10
A/N: I do not own or profit from anything Fast and the Furious Franchise, except my original character and settings. Please Read and Review.
Prologue
Had I known that after a year in Prison I would have the life I`d never dreamed I could have had or have the people in my life, people who would become my family, a family I would live in the fast lane with and if I had to I would die for them. Let`s not forget of the one man who would be my soul-mate; But one does not know there future and they cannot change the past so I`ll start this story when my life went to hell – to gaining my freedom – to living in the fast lane.
One Year Two Months Three Days Ago.
Chapter One
11pm on Thursday 13th
2.3 Degrees with 30kmph winds….
I couldn't believe he had me doing this tonight of all nights when we had more pressing things to be worrying about but here I was getting out of a perfectly warm car and into the freezing night.
I braced myself as a gust of icy wind ripped through my slim frame causing my knee-length jacket to flap around me like a cape. (Batman eat your heart out).
After retying my jacket back into place and grabbing my messenger bag off the front seat and making sure it was secure against my side I slammed his car door shut and I set off into a swift jog because the quicker I get to my target the quicker I can go home.
Now Target? I hear you ask, well I`ll tell you.
I steal cars.
Please don't judge me before you hear me out. I`m not a bad person I`m really not; I don't steal from soccer mum`s car or grandpa wheels but the expensive high-end cars like Ferrari's or BMW`s; cars that can easily be replaced.
I then take those cars back to the garage where my boss and the team will either take then apart or ship them overseas for resale, somebody always wants something.
I can also hear you asking; who the hell is this chick? Well I`ll give you a small run down.
My name is Avery Elisabeth Paxton,
I am 18 years old-young with a slight obsession with cars and computer hacking.
I`m roughly 5 foot 1, shoulder length dark red hair with bangs that annoyingly hang in my eyes, pale skin tone with a small cluster of freckles on my nose and cheeks, bright green eyes that are usually hidden behind my black squarish glasses, slim figure but only from constant exercise and diet control. (See picture on my main page, AKA Rachel McAdams).
I was brought out of my musing by a feral looking cat that eyed me as it hissed but I simple said "Fuck off cat" with a hiss of my own, ( FYI I hate cats with a passion).
Another twenty feet and I was standing in front of a gorgeous bright red Ferrari 210 model convertible, now I personally don't like Ferrari`s as I find them a little too flashy with not enough horse power but even I could still see its beauty with its $200.000 price tag.
I crouched down beside the driver side door as I pulled out my mini laptop and started it up. Within a minute I had opened up a program that took me over a year to design and it works like this:
It`s an anti-locking decryption software that will hack into any computer locking mechanism – car, home or business. In the wrong hands could be a very dangerous piece of software but with me it is in extremely safe hands.
Several seconds later with some clicks here and there and a password later I was sitting in the driver's seat of this brand new car and with only one button later I pushed the start button and the beauty engine purred into life.
I exited the car park and drove towards the D12 highway.
It really is ridiculously easy to steal cars it`s kind of amazing that the coppers haven`t caught on yet.
10 minutes later….
Normally it takes about 45-50 minutes to get from one side of Detroit to the other so once I had been on the high for several minutes I flicked on the radio and to my disgust a country western station blasted through the speakers;
"Jesus" I said in amazement as I shook my head, why would the owner of a Ferrari listen to Country en western music the two just doesn't add up.
So I changed the station to a mixed music station but with the lateness of the night there wasn't much on so as mind started to drift back to my fight with Pete from early today:
Flash back….4:30pm….
"Pete are you crazy we can`t do this not when DJ and Jack are still missing and Pauli still hasn't called in. We should lie low….?" I sent to say more but he cut me off.
"Lay low, lay low are you fucking kidding me right now? Were on a schedule Avery with a boss who doesn't take no for an answer you know that." He took a deep breath before speaking again.
"Avery I know your worried about DJ and the boys but right now if we screw this up then you, my family and I are fucked, do you really want a price tag hanging over our heads?"
I shook my head in disbelief I couldn't believe he saying this to me, I was the one who begged him not to go into business with the Tran`s from L.A but no I was ignored as all they thought of was the pay check and not what would happen if we failed.
