Page 10 of Runner 13

Stella

A gust of wind whistles down the gap between the tents, shaking the wooden posts, and I shield my face from the sudden influx of dust and sand. The sky darkens, the sun covered by a thick grey veil of cloud.

I bite at the edge of my thumbnail, only stopping when I taste the iron tang of blood.

I force my hand to my side, balling it into a fist.

DNS.

Did Not Start.

It’s worse than a DNF – a Did Not Finish.

At least, that’s how Pete sees it. Denied even the chance to compete.

His reputation on the line. If he can’t somehow clear his name, he’s going to have to do a lot of damage control after this.

He’s got a plan to do an independent drug test in Ouarzazate, but that means leaving the bivouac straight away.

After seeing Adrienne, Pete and I had the biggest blowout of our relationship.

Pretty sure the entire bivouac heard us.

He thinks I should forget about my obligation to Runners for Hope and leave with him.

But that would be letting people down. That’s my dad’s role – not mine.

The end result is that he’s on the bus back to Ouarzazate, along with some of the other DNS-ers. And I’m still here.

I rub the engagement ring once again, spinning the diamond round so it digs into my palm.

I can’t believe he didn’t tell me she would be here.

He obviously knew. But I can’t even bring myself to be that pissed off.

Because there are things I haven’t told him either.

Another reason I need to stay at Hot I’d been ready to knock that guy out if he’d come near me again.

The sky darkens above us. Clouds of dust obscure the sun, casting the bivouac in a mustard haze. Tent doors flap furiously all around us, and Dale and I exchange a look.

Something is brewing that even Boones won’t have control over.

And we don’t want to be exposed when it hits.