Free Powerslide by Jeff Ross Page B

The rain had subsided, and a break in the clouds let enough moonlight through to wash the field in a hazy, silver glow. There was a fence around the field and a long cement water trough off to one side. “Let’s get him over there,” I said, nodding toward the fence. We carried Goat a few more feet and then set him down with his back against the fence.
    He still hadn’t opened his eyes, and his skin was pale gray. I looked across the field for a farmhouse or some other structure.
    Jack flopped down beside Goat. “Now what?” he said.
    I didn’t know where we were or which direction would take me to a road. The clearing was surrounded by forest. Why was there a field here? I slid the long board out from under Goat. “I’ll go get help,” I said.
    â€œAnd leave us here?” Jack said. He looked at Goat. “What if he dies?”
    â€œHe’s not going to die,” I said, bending down close to Jack. “Because we’re going to save him.” Jack stared at me. “You have to wait here, Jack. We can’t leave him alone. I’ll be back as soon as I can with help.” I stood up and scanned the edges of the field. There had to be a path leading to it.
    â€œHurry up, all right?” said Jack.
    â€œI will. I promise.” I climbed over the fence and kept moving so my knee wouldn’t seize. It ached, and a hot pain shot through it with every step.
    I circled the perimeter of the fence looking for a gate. Three-quarters of the way around, I spotted a gap in the tree line and what looked like another path. Farther along, I found a break in the fence. I stepped through it and started to run as fast as my knee would allow.
    The path was wide and snaked all over. Almost immediately, it cut back up the hill. I didn’t want to be climbing. My knee didn’t want me to be climbing. It felt as if I might be backtracking. But there was no other way to go, and I wasn’t about to turn around. The trail had to lead somewhere. All I could do was follow it.
    I had no idea what time it was or how long we’d been out in the forest, and I was exhausted. I needed to find help. I kept moving as best I could, dodging roots and rocks. The long board became heavier with every step. I was tempted to leave it on the side of the path. But what if I found a road ahead? It would be easier to skate than walk.
    I slowed down to catch my breath. Being alone was scary. I could hear animals moving in the darkness. The trail was extremely narrow in some places, and I veered into the forest several times and had to find my way back out again.
    A ridge jutted to the right. I stumbled over the top, tripped on something, and the next thing I knew, I was rolling down a mud-slick hill. I let go of the board, jammed my feet into the ground and came to a stop.
    â€œCrap!” I yelled. My pant leg was torn, and my sore knee was bleeding. It was only a scrape, but it hurt even more than before. I sat down, stared at the blood oozing from my knee and felt like crying. What was I doing out here? Would I ever be a stunt double? What did Jack’s agent’s word mean when he obviously lacked any morals? Sara had been right. This whole thing was stupid and dangerous.
    The trail looked as if it would keep going and going. I could be miles from a road. Maybe the trail didn’t even meet up with a road. Maybe it was part of a giant web of trails through the woods. It was impossible to know. I tried to stand, and my knee gave out, dumping me back on the ground. I lay there with the back of my head in the mud and the rain pricking my face. I was in pain, but it didn’t feel like I had any cracked bones. I heard a rustling in the woods behind me and used the long board as a makeshift crutch to stand. I grabbed a long stick with my other hand to use as a weapon in case an animal came out of the woods.
    Then I took a step.
    And another.
    And another.
    â€œThis is all you have to