The Race: The Tale of Love and Betrayal

The atmosphere was filled with jubilant shouts and excited murmurs as the horses and their riders prepared for the race. This was the most celebrated sport in the world, attracting people from all corners of the globe to witness the exhilarating spectacle. However, the real thrill for many was in the betting. Winners would win big, while losers would weep greatly over their losses. Though betting was illegal due to its association with violence and criminal activities, it didn't stop people from creating secret online platforms and underground clubs to place their bets.

A bit farther from the arena, where the riders were preparing with their horses, a small group had gathered around one racer. This group consisted of a woman, a teenage girl in her mid-teens, another girl in her early teens, and a boy about the same age as her. They were all gathered around a man with a majestic black stallion that had a striking white lightning bolt marking on its forehead.

"Well...the big day has finally arrived," said the man, stroking his horse affectionately.

"I can't believe it either. The day came sooner than we thought, but I guess that's just how it is," said the woman, placing her hand on the man's shoulder.

"But I am sure you are going to win, Dad. You and Lightningbolt have never lost a race before. I am confident that you are going to beat him and we are going back home with that trophy," said the older girl with enthusiasm.

"Yes, Dad! Sister is right! You are going to become the world's best champion derby racer ever! We know it!" said the boy, moving to his father's side and stroking the horse. The father ruffled his son's hair and said, "Thanks, Champ! Thanks, everyone! Your support means a whole lot to me. I promise to make you all proud. I love you guys with all my heart. Don't ever forget that," he said, his voice filled with love.

"And we love you too, honey...and you make us proud every day," said the woman, giving her husband a quick kiss on the lips.

"We love you very much, Daddy," said the younger girl, hugging her father. The rest of the family followed suit, enveloping each other in a warm embrace, as if it were a final goodbye.

Their precious moment was interrupted by the announcer's voice calling for the racers to take their positions. "Good luck, my love, and show 'em who's the best," said the woman.

"Yeah, good luck, Dad. Show them who is the King of Derby racing," said the boy.

"Thanks, guys. Lightningbolt and I will do our very best," replied the man. "Okay, kids, let's go sit in our reserved booth and watch your father race, okay?" Everyone left to watch the race, except for the older girl, who remained standing, watching her father prepare to go and stand in his position for the race.

"Aren't you going to watch the race, sweetie? Don't you want to go and cheer for me?" asked the man.

"I am going, but I...just wanted to say something..." The girl ran and hugged her father tightly. "Please come back to us, Dad. I don't care if you don't win the race, but please stay alive and safe and come back to us..." Tears streamed down her face.

The father was taken aback by his daughter's words and wondered what was wrong. He gently disengaged from the hug and looked into his daughter's teary eyes and asked, "What's wrong, sweetie? Why are you saying such things? Is everything okay?"

"I don't know, Dad, but...I just have this bad feeling...I have this feeling that...I am never going to see you again and that scares me a lot. So please, Dad...please stay safe and come back to us. Please..."

The father took a deep breath and said, "Sweetie...I know how you feel. Racing is exciting but also dangerous. I understand you are scared that I might get hurt, but don't you worry, I am going to be just fine. I promise I am going to come back, and you and I are going to have a race in the fields back home at the ranch to celebrate my victory. But...even if something happens to me...I know I have a strong, beautiful, brave, talented, and intelligent daughter who is also a champion in this family. Love is the biggest trophy she has, and she will take care of everyone, even when I am not there. But I will always be there for you and forever in your heart."

"You...mean it, Dad?" asked the daughter.

"Yes! Yes, I do. And here..." He took off his golden neck chain, which had a golden key shaped like a horse, and placed it around his daughter's neck. "This neck chain...will always remind you that...even when I am not here, you hold the key to everything. I promise this key will guide you to everything you may ever need. You got that?" said the father.

"Racers!! This is the last and final call!! Please come and stand in your positions for the race!!" blared the voice of the announcer.

"Well, I guess I gotta go now," he said, kissing his daughter's cheek before mounting his horse.

"Go win that race, Dad! I believe in you!" said the girl.

"Thanks, sweetie. I promise to do my best. Now go join your mother and siblings and watch the race. Be good, okay?" said the father.

"I will, Dad," she said, starting to move away until her father's words stopped her in her tracks. "Oh, and Patricia, my dear! Remember...you have the key to everything you may need! So be brave, my little lamb, and remember, 'It started with a race and it will end with a race!' Hyaah! Giddy up, Lightningbolt!" The father then rode off to take his position for the race.

"Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for our world's second-best Derby racer...Simon Milton!!!!" The crowd roared with cheers. Patricia did not understand her father's words but decided to ask him about it later. She joined her family in their reserved booth and began cheering for her father.

"And now...ladies and gentlemen, give it up for our world's best youngest racer, the number one champion who broke the highest record of Derby racing in history...he is...Ricardo Montenegra!!!" The roar of the crowd grew louder as a rider wearing a silver mask with long dark brown hair flowing freely over his shoulders, an athletic body plumped with muscles, and dark brown fiery eyes looking out from his mask, rode in on a massive black stallion with burning dark red eyes. Patricia felt a cold chill travel down her spine as she looked at this mysterious rider, who was known only by name and nothing else. He had never shown his face to anyone and was nicknamed 'the silver masked diablo' due to his mysteriousness and the unexplainable ways he always won his races. Her heart raced with fear for her father. She felt a piercing gaze on her and turned to see the mysterious rider staring directly at her. Cold sweat ran down her back. She shifted her gaze to her father, who was also looking at her, and she remembered his words: "Remember, you hold the key to everything you may need. And also remember, IT STARTED WITH A RACE AND IT WILL END WITH A RACE."

A loud blare from the blow horn snapped Patricia out of her thoughts. "And the racers are off with Ricardo and Simon in the lead! How will this end? Will the world champion retain his title or will a new champion take the trophy this year? Everyone's hearts are filled with anticipation as the world's top racers go neck-and-neck!"

"Go, Dad! You can do it! Woo!" Simon's family shouted.

"The finish line is almost near! And amazing! Simon Milton has taken the lead! Ladies and gentlemen, this could be a new breakthrough in history!"

"Yes, Dad! Go! Go! Go!"

"Could it be that Simon Milton is about to beat Ricardo and become the new world champion? But wait...it seems like something is happening...it looks like Simon's horse has gone berserk!" And true to the announcer's words, Lightningbolt stopped just a few meters from the finish line, raising his front legs and stomping on the ground. Ricardo and his horse passed them by and crossed the finish line as Simon tried to calm his horse. However, it was futile as Lightning Bolt flung him out of his saddle, and before he could get up, the other horses and their riders trampled over him harshly.

It was a tragedy recorded in history, but Patricia never forgot the person responsible for it. She clearly saw what happened in that millisecond that caused the tragedy. After her father's death, things went downhill for her family. Papers appeared claiming her father lost his property to Ricardo Montenegra in a bet. Patricia's family was kicked out of their home. The stress of losing her husband and home caused Patricia's mother to die of depression a few years later. On that day, Patricia swore revenge. She was going to make Ricardo Montenegra pay for what he did to her family. Even if it meant losing herself in the process, she was going to make him pay.

And so her adventure begins...