Extraordinary Minds: Road to Hell

Chapter 54: Running Engine

Approaching the Ultimate Racers Lab, Akira got inside and realized just what he never got to see for himself. A Mini Go Kart Track within this room, which surprised him quite a bit. Glowing lights hanging up on the walls to give it a bit of an underground theme, with a few flags scattered about. Race Flags and advertisements for products galore.

This Go Kart Track felt familiar..Almost similar to ones you'd find in an amusement park, it brought back a memory for Akira.

His first time attempting to drive one, and failing significantly. Yet doing it so perfectly in other games involving Go Karts. Once Akira noticed Riku in the corner tampering with one of the engines, he heard Riku speaking.

"How the hell am I gonna face the outside world again? Given that damn mistake I made all those years back...At worst, I'll have to do Juvie again like I did over beating that pervert for touching my sister." Riku groaned to himself. "Get it together, man...I'm sure after something like this, they'll chalk it up to kid didn't know any better...Or at least a few months of community service. Goddammit I'll take the community service anytime."

"WHY HELLO HELLO!" Monoboy shouted with enthusiasm to Riku, as Riku jumped in fright. "Jesus Christ! Who the fucks there?!"

"The Pizzamans here, Riku. The fucking Pizzaman!" Akira shouted while laughing all the while.

"Goddamn if only that was true. I could go for a good slice of pizza and just..one more night lookin at the damn stars." Riku groaned. "But for real, what made you come here Akira?"

"Ahh, you know. Just wanted to check in, see what you're doing. You know? This is our last day in this place." Akira said.

"Yeah, supposedly. Before we either die or..We actually get the chance at experiencing the rest of our lives." Riku said, with a look of guilt in his eyes. "Though, am I even gonna get that chance?"

"What do you mean?" Monoboy asked. "What would stop you from experiencing the beauties of what life can offer?"

"A fucking mistake I made years ago. Tearing innocent kids and parents away from one another. Ruining families because I was an impulsive brat." Riku snarked. "Sometimes I wish I could turn back in time, and slap myself before I did what I did."

"But, maybe you'll get a second chance Riku!" Monoboy said, as Riku shouted.

"IT AINT THAT DAMN SIMPLE!" Riku shouted. "The outside world isn't some fucking fairy tale where you see a magical song, and everything's fucking fixed! We think that when we're kids especially, and then we grow up to realize what a great big fuckup the old generation made the world for kids like us."

"Riku.." Akira said. "Maybe the world outside is fucked up, but you know that you got us who believe in you, yeah?"

"I know that, it's just..." Riku sighed. "What about the families who literally walk into their kids rooms and realize they're not snuggling with their stuffies, with those happy smiles and are ready to face the world? That those beds are an empty reminder of what once was? Everytime I close my eyes man...I think of those parents who cry every night over their children they lost, or those scared kids possibly taken from loving homes and placed in horrible ones. All because I was an idiot."

Riku sighed before standing up. "But. I know for a fact that...I can't beat myself up like this and live in denial that I'm gonna have to face the consequences of my own actions. I have to be ready for anything, especially for whatever's waiting outside."

"That's the spirit!" Monoboy shouted. "The first step to human growth after all is acknowledging the problem!"

"Riku, I...have been wanting to ask for awhile now." Akira spoke up. "What's your home life like? Given...What I've heard of it anyways with your Dad not around?"