Thunderbird Road.

Chapter 20

I took a deep breath as I began to get closer to Corky and prepared myself to cross District Boulevard.

There was an inkling in my mind that the street could be used to my advantage, but I couldn't remember why. Still, as I tried to remember, I finally achieved enough velocity to reach the Thunderbird again. As we crossed District Boulevard, I pulled the same trick he had done before, hoping he would follow. I made a one-eighty turn and drove back and into the street.

When I heard the harsh turn made by the other car behind me, I smiled, knowing he was following my plant to a T.

"What was the thing on District Boulevard?" I tried to remember as we both drag-raced through the streets, circumventing the few cars that were on the road.

Thankfully, the street was pretty straight, so I had time to think before it went into any curves, which I knew were coming at some point.

Corky tried to bump me several times as we reached stretches of alone time, but I avoided the hits every time by slowing down or speeding up. I knew it was starting to annoy him as he began to zig-zag again, trying to attract me into one of his little games, but the road was ample, and I was not going to fall for it again, so I kept the car on the right lane as much as I could.

We approached a soft turn, and we passed a large store that, under the subtle lights of the street, I managed to see had letters that spelled "TAG TIME" on its walls.

I then began to slowly remember the attributes that this street had. As we turned, I noticed the emptiness behind the buildings and recalled this street was right next to the L.A river. I knew I could take advantage of that somehow.

Then, all of a sudden, I felt a hard bump on my right and saw the Thunderbird drive away and quickly come closer, hitting us again.

Zack shouted in pain and grabbed his arm.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, I just hit myself on the door, that's all."

Then the Thunderbird struck again, and I quickly moved to the side to avoid the hit. But I didn't notice the little signs before the Rail Road crossroad sign in the middle of the street. We accidentally crashed into one, stepping into its little sidewalk and peeling it right off, causing the whole car to shake violently.

"Oh, shit!" Zack exclaimed as I quickly turned right before hitting the rail sign.

I could feel Corky laughing at our misfortune and upset, I looked to my side and saw him drive away. Then, still, with the little thing vibrating under the car, I pressed the gas, finally releasing it after a few miles.

"Think, you dumb bitch!" I screamed inside my head. "What was the whole thing with this street and the river?"

As we kept passing by all the empty and beautiful mid-century buildings on the street, I ran in my head all the ideas we had come up with while driving around all those afternoons, trying to remember the one related to this street.

As we got close to South Atlantic Boulevard, I laid my eyes on this large, white, illuminated building with large red letters that talked about clothing and fashion. And finally, a possible solution came to mind.

I smiled.

I had practiced a car trick in my mind many times. Although it could be a dangerous move, there was a chance of finishing the reign of chaos this evil spirit had brought to the city.

"Okay, I got it," I told Zack as the lights turned red in the distance. "I know what we can do."

"What?!" Zack shouted, worried. "What are you talking about?!"