretty worked up. Our school was tucked into a corner at the back. The boys were waging a food fight against another school while Mrs Murcher shouted them into submission. The twins sat with their dad, ducking occasionally to avoid a sandwich missile. They moved over to make room for us. Nick sat beside Mr Gordon.
‘One word,’ I warned Miranda as I settled May and Rose beside me. ‘Just one word.’
‘What?’ Miranda asked, acting innocent.
‘About tribes. Don’t you dare say a word.’
‘Why are you so touchy?’
‘I’m not touchy. I’m just sick of you picking on me.’
‘Geez, you’re cranky this morning.’ Miranda said. ‘Listen, I’m sorry about what I said. And all the other stuff.’ She offered me her hand. ‘Friends?’
I stared at her hard, not trusting her. ‘Have you had a personality transplant or something?’
She shrugged, looking guilty. ‘We’re all on the same team today.’
It sounded like something her dad would say. Still, an apology from Miranda was worth taking. I took her hand a little reluctantly, but we both smiled as we shook hands. ‘Friends.’
‘We weren’t sure you’d make it.’ Chloe said, smiling at me.
My tense mood slowly melted away and I smiled back. ‘I almost didn’t. If it hadn’t been for Teena.’
Teena grinned. ‘I have a very special talent, it’s true.’
We all laughed at that.
Miranda scanned the crowd. ‘There’s so many kids here.’ She pointed to a girl with dark, springy hair, her white teeth flashing as she laughed. ‘That’s Natasha ‘Robot’ Reed. Watch her. She’s fast.’
‘Anyone else I should know about?’ I asked.
She grinned. ‘Only me.’
‘Huh!’ I laughed. ‘You’re old news.’
Static crackled from the loudspeakers. The first race was called, the one hundred metres. First three places in each heat went through to the final. Top two placegetters from the final would compete at state level.
I offered a silent prayer to the dragon, giving it three quick rubs for good luck then stashed it in my bag.
As we stood up, Mr Gordon told the twins, ‘Good luck, girls. I’ll be cheering for you.’
‘Thanks, Dad,’ the twins twittered, hugging him before walking off. I went to follow them, but Mr Gordon stopped me. ‘That means you, too, Ebony.’ He looked me in the eye and I knew he meant it. ‘I’d like to see you win, too. You’ve worked hard.’
I nodded and tripped down the stairs after the twins, my heart lifting a little at Mr Gordon’s encouragement.
At the starting area, I discovered I’d drawn Natasha Reed in my heat. Close up she looked huge, her tanned legs as long and strong as telegraph poles. I guess dragon magic can’t work all the time.
‘What happened to you?’ Natasha eyed my scabbed knees and elbows.
‘Bike accident.’
‘Are you okay to run?’
‘Sure, no problem.’
We lined up. Natasha flashed me a moonbeam smile. ‘Nice knowing you.’
The starter’s gun fired. Natasha shot down the track like a whippet on red cordial. The pack scampered after her. Natasha first. By a spot of dragon magic, me second. I was through to the final.
Next, Miranda and I headed over to the long jump. Natasha was there, too. Her first jump was amazing. She almost cleared the sandpit.
My name was called. I ran towards the pit then hurled myself into the air, my scabbed knees tearing as I landed in the sand. It was an okay jump, but it wasn’t a winner.
I dabbed at the blood with my shirt, hoping no one would notice. The butterflies in my stomach regrouped, making me foul my second jump. Meanwhile, Miranda made two awesome jumps. She was right up there with Natasha. My last jump was better, but not good enough. Still, I was chuffed when Miranda beat Natasha into first place.
‘You’re through!’ I clapped her on the back. ‘That’s awesome.’
‘Thanks,’ she grinned. ‘Sorry you missed out.’ I saw a flash of something in her eyes. For a moment, I could have sworn it was sincerity.
Then the moment was gone because Mr Gordon ran over and lifted her off the ground in a giant bear hug. ‘Well done, sweetie,’ he said as he swung her around.
Jealousy flamed inside me and I had to look away.
‘Does this mean I can have an iPhone?’ I heard Miranda ask.
‘It sure does,’ her dad said.
I pretended not to care as I walked away.
Next came the one hundred metres final. Chloe had placed first in her heat so we lined up togeth
er beside Natasha and her moonbeam smile.
‘Good luck,’ Chloe said, her face as pale as paper. I could tell she really wanted to win. We all did.
The starter’s gun fired. My legs took off before my brain knew what was happening. I hurtled towards the finish line.
This was my race.
