I just continued to ramble on "Seeing you cold and lifeless. like a potato sunk hurt my heart. I miss your big mouth." I looked down at my watch. "I need to go meet Diggy." I bend down to kiss her on her forehead. "Get better soon."

I walked back to Violet's room to wish Sydney and Violet goodbye. It was hard to watch Violet. But at least they saying. she going to wake up. As I walked in I only saw their parents. So I walked out. Because I didn't want to interrupt them.

Then I saw Sydney and Dwayne at the front desk. I should have known. I am going to swing at that goofy looking boy.

I started to march my way to him. When Sydney gave him a hug. Then the wind was knocked out my lungs.

I turned around walked out the hospital. I can't allow Sydney to get in my head. I got a race to win.

---------------

I made my way. To Alvaro, spot.



He swung the door open before I even knocked "you took your sweet time."

"Don't say you missed me my boi." We did a bro shake. I went on, "you got her ready."



"Yep, she landed last night." He nodded towards the back so I followed. His lead "I can't believe you back. I thought you hated Diggy?"

"I do with every fiber of my being." I admitted

"Why you back?" Alvaro mumbled to me

"I got a sister in the hospital and bills to pay." I stated.

"Well this is the perfect time to start street racing. Because their are high ballers betting on our illegal races." he informed me

I stopped in my tracks " which high ballers. Would want to place bets?"

He shrugged his shoulder " I call them the men in the shadows. But after what happened last year. Diggy work tirelessly to restore street racing's honor." He walked past me. And I followed him.

there she was. The car was hugged with a bright yellow. It was cheerful and impossible to ignore. There was a medium thick line running across the hood of the car.

"Wow, I'm in love." I admitted "That's why I came to you. You the best mechanic in this town."

I ran a hand on the cool hard hood of the car. I opened the mustang door. and I slid in. I grip the wheel. I started the car. Then I revved the engine. I liked the smell of leather.

I pulled out the drive way and torn the streets up.



-----

I made my way to the abandoned warehouse. For my meeting. The hum of faraway equipment and the odd crash of metal rang through the dimly lighted warehouse.

As I entered the grittier area where the gang was congregated, the atmosphere was tense due to the silence and intense eye contact.

With a mixture of surprise and suspicion on their faces, they faced me.

Diggy, came up to me, his eyes cold. "Alright, alright. Who has chosen to make a comeback? I concluded you were done with us, Branson."



"I walked away. The same time you should have walked away. when all this, went up in flames." I said



"now why you walking back to the flames." Diggy challenged, his goons laughed around me.

My jaw tightened, but I met Diggy's eyes without flinching. "but Things have changed, Diggy. I need your help and resources, and you know I don't come asking for favors lightly."

"By resources you mean money?" he tilted his head "Violet let me know."

A murmur rippled through the assembled gang members, I set my eyes on Diggy. The loyalty that once bound us to this dark brotherhood now hung in the balance.

Diggy demonstrated a sense of power as he folded his arms. "Branson, you turned to leave. We do not merely extend. A warm welcome to those who desert us. What gives you the impression that you can just go back in?"

"Diggy stop playing hard to get. When you been begging me back....Violet let me know." Feeling the weight of his choice, I inhaled deeply. "Diggy, I left for a purpose. Life has a way of pulling you back into the mire, even though I wanted something better. I require your assets and contacts."

Diggy squinted his eyes. I guess trying to find genuineness in my face expression. "You want us to think you can just stroll back in here and tell us some pathetic tale about you being poor? You abandoned us completely. Why do we now need to help you?" Diggy shot back



The gang members exchanged nervous glances, which increased the tension. I know I was dancing on thin ice, because my previous choices were now on full display for criticism.



"I get it, Diggy. I left, and I can't change that. But I also know this gang, its strengths and weaknesses. I know how to navigate the dark alleys. You ain't NEER HAD A RACER WIN MORE THANN ME. PLUS I know you need me," I started to growl, my voice tinged with urgency.

Diggy's eyes met mine, a quiet dialogue between faithfulness and treachery. There was a long silence before Diggy eventually spoke, his voice measured and quiet.

Diggy started grinding his teeth, then he stated "Branson, this better not be a stinking game. You come back and follow our rules and regulations. No more second opportunities. You so lucky you have Violet protecting you."



I nodded solemnly, the weight of my past and the uncertainty future pressing on him. The gang, once his family, welcomed him back into the fold, the intensity of the conversation underscoring the dangerous dance between loyalty and survival in the shadows they lived in.

I turned around to walk away. "Where you going?" Diggy's voice inquired

I looked back and him "home?"

"No you not. Get a car. and go to your first race." Diggy said

"What about Violet?' I asked

"What about Violet.?" Diggy asked



"Doesn't she organize these races?" I continued

"She does. but we not going to wait on her for her to wake up." he paused "not even people prison can stop us. So what is a person laying unconscious in a hospital?"

They all busted out laughing.

"How can you be so heartless?" The words just slipped out my mouth.



He started to light a blunt "Heartless? No, my friend. I just know how to keep my emotions in check. Getting all worked up won't change a thing. You racing at 11pm be there." Diggy stated, he took a drag of his blunt.

"Look, Branson, I'm not heartless. I just refuse to get tangled up in emotions. It clouds your judgment." He continued to spew out words.

