Breathless: The Adventures of A Gymnast (Marci Book 1) Read online

eyes.

  "It hurts a little, what did I do wrong?" asked Marci.

  "you let your guard down and allowed your

  ankle to relax while you punched off the floor,” the

  coach instructed.

  "How does it look?” asked Marci.

  The coach inspected the injury again and said,

  "It'll be all right. It’s only a sprain.,,

  "Well, I know it will probably hurt but is it

  OK if I finish up my last event?” Marci pleaded.

  "Yes, you can under a few conditions, and

  we'll have to tape up your ankle really well and

  water down your routine,” explaining. “It is better

  to do a simpler routine so you can concentrate on

  doing your skills correctly rather than on the pain.”

  The little gymnast never forgot those words

  of encouragement. That day she finished the meet

  10th place all-around. A year later she had received

  another nagging injury, this time to her wrist. All

  the odds were against her. Even the newspapers

  had discouraging remarks about Marci “not

  performing at 100%,” Fortunately, she had gone

  through this nightmare once before and stood

  firmly against repeating it. By toning down the difficulty

  of her routines and concentrating on doing

  the skills in excellence, Marci ended up winning

  the all-round.

  Marci was blessed that injuries like this one

  brought out the best in her, because she needed it

  now. Beneath them, the rustling of leaves signified

  that Rob and his associate had found the breach.

  "Hurry up!" yelled a muffled voice from below.

  "They're getting away!”

  At the sound of Rob's voice, Craig and Marci

  hurried, to their feet and began descending the hill.

  Moments later the villains surfaced. Covered with

  bits of twigs and leaves, Rob surveyed the surroundings.

  The train hadn't moved. It sat at the base

  of the hill about L60 yards away. From his vantage

  point at the foot of the castle, Rob watched Marci

  and Craig scamper down the rough incline

  “I think, the girl's limping," said the chief

  with a glimmer of hope in his eye'

  "She is?" mumbled the assistant' "Maybe she

  twisted her ankle. we should have no problem

  catching her now."

  "Good," said Rob cynically, "the worse her

  ankle is the better it is for us."

  The two men then cackled in one accord. It

  was a sign of promise. The hunt was on, the prey

  was wounded, and they had the advantage.

  The children had approximately a thirty yard

  lead and would need every foot. Down the hill they

  scampered as fast as they could go. Occasionally,

  they yelled words of encouragement or warning.

  "Pick up the speed Rat! They're gaining."

  Or Marci would say things such as,

  "Mop! If you don't start running faster that

  old man's going to catch-ya."

  Though they ran swiftly, perhaps even too

  swiftly considering the danger involved with a

  steep incline and a rocky terrain, it was still not fast

  enough. The criminals continued to advance. Since

  failing meant going to jail the crooks hurled themselves

  at the children with reckless abandon. Like

  a bull charging the matador, the two men had little

  regard for personal injury. Repeatedly, the criminals

  would run at breakneck speeds, trip, then

  tumble and skid in a cloud of dirt and dust. When

  they were able to get back on their feet again as if learning

  nothing from their last flailing debacle,

  they would continue the journey with the same rash

  and foolish disregard for consequences.

  “What’s a few cuts and bruises in comparison

  to twenty-five years in jail,” Rob bellowed after a rather hard fall.

  The criminals, desperate efforts paid off. Soon they were within

  fifteen yards of the kids.

  From Rob’s perspective things were going

  quite well, even better than expected. At least he thought they were

  until the children dropped out of sight after climbing over a small knoll.

  "Quick, let’s get over that mound. I wanna

  keep my eye on those kid,” Rob blurted out.

  His associate, sweating profusely and breathing heavily, toiled in

  pursuit. They scratched and clawed their way to the top of the mound.

  With apprehension the villains stared over the summit.

  For them, it was the worst of all possible outcomes.

  They watched as the kids stood at the base of

  the knoll. Beside Marci stood a mysterious, large

  and portly fellow. At first, the sun setting behind

  him silhouetted the unknown visitor. But as they

  approached, his blue coveralls began to look dreadfully

  familiar. It was his uniform and he was the

  conductor.

  What was he still doing off of the train? Once

  the repairs neared completion, it was announced

  over the intercom that there was an expected time

  of departure of fifteen minutes. But thankfully some

  of the passengers had seen the children exit the train

  and climb the bank. They thought the kids were

  just stretching their legs and wouldn’t be gone for

  very long. And because their alleged guardians followed

  from behind, they were presumed to be in

  good hands. But when the children delayed in returning

  at the fifteen minute departure announcement

  the passengers were compelled to warn the

  conductor that they had seen some children leave

  and not reappear. Thus the conductor came in

  search of the missing kids.

