Pursuit

Chapter 7

Racers

Smii7y and Kryoz headed back to the bunker while doing a small race. Of course, Smii7y went easy on him so he could talk with him as their cars raced down the road. A big hurricane was about to hit but Smii7y was glad he got to hang out with Kryoz before it did. Hurricanes always brought back a bad memory for him.

They pulled into the warehouse as rain started to pour down. He parked with the rest of his gang's cars and went with Kryoz to make their claims.

"Hey Smii7y. Good chase out there. Heard the pursuit on the scanner." The man at the counter said. He placed an envelope in front of Smii7y.

Smii7y nodded, "Hey Pezzy. Kryoz helped me pull off something I've wanted to do for a while." Smii7y grinned at Kryoz.

The man named Pezzy smirked, "Well. Guess this is for you too. The speedy Lightning Rex I've been hearing so much about. Glad you're watching this asshole's back." Smii7y shot him a glare but smiled slightly. He slapped down an envelope for Kryoz.

"Thanks. I really like the name the cops gave me too. Zippy and catchy. I like it." Kryoz said.

"Oh definitely. Subaru's always have a special place in my heart for their good looks and high quality." Pezzy smiled and leaned on the counter, "I drive a Subaru BRZ."

"Ay! Dubs for the subies." Kryoz chuckled.

"Yup. Anyways. Gotta get back to handing out claims. Don't spend that all in one place, fellas." Pezzy said and turned to talk to some other racers.

"Subies?" Smii7y asked as they walked back to the workshop in the back of the warehouse.

"You Porcsha drivers wouldn't understand." Kryoz smirked.

Smi7y raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Try me."

"Nah. Only Subaru drivers can know." Kryoz laughed as they entered the workshop.

Smii7y rolled his eyes, "Hopefully only Subaru drivers know that they are slow as fuck too." Blarg, Grizzy, and Puffer were watching them as they came into the workshop. Blarg was adding a light kit to the interior of his car.

"Smii7y's bragging about his damn Porshe again." Grizzy smirked. He was helping Blarg install the lights.

Smii7y sighed dramatically, "I can't help it when I have the fastest car on the island.

"Okay. Okay. Ghost Porsche. Chill. Imma go fill up my tank and head home before the storm hits. I'll see you guys later. Smii7y? Down tomorrow after the storm passes?" Kryoz asked as he walked backwards towards the door, "I bet I can beat you this time."

Smii7y huffed, "You're on." Kryoz giggled menacingly and waved bye to the guys before leaving.

"You guys are hitting it off." Puffer chuckled.

Smii7y rolled his eyes but had a smile, "Yeah. He's fun to be around. Are you happy you were right?"

Puffer nodded, "Very." Thunder rumbled the old bricks of the warehouse. They watched as Smii7y's smile faded. He glanced away, a shadow falling over his eyes. Their frowns soon followed.

"Smii7y. I think we should talk about something." Puffer said calmly.

"Can it wait until after the storm?" Smii7y asked as he started to turn for the door. Puffer rushed over and caught his shoulder.

"No. It's for this reason actually." Puffer glanced back at Blarg and Grizzy who watched them. They came over to stand by Puffer.

Smii7y took a deep breath, "Puffer you know I like to-"

"Be alone during hurricanes. I know. It's just... that thing I checked on the other day, didn't want you to be alone after you found out. Especially during a hurricane." Puffer started.

Smii7y glanced at him through the corner of his eye, "What?"

Puffer sighed, "They found a car wreckage in the ocean off of Coastline road. A 2017 Nissan 370z." Puffer watched his friend carefully, "Th-they... are blaming you for it..." Smii7y's eyes were hidden by his hair when he turned his head.

"As they should." Smii7y muttered.

"Smii7y..." Blarg said softly.

"It wasn't you." Grizzy said. Smii7y turned to them and pulled from Puffer's hand.

He had tears in his eyes, "No! It was! I should've seen Fitz for what he was! I- I..." He couldn't even finish. His throat felt tight and his body weak. The guilt had been with him every day for the past year. Every time he looked in the rear view mirror, he saw Droid crash through that guardrail. Puffer gripped his shoulders and embraced him.

"This isn't on you, Smii7y. You always looked out for us. Fitz tricked all of us. I was worried that you'd find out another way and do something stupid." Puffer chuckled slightly. He felt his friend tremble with the guilt in his arms. Puffer let go once Smii7y pulled away. Smii7y's stare was blank and emotionless. That was something Puffer would never forgive Fitz for. Ending his friend's journey, and taking Smii7y's smile away.

"Listen Smii7y. We follow you for a reason. You have made the streets safer for us and the citizens. It's those assholes who did this. They made the streets unsafe. They killed Droid. This isn't on you." Blarg said.

"And if it's on you, then it's on us! We're a team. We work together." Grizzy beamed.

Smii7y smiled slightly, "Thanks guys."

"We have your back just as much as you have ours." Puffer agreed.

"We understand if you don't want to hang out while the storm passes, but we just wanted to chill with ya a bit. Outside of cars." Blarg smiled and threw an arm over Smii7y's shoulder. Smii7y smiled and nodded. This was his team. His best friends. He'd do anything to keep them safe in this dark profession. No Pursuit team would ever get in his way again.