The Magical Flight of Dodie Rue by F.C. Shaw Page A

her catch up. He wondered if he should turn her in, but he did believe it was none of his business. He had no right to judge why she was there or if she deserved to race. After all, by all rights, he did not deserve to be racing against the top flyers in the region for the most coveted prize. He couldn’t call himself a racer by any means. Besides, if she was brave enough to disguise herself and enter a race against boys, she deserved a chance to do just that.
    Without warning, Dodie found himself admiring her.

Chapter 6
    About half of the twenty-five racers had stopped to refuel, while the others sailed on by with catcalls. Everyone from Turah stopped.
    The red yurt housed a stone well amply supplied with fresh cool water from an underground spring. There were also baskets of bread and bananas for the racers. The yurt was spacious enough to offer everyone a shaded break from the sun. Zinnia kept her facemask on, and adopted more boyish mannerisms, like downing her water in one gulp, ripping open her banana with her teeth, and sitting with a stooped posture. Dodie was sure that if he hadn’t unmasked her, he would have had no idea she was a girl.
    Dodie rolled up Phoenix and carried her under his arm. Inside the yurt he scarfed down a banana and a slice of pita bread while he waited in line for another drink at the well. This snack was better than anything he’d been eating at home, and he snuck a second helping.
    â€œDon’t eat too fast or you might throw up, Rat Scat,” Atallah called over to Dodie.
    Several racers snickered.
    â€œSorry about Taj,” continued Atallah without the faintest hint of sympathy in his voice. “Yeah, what happened?” Randi, the baker’s son, asked. “How come you’re racing?”
    â€œHe’s sick,” said Dodie.
    â€œHe was poisoned,” elaborated Atallah as he finished off his banana. “Who did it?”
    â€œNot sure,” Dodie said crisply.
    â€œSo you’re taking Taj’s place?” Axel asked, suddenly interested in the conversation.
    â€œLike you even have a chance,” finished Atallah with a shake of his head.
    â€œ We have a chance now!” exclaimed Bae with a grin. “Taj was the best. With him outta the running this competition just blew wide open!”
    Dodie felt his throat tightening as he pictured Taj lying on his death bed. He couldn’t think of anything biting to reply with. Taj always knew what to say to people, especially when they picked on Dodie, but out here Dodie was on his own. He caught Zinnia looking at him, but quickly turned to the well before she could see his eyes watering. He drank several cups of water, and felt refreshed. He gobbled down another piece of pita bread and was about to leave the yurt when he heard Atallah shout to Zinnia, “Do I know you? Where’re you from?”
    Dodie spun back around in the doorway.
    â€œNone of your business,” Zinnia said in a harsh voice. She marched out of the yurt, bumping Dodie’s shoulder as she did.
    Atallah watched her go, his eyes flashing.
    Dodie went outside and unrolled Phoenix. Next to him Zinnia hopped on Amethyst . Atallah stormed out of the yurt.
    â€œHey!” he yelled at Zinnia, who did not turn to look at him. As Zinnia flew off he shouted, “Coward!”
    â€œShut up!” Dodie snapped as he knelt on his carpet.
    â€œWhat did you say?” Atallah unrolled Sky Cleaver and mounted it.
    â€œI told you to shut up !” Dodie couldn’t believe the anger he was feeling. “And while you’re at it, eat my dust!”
    Phoenix shot off, but to his dismay it wasn’t at stardust speed, rather at mere racer rug speed. The stardust had run its course. He knew it couldn’t last forever, but he’d hoped it would have lasted long enough for him to leave Atallah gasping in his wake. Instead Atallah was right behind him.
    Dodie kept his eyes ahead and his grip firm on the