The Principles of a Grand Hunt // Part 1 - A Cars Story

Chapter 18 - Trip in Tribulation

Author's note: Okay, so I've never really done this. To really capture what Dash is feeling in this chapter, I thought I'd add the song "Vincent" a.k.a "Starry, Starry Night" by Don McLean as an optional soundtrack, seeing that the chapter matches the song's lyrical matter. I digress, enjoy!

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Dash quietly opened the doors to a nearby balcony, revealing the paralyzing panoramic view of a bustling, late-night Paris. Considering what had just happened, this was tranquil for him. He finally had a moment alone, a moment to breathe the fresh air. The weather was the perfect temperature; not too hot, not too cold... just right. He looked up at the shining stars in the night sky, beaming and shedding a tear or two in appreciation. He inhaled and exhaled, nice and slowly, in and out. He quickly heard the rolling of two tires coming up behind him. Alas, he hadn't the need to stress. He knew who it was instantly.

"I'm guessing you're here to tame the beast?" Dash began.

"Are we not going to address what just happened?" Demetria said, sternly but non-confrontationally.

"I'm... sorry." Dash apologized.

"Look, Dash... sorry won't cut it forever. You tend to do this a lot." Demetria spoke.

"What part?" Dash asked.

"Making brash decisions, hoping that they'll go away when you apologize. I mean, our problems don't go away just like that." Demetria gestured.

"Ugh... if you're looking for another apology, I won't repeat myself." Dash quipped.

"I'm not looking for another apology. I'm just trying to fathom why you didn't tell me anything... why you still remain so distant about everything." Demetria asked.

Dash paused as he processed an answer as carefully as he could.

"Can I ask you something?" Demetria asked.

Dash nodded his hood in response, letting out a tear or two in sadness.

"Why do you have such a problem with Jarred?" Demetria asked.

"Because he works with Nettes.  He stands for something that I just will not tolerate. He's claiming that he's on our side, that he's an insider, but the car just robbed a bank. I just... can't begin to understand why any of us are trusting him at all." Dash spoke.

"Dash, mind you, this was a car that risked his boss potentially killing him just so he could help me find my parents. If that's not trustworthy... well, I'm not sure what is." Demetria reminded.

"But how am I supposed to know that about him?" Dash questioned.

"Well, you trust me, don't you?" Demetria retorted.

"I'm just... scared," Dash admitted, bowing his hood.

"Scared? Why should you be scared? I mean, has he betrayed us yet?" Demetria asked.

"No, but con jobs can be long," Dash said.

"Did you not hear the part where he admitted that you were right tonight? That they do have the McQueens? I'm sure that if he was trying to pull a con on us, he'd be doing it very badly." Demetria said.

"Look, he talked only because I forced it out of him. Surely there was a better way. I wish I'd done it better. Tonight was a demolition derby in a hotel room, and it was all my fault." Dash exclaimed quietly.

"The only demolition derby I see is you against yourself." Demetria quipped jokingly.

Dash chuckled lightly, finally meeting Demetria's gaze. She returned him with an equally-loving gaze. He quickly began tearing up lightly, the stars glistening against his tears.