8 - Street Races and A Karaoke Session

West stretched her wings as she walked along the twisting halls of Site-██, pausing as she heard hoof beats up ahead. She raised an eyebrow, wondering why Stone would be on the ground floor this late. West knew that Stone was the most ‘nocturnal’ of the group but even she often stayed at the dorms during later hours. West decided to try to follow Stone, knowing she would likely leave the site.

As West was trailing after Stone she felt a tap on her shoulder, West turned to see Willow and Michael. “I could assume you’re also seeing what Stone’s up to?” Willow asked, glancing in the direction of the faun. West nodded “It’s not really like her to leave the building this late”

They all turned when they heard the sound of the main doors close, “Well if we’re gonna follow her, we better get moving” Michael stated. West nodded and the three quickly left the building. West watched as Stone got into a car and pulled out of the parking lot, causing her and the others to quickly follow suit.

After about five or six minutes of following Stone, they turned a corner and entered a wide dimly lit alley with about ten or twelve other cars were stationed. “What the hell is this place?” West wondered aloud, Michael then leaned into the front “If it's what I think it is, this place would be a street race rally” West jumped as suddenly there was bang on the car window.

She quickly turned only to be met with an annoyed looking Stone, who was leaning against the car. West rolled the window down, cautious of how close Stone was. “Mind telling me what the fuck you three are doing here?” Stone asked in a polite but false tone, her true feelings shown by her tail twitching under her leather jacket. Before West could answer Michael spoke up “It was my idea, I dragged them along” West wasn’t sure why Michael would take the blame for them, even though he had only been with them for about a week.

“Whatever, I guess I may as well tell you what’s going on” Stone replied, gesturing for the others to get out of the car. “I street race” West opened her mouth to say something but was cut off “and before you ask: yes I’ve been doing this for while” as Stone explained she led them past groups of people, soon stopping at stand.

“Well if it isn’t Hell-fire” the man seated at the stand stated as the four stood in front of him. “Who’s Hell-fire?” West heard Willow ask “Does your new crew not know?” he responded glancing at Stone “Oh, two of them are just friends, the other is just a coworker, but no I’ve never told them”

The dark haired guy rolled his eyes “Should’ve known you’d never bother with a crew” He then turned to West “Anyways, your friend here is known as Hell-fire because of her racing style” Stone crossed her arms “So who am I racing tonight?” The guy checked a list on the table “You’ll be racing Harley in about five minutes, so you might wanna get set up” Stone nodded “Alright thanks Jackdaw” ‘Jackdaw’ gave a thumbs up as they walked away.

As West and the others followed Stone towards the car Stone used, she spoke up “Isn’t street racing really dangerous?”  Stone shrugged as she began prepping for the race “I guess, but there hasn’t been a crash or a wreck in probably five years”  West wasn’t reassured “Isn’t it also illegal?” Stone looked up from the engine, with a smug grin and chaotic gleam in her eyes “Only if you get caught”

West saw Willow open her mouth to respond but was stopped short when a voice rang throughout the alley “Racers Harley and Hell-fire to the start line” Stone slid on a pair of fingerless leather gloves and hopped in the car “Well I’ve gotta race now, so wish me luck” West gave her a wary thumbs up as Stone pulled away.

West turned as she felt a tap on her shoulder, noticing Michael standing behind her “Come on I think I saw a spot where we can watch” once the three reached the spot Michael found West saw a second car pull up beside Stone’s “That must be that Harley guy” Willow pointed out as the the green flag dropped.

West watched as Stone sped down the course somehow already ahead of her challenger, and as she saw Stone catch air over a corner, it became clear why she was nicknamed Hell-fire.

~Stone~

Her hands gripped the steering wheel as her hoof pressed hard on the gas, feeling the car catch air. Stone laughed as she saw Harley’s car almost spin out as he took the corner.

She turned the volume of her music up, singing along.

~West~

West stood on her toes as Stone’s and the other racer’s cars sped out of view, she wanted to get an aerial view but didn’t want to risk being caught. She jumped slightly as she felt a tap on her shoulder, and she turned to see a person she never met before “So who are you betting on winning?” West saw Willow lean into the conversation “Stone obviously”

The newcomer raised his eyebrow, looking slightly confused “Stone?.. Wait, do you mean Hell-Fire?”  Michael was the one to reply this time “yeah she meant Hell-Fire, sorry for the confusion: it's our first time here” the guy nodded “It’s cool, I take it you three are with her?”  West nodded “yeah, also could you tell us about the person she’s racing?” the dude chuckled “Oh Harley yeah haha, those two are always challenging each other”

Seconds a loud cheer from the crowd rang out as they watched Stone and Harley briefly race into view before vanishing behind a new set of buildings. “Well I should get back to my group, I think my racer is gonna be next” the dude explained as he broke away from the group.

~Harley~

Harley gripped the steering wheel hard as he sharply turned, drifting around a corner. He glanced over only to see Hell-Fire taunting him through the cars’ windows as she drifted past him. He rolled his eyes and pressed the gas harder, managing to catch up. Suddenly a noise came over the radio given to all racers for communication, it was Hell-Fire “Yo Harley, just a heads up but we’re gonna have to alt route”

Harley held the radio in one hand as he turned the steering wheel again “Why, What’s up”  it took a few seconds before Hell-Fire responded “Cops, near the main stretch, I’ve already informed Jackdaw” Harley adjusted his seat quickly before replying “Copy that Hell-Fire” He watched as she turned a corner heading down the back up route that was planned for their race, before following suit.