The only problem was, Natasha and Chloe were ahead of me. I pushed harder. Time and distance evaporated on a new line.
‘Natasha Reed, first. Chloe Gordon, second. Ebony Jackson, third. Well done, girls.’
Mr Gordon ran over to hug Chloe. Another iPhone for the team.
‘Never mind,’ said Teena. ‘You did great.’
I struggled to hold back the tears. ‘Dad was right. I’m wasting my time.’
‘Don’t give up yet. There’s still the relays and the eight hundred metres.’
I nodded, not really believing I had a chance at winning any of the races.
When our team finished third in the one hundred and two hundred metre relays, I was almost ready to give up. My only chance left was in the eight hundred metres. It wasn’t my best race. I didn’t like running the distance. Would the dragon magic make a difference? I wondered.
Nick bought lunch while we waited for the last race to be called. I didn’t feel like eating, but Nick insisted I did. My sisters had no problem with their appetites. They’d already scoffed a pie each when Nick handed out ice creams.
Rose’s eyes bulged with delight. ‘Night, night nice cream,’ she said before demolishing it.
While I nibbled my pie, I secretly felt for the dragon stashed in my pocket. I was in danger of rubbing the gold sparkles off it for sure, but I was down to my last chance for a finals spot so I was determined to summon maximum dragon power.
Too soon, our race was called.
‘Okay, girls,’ Nick said. ‘It all comes down to this.’
Teena glared. ‘Dad. We don’t need the pressure.’
‘Right. Sorry. Do your best and have fun.’
‘Very cheesy.’
At least he made us laugh, which helped calm the butterflies for a millisecond. Teena and I lined up alongside ten other girls. Twice around the oval. No heats. First and second place went through. Game over.
‘On your marks, get set … ’
Bang!
Nervous electricity zapped through me as the starter’s gun fired. I left off the mark. Natasha jostled past to take the lead. That girl sure was a robot. She’d made it to the state championships in every event on the program.
We finished the first loop. It was Natasha then Teena then me. A small pack of girls jogged behind us while another group brought up the rear. Two hundred metres more and the middle pack moved up, pressuring Teena and me.
We held our positions until the last turn. The crowd screamed and cheered. Natasha pulled away, her long limbs devouring the ground. My thighs itched with the blood surging through them. The hot flames of my breath seared my throat.
‘Come on, Ebony,’ Teena panted, ‘believe in the dragon!’
I shot Teena a surprised look. Was it a coincidence she’d mentioned the dragon? Or had she seen me holding it? I couldn’t be sure. Now wasn’t the time to ask. I did as she said and focused on the dragon. I imagined it in my hand, running my fingers over its cold, smooth curves. Feeling the pulse of electricity it always sent through me. Instantly, I felt lighter, less breathless.
As we hit the final hundred metres. I tapped into my last energy reserve and sped up. So did Teena. All of a sudden, we were beside Natasha, legs pumping, arms swinging, panting for breath. I ducked my head forward. Three of us crossed the line together.
‘Ebony Jackson, first. Teena Costaleena, second. Natasha Reed, third.’
‘We did it!’ Teena squealed, hugging me while I stood there, stunned. All I could think was dragons were magic after all.
‘Good race.’ Natasha pumped my arm then stalked off.
Still panting, I wobbled over to the grandstand on jelly legs with Teena. When I saw Dad, I froze in my tracks. The tiger lurked. His tangerine glow flamed in Dad’s eyes. I held my breath, waiting for him to pounce.
The tiger circled, his tail swishing. Lazily. Deliberately. ‘Where are the girls?’
‘With Nick, er, Mr Costaleena. What are you doing here?’
Dad was still wearing his uniform from the abattoirs. White shirt. White pants. Blood stains on both and the smell of fresh meat about him.
He’d obviously come straight here from work.
Looking for more fresh meat. Looking for a kill.
‘Well, funny thing happened, see. I tried phoning the house. Several times. No answer. So, I thought I’d swing by and see if you were here. Never dreaming you would be.’
Kids strolled past stealing sideways glances at us. I stared at my feet, embarrassed.
‘You’ve done exactly what I told you not to, Ebony.’ The tiger nodded at Teena, who was standing beside me, watching him warily. ‘Who’s this?’
‘Teena.’
‘So this is the little troublemaker.’
‘I’m not a troublemaker,’ Teena said, ‘and Ebony’s got every right – ’
‘Watch how you talk to me, Miss Smarty Pants.’
‘I’m not afraid of you. Why don’t you pay a babysitter instead of making Ebony mind her sisters all the time?’
