Digi-Friends

Racer Pacer

Getting up in the morning had been difficult, but Leafy had helped me out. Now we were at the racetrack, waiting for Coiny to arrive.

I sat next to Leafy on one of the metal bleachers, looking out at the track. It was surprising how nice it looked despite the fact it got quickly replaced. It wasn't as safe as if was before, but it would work. Leafy followed the track with her eyes, seeming impressed.

"So you go here to work, that's amazing," she said.

I nodded, "Yeah, but it's nothing too special. There are much bigger race tracks in different areas of the world."

Leafy seemed satisfied with my answer and began to look at the sky. There was nothing special there, just the grey sky and clearness.

At least she's enjoying herself.

I admired my black gloves while we sat in silence. The leather was starting to wear out and tore in certain places. Still, I kept it with me. It would always come to every race.

Soon, Golf ball walked over and stopped in front of me. There were large bags under her eyes and she let out a yawn.

"You have a visitor..." she mumbled before stumbling away.

I looked in the distance to see a familiar looking coin walking towards us. Once he got closer, he waved and ran to us. His face had a massive grin.

"Phew, I thought I was going to be late," said Coiny as he took a seat next to me.

"You're actually early!" Leafy exclaimed.

I snickered, "That's surprising. I haven't seen you be this early since a while ago."

"Come on, Firey! You're worse than I am."

"Okay well- I guess that's true. Why are you this early anyways?" I asked.

"I wanted to spend some time with my friends before the race started. Plus, there's better seats the earlier you come."

Just then I noticed a large group of objects making their way to the race track. Instead of sitting on the bleachers, they all gathered up on the grass.

Those must be the racers.

Leafy suddenly pointed to one of the objects in that crowd, "Hey, doesn't that object seem familiar? They were at Doves and Diner when we went there the first time."

Coiny jumped up in excitement, "That's Needle! She's a regular at the bakery. I hope she breaks a leg."

"Coiny, you should only say that to wish good luck to performers," I sighed amusingly as I facepalmed.

Heh, I suppose it's a bit funny. With a broken leg, a racer couldn't work their cars.

Leafy stared directly at Coiny's eyes, "Aren't idioms weird? I mean, how do they even get created."

"Good question. I'm sure with enough research, you'd be able to find some answers," he replied.

Their voices seemed to fade away as watched the racers from a distance. They all chatted with one another and stayed close to each other. Smiles grew on their faces before they erupted into laughter. All of them seemed so satisfied.

Is that what having friends is all about?

I looked towards Coiny and Leafy and watched them closely. Coiny was turned away from me but I could tell that Leafy's blue eyes were filled with joy. She liked being around others.

She isn't that bad. It's actually nice to be around her.

Before I could do anything else, Golf Ball walked closer to the bleachers and signaled for me to come over.

"I'll see you two later. I have to do my job now," I said before getting up.

Coiny responded, "We'll be right here after the race."

As I went to Golf Ball, I noticed she was breathing heavy and that her eyes looked red and puffy. She looked down at the ground and said nothing for a bit

"Uh, did you need me?" I asked.

"Yes. I need you to stay closer to the end of the track," she mumbled before looking up at me, "I wasn't able to get any additional help so you'll have to go receive anyone if they get injured. All we have is a single ambulance in case something is to happen."

I sighed, "The ambulance is good enough. I really wish the government would care more about events like this."

She nodded in agreement before walking off towards the racers. I watched, noticing her mopey walk. As I opened my mouth to comfort her, nothing came out.

We're not close. There's no point in asking what's wrong...

I made my way to the end of the track and sat down. By the time I got there, objects were starting to take their seats to watch. Boredom took over my body as I felt my eyelids become heavy. They slowly became closed as the world faded to black.

———

CRASH

My body jolted up as a loud noise filled the air. Objects screamed as I looked in front of me. Wreckage from a car scattered across the racetraco with a pile of blood pooling up. I ran to the scene and pushed away some of the wreckage, looking for whoever got injured.

I felt an arm and pulled on it to reveal a metal and narrow body. I quickly got it as far away from the wreckage as possible and immediately recognized the body.

Needle.

Her body had cuts and bruises all over but that wasn't the worst part. The bone stuck out from her left leg which looked to be completely dislocated. Most of her blood came out of there.

"Hey, can you hear me? I need you to respond if you can."

Needle opened her eyes slightly and stared at my face. She said nothing and kept staring until her eyes closed again. I put two fingers against her wrist and felt her pulse. It seemed steady.

"We'll take it from here," said an unfamiliar voice.

I turned around to see a few doctors with a stretcher. I nodded as they took Needle's body and left to the ambulance. They rushed off.

She'll be okay... I hope.