Jamais Vu

Chapter 26: Last but Never Lost

Everyone had their engines running, waiting for the flag to drop. There were all types of vehicles, it almost looked like the start of a parade. There were vehicles with 4 wheels, some with 6 wheels, a tank, a motorcycle, there was everything in this event. And of course, there was the vehicle of Team Naju, a broken-down red car that looked like it would fall apart if you hit the brakes too hard. It made really weird noises but oh well, with almost no money left this is what they had to race in. Jessachi got in the driver's seat and Onreifni in the passenger's seat. Right next to them pull up Guild Katons.

Dujas: Don't tell me you guys are racing in that little thing, it's practically a bug compared to our monster truck. Beep Beep, oops don't wanna accidentally crush you guys. *laughs*

Jessachi: Laugh all you want now, but we'll see who's laughing at the end of the race.

Dujas: Oh I'll laugh now AND laugh when I win the race. Do you scrubs really think you stand any chance of beating me much less finishing top 10? What a joke. At best you guys will just make it to the first checkpoint and that's it.

There are 3 checkpoints in the race, each in every district. Each checkpoint is different and will require different skills to complete. The first checkpoint was in district 27, completing a checkpoint allowed for the parties to get the badge scanned and moved on. Parties can not cross the finish line if they don't get all 3 scans from each checkpoint, ensuring that there is no cheating. The flag goes down and everyone takes off. The crowd screams with excitement as the National Tournament of Ahris has officially started.

Onreifni: Woah! Yeah! Let us go go go! Wait- why are we not moving?

Dujas: Hahaha, see around losers!

Onreifni: Jessachi! What are you waiting for? Step on it!

Jessachi: Something is wrong with the engine! Go check it out!

At this point, everyone had taken off leaving only their red broken car behind in the dust. Onreifni got off and popped open the hood of the car. "I am no mechanic but I think this does not belong here," said Onreifni as he yanked something from the engine. A huge hissing sound was heard and steam started to come out like crazy.

Jessachi: Is everything alright? Do I need to get off and see?

Onreifni: No! Stay right there where you are! No need to come here, I have everything under control!

Jessachi: Well hurry up! We are in last place! This is embarrassing!

Onreifni panicked as he tried his best to come up with a quick solution. Meanwhile, everyone else was already reaching the halfway point of the first checkpoint. "Jessachi? Jessachi come in! What is the holdup!" yelled The Commander through the radio.

Jessachi: What do you think is wrong? You gave us a half-broken down 4 wheeled piece of junk, what did you expect?

Commander: Jessachi, must I remind you of who you are talking to?

The Commander's voice faded into the background as Jessachi's mind drifted away. Zepki and Jessachi grew up in the same orphanage. Both being abandoned at a young age, they had no real reason to ever care about anyone else except themselves. Zepki had his gang, his group that he looked after. He was like an older brother to them. But for Jessachi it was a different story. No one wanted to be around her, much less make eye contact with her. Eventually, they started to treat her like she didn't even exist. They would cut in front of her at the lunch line, skipped her when it came to making teams. Even the teachers and staff at the orphanage began to deny her existence. Jessachi never talked, never did anything much besides sitting on the corner by herself. Her corner at the playground where a single tree stood was her favorite spot. She would sit down, sometimes lay down, but the tree was her home. Since there was no other tree nearby it was lonely, just like her. One day Jessachi grabbed her meal and headed to her special place, to her surprise there were already children there. She didn't know what to do, should she ask them nicely to move. Or maybe this was her chance to finally make friends. Then all of sudden another girl bumped into Jessachi from behind and made her drop her food. The girl didn't even apologize much less even turn an eye, but this was fine for Jessachi. She was already used to this kind of treatment.