"Pete I was against this from day one how dare you pin this on me" Again he cut me off and by god that was getting old real fast.
"Jesus Avery that`s not what I`m doing, I`m just trying to get you to understand that we`re all that`s left now and were still three cars short with tomorrow night to deliver, so either buck up and get fucking ready or get the fuck out and I`ll do it by my fucking self." He swore and ranted like I`ve never seen from him before and I`ve known this man for 11 years.
"Who the hell are you Pete? Because the man I know and respect isn't here and I need that man here now because I`m scared, I`m scared that Jack, DJ and Pauli are dead or have been arrested and you're asking me to go out a jack three more cars in one night something I`ve never done by myself before and your yelling a swearing at me like it`s my fault" I expressed as tears fell down my face.
"…." Silence rained down among us until I spoke again.
"Why are you acting like this Pete, there our family I mean DJ is your niece for god sake you raised us just like you are raising your girls with Sophie".
"I`m here Avery like I have been for the last twenty years and I`m over this, I`m sick of 90% of our work being illegal and needing to stay ten steps ahead of the police and now with the fucking Trans breathing down my neck 24/7 and with the possibility of having lost three workers is making my life 200 times harder than it normally is, so I need you to step up and do more" He spoke like he would have normally but I could still hear a strangeness in his voice and I think that scared me more.
But I was still pissed off with his last sentence; "Do More, What more can I possible do Pete, I already work six days a week in the garage, I race, I steal the fucking cars what else is there to do?" I asked dumbfounded.
"Steal more cars, do the job I need you to do tonight without the fucking whining, now be ready by 8pm or your fucking fired" He demanded as he approached his white and black striped skyline which he got in a drove away in.
And all I could do as my legs buckled was to grab hold on the work bench so I lowered myself to the floor and for the next half an hour I cried.
End of flash back...
Present time…
"BEEEEEEP….BEEEEEEP…BEEEP"
A passing car honked at me as I swerved back into my lane before swerving again to avoid a huge ass pot hole before I continued driving down the highway as one of my favorite songs came on to the radio:
Jar of Hearts:
No, I can`t take one more step towards you
'Cause all that`s waiting is regret
Don`t you know I`m not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most
I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time
And who do you think are you?
Running' 'round leaving scars
Collecting you jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You`re gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don`t come back for me
Who do you think you are?
I hear you`re asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms:
Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri
I stopped singing as I checked my rear view mirror as noticed that the same car has sat the same distance from me for several minutes but what really got my attention was that fact that it didn't have a number plate.
So with the joint feeling of being followed I decided to see if they really were following me or if I was just being paranoid so with a burst of speed I shot forward before weaving through the traffic.
I am actually pretty lucky that it`s busy tonight as I use the other cars as cover but there of little help when I`m in a bright red flashy car it`s pretty much a beacon saying 'Here I am'.
I was right, I`m not paranoid as they are following me because now there are two black SUV`s on my arse, one three cars back and the other on my left hand side so I wonder if they would like to play a little game called hide and seek?
I slammed my foot down as I squeezed myself in between two cars as I flew down the exit ramp and with them following me I did a quick left turn before shooting down the road, another left as I double backed on myself as I re-entered the highway.
"SHIT, oh sweet Jesus" I swore as grazed my rear backside against a white commodore.
My heart was pounding against my ribcage as adrenalin coursed through my veins but it didn't stop the fear that was starting to swell in my heart as the same two SUV`s again appeared in my rear view mirror.
I swerved to the right again to avoid a silver Volvo as I speed forward over taking several cars but these guys weren't amateurs or they had me on GPS because they weren't leaving me the fuck alone and I use to do this is all the time, evading cops or drivers that pissed me off or just for the sheer thrill of it.
These guys had help.
So I pushed this car to its limit as the odometer pushed 140kph as I weaved in and out but I knew that neither me nor my pursuers could keep this up forever because Lady Luck never smiles on you for long.
