Need For Speed Fortune Valley Stories

Chapter 16 - Open Skies Part 8

9:45 p.m. Fortune Valley Resort & Casino. "Alright, here comes the countdown! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1! GO!!" Gillian exclaimed as she started the countdown and the 911's launched off the start. "Well Branden, I gotta say you've improved a bit on your accelerator techniques." Letty said. "You know, I keep saying that whatever you tell me about those techniques. It means nothing or doesn't make sense but I now realized it was important to learn how to control the way I'm accelerating and this time. Their leader just spun out but I made a move without crashing." I replied. "Good job Branden. You can now rest. The final battle just started but the time trials are still cancelled." Letty said as she gave me a pat on the shoulder and I opened the door of my R34 and got in. I closed the door and sat on my bucket seat. Ellie opened the door and got in as well. "Branden is it cool if I join you?" Ellie asked. "Yes you can. But I'm gonna be sleeping." I answered. "Well here's something that can help you feel better when you're sleeping." Ellie replied as she climbed to my seat and sat on my lap. She and I closed our eyes and went to sleep in the car. They approached 2nd corner after the long straightaway. "The narrow, hard to predict road suddenly changes after the point. All these sections are narrow. It's okay but the surface is wet since we're racing on a wet road and it stopped raining. She has the power to keep up but how long with that old suspension of her's keep up?" Lexi wondered in her mind as she saw the 911's moves. Adena gripped the inside of the turn on the 5th corner. But then the surface caused the car to be a little bumpy but she got it in control. "Damn, so even like this you can keep it in control. You're good but you can't hide that fact that you're up against me cause I am a professional." Lexi said in her mind. Starting point. "They passed the 5th corner and they're approaching the second section. It seems like they're glued to each other like super glue." Jovanna called as she hung up. "Glad to hear." Letty replied. "You know Letty, there is something I wanted to ask you about that 911 Adena's in. What's different from the car she had from before?" Gillian asked. "Good question Gillian, it has something to do with the handling." Letty answered. "Why does it handle differently from before?" Jovanna asked. "The suspension seemed a little bit old but the surface is wet and we figured giving it a different one while tuning it would make it easier to control but the car has a lot of power which makes it a little difficult to control but it should give Lee that power squeeze around those curves. Also, we swapped the hood cause the car needed a little weight reduction due to the Body Kit increasing the weight. So it'll probably come down to how Adena can conserve her tires until the turnaround." Letty answered. Jordan was walking past the R34 but he saw me and Ellie sleeping in the car. "Guys look, they're sleeping in the car together." Jordan said. "Dude, shut up. Don't disturb them, they're sleeping. Just let them have their rest because they're honestly tired from their battles and they need to rest. So just leave them alone." Dom replied. "We're coming up on the second section. I can't play with her too long, my reputation's on the line and I have to save myself as a pro." Lexi said in her mind as they approached the 7th corner. Adena slams on the brakes and takes the corners while drifting. Lexi saw the vanishing line on the 10th corner and passed Lee. "You're kidding me! Here?!" Adena wondered in her mind as she got passed by Lexi on the 10th corner. They're approaching the 13rd corner. "It's an uphill after this straightaway. If the car can't do it when it won't have enough power, I won't be able to catch up. Come on 911, hang in there for me!" Adena said in her mind as she accelerated mildly and the exhaust backfired. They're approaching the 14th corner and straightaway. "What?! She's catching up, well, I'll be damned." Lexi wondered in her mind as she felt the pressure behind her neck. "The gear ratio that we used to setup against the Z is working against me. It's not suited for those uphill corners. It's difficult on the downhill but it's noticeable on the uphill. The gears of the 993 is better than the RSR's, she's still in 2nd gear while I'm still on 3rd." Lexi said in her mind. Adena shifted down to 2nd gear and entered the 15th corner that leads to the turnaround. "Something is saying to me, after being passed on that vanishing line, that lady in the 993 seems to be more focused from behind when she is trying to catch up." Lexi said in her mind as they approached the last corner and saw the cone in the middle of the road. She pulled up the e-brake and turned the wheel around back down the hill. The 993 was still trying to catch up after turning around. "At this rate, I'll