Here's chapter two for you guys! Please if you enjoy it leave a review to let me know what you think of it so far!

Chapter 2: A Fresh Start

It was July now, a little bit over 6 months after Shadow and I had our lives changed for good. Somehow we managed to be the only winners and we got all that money to ourselves. We bought a house a few miles out of Jonesville, Mi with a few acres of land that sat next to a small lake. The house was just a single story red brick house that was maybe a tiny bit larger than anyother family home in the world. Our living room came with a panoramic window that replaced most of the wall so you could see out over the lake anytime you wanted to. It was my personal favorite room of the house. Being a car guy, however, what was really special was the massive garage I set up across the road.

It was only a bit smaller than my house, maybe 100 or so square feet. It had heat and air conditioning, white concrete floors, an incredibly soft shag carpeted living area with a black metal coffee table and 2 plush black sofas at the back so we could hang out around the cars. Along the sides there was tons of tools and tables for some extra work area and I now had the ability to work on my own stuff.

Right now I only had 6 cars, 5 of which were in the big garage and one at the house. In the garage they were set up in 2 rows of 3 facing each other. They were parked so that each car could be driven in between the other row and out the garage door down at the end. I definitely planned on buying more in the near future.

I participated in street and organized races whenever I could with Shadow. I thought I had gotten pretty good at it, at least against the crowds I went against in town. I like to think that it was the track days i've participated in that helped me develop skills that I needed to be a better successful street racer but it was really just a lot of trial and error, finding out new techniques as I go. I'd competed in some amatuer rally events as well, which went worse than expected. Shadow as a co-driver, that was actually a mistake that we both could agree on. He couldn't flip the pages of the pace notes that we'd taken… Didn't think that one through. On asphalt however I was much better and almost always competitive. I didn't win everything but I tried every time I went out to bring home a victory. On to the cars!

(If you don't care about what cars are there in the garage you can skip this part)

The first car I bought was a 2016 Mazda MX-5 in red. I put a white rollcage into it and took the cloth roof out to save weight. My friends and I swapped in the rotary from an RX-8 and supercharged it to help it get some extra grunt on the straights and get the center of gravity lower in the car. We put a pair of canards that I had professionally installed on each side of the front and rear bumper, a front splitter, and an extremely big, probably a bit overkill, rear wing that came up only to about three fourths of where the back window would usually be to give the car tons of extra downforce. The interior was fully stripped complete with racing seats and harnesses to keep us in one place. We fit 265's all around and put on O.Z. Superturismo LM rims in black. The tires were too wide for the small car so we added some fender flares to make sure no rubber was sticking out. The last thing we did to it was put it on race coilovers and upgrade the brakes. The car was mostly used for track days that Shadow and I had gone to around the country. Places like Laguna Seca, Virginia International Raceway, and Willow Springs. It was a fun time just running around the track for hours with other people who share your same passion.

Next up was my daily driver and also the car that I parked in the house's small garage, an Audi RS6 Avant. I've always had a soft spot for wagons. It was a metallic gunmetal gray that worked well with the black HRE FF01 wheels that gave the car a meaner, more serious look than if it was standard. Other than that it was stock.

Going from my daily to my dedicated off road machine. A 1969 Camaro SS, or a steel tube frame with a 1969 Camaro body on it, but whatever. it was lifted up so the extra soft suspension that allowed us to have 20 inches of suspension travel in the front and rear. We put black rims on it with a vibrant light blue with a large white offset stripe. The fenders on the body were massively flared to fit the widest, most aggressive 39" tires I could find. We put a light bar on the top of it that was basically a portable sun and a bullbar on the front that held 4 more round lights. Up front there was an engine that would be more at home on a NASCAR that produced as near as makes no difference 900hp. We slapped a spare tire on the back and it looked like a car that could take on the Dakar Rally. The interior was stripped to the bone with electronic gauges fit for an LMP car and no windshield. It was of course 4wd and it was lighter than we expected coming in at just under 3200 pounds. It was an absolute monster on the road and the dunes.

The Lexus LFA was next in line. It wasn't the first car that I bought but it was the first car I truly fell in love with. Arguably my favorite car ever made. The classic FR setup that gave the car a certain look that set it apart from the rest of the supercar crowd. The all carbon fiber body was painted bright white that looked stunning with the factory black wheels. Everything about this car made me happy. From the air intake between the grill and the bumper all the way back to the exhaust which was set up in a triangle group for symmetry. The engine, that V10. The F1 inspired noise was just so evil and intimidating. It gives me chills every time I hear it and just thinking about it makes my hair stand up. It has that perfect note, if you held a wine glass up to the exhaust you could break it with the sound alone. I didn't dare modify it, you can't improve upon perfection.

The one that stood out the most to me had to the 1965 Mini Cooper rally car. It was red and I put the British flag on the roof because why not. It was relatively stock besides some modernization to the suspension, cooling system, and a new exhaust system. It was front wheel drive but was very nimble and fun to drive on the twisty roads that surrounded my house and the one rally that I competed in. (Never again)

Last but not least I bought a LaFerrari in Yellow with (I bet you're noticing a pattern) black factory rims. It was my favorite of the holy trinity and I liked having it in the garage just so I can say that I own one. A car so meticulously designed to be aerodynamic and beautiful at the same time is something i'm definitely willing to spend my money on.