I was sure I lost them for a second so I decided to take this exit which brought me into an unknown area of the city of downtown Detroit. I made several lefts and right turns even double backing on myself once and nearly after ten minutes of nobody following me or even seeing another car I thought I was safe to start making my way back to the garage.
They tricked me into a false sense of security.
"Fucking asshole" I swore as one the fucking black fleas appeared in front of me on my right, "How in the hell are they following me?" I asked out loud in disbelief as a second one appeared behind me and that`s when a new plan metalized in my mind – I needed to ditch the car.
Reaching over to the passenger seat I carefully pulled out my mobile phone and dialled Pete`s number.
"Ringing….. Ringing…..Beep, Beep, Beep…. Can`t come to the phone right now so leave a quick message or call back later as I probably won`t call you back….Beep, Beep…"
I swore but hanged up and place the phone between my thighs as I pulled a sharp right turn before I drove down an alley way and turned off the car grabbing my bag and phone as I left the car and I ran like hell in the opposite direction.
I ran for I don't know how long but my lungs were burning so I ducked into a café overhanging entrance so I could gather my breath.
I froze as a police car went speeding past with its lights and siren blaring but I needed to get out of the immediate area otherwise I would just end up an extremely scared mouse in an ever shrinking maze.
I didn't know what to do, this has never happened to me before so I needed to think of a plan before I did something really stupid and get myself caught but before I could even begin to gather my thoughts my phone started singing…..
(It's the song 'Banana by the Minions from Despicable Me 2 Movie)
Ba-ba-ba, Ba-banana. Ba-ba-ba, Ba-banana.
Bananaaaahhh! Potato naaaaahhhh! Bananaaaahhh!
Togali no pocato ni gani malo manika no jiga. Ba-ba, ba-banana.
Yo plano bu. Lapa nobu u. Ma banana like a nupi talamu. Banana!
Potatooooooohhhh!
Togali no pocato ni gani malo manika no jiga. Ba-ba, ba-bananaaaaaaahhhhhh!
(Gotta love those minions)
I answered my phone after turning the bloody thing on silent;
"Pete, thank god I don't know what to do, there are these two black SUV`s following me from the highway and I`ve abandoned the car and I don't know this area so what do I do?" I said all this in a rushed mumble voice.
"Jesus Avery, calm down and tell me where you are!" Pete asked me calmly which didn't help me much.
"I`m umm….Bloody hell, I`m out the front of a café it`s umm called Ivy Blue. You know where that is?" I asked him
"Yeah Ave I know it, how listen to me head left and follow the street for two blocks and you`ll come into the suburb's then take another left and three blocks down should be a park I`ll meet you there in fifteen minutes". Pete instructed me before me hung up.
"Bloody hell Pete, wouldn't have wanted me to ask you to repeat the directions" I muttered as I stuffed my phone away in my bag.
I sucked in as much oxygen as I could before exhaling through my nose to calm my nervous thumping heart beat as I used a minute to gather what was left of my adrenalin high and courage as I stepped out of my protection….
I was kind of disappointed when nothing happened I sort of thought that I would go through the amazing transformation that 'Ellie from the Tomorrow When The War Began' but turns out things like that only happen in books.
I shook my head clear of silly ideas and took my first step in the direction Pete instructed me on and hopefully it would be an easy trip.
It was almost too easy and that had me nervous, because the streets were empty of people and cars and even with the time nearing midnight there should have been some movement, someone coming home from the pub or some other kind of party not even a dog barking, so as I slowed my approach to the park I scanned the entire area and that`s when I saw them.
Four black SUV`s one each side of the parks block and just meters away was Pete`s car, and that`s when it hits me like a ton of bricks;
Pete had betrayed me. He betrayed us, his family and his crew.
I realize then, this is exactly what happened to the others, Jack and Pauli were both on jobs for Pete and DJ vanished when she went looking for Jack and the only common factor is Pete McGuire.
Pete was a rat.
I crouched down beside some random house`s front garden while I pulled my phone out to dial Pete`s number….
"Ringing…. Ringing….. "Avery, where are you?" I heard Pete ask
"Tell me why there are three SUV`s surrounding the park, to a location that you chose Pete so they couldn't have followed me. TELL ME what happened to the others did you rat them out too?"I whispered even though I wish I could have screamed at him.