never be able to catch up. What the hell am I gonna do? My only trick to pass is to disappear like what she did on the vanishing line. I've gotta try it!" Adena wondered in her mind as she was catching up to the RSR. "Try now!" Adena said in her mind as they approached same direction but forward and flipped the headlight switch to turn off her headlights. "She's gone, where the hell did she go? That's not the sound of my engine, where are you?!" Lexi wondered in her mind as she looked at her rear view mirror or mirrors and noticed that the 993 disappeared. It was going past the RSR and it passed it on the straightaway. Then it turned on it's headlights. "Are you kidding me?!" Lexi wondered in her mind as she got passed by Adena. She used the gutter hook on the 4th corner to get away. "She passed me, this is the first time I've been passed by a car that is faster than I am. And I am through holding back." Lexi said in her mind as she gave a chuckle and a sigh as they approached the 6th corner. "We're coming up on the 8th corner. That's where I'll make my move and show you how the pros do it." Lexi said as she was heading up on the 8th corner and bumped Adena to get her off her rhythm. She regained control but got bumped. "There, see. I didn't bump you too hard. Just enough to throw you off your rhythm." Lexi said in her mind. "The finish line's close." Adena said in her mind as she flipped the headlight switch turn off her headlights. "Oh come on that again, that trick will only work once on me." Lexi said in her mind. "I can see them coming, looks like the 993's on her tail!" A female exclaimed. "Did you just see that?! The 993 is driving with headlights off!" A spectator replied. "Huh?! She's driving with her headlights off?! You can't be serious!" Gillian asked. "Man's she's gotta be keeping up with me. I can't see her in my rearview but I know she's there!" Lexi said in her mind as she noticed the 993 keeping up without its lights on. "You've gotta be kidding me! How can this joker maneuver a pass in total darkness! She's crazy!" Lexi said in her mind. "I heard the 993's headlights are off!" Yuu exclaimed. "She's gonna wreck or something." Shoichi replied. "Outstanding, I don't know if Adena came up with that on her own or maybe learned it from Branden or Ellie. You're one of a kind that is adapted to being pushed to the edge!" Letty said in her mind. "The finish line is nearby, victory is mine!" Lexi said in her mind. "I won't give up, if there's an opening, I'm taking it!" Adena exclaimed in her mind as they approached the long straightaway before the finish line. Lexi saw an animal in the middle of the road and dodged it. The 993 made a move when the RSR dodged to the right and turned the headlights back on. She passed Lexi and they crossed the line. The battle was officially over. "So, why did you slow down? You know like you turned a little, why did you do it?" Adena asked. "Oh, that? Well you could say it's bad luck I guess. An animal just crossed the road and I had to swerve through to dodge it just so I don't like roadkill it." Lexi answered. "So Adena won?" Gillian asked. "You know I didn't know we would be able to lose on our own home turf. This is annoying." Shoichi said. "I don't know what to tell you. I can tell that you could've done the downhill if it weren't for the torrential rain." Letty replied. Dom came up to my car and knocked gently on the window. I woke up and I opened it. "Yes Dom?" I asked. "The battle's over now, your mother won the race." Dom answered. "Really? Yes! I knew she would win! I'm so damn proud of her." I replied. "Babe, wake up. We're gonna go now, mom just won the race." I said. "Yeah, okay. Tell Jordan to take my car back when we get on the road and return to the garage." Ellie replied. "Hey Jordan! Can you drive Ellie's on the way back to the garage?" I asked. "Uh sure, I'll try not to wreck it." Jordan answered as he walked up to my R34 and I handed him the keys to the Z. He walked to the Z33 and got in. "Okay, time to move out! Pick up all of your crap or we're leaving it behind!" Gillian said. "Lee, can I take a ride with you?" Letty asked. "Yeah, get in." Adena answered as she and Letty got in their cars. The others got in the support vans 1, 2, and 3. I was leading the pack and I started my car as soon as I shifted to 1st, and got out of the parking spot. As soon as I got out, I cruised and I started to yawn which is a sign that means I am starting to get tired. "You know Adena. I could say that move you did with your headlights off was a god! I can't believe you actually performed that move!" Letty said. "There is one reason why I performed that move. Take a guess, it's one of the aces on the team that who I learned that blind attack move from." Adena replied. "Is it Ellie?" Letty guessed. "Close." Adena answered. "Branden?" Letty asked. "Yes, that's why I performed that move. It's because he does the same thing and as a mother, we both