The Big Race - Lightning McQueen x Reader

Chapter 1

Darkness surrounded me, I could see nothing. Only the sound of metal clashing metal could be heard for miles.

Every loud bang came inching closer and I could feel my engine beat faster with every second that passed. I silently wished for it all to be over, just so I wouldn't have to experience the pain all over again.

I could hear the sounds approaching, they were about to reach the spot I was in. Shortly after I felt the grab of a clamp lift me from the area where I lay still. It felt like my engine was going to explode out of my hood. I begun to feel the pressure of the machines pressing against my doors before it just immediately stopped.

Silence surrounded me. I still couldn't open my eyes to see what was going on. My engine still beat fast, fear and confusion spreading through my pipes. Suddenly I felt something grab me, something like a tire.

I woke up in a cold sweat, oil dripping down my face. My breathing was erratic, smoke from my exhaust pipe filling the small room.

I quickly opened the door and the window letting the air thin out and the smoke dissipate. All of my belongings, not that there were many, had a thin layer of soot over top of them. This was no new occurrence, however, and I would have to clean it up later.

Checking the time I saw that I had an hour before I had to leave for work and I left the room and began to get ready for the day. After wiping off the grease from my exterior and calming myself down I made my way to the kitchen to prepare myself a cup of motor oil. Minutes later my roommate Stella came out of her room and joined me in the kitchen. She was a mousy looking car, with deep-set headlights. Her paint was a dark navy, almost onyx color that shined beautifully in the light. She was a 1971 Volkswagen Beetle, and the best car you could ever meet.

"Another nightmare?" she asked, her voice lightly laced with concern.

"Yeah, same as usual" I replied. She knew everything about me and I didn't feel the need to hide things from her. She was the one person I could truly be open with and the only one who's been with me through all of my ups and downs. She was my family.

"You should try therapy again, it might help." she commented. She always said this, and my answer was the same every time.

"You know I can't afford it, Stella, I barely make it by paying for physical therapy as it is anyways."

"I know, but I just worry about you, these nightmares just don't stop. I hate seeing you like this." she put her wheel on my door handle as she said this, and I could tell she was being genuine.

"I know." I sighed. "One day, I promise, one day It'll be better," I smiled. This seemed to appease her enough, although I knew she would never truly drop the topic.

"I'm going grocery shopping this afternoon, we ran out of milk and bread, do you need anything?" I asked, changing the subject. I cleaned out my empty motor oil cup as she responded.

"Yeah I'll send you the grocery list later today."

I nodded and began to get my stuff together and prepare for work. Twenty minutes before my shift started I left the apartment and drove downtown to Rudy's Bar. It was about a ten minute ride and I didn't mind because I just loved to watch the scenery around me as I drove.

Driving always calmed me down, just seeing everyone living out their own lives and seeing how nothing was ever exactly the same day to day. It was especially beautiful this morning with the changing colors of the leaves as Autumn approached. Nature was being painted with strokes of reds and yellows creating a perfect scene that I got to experience every day.