Start Small, End Big.

A Real Race

Liam and Arianna stood side by side on a winding country road on the outskirts of Montreal. The summer night sky stretched infinitely above, dotted with stars that cast a faint glow over the empty road. The air buzzed with anticipation, and the faint murmurs of the gathered crowd only heightened the tension. Barrett and Hope stood among the spectators, their anxious expressions mirroring the electric atmosphere. This wasn't just another race—this was the race, one that could define their futures in the street racing scene. Liam glanced at Arianna, her confident stance unshaken. The engines of their cars purred like caged predators, ready to unleash their fury. His Veloster N, sleek and aggressive, hummed with restrained power. Beside him, Arianna's Chrysler 300 SRT8 gleamed under the moonlight, exuding dominance. With a shared nod, they climbed into their vehicles. The interiors felt alive—cool leather gripping their palms and the low rumble of the engines vibrating through their bodies. The road ahead twisted and turned, bathed in moonlight and shadow, a treacherous serpent daring them to conquer it. Liam tightened his grip on the steering wheel, the anticipation pounding in his chest like a drum. Arianna, equally focused, allowed a slight smirk to touch her lips. This was it. The signal was given. In a heartbeat, both cars roared to life, their tires screeching as they launched forward with ferocious energy. The deafening roar of engines shattered the tranquil night, the once-quiet road now a battlefield of speed and skill. Liam's car hugged the asphalt, its tires gripping the road with precision. The countryside blurred around him in streaks of dark green and silver. His instincts were razor-sharp, every movement deliberate and calculated. Arianna was right beside him, her Chrysler's V8 growling with unrelenting power. The gap between them was nonexistent, her car matching his every maneuver with fluidity and grace. The road was unforgiving, its curves sharp and deceptive. Under the canopy of trees, moonlight spilled through gaps in the branches, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow that played tricks on their vision. To Liam, the shadows seemed like monsters, daring him to falter. But he didn't. Arianna was relentless, her focus unshaken as her car roared through the twists and turns. Each straightaway gave her an edge, but Liam's skill on the corners kept him in the fight. The rivalry between them became a deadly dance, each racer pushing their limits with every passing second. The speedometers climbed higher, the cars flirting with their limits as they tore through the countryside. The crowd's cheers faded into the background, drowned out by the symphony of engines and tires screaming against the asphalt. The finish line loomed closer, the tension palpable as both drivers refused to yield. Liam's heart raced faster than his car. He could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins, pushing him harder. Arianna, ever determined, was equally fierce. They were neck and neck, two titans unwilling to back down. In the final moments, they pushed their machines to the brink, a simultaneous burst of speed carrying them over the finish line. The crowd erupted in deafening cheers as the two cars crossed in unison, their tires perfectly aligned as if fate had demanded it. Liam stepped out of his car, his body trembling from the adrenaline still surging through him. Across the way, Arianna emerged from her Chrysler, her face calm but her eyes blazing with intensity. They locked eyes, and in that moment, a silent understanding passed between them—a bond forged in rivalry and mutual respect.

"Unreal," Barrett muttered, his voice drowned out by the cheers around him. Hope nodded, her expression a mixture of awe and disbelief.

*****

Amid the celebration, a figure in a sharp suit stood apart from the crowd, clipboard in hand. He adjusted his glasses and tapped a pen against the board, his gaze fixed on the two racers. He pulled out his phone, saving the recording of the race with a few deft taps. Opening his email app, he drafted a new message.

The subject line: "New Recruit."

The camera zoomed in as he typed the recipient's name: Honda Canada Racing.