‘Ebony is our babysitter.’
‘She’s only eleven!’
‘Old enough. And where do you get off talking to me like that? Weren’t you taught any manners?’
‘Not for people like you. ’
‘Please, Teena,’ I said, ‘you’re making it worse.’
‘Someone has to stand up to him.’
‘And I’m going to,’ I said. ‘Now, go find your dad. Please.’
Teena crossed her arms defiantly. ‘I think I should stay here. Just to make sure your dad behaves himself.’
‘I’ve had enough of this.’ The tiger lunged. He clutched for my arm, but I side-stepped him. The tiger seethed with rage. ‘Go get your sisters. Now.’
I shook my head. ‘No, Dad.’
‘Get … your … sisters.’ He spat the words at me.
Kids stopped to watch. ‘What are you looking at?’ The tiger’s growl sent them scurrying away.
‘I won’t let you treat me like this anymore, Dad.’
‘Treat you like what?’
‘Bullying me. Hurting me. Controlling me. I want it to stop.’
‘Go, Ebony!’ Teena cheered.
The tiger’s lip curled. ‘Has this little brat infected you with her big ideas? Has she put these words into your mouth?’
‘Don’t talk about Teena like that.’
‘I’ll speak how I want. The Ebony I know wouldn’t dare talk back to me.’
‘That Ebony doesn’t exist anymore and you’d better get used to it,’ I said defiantly. Although my words sounded strong, inside my heart was thudding in fear. I’d never, ever spoken to Dad like this before. I was afraid of what he might do. But I still ploughed on.
This was my chance to get through to him.
This might be my only chance.
I had to stand up to him. I had to tell him how I felt.
‘I’m not going to let you bully me anymore,’ I said. ‘I’m not Mum.’
The tiger prowled closer. He licked his lips, as if savouring the feast to come. Would the tiger dare show his stripes in front of everyone? Did I mean that little to him?
I heard May’s voice behind me. ‘Daddy!’ I turned to see Nick and the girls walking towards us. ‘You look cranky. Did Ebby do something wrong?’
The tiger receded behind its human disguise.
‘It’s okay,’ I reassured May. ‘Dad and I are just talking.’
‘Everything okay, Ebbs?’ Nick glanced warily at Dad.
‘Who are you?’ Dad snarled.
Nick cleared his throat, thrusting his hand out for Dad to shake. ‘Nick Costaleena, Teena’s dad. You picked Ebony up from our place the
other day. You must be Doug.’
Dad scowled and looked away, refusing to shake Nick’s hand. ‘I’ve a good mind to report you to the police for taking my daughters without permission. That’s kidnapping. Who do you think you are?’
Nick’s face hardened. ‘From what I hear, if anyone should be reported to the police it’s you.’
I flashed Teena an angry look. I’d suspected she’d told Nick about Dad. Now I was sure. Teena shrugged and mouthed the word ‘sorry’.
‘What exactly are you saying, mate?’ Dad glared at Nick.
‘Nick, Dad. Please.’ I stepped between them. ‘This isn’t the way to do this. I need to talk to Dad on my own. Dad?’ I held my hand out to him. Still scowling, he took it, gripping it so hard that my knuckles ground against each other.
‘Stay here,’ I told the others and led Dad over to a nearby picnic table. ‘Sit, please.’
Dad threw himself on the seat. He sat there, slumped to the side as I perched on the table top beside him.
‘Dad, I don’t want it to be like this. I love you. But I can’t let you treat me the way you have been.’
‘What are you talking about? I’m a good father to you. I feed you. I clothe you. What more do you want?’
Was he serious? He thought that was all a father needed to do?
What about loving me? Helping me? Protecting me?
I looked him straight in the eye. ‘I’m asking you to stop hitting me.’
‘I hardly touch you,’ Dad said gruffly, ‘and even when I do, I’m only trying to teach you right from wrong.’ His voice took on a tone of misery and pleading. ‘You should have seen what my father did to me.’
‘What your dad did was wrong, but it doesn’t make it okay for you to hit me,’ I said, ‘Either it stops or I’ll do what Nick said. I’ll call the police. I don’t want you to hit me anymore, Dad. It’s not right. It’s not fair.’
Even if everything stayed the same, at least I knew that I had stood up to Dad. That I’d finally said something. I was taking a huge risk, making him angry like this, facing him with the truth.
But in my heart, I knew it was the right thing to do. The only thing to do. It was my first step towards freeing myself from all that had happened to me. To making myself stronger. To making myself the person I wanted to be.
Running from the Tiger Page 10