"Well, well, if it isn't the mighty Fallon Aller."

I looked up, barely managing to conceal my eye roll, as Rocket swagged over to me as fast as his bludging stomach would allow him to.

"Weren't you the one who invited me along?" I asked, pretending that I didn't notice him checking me out. Rocket knew damn well that he had more or less threatened me to get my ass to the race or there would be blood.

I usually socked him in the balls when that tended to happen.

Life in Creed Hyde was tough tough. Only the fittest survived. Everyone needed a way to get money. Illegal or legal.

And it just so happened that illegal racing was one of those ways.

But I guess beggars couldn't be choosers.

I smirked, "But lemme guess, who is it this time?"

Rocket hadn't told me anything about my opponent this time, so I assumed it would be some arrogant rich kid who'd just gained access to a trust fund and went out looking for a thrill ride. Those were mostly the usual ones I dealt with.

"Don't think I won't hesitate to kick you off," grumbled Rocket, avoiding the question and annoyed with my attitude.

This time I couldn't control my scoff. "Hold on to your panties."

Sixteen Rides in this season and I had won them all. These bitches couldn't do shit on me. Even though I was indebted to this ass, he knew he still needed me.

Nobody could steal my crown. Though it didn't stop them from trying.

Rocket followed me as I strolled to my car. But this time, he didn't crack a smile like he usually did when I sassed him. Instead, he looked at me seriously, "Aller, you better not lose this one."

His serious tone caught my attention as I sat in the car, gazing up at him, my eyebrows furrowing.

Sensing my gaze, he said, "Don't mess around with this one. I bet a lot of money on this race."

My scowl deepened as I slammed the car down, buckling myself in.

"When do I ever?" I muttered to myself.

For a brief moment, I was alone. All around me, people chatted, music played, engines roared, and the air smelled of a heady mix of gasoline, exhaust, and beer. This was it. This is what I did, and I was damn good at it.

Even though some people would gag and throw up at the beastly site not me though. This was my peace.

Victoria was the only person in the world who understood me in a way no one ever could.

She saved me. She saved me from him.

Breathe Fallon, he's gone. It's not real.

You are not the same person from five years ago.

I breathed a sigh of relief. The panic attacks had become less frequent and according to Dr Kiara, they would subside completely with proper therapy.

"Oi, Fallon!" Tyler appeared banging on the car window.

Well, there goes my lovely peace.

"What?" I sighed, rolling down the window, scowling, "You here to finish Rocket's lecture?"

Tyler grinned showing his white teeth, "Nah, figured you will get more of it after the race. Didn't you see the newcomer?"

The moment the words left his mouth the crowd went silent. Gasps and whispers echoed. Even the music seemed to die down.

Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear.

"Holy Fuck."

My eyes scanned the sleek black sports car with fully tinted glass and an edgy design.

I let out a little groan. "Jesus, a Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita? I didn't even know they were available. That is probably double this car."

So, I was right. The new rich kid was here for a thrill ride.

"The guy hasn't gotten out yet. Just keeps sitting in the car." Tyler mused, ignoring the gawking crowd who seemed to be drooling. "The kid is rich. That's all I'm saying, Fallon. You dealt with his kind before."

I scoffed. This was why Rocket had his panties in a twist? No matter the car, the talent mattered. And I knew very well I was full of it.

I saw Garrett and Koby at the line in their cars, an Audi R8 and a Porsche. They were the usuals with daddies with big bucks to spend.

They both gaped at the newbie's car with envy pouring from their pores. I couldn't blame though, I was the same.

"See you at the finish line," Tyler smirked strolling away.

"Get me a coke after I'm done." I winked at him as the whistle signaled us to the start.

Tyler muttered something that suspiciously resembled "bitch boy" before giving me the finger.

One of Rocket's girls strutted out in tight hot jeans, flipping a flag back and forth between her hands. She gazed at us with a prissy look, ensuring we were all ready.

I stole one final glance at the newcomer, illuminated by the glow of a camera. Despite his silhouette barely visible, I still sensed it. The danger.

The threat.

I ignored it.

"See you at the finish line, motherfucker," I muttered, gunning down the engine.

The moment the flag touched the ground, we shot off, all of us slamming our feet on the accelerator. I jerked my steering wheel, cutting off the Garrett in an Audi R8.

My tires grabbed the road just in time to make the turn alongside Koby. We were out in front, but it was a long race so I needed to hold the position. The next sharp turn, I spun the wheel, nearly kicking the Porsche out of the track.

I smirked as I slowly lost sight of Koby. Poor fucker. How many times did he need to be humiliated by me for him to know he couldn't beat me?

I glanced over my rearview mirror.

Not bad; the newcomer seemed to be keeping up alright. But I had lived on these streets for the past seventeen years. I knew the corners and turns like the back of my hand.

Almost as if sensing competition the Koenigsegg passed me until we were neck to neck.

Huh, maybe this would be a fun race after all.

The newcomer slammed his foot on the gas pedal, always a step ahead of me. With the velocity of his ride, he could've easily left me in the dust, yet he held back—almost if-

Was the bastard taunting me?

"Fuck, fuck, fuck," I cursed pushing down on the accelerator.

There were only two corners left before the final stretch. I slammed on the accelerator at a speed not considered sane. But despite that, the Koenigsegg seemed to be sticking at my side. Always an inch ahead.

"Damn it, motherfucker," I swore, desperately shifting gears. How was this guy so good? Never in my entire career had I raced with this kind of driver.

For a second, I could feel his eyes on me despite the dark window covering his face.

Either I was imagining it, or his gaze seemed to be taunting before he did something something at I didn't expect. At all.

He slammed the brakes.

I gasped. What the hell? That guy was clearly in the lead, and he suddenly gave it to me? Did he not know that there was still one more corner before the final stretch?

No way in hell was I giving the lead back to him. Tyler owed me that drink.

The gasps and cheering in the crowd grew louder as I gained back the lead. The cat calls howling.

I ignored it all. I was almost there. I could just see the finish line. Five hundred meters.

Four hundred. Two hundred.

A flash of black appeared in my peripheral before something powerful slammed into me.

Crunch. Boom.

Panic and fear locked up my muscles, my breath wooshing out of me. The wheel jerked in my grip, sending me careening sideways into the side of the track.

Metal crunched next to me as pain erupted in my right arm. I shrieked in pain as I vaguely registered the sound of cracking bones.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

Oh god. I'm going to die.

My car finally skidded to a halt slamming against a tree. For a moment, all I could hear was the ringing in my ears then the sound of the crowd's uproar could be heard from a distance, the wind blowing through my hair.

I was paralyzed in shock, fear, pain, and panic. I didn't even know what had happened.

Pain.

Pain. Pain. Pain.

Agony.

Stop.

Please.

Then I heard the sound of shoes hitting the gravel, and I tried to make him out through my blurry vision.

For the first time since the race, I had finally seen my opponent.

He was tall, probably above 6 ft. He wore a mask and a black hoodie with the letter Z that covered his muscles. His eyes were the only thing I could distinguish. Green, like the forest.

He stood still for a second, like a hunter stalking its prey. He looked at me for a moment, his cold eyes glittering in the moonlight.

Killer eyes.

A single word escaped his lips.

"Run."

And then the sirens sounded.

☆

VOTE. COMMENT. FOLLOW. SHARE.

xoxo madisson