  Having been forewarned by Marci as to the

  criminal nature of the two men, with a discerning

  eye the conductor watched them from below. When

  he saw they hesitated to approach, he spoke.

  "Come down here!”

  The loud and authoritative sound of his voice,

  like a boom of thunder, startled the villains. Filled

  with fear they turned and ran in the opposite direction

  The tables had turned. Even though Marci

  was "super dog tired,” she felt encouraged with

  the backup of the conductor and reacted immediately,

  with the aid of adrenaline, and excitement to

  strengthen her ankle, she anticipated the escape of

  the villains and ran up the hill in full pursuit. From

  years of gymnastics practices, her movements were

  graceful and fluid like those of a cat. Rob and his

  associate didn't even notice that Marci was chasing

  after them. When they had reached a plateau,

  Marci increased her speed so she could execute her

  attack. The little gymnast raced towards the villains

  as fast as she could. Then with precise timing, paying

  careful attention to technique she leaped to a

  front handspring and launched herself into the air.

  she came down with a thunderous kick on the back

  of the assistant. Her blow rammed the assistant into

  Rob causing both men to fall to the ground.

  Before they could get up,Craig and the conductor

  were already there. The conductor, who had watched the
r />   entire scene with amusement, chortled

  and congratulated Marci for a job well done. The kick not

  only knocked Rob and his accomplice to the ground but

  Marci also. with her hair in disarray and covered with bits

  of leaves her jeans and tee shirt soiled beyond cleaning,

  and her face smudged with broad streaks of dirt, she felt

  more than a little embarrassed. Quickly rising to her feet

  she combed through her hair with her fingers, pulling out

  clumps of leaves and twigs. when she felt she looked

  presentable or as much as could be expected, she thanked

  the conductor. Then pointing

  to the green sack which Rob still clutched tightly in his hands.

  “The money is in there,” she said between heavy pants.

  The villains, too exhausted from chasing after the

  children for continued resistance, Iet the conductor do as

  he pleased. Crammed inside the green knapsack, the conductor

  discovered stolen moneys

  totaling well over 200,000 Deutsche Marks. At the

  revelation the thieves, bruised and tired, hang their

  heads in despair.

  Rob, slowly shaking his head from side to side,

  cast a disdainful look at Marci and Craig. His best laid plans

  for wealth through theft had come to ruin. He, a lifelong criminal

  who had made comfortable living a at the expense of others, was

  now thwarted by a ten year old girl and her brother.

  “ I can’t believe it!” he hissed under his breath.

  "I told ya,” sighed the assistant, “we shoulda

  just left them up there.”

  “Yeah, yeah, yeah, you told me,” Rob blurted

  out. "If it wasn't for you telling everyone my name

  I wouldn’t be in this mess.”

  Listening to the criminals, brief discussion

  about what they should and should not have done,

  Craig and Marci couldn’t help turning to one another and snickering.

  "I told ya we shoulda left those there kids up

  there," Marci mimicked,” They’re too strong for

  us.”

  Craig chimed in, “It’s all your fault,” he said

  in a weepy voice . “If it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t

  be in this mess.”

  The children continued to exchange jokes and

  laughed themselves unto tears. But in the midst of

  their glee and happiness, a still small voice called

  out.

  "Marci, Marci ...,,

  Instantly, Marci recognized who had spoken

  and where it was coming from. It was the spider.

  she was injured and needed help. Without fear she

  approached Rob. Her eyes sparked with tears.

  Holding her hands together she raised them over

  her head just below Rob’s chin. Rob, not under_

  standing what the child was doing, glared at her.

  "What do you want from me,” he asked

  gruffly.

  As he spoke, the spider that had been hiding

  in his hair crawled out and tumbled into her waiting

  hands. Shocked and surprised, Rob stared at

  the large spider. When he saw it start to move again

  he gasped and withdrew in horror. In fright, his

  assistant also backed away while Marci turned

  aside with spider in hand.

  The spider was hurt. Three of her legs were

  missing and two eyes were damaged. Marci whispered

  silently,

  "Wolfee! What did you do?"

  "All that I could," said the spider.

  A large tear rolled down Marci's cheek and fell into

  her hands.

  "Stop crying," protested Wolfee. "What are

  you trying to do, drown me?" she joked. "If I had

  not acted, he would most certainly have caught

  you."

  "You've done too much," said the girl.

  "I… don't think so!" responded the struggling

  spider. "It is yet to be seen."

  "Wolfee! What should I do?" Marci asked.

  "How can I help you?"

  But there was no response.

  Chapter 10

  A Very Special Spider

  Night was falling fast. With the arrest of the

  villains, the danger was over. Marci now tended to

  more personal matters. Making use of the few moments

  of daylight available, she approached Craig.