have the same techniques. That's why he lost to me on that downhill course we ran during Jordan's Noise Bomb trial. His techniques are good, but it was also because I was observing his skills on what he's good at and what he needs to improve on." Adena explained. "Interesting, I guess you two have a mother and son bond. But it was still amazing you did that technique. Congratulations." Letty answered. "Thank you so much Letty." Adena replied as she looked back at the road. Minutes later. Garage. Room. "Hey Branden, I've been meaning to ask you about that scar on your right side on your eyebrow and your cheek. Did you have an accident?" Ellie asked. "Yeah, that was years ago. It was still remained there when I was back here in my high school year as a freshman. Let me share with you on my story on how this scar happened. It happened when I dated my first ex girlfriend back here. I'm not sure if she's gonna hunt me down or not. I didn't even know her in the first place but then she knew my name because I started racing here. Anyway, here's how it happened." I answered. Flashback. "Finally. Finally! This is all I wanted. Branden, there's no need to spend the weekend with your mother. Don't listen to her, just come to my house instead. The whole day, with just the two of us... doesn't that sound wonderful? Ahahaha!" Yuri laughed. "Man, you're crazy." I replied. "Wow. There's really something wrong with me, isn't there? But you know what? I don't care anymore. I've never felt this good my whole life. Just being with you is a far greater pleasure than anything I could imagine I'm addicted to you. It feels like I'm going to die if I'm not breathing the same air as you. Doesn't it feel nice to have someone care about you so much? To have someone who wants to revolve their entire life around you? But if it feels so good. Then why does it feel more and more like something horrible is going to happen." Yuri said. "Oh my god, you're starting to scare the shit of out me and I do not know what you are saying to me. I don't understand this." I replied. "Maybe that's why I tried stopping myself at first. But the feeling is too strong now. I don't care anymore, Branden! I have to tell you... I'm... I'm madly in love with you!" Yuri said. "What? Is it cause I'm a street racer who wins every damn race?" I asked. "No, it feels like every inch of my body... every drop of blood in me... is screaming your name. I don't care what the consequences are anymore! I don't care if your parents are listening! Please, Branden, just know how much I love you. I love you so much that I even touch myself with the pen I stole from you. I just want to pull your skin open and crawl inside of you." Yuri answered. A minute later. "Is that all? Or there's more?" I asked. "Tell me Branden, tell me you want to be my lover. Do you accept my confession?" Yuri asked. "Uh, sure?" I asked. "Ahahaha. Ahahahahahaha!" Yuri laughed. "Gotta do something." I said as I punched her on the face when she was about to stab herself. "Hey, that's not really nice. That did really hurt, but it's fine. I like that about you anyway." Yuri said. "Enough! Don't make me grab my gun and pull the trigger. Don't make me do it!" I replied as I took out my gun. I sighed. "Do you love me at all?" I asked. "O—Of course I do!" Yuri answered. "And what are you planning to do for me? Tell me now." I replied. "Eh? I would do everything for you!" Yuri said. "Even though I asked you to commit suicide and I had to pull my gun out?" I asked. She didn't even hesitate. She took the knife of the ground, and pointed it towards her. "With pleasure!" Yuri answered. I was about to fire but then, when I pulled the trigger. I realized it wasn't loaded with bullets. "Damn, no bullets. Alternative plan time." I said in my mind. "Screw it." I said in my mind as Yuri was about to cut herself but I jumped on her. However, the knife was cutting through my right side of my face on the eyebrow part down to the cheek. "You cut my face! What the hell!" I exclaimed as I felt the pain on the right eyebrow. "I-I didn't mean to. I'm sorry." Yuri replied. "What?" I asked. "Branden. I want you inside me. You know you want, just let me." Yuri said as she was pulling close to my shirt collar. "Whoa! Get the hell off me!" I exclaimed as I shoved her back knocking her into a desk. "Oh Branden, why would you prefer family members when a woman is standing in front of you? Trust me Branden, I could treat you much better than they ever could. All I'm asking for is a chance to show you what I can do. Can you at least give me that?" Yuri asked. "You know what, no. For what you did to my left eye part but it was closed but then you slashed the left side of my face. Just. Stay away from me and my family." I answered. "I know you saw my pictures, Branden. I know you liked them. That's why you said that your phone was malfunctioning. You wanted me to take more for you. So why are you turning me down right