Fast & Wet (The Fast 2)

“Is it clear? I can’t see.”

I can barely see Alessi ahead, only occasionally the red light on the back of his car that blinks when he slows down, when his car is harvesting energy under braking.

James doesn’t answer.

James and I are going to have a little chat about communication as soon as this race is over.

Coming out of turn five, there’s a decent passing zone, so I accelerate as hard as I can without losing the car. The tires are slipping, and I’m fighting the steering wheel to stay in a straight line. Visibility is next to zero.

James had better be…

“Cole! Cole!” Emily is screaming in my ear.

I blink hard, turn my neck, wiggle my toes.

“I’m okay,” I mumble.

Feels like the wind got knocked out of me, but I’m okay.

Steam is billowing out of my car, the rain hitting hot engine components. Somehow, I’m in the wall, my right front tire is on top of the car and held on only by its safety cord.

I take off the steering wheel and unstrap myself. I need to get out of the car and let everyone see I’m okay.

I’m just stepping out when I see the yellow lights of the medical car approach and I’m grateful I won’t have to walk back to the garage in the rain, but it darts right past me.

When I watch it fly past, that’s when I see the white carbon fiber car components littered over the asphalt.

My car is black and green.

Alessi.

Oh fuck, what did I hit?

I drop the steering wheel and run toward the medical car’s flashing lights ahead as the cars that were behind us slowly navigate the debris field, passing us by.

It doesn’t take but a moment to come into view, Alessi’s car is on its side up against the wall, the whole front end destroyed beyond recognition.

The underside of his car faces me

. I can’t see Alessi, only the heads of the medical crew trying to work between the car and the wall.

The Extraction Team car flies up behind me with its yellow lights flashing. The only time they’re called is when a driver cannot get out of the vehicle. When he’s unconscious or may have spinal trauma or fatal injuries.

No.

No, no, no.

What happened? What have I done?

I try to get closer, but the marshals and a second medical team arrive and force me into their Mercedes.

“What happened? Is he hurt?” I scream at them while they shine lights in my eyes and assess me.

They won’t tell me anything.

Twenty Three

Emily