  "Mop, will you help me bury her,” she asked

  in an uncharacteristic soft and gentle tone.

  Her brother, not realty fond of spiders, looked

  squeamishly down into her small sweaty hands.

  In the hollow, among the stains of dirt, he saw the

  dark, curled and crumpled image of a spider. He

  touched it with his finger to see if it would move,

  but it did not' The curled spider fell to one side

  and lay motionless. There could be no doubt the

  spider was dead.

  "Sure thing, let's go bury him," he said.

  "Bury her!" Marci corrected.

  "Yeah, of course, how could I forget," he

  added not willing to argue the issue.

  "Let's go bury her," he emphasized.

  Carrying the spider in her hands, little Marci

  and her brother walked in silence side by side to

  the summit of the knoll. After a suitable location

  was found, Craig dug a small hole in which to lay

  the spider. When Marci was ready to let go, she

  carefully placed the spider into the opening. The

  entrance was sealed with a stone she found nearby"

  Semi-translucent and smooth, the large flat rock

  seemed to reflect all the colors of a rainbow.

  "Thanks buddy," Craig heard his baby sister

  whisper as if she was telling a secret. "I couldn't

  have done it without you."

  For Marci, this arachnid was more than just

  a spider. It was her friend. The others thought it

  was odd that a girl should be so concerned about

  the plight of a spider, but she knew better. She knew

  the spider was important. In Marci's own words it

  was a "very special spider.” Why was it so special?

  Because it could speak, and miraculous as it may sound,

  Marci could understand it perfectly.

  Marci was filled with conflicting emotions of joy and

  sadness. She and Craig were safe, but the spider had died.

  Continuing on after the burial, Craig and Marci rose from the

  grave site and headed for the train. With intense interest in the

  girl the passengers milled about like bees in a hive. Many who

  heard what had happened approached to express their gratitude.

  "Oh, you poor girl,” said the young Indian

  woman who had given the little gymnast candy

  on her initial tour of the train. “Did you

  hurt yourself?" She asked, noticing that one of Marci’s ankles

  was wrapped with a small towel.

  "Yeah, but it’s just a sprain. It hardly hurts at all,” said Marci.

  “Oh you Poor girl," she repeated. “you don’t have to pretend

  with me, I’ve heard all about it.” "I'm not, ifs not that bad,”

  protested Marci. "Of course it’s not,” said the kind woman

  with a look of disbelief. "But just in case it gets any

  worse, take some more chocolate. It'll make you

  feel better." She passed Marci a small white bag

  filled with assorted chocolates. Seeing the generous

  gift
of candy, Marci wisely held herself back

  from any further verbal objections. With a mound

  of chocolate in front of her she wanted to shine a

  smile as big as the sun and jump for joy, but she

  knew that such a display would be improper - especially

  for a girl who received a congressional

  medal of chocolate for her injuries.

  "Thanks," said Marci, pursing her lips to keep

  from smiling. "If it gets any worse, I'm sure this

  will help."

  This woman was just one of many who came

  bearing gifts. The conductor impressed by Marci's

  exploits, apparently announced the little girl's heroism

  throughout the train. As the kids continued

  their walk, young and old passengers alike would

  approach with presents and words of encouragement.

  "Thank you," said one six-year-old German

  girl, adding coyly before she was carried away by

  her mother,” I like spiders too!”

  "Then you’re a great kid,” said Marci as she

  made a representation of a spider with her hand.

  Intrigued, the child tried to imitate Marci’s

  hand spider, but hers ended up looking more like

  the foot of an eagle.

  "That’s pretty good,” said Marci trying not

  to discourage her. “We’ll call

  it the spider claw.”

  Marci and her new friend giggled. Then with

  spider claws raised in clear view of each other the

  two children parted company.

  Further down, Craig and Marci finally arrived at their

  old compartment. Craig opened the

  door for Marci as she entered carrying an arm load

  of flowers and presents. Inside, nothing had

  changed. Their old roommates, as usual, were in

  the midst of a heated chess battle. Pawns were set

  in array and marched forward in rank while knights

  leaped to the attack. The conflict was so intense that

  neither man realized that the children had returned.

  That is until the spicy sweet smell of Marci’s flowers

  wafted through the room, breaking concentration.

  Then one of the men, distracted by the pleasant

  odor looked up from the board. To his surprise,

  the children had come back. Noticing the flowers

  and gifts that lay in front of Marci and her soiled

  clothes, the stranger wisely deduced that she was

  the little girl that all the train had spoken of.

  "Hey ,little girl."

  "Yeah?" Marci said bashfully.

  " Are you the courageous young woman who

  caught those hoodlums?" he asked in a heavy