Sharen Pittman - Running with the Gods

RUNNING WITH THE GODS

by

Sharen Pittman

Running with the Gods Copyright 2021 by Sharen Pittman

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and incidents either are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For information contact:

Ink Dance Publishing, LLC

P.O. Box 1655

Holmes Beach, FL 34218

www.inkdancepublishing.com

ISBN: 978-1-956747-02-7 (epub) 978-1-956747-01-0 (mobi)

First Edition: December 2021

Cataloging in Publication: https://lccn.loc.gov/2021949969

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021949969

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

DEDICATION

Dedicated to my wonderful children, Shaileah and Sean who are the greatest joys of my life.

It takes a team to bring a book to life. Thank you to

Mary Schultz, Carol Caswell, and Sylvia Mills

for all of your love, help, and

support in making this novel a reality.

This is the first time Ive ever seen my father cry and it wasnt the kind that leaves little streaks of wet on ones cheeks. These are large teardrops that roll down his face like waves and drip off. Seeing him like this makes me cry that much harder. The doctor just told us that my little brother, Colson, has inherited the heart disease that runs in my mothers family. Hes only 15.

This can all be fixed with a simple surgery but we are only Level 3 people. Our Level doesnt include the healthcare he needs. We watched this slow, painful, drawn-out death sentence with my cousin, Felix. He was such a hearty, robust young man with great promise for moving up a Level. But then he was diagnosed with this genetic disease. He was 19 when he died.

My father turns away from my mother and staggers toward the door, still completely devastated by the news. He looks at me and comes toward me. I think he wants a hug so I stand up but instead, he grabs my shoulders in an excruciating grip that lifts me off the floor. I gasp at the suddenness and pain of it.

You must win! he spits out between gritted teeth. Then he drops me and stumbles out the door.

My mother runs to my side. Hes not angry with you, my sunshine. Hes mad at the world and at himself for not being able to move us up into a higher Level. But what he says is true, it really is up to you now, she says while caressing my arm.

I stare at her for a moment. Was that supposed to make me feel better? Because right now I just feel the pressure. Whether my brother lives or dies is in my hands. That is what they are laying squarely on my shoulders. My mother is smiling sweetly at me, then she gets up and follows my father outside.

I wipe my tears and go to my room to pack. I sit on my bed and consider what just happened. Colson has always been so tall and strong for his age. Hes 7 years younger than I. I helped raise him. I love him so much. Why him?

Then the reality of my fathers words hit me deeply. The fact is, my brother is going to die if I dont get through this race. I have to move my family up a Level so they can get the healthcare they need. We knew that my mom was showing signs of early heart stress, a side effect of the genetic disease she carries in her blood. While she doesnt get the full symptoms, she has struggled all her life with a weak heart because of it. Having kids almost killed her. My brother and I both had to be taken early.

I look down at my hands. Can I do this? I mean, really do this? I see my commemorative race book laying on the table next to my bed. A big blue ribbon that I used to mark my contestant page encourages me to open it one more time. My own face stares up at me from my contestant photo.

My mind begins to consider the upcoming race. I was really excited about it, feeling nervously jittery and thrilled at the same time. But now, now I feel numb. I have to win or at least be in the top three finishers to move my family up a Level. I have to do this or die trying. If I dont succeed, Im allowing my mom and brother to die. It might as well be me also.

Next to my picture is the handsome stranger who is to be my partner. Hes a Specialist. They are partnered with each contestant as a sort of guide and escort through the race. They are also highly trained to keep us safe from harm. Since I was a young girl, my goal, and that of my family, had been for me to qualify for this race. I think its the dream of every Foundations family, to hope that their child will one day qualify for the race and move them up in Level. As for me personally, I always dreamed of having a handsome swordsman by my side, like a pirate. It seems all so romantic and silly now.

I look at my partners face once more. I should have met him two weeks ago at the ceremony where I found out I was chosen to participate in this great opportunity. He was announced, I mean, I know hes an Archer, but thats all I really know. When I think back to the Choosing Ceremony, I was astonished when they called my name instead of one of the other 11 finalists for Statsia. Now, I am just so thankful that I was chosen.

When the moment arrived to announce my partner, The Archer! boomed over the loudspeaker. The whole arena came alive. People stood up and cheered. I started clapping too. The Archer? I remembered thinking; I got a bowman? I also remember thinking that I guessed it didnt really matter as long as he was the best. I always pictured myself being paired with that swashbuckling pirate or someone like that. Its funny how things turn out.

Then at the celebration, instead of my partner coming out to greet me, 20 young Temple Archers ran out and around the stage to form a circle. Archers! Start the celebration! echoed from the loudspeaker.

They all walked forward in unison to a fiery cauldron, grabbed an arrow from their quivers and lit the tips. Next, they shot the arrows to the top of the arena that set fire to a large overhead platform. Within seconds, fireworks were shooting into the sky. Everyone was cheering and having a great time. It was fantastic. I remember looking around the stage for my real partner but he never did emerge.

The following morning at the Winners Breakfast, where I met with past Statsia racers: Luke, Harlon, Rainia, Melia and Vell, they told me some more about the Archer and about the race in general. Luke competed in the race five years ago, Melia four, Harlon three, Vell two and then Rainia competed in it last year.

We were all sitting at a round table trading pleasantries. Luke was on my left and Rainia on my right. Once the breakfast was served and we were left alone in the room, Harlon opened the conversation.

Okay, Liliana, what do you really want to know? he laughed.

I smiled, Tell me something that they dont tell you, I urged.

They dont tell you how extremely difficult it is, Luke continued. Out of this group, Im the only one in the last five cycles to have completed it. I may have finished in the top three, but I didnt win. Its really tough to get through.

Everyone nodded.

Melia added, Use the transport time to your best advantage. Read maps, read about places youre going. Try to get any advantage about what the cultural experience might be in that area.