"Judgment? This isn't some business deal, Diggy. She's not a transaction. She's a person, a human being fighting for her life, and you sit there like it's nothing." I tried to keep my voice monotone. But he was really getting on my nerves



The dim, flickering light of a single hanging bulb casts long shadows across the cavernous space. The air is thick with tension. In one corner stands a silent figure, stoic and composed

"Did you hurt her?" I mumbled

He scoffed, but he stepped forward "I am a cunning shrewd business man. Not a Cunning shrewd killer." he walked passed me and this posse followed him

"Remember be there at 11pm.with a car or else." I heard his voice dance on the warehouse walls.

I turned around to see no one else. The only sound left was the distant echo of dripping water.





====



The city's industrial district came alive with the roar of engines and the neon glow of illicit street racing. The air was thick with anticipation as racers and spectators gathered under the flickering streetlights, casting long shadows across the asphalt.

I rolled my window down to smell.

I took a deep breath of he air is thick with the scent of motor oil and the rhythmic sounds of clanging tools.

I revved my engine. "It feels good to be back." I roared out the window

"Branson !is that you?" a faint girly voice said. I looked around to see Zurie

She was wearing a crop top advertising her stomach and short shorts...ery short might I add.

"What are you doing back here." She leaned into my window

"Would you believe me if I said I missed the thrill." I revved my engine

"'No." She giggled

"Where's Alvaro?" I asked cause they always together

" I really don't know. we got into a tiny fight." Zurie explained "cause I got into another fight." she giggled and to a swig of her drink.

"Anyways I should let you go." She tapped my car and walked away. I just gave her a curt nod.

In this underground world, the line between victory and defeat was often blurred by the thrill of speed and the cunning of cheaters.

As my combated boots hit the soil. I knew for a fact. I was back home.

Diggy walked towards me "you came?"

"Why wouldn't I come Diggy. I don't snake people. I'm a man of my word. Unlike you" I stated, while raising my brow.

"Easy there buddy . I got my people all around me. so shut up. before you get touched." he pulled his shades off. So I could see his serious

"Whatever man" I shrugged my shoulders and put on my shades.

"Your first opponent. Is Carlos. I put a lot of money on your head. You better not lose. If you do you will limp out of here.'" Without saying a word he walked away.

I got in the car and made way to.

The makeshift starting line was marked by two discarded oil drums, their flames dancing wildly against the dark backdrop. Among the lineup of sleek, modified cars. Again I revved the engine of his souped-up racer, my eyes focused on the rival beside me.

A sense of tension hung in the air as the Zurie stepped forward, signaling the start with a wave of a checkered flag.

The moment the flag dropped, tires screeched against the pavement as engines roared. The race was on, and the competitors jockeyed for position through the narrow industrial streets. Neon signs blurred into streaks of color, and the smell of burning rubber lingered in the air.

As we raced through the maze of dimly lit alleys, cheating became an art form. Carlos, skillfully manipulated the nitrous oxide system, releasing bursts of speed at strategic moments.

I ain't never seen this route before. I guess a lot can change in a year. Carlos's was really favoring the tight corners where his nimble car excelled.

I am, determined to win, so it's time to activated my own bag of tricks. Unbeknownst to Carlos, Since Alvaro is the best mechanic Aramoor, had rigged a device that emitted blinding strobe lights, momentarily disorienting competitors behind him. Where were neck and neck and I pressed on the gas. I surpassed him and blinded him. I heard stretches

The ruthless competition intensified as the race continued, each racer deploying their own arsenal of tactics to gain an edge.

Around a bend, I noticed Carlos gaining ground. I just chuckled that. I saw to guys two guys ahead. They spilled oil onto the road.

It was a desperate move, I tried to brake but it was no use. I tried to maneuver through chaos among the trailing on road, giving Carlos a momentary advantage.

The final stretch approached, and we were now neck and neck. The finish line loomed ahead, marked by a haze of smoke from burning rubber.

In a bold move, I activated a hidden boost, surging ahead with a burst of speed. However, Carlos had one last trick up his sleeve – a hidden shortcut that shaved precious seconds off the final stretch.

As they crossed the finish line, the cheers of victory and the groans of defeat merged into a cacophony of adrenaline-fueled emotions. I opened the door in confustion.to see who. Zurie pointed her flag to my car. We all cheered

In the underground world of illegal street racing, where cheating was a game of wits and cunning, victory was not always about who had the fastest car but who could outsmart their rivals in the treacherous race to the finish.

"Congrates here's your prize money. You made a lot of people money." Zurie handed me a thick envelope.

I took the envelope "What no trophy?" She giggled

I felt someone grab the money out my hand. I turned around to fight. I saw Diggy so I lowered my fist. The cigarette, held casually between two fingers, seemed to serve as an extension of his arrogance.

The ember at the tip glowed brightly, matching the fiery defiance in his narrowed eyes. "You play by my rules and regulations." He blew smoke into the air . " Did you really think there was no consequences. Your first race cheque is mine. Be thankful Violet plead for your life."

My chest rose and fell rapidly, shallow breaths betraying the anxiety bubbling within. "I need the money" I growled

"There's a race next week." Diggy taunted walking away.