now?" Yuri asked as she edged forward and went close to me. "Which one was your favorite? I bet it was the one with the heart. I saw that in your eyes, Branden. At the cafe. I know you want me, there's no need to hide it anymore. So come on, take what's yours." Yuri said as she starts to unbutton her shirt in an attempt to seduce me. "Oh my fucking god! Did I tell you to stop for just this once?!" I exclaimed as I reached out and grabbed her hands to stop her from unbuttoning her shirt any further. "Why, Branden? Afraid you'll give in?" Yuri asked as she inches towards the wall still unbuttoning her shirt. "Ugh!! You're starting to piss me off!" I exclaimed as I grabbed Yuri's arm and shoved her against the wall. "Wow, Branden. I didn't know you liked to be so rough." Yuri replied. I was so sick of her trying to seduce me but then I knew my mother and father was right about what they told me and I should've listened to them. "Fuck you stupid ass whore. You're an obsessive, bullying, narcissistic bitch. Adena was right about you, you are an obsessive slut. Lucky for you, no one knows about this and we're not keeping score. Just stay the hell away from me from now on! You hear?! Also, stay away from my mother, too. Because if you don't, then she would end up dead or injured like what you did to me! You understand?!" I exclaimed. "I-I-I... Why, Branden?" Yuri asked. "This relationship is over! I'm done with your bullshit! I'm leaving!" I answered as I let go of her and made a breakthrough the door. "Branden wait!" Yuri exclaimed as she chased after me. I was walking furiously down the hall and on the way to the exit. Sayori saw me walking angrily with a scar. "Branden, what happened? Where are you going?" Sayori asked. "I don't want to talk about it, I'm going home cause I don't feel good right now." I answered. "You sure? You have a cut on your face." Sayori asked. "Don't worry about it, I'll be fine. I really don't feel good, just please let me go home." I answered. "I understand that, I hope you feel better." Sayori replied. "Thanks, gotta go!" I said as I kept running away from Yuri while she was chasing me. "Branden, where are you going?" Monika asked as she was by the exit. I ran up to the exit but I was blocked. "I'm going home." I answered. "But, why so early and are you okay? You have a cut on your face." Monika asked. "I'm fine, it's nothing personal. Just please let me go." I answered. "No, I will not let you go until you tell me what's happening so I can help you." Monika replied. "Fuck." I said in my mind as I looked behind and realized Yuri was still chasing me. I looked away from Monika and ran to the alternative route of the hallways. "Wait! Stop! I just want to talk!" Monika exclaimed as she was chasing me as well. I ran to the window. When it was open, I climbed through it after I dropped down. I dropped down to the ground and landed but then I rolled and got back up. "Where's my car key?" I wondered as I checked my pockets for my keys to the FD. "Good thing it's still here with me." I said in my mind as I took it out and started holding it. I ran from the schoolyard to the parking lot and I saw my green FD. I pressed the button to unlock it and I opened the door when I got in. "There he is! Branden, Stop!" Yuri exclaimed as she went outside and saw me getting in. I got in the car fast and placed the key in the ignition switch. I turned it to the right and it started to sputter. "Shit!" I exclaimed as I kept doing it over and over again to start. "Please, come back!" Yuri exclaimed. "Come on FD! START!!!" I exclaimed as I kept forcing it to start and finally it turned on. I shifted to first gear and drove off fast. She was running to the back of my car. But then I shifted to second and pulled away after I exited the parking lot. I exited the school and drove home. Present. "So that's what happened? That's why you have that scar?" Ellie asked. "Yeah, it was cause of her being so obsessive with me. My parents and I had to move to Japan to a different school when I was a sophomore and that I could be away from her. But then I met you because we are both racing in the metro and the wangan. But then I started racing against leaders like snake eyes and this strange guy in a S30. I think it's Akio Asakura I think. I don't remember. But then we decided to move to a different school cause Yuri was there after she found my location and then I moved to the Tri City Bay where I met Jordan and you when we reunited. Then we became a couple is how this story of mine has happened. You're not mad if I share this stuff right?" I asked. "Of course I'm not mad, I just want to know facts about you because you're a beautiful man and I don't want you to get hurt by her again. Just be careful out there alright?" Ellie asked. "Yes, Ellie." I answered. I heard my phone ringing and I answered. "Hello." I called. "It can't be!" I exclaimed in my mind as I felt a shock when I heard a voice I could recognize.