V & V - Rageous Rageon Rise

Washed Vulnerability

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Kid Ritz POV:

Midori: "So... any fun car games, guys?"

I look at her through the mirror before focusing back on the road. Like me, she seems to have a hard time keeping still, but hers looks behavioral.

Kid Ritz: "Well, we could play I Spy?"

Midori: "Oo! Ok! I spy... something red."

Velv: "The sky?"

Midori: "Yeah! You got it! Ok, next one. I spy... something grey."

Roman: "The clouds?"

Midori: "Oh my gosh! Right again!"

Kid Ritz: "Ok, that's just depressing."

Midori: "Yeah, it's hard to make smoke and ash fun. How about we listen to music?"

Roman: "If the TVs aren't running channels, I doubt the radio is."

Kid Ritz: "I bet Fred has a CD somewhere in here. Dom, mind checking the glovebox?"

Dom opens the glovebox, pulling out a CD from under a pile of shooters. He starts to give me a weird look yet stops himself. Huh... that was... nice of him?

Whatever... he's probably judging Fred to himself. As I think it, I feel my vision slightly swirl. He heard me. I make eye contact with him, yet we don't say anything. 

Kid Ritz: "Uh... you can just put it in the player."

Dom nods, wiping off the CD before inserting it into Fred's old player. Crackling sounds as Dom tries to get the CD to play.

Kid Ritz: "This truck's old, old. It was his Dad's in college."

I hit the player, it finally sputtering to life.

Midori: "Yay!"

The CD starts, the truck quiet as we listen. Immediately... I recognize the music. I stop it, trying not to cry.

Midori: "What happened?"

Kid Ritz: "I-I... I can't hear that. We... shouldn't have p-played it."

I try to keep my voice steady, taking a deep breath as we reach a red light.

I take the CD out and carefully put it back into its case. A tear drops down my face as I lean over Dom and put the CD back.

Kid Ritz: "Sorry. I'm sorry."

I attempt to wipe the glitter of Dom, yet he stops me.

Dom: "It's... fine."

I nod, trying to get a grip as the light turns green. Great, now I've made the ride awkward.

Kid Ritz: "Um... that CD... was the one his Dad was listening to when he got hit. It was the only thing recovered from the wreck, and Fred would listen to it nonstop. He eventually stopped, and I figured he kept the CD somewhere in the shop. I had no idea he kept it on the go with him."

I let out a shaky breath, picturing Fred passed out in the shop, the CD on loop in the background. It's a slow, old-time folk song. It sends chills down my spine every time I hear it... it reminds me of Fred's lowest.