"Avery you need to listen to me things have change, it isn't just us the coppers are coming down on everyone and anyone they can get enough evidence on. I couldn't go to prison Ave I`ve got Sophie and the girls to look after"…he tried to say more but I jumped in.
"So what you made a deal, so you could screw over four people who have known and trusted you for at least 10 years because you're afraid that Sophie wouldn`t wait for you or are your just too much of a coward"I sneered over the phone. (I`ve never liked Sophie but I adore those two small girls"
"I`m sorry Avery, you know how much I cared about you, DJ, Jack and Pauli but my real family comes first".He may have said more but I stopped listening after one certain word 'cared' past tense.
"Cared; How quickly you disregard those who you no-longer need. What do you get out of it Pete, this deal you made?"I inquired as my heart filled with despair.
"A clean slate if they get all four of you."Was all he said and then silence rained over us as I thought it through and it may have been minutes or hours but I made my decision that would change my life.
"Pete I`ll give myself up but I`m not doing this for you because as of now I hate you, but I love those two sweet little girls and I don`t want them to grow up without their father like I had too. But once this phone call ends I never won`t to hear, speak or see you ever again, do you understand me?" I demanded.
"Yes, thank you Avery."He sounded genuinely relieved and I hated him for it.
"Goodbye Peter"
I ended the call and dismantled my phone and snapping the sim card because I wasn't giving the police anything, I switched on my laptop and I accessed the one program I never thought I`d ever use; A classic memory bomb. It will automatically delete everything on the laptop and restart the computer to the exact way I bought it, because I`d rather die them give those fuckers my anti-locking hacking software but this also means that I`ll never get it back either so it`s basically a year of wasted work – but I can live with that.
I turned it off then and approached the side of the house and seeing a gap between the boards on the side of the house so I took off my bag and shoved my laptop and phone into it and pushed the whole thing into the gap for safe keeping.
I stood up and I took in a deep breath and I walked down the driveway to the open street, I could see Pete had gotten out of his car and was talking to one of the cops from the SUV and it seems Lady Luck really hates me today, the cop is the one officer who I hate with a passion: Officer Jeffery Bolten.
He was a prick who dated my mother for nearly three years when I was 8 years old barely six months after my father died in a fight at the local bar. Needless to say he didn't treat my mother right and she committed suicide when I was 12.
He`s also been after me for years after I egged his house one Halloween when I was 14 years old and tonight it looks like he`s finally gotten his revenge.
"Gotcha now you little shit" was the first thing he says to me but another Officer appears behind me as he reads me my rights:
"You have the right to remain silent and anything you say or do maybe you against you in the court of law".
Bolten grabs me by my arm and forces them behind my back and roughly handcuffs me before he tries to shove me to the ground but thankfully the other Officer stops him;
"Easy Jeff, you don't want her to sue for mistreatment and ease her sentence do you." And here I thought he might have been an okay guy but not after that sentence.
"This must feel like Christmas for you Jeffy you must feel like a little boy again" I sneered at him over my shoulder.
He went to whack me but Pete`s voice rang out "Don't you dare Bolton, I`ll testify against you if you harm her".
God I wish he hasn't here but at least he was a witness to any abuse Jeff could dish out.
"Come on Jeffy boy let`s get this over with its been a hell of a long day and I`d like to get some sleep". I said sarcastically
"Shut your mouth Paxton or I`ll shut it for you." Bolton threatened me but really he was a joke and I just couldn't resist tempting him a little bit more.
"I`d like to see you try big boy." I saw him approach me from behind and when he got close enough I stepped back and slammed the back of my head into his nose causing a satisfying crack.
I laughed my little white ass off.
I have to safe as much as I enjoyed hearing him fall to the ground in pain but I didn't expect the other Officer to use his baton to hit me on the back on my head that was already painful but the second hit knocked me right out…..
So what do you think? Liked the revised version better?
I`ll be rewriting all five chapters so I hope you`ll like them.
Please Read and Review
Lady_Finwe
P.S… Prison next chapter I wonder what will happen?
