The Death of a Hero
Ren remembered seeing his father 'fly' for the first time. He couldn't remember what film it was or what exactly his father was doing, but he did remember the moment his father launched through the air. To him this feat of strength didn't look like stunt direction or wires and harnesses. It looked like magic, no better yet. His father looked like a superhero.
But, Ren thought as he strapped in himself in to a stunt car, some hero's die. Or least, he pondered sadly, their image does.
"Ren you cue on 5." shouted the director. He then turned to the rest of the film crew and continued yelling directions over the roar of the engines.
Ren shifted in to gear, rearing for his cue to take off. He knew his father was still considered an incredible actor and amazing stunt man. But now the 'imaginary' cape was gone and years of experiences had left him thinking that his father was little more that a doting dad, perhaps still a noteworthy actor.
"Okay everyone places!" Ren barely registered the director beginning the count before he pulled off, the growl of the turbines music to his ears.
One after another cars speed away creating the perfect scene for a drag race. Ren's car was made to look like a sleek upper class brand name car. Story line dictated that the brand name not be shown, copy rights and what have you, but every one could guess the make and model due to its distinctive look and shape. The other cars were similar in look, just varying in color and hood size.
The director yelled directions to the camera man as the rolled alongside the cars. "Camera 1 lower! And camera 2 get a clear shot of Ren."
Ren, readying for his stunt, pulled at his harness testing its hold. Taking a breath he turned to the other actor and began yelling his lines.
"Get off the road. You'll only get hurt and hurt someone else!"
"Never. This is my life! And I won't hurt her like you did." Ren's character stilled, turning away to look at the road before turning back to reply.
"I never hurt her." his words coming out harsh and full of hurt. It was this side to his character that he liked and what drew him to this role in the first place. It was like there was a side to him that was only brought out by one person. He could relate and the director practically went bananas at his rendition of 'Ryan Ku' the street racer, turned quiet mechanic brought back to his former haunts due to the death of his brother.
"Stop the car, Mura!" 'Ryan' yelled. The opposing character, Mura, was a headstrong new racer who, in an unbalanced desire for victory, allowed Ryan's brother to be killed so he could draw Ryan out of hiding and into a race he intended to win.
"Just drive Ryan!" Mura yelled back, grinding gears and advancing forward.
Ren's character was at this time supposed to make a turn in a different direction and take a short cut to cut off Mura and end the race. Ren turned to check his turn when it happened.
He turned his wheel and just as he was about the clear the turn, he heard a hiss and boom and suddenly he couldn't control the car and he was spinning out of control. He felt the car hit something large and then the rolling began.
On instinct, he grabbed his harness and seat belt, trying to lay across the seats and brace for impact.
At first he heard everything. The car coming apart, the sounds of things crashing, even the director yelling in the background. But eventually they started to fade.
Soon all he heard was white noise and then the thing that made him wish this never happened.
"Ren!" It was clear and terrified. The trill in her voice made his insides cringe and his heart burn.
Then black.