A Racer and A Thug

Having Nowhere To Go

Lucy's POV

Jeez I was tired, I needed a bed and a bath. Probably both.

As I stepped out I noticed that Speed Racer over there was still sitting in the car. He seemed nervous about something and his head was leaned back on the headrest. I noticed he took a few deep breaths, with his eyes closed, and then he opened the door and stepped out.

I saw that his posture changed to be a little slumped over and he fidgeted with his hands. He turned and walked to a shelf and pulled out a large grey tarp. He unfolded it and spread it across the car, covering it. I decided to help because it would get done faster and he did save me from some cops, twice. So I owed him.

He seemed surprised that I was helping him but he continued straightening out the wrinkles. Soon the car was completely covered in the tarp and we exited the garage through the back door. Natsu quickly locked it and seemed to speed walk away.

He wasn't very talkative and that was annoying because I really wanted to know why it was so important not to just leave me there. I could've hid somewhere or evaded them easily.

"Hey!" I said and he jumped at the sudden noise. "Why'd you bring me along, I can take care of myself."

"Well, i-it's really...." he started to stutter and mumble with himself, like he was having an internal debate.

"Spit it out already."

He flinched again but he quickly composed himself and closed his eyes. He breathed in and out a few times, like in the car, and then he opened them.

"You know the relations of cops and street racers right?" He asked. His was still nervous and cowardly but he didn't stutter.

"Kinda," I answered.

"Well, to be blunt the cops really hate us because, for one it's illegal, and another reason is because some racers like to bribe other cops into staying quiet. Or they just use brute force." He explained. "We don't really get along well and the cops don't like the fact that we race anywhere we want."

"That seems pretty stupid to hold a serious grudge over," I said. In honesty it was. Why would a police department get overly worked up by racers like that? Sure it's illegal and the racers act like they own the streets, but there has to be something more to it.

"Well, that's only what we figured," Natsu said. "But I have a feeling it's something much more."

So he suspects something too.

"That's about all I know, someone else at the garage can probably explain it better," Natsu said and rubbed the back of his head while laughing nervously. I don't know why but I found that action to be funny.
........

After walking for another five minutes in some silence but only to be interrupted by other thugs, which I took care of rather quickly, we arrived at a run down six story apartment. It was really old, the design of the building was crumbling. Though it was cement and wood, it looked about ready to fall apart, it's amazing that it passes inspection.

"Sorry about the building, but it's the only place I can afford," Natsu explained and opened the door for me to walk in.

We walked for about five flights of stairs and arrived on the fifth floor. Then we walked down a hallway and approached a door. Natsu quickly fumbled for his keys, unlocked the door and motioned for me to enter first.

Spacious would not be the first word to pop into my mind when looking at his home. Granted it was spacious for about four people to visit yet not live in, but that was it. Everything seemed cramped and shoved as far into a corner as possible. However at least it wasn't dirty, well it was about as clean as anyone could get it.