Your care

Cap.1 Shadows of the past

                       
                          Flashback

The night was alive with the low hum of engines and the smell of burnt rubber. The alleyways were packed with spectators, their faces glowing under the harsh neon lights. Hazel and I arrived fashionably late, as always, the crowd parting as I maneuvered my car through the throng of people. We parked, and Hazel jumped out, her laughter ringing in the night air.

"Juls, you ready to burn some rubber tonight?" Hazel's grin was infectious, her excitement palpable. She wore her signature leather jacket, her dark hair pulled back into a high ponytail that swayed with every movement.

"Always," I replied, shutting the car door with a satisfying thud. I could feel the adrenaline starting to course through my veins, the anticipation of the race heightening my senses. We made our way to the heart of the action, where Carlos was holding court.

Carlos was a man of few words, but his presence commanded respect. At thirty-five, he was a veteran of the street racing scene, his reputation built on equal parts skill and ruthlessness. He saw us approaching and gave a nod, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Juls, Hazel," he greeted, his voice gravelly. "I see you two are ready to stir things up again."

"Always," Hazel echoed my earlier sentiment, her eyes sparkling. "Who's our competition tonight?"

Carlos pointed to a sleek black car parked a few yards away. "New guy. Cocky. Thinks he can take on anyone."

I exchanged a glance with Hazel. "Sounds like fun."

Carlos' expression grew serious. "Be careful out there. You know the rules, but the new guys don't always play by them."

I nodded, understanding the unspoken warning. Carlos had always looked out for us, ever since we first showed up on the scene. He might not say it, but I knew he cared.

"We'll be fine," I assured him. Hazel gave him a quick hug, and we headed back to the car.

As we strapped ourselves in, I could feel the weight of the moment settling on my shoulders. Hazel's excitement was contagious, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off tonight.

"You okay, Juls?" Hazel's voice broke through my thoughts.

"Yeah, just focused," I lied, forcing a smile. "Let's do this."

The signal was given, and I revved the engine, feeling the car vibrate beneath me. The roar of the crowd faded as my concentration zeroed in on the road ahead. The race started with a screech of tires, and we shot forward, the world around us blurring into a tunnel of lights and shadows.

The first few minutes were a blur of speed and adrenaline. Hazel was whooping in the passenger seat, her joy a stark contrast to my growing unease. I pushed the car harder, feeling it respond to my every command.

Then it happened. The brakes went soft beneath my foot. Panic surged through me, but I tried to keep my voice steady.