~Michael~

Michael stood on one of the seats trying to get a better look “Any luck?” West asked as Michael stepped off the seat “nope, nothing”  Suddenly a voice rang through the alleyway “I have been informed by Hell-Fire that her and Harley are now taking the alternate route due to police blocking the main stretch of the original route” it must have been the guy from the desk “Which means they are gonna be back sooner than planned but the is more difficult so I want the medical teams on standby just in case”

Michael turned toward the track as the sound of cars grew louder “Guys look!” He watched as Dr.Stone and her challenger sped closer, Dr.Stone pulling ahead. “What the hell is she planning?” West asked open air, and it took Michael a second to realize why: Dr.Stone had a shit grin on her face, visible through the windshield. Suddenly he watched as Dr.Stone yanked the steering wheel to one side and the car slid sideways: drifting.

A loud roar erupted from the crowd gathered in the alley as Dr.Stone’s car sped sideways through the finish line markers. Seconds later the was a slightly smaller cheer as Harley sped across the markers as well, and once both Dr.Stone and Harley were out of their cars ‘Jackdaw’ was standing next to them holding Dr.Stone’s arm in the air as the faun had calm but proud grin, the only betrayal of her excitement being her rapidly flicking tail.

Michael watched as Dr.Stone shook hands with Harley before looking around, she then glanced  over towards him and the others when Jackdaw pointed towards them.

~Stone~

Stone trotted towards the others as her heart raced, she almost couldn’t believe it: She was heading to the finals! As she reached West, Willow and Michael she couldn’t hide her grin any longer. “Dr.Stone, that was awesome, never knew you could drive like that!” Michael stated as she reached them.

She let out a small yelp as she felt herself lifted from the ground, when she glanced down to see why, she was greeted by a small group of other racers holding her up cheering. Stone let a whoop as they set her down, West steadying her as she stumbled.  “West, get in the car you came in and follow me, we’re going to celebrate” Willow and Michael seemed pumped to be heading out.

~West~

After about five minutes of driving the two cars pulled up to a nightclub. As West and the others met back up with Stone, she looked up at the bright neon sign “aren’t you and Willow not old enough to get in?” West asked as Stone made her way towards the bouncer “don’t worry, Jackdaw has connections” She replied as she fist bumped the tall guy standing near the door.

As they followed Stone in, the sound of loud music blared through the building, quieting slightly as the faun led them towards a private section of the club. Stone broke away for a minute to set up what looked like a karaoke machine, West watched as Willow flopped down onto a couch and Michael headed towards the bar. She glanced back at Stone as music started up and Stone tossed West a mic, “come on, loosen up West”

West sighed in response and joined, singing along. After about three songs Michael showed back up, holding drinks “Yo Dr.Stone, me and you” he said as he set the four drinks on a table and grabbed a mic.

~Michael~

He watched as Dr.Stone scrolled through the song selection before choosing one, the music started up and she nodded to Michael signaling for him to start.

“Once upon a younger year, when our shadows disappeared” Michael glanced at the lyrics showing on screen, his voice echoing through the mic a little. "The animals inside came out to play” In the corner of his eye, Michael saw Dr. Stone lift her mic slightly “Face to face with all our fears” the fae’s voice clear through the mic “Learned our lessons through the tears”

Michael watched as West and Willow both tapped a foot in time with the beat “Made memories we knew would never fade” the lyrics showed on screen “One day my father, told me: Son don’t let it slip away” Michael thought he noticed a look of disappointment on Dr.Stone’s face but wasn’t sure as it was gone as Stone took over the next part “He took me in his arms, I heard him say: When you get older, your wild heart will live for younger days.”

He watched Dr.Stone roll her eyes as she continued “Think of me, if ever you're afraid”

Michael joined Dr.Stone as the song continued “He said: one day you’ll leave this world behind” He glanced over at the teen, making eye contact “So live a life you will remember!”

The song continued for a minute or two, and after it finished Michael set his mic down. He grabbed each of the drinks he previously brought over and passed one to the others.

~Stone~

As Michael handed Stone the drink, she watched as West took a sniff of the glass’s contents “what’s in this?” She asked as she glanced at the one Stone held “Whiskey, why?” Stone saw West’s wings flare slightly “Whiskey, Michael both Stone and Willow are underage!”

Stone stepped in “This wouldn’t be the first time I’ve drank stuff like this” West turned towards her “How and where the hell have you had alcohol before?” Stone raised an eyebrow “West, I swear sometimes you must forget that I’m a fae” West tilted her head “and?” Stone rubbed her hand over her face, nose twitching in amusement “Ninety nine percent of the drinks at fae gatherings have alcohol in some form”

West thought for second, before sighing “I guess this one time won’t harm anyone” Stone laughed as Willow cheered. “If that’s the case, to Dr.Stone’s win!” Michael said as he raised the shot in the air “To Stone’s win” West and Willow added.

Stone raised her glass as well before taking the shot. She chuckled as she watched the expressions on the others’ faces in reaction to the drinks.