(If you skipped the cars this is the end)

Even with all of this new stuff I don't think we've changed. I still go to school, dress modestly, and respect other people just like I always have. The only thing different I did was drive a good car to school. Shadow definitely hadn't changed a bit besides him starting to wear a white bandana around his neck. We were definitely given a second chance and I'm very grateful that luck was on our side for once.

This all doesn't come without its negatives of course. One of the major ones was people started treating me way different than before. I was someone who just sort of blended into the crowd; now they make me the center of attention. I know why they're doing this. They're trying to take advantage of me for their personal gain. People like that make me sick, there's no reason to use me as a stepping stone to try and get ahead in life.

The only person i've spent money on was Caleb. He's been my best (human) friend for the last 8 years and we made a pact back when we were in middle school that if one of us got rich we would buy the other their dream car. That's exactly what I did. Mine was the Lexus LFA, which you know that I already own, and Caleb's was the Maserati GranCabrio. The one I got him specifically was snow white with factory black rims and had a black leather interior. It was fast but it wasn't ridiculous and was more suited for long distance cruises. When I gave it to him he didn't have any words until after he got away from it. He didn't think that I'd still remember the pact we made and he was ecstatic that I held true to my word.

It was Thursday and Shadow and I had just gotten home from a drive in the MX-5. I pulled it into its parking space and we both chilled out in the garage. I worked on some writing that I was having some fun with and Shadow made corrections and suggestions as he watched me. We were lazy until it was time for dinner. I went down to the house to make a couple of sandwiches and came back up to the garage. Shadow devoured the meal I placed in front of him while I just kind of sat there wondering how a Pokémon could eat that fast.

The sun was beginning to set and I checked my watch, 8 o'clock. I told Shadow, "Hey it's getting kind of late, you want to head back?"

"Sure, why not."

We both got up, I grabbed my laptop, and headed towards the door. Someone started pounding on it. Not just a simple 'i've been knocking on the door for a while' type of pound but the type of pounding the police will do on the door when they find out where you live. I was hesitant but I needed to go out there anyways. I grabbed the knob and looked back at Shadow. He seemed nervous and didn't want me to open it but he knew I had too.

It only opened a crack before the door was kicked open. I was shoved onto the ground by someone who was incredibly strong. I had no idea what was happening. I was disorientated by what had happened and I was just now looking around. There were three men and 2 Zoroarks. The men were all wearing very clean black suits that made them look very professional. They all had guns, including the Pokémon, an M4 or something along those lines. 3 of them were pointing their guns at us while the others were busy restraining us. I didn't even notice I was tied up until I tried to get up and my hands wouldn't move. They didn't tie Shadow up; the guy just kind of knelt down over him to force him to lie down. I was starting to yell for help and trying to get up, I got kicked in the stomach and I fell back down to the ground out of breath.

"What do you want from me?!" ,I yelled at them desperately.

A voice came from the outside of the building, "I just want to talk."

An older gentlemen came into the garage. His hair was well taken care of and almost white. The man also wore a similar suit as his buddies but without the gloves. His face was wrinkled but not majorly, he was probably in his late 50's. He was pretty short compared to his goons and he had a smug look plastered on his face

"Hello, Josh." ,His voice was soft.

I shouted back, "What do you want!"

He sat down next to me, "Like I said, I just want to talk."

I was getting pissed off now, "No! Get the fuck out of here! How do you even know my name!"

He kept going like he never heard me, "My name's Victor and I'm the boss of an organization called the Vipers. We do mostly drug smuggling and things of that nature to major cities around the United States."

I was confused, "W-Why are you telling me this?"

"Well, my associates and I need someone with decent driving skills to run drugs for us since our last two drivers ran off with $10 million worth of cocaine. Don't worry, they're dead. You're probably wondering what driving skills you posses that leads a criminal organization to your front door step! We have eyes everywhere, Josh. Those street races you enter? We run those, we use them for recruiting purposes. You do well in every race, obviously that counts for something. We're a bit desperate if I'm honest."

Well that was a great confidence builder. I was in total shock. I was racing against the mafia? What the fuck did I just get us into, "You want me to drive for the mafia? No fucking way, let us go!"

He laughed quietly, "Well why not, Josh? I know you'd love it. At first you won't even be driving, that comes later."

I took a deep breath. My mind was filled with so many thoughts that I couldn't keep up with what was going on.

I finally found my voice and shot back, "No! Fuck off! I'm not a criminal!"

"Well if you don't want to come along maybe this will help you make a decision." ,Victor pulled out a revolver and loaded up one round in the chamber. I was starting to sweat and shake uncontrollably, this was the end. He spun the cylinder and proceeded to walk past me and towards Shadow.

"Maybe we play a game, hm? Three rounds of russian roulette here with your Umbreon here and then we leave? Sound good?"

I started pleading with them and talking fast, "Wait, what? Why? Stop no stop! I'll do it, stop! PLEASE!"

Shadow slammed his eyes shut and braced himself. He started yelling at Victor with more confidence than I knew he actually had, "Do it! Do it, faggot! JUST FUCKING DO IT!"

I tried to protest but my cries for it all to stop were ignored and Victor pulled the trigger. The revolver made a metallic click and rotated to the next chamber. I was relieved but that only lasted for a second as he spun the cylinder again and raised the gun again.

I couldn't let this go on "STOP," I yelled, "You win."

"Josh, no what're you doing! We can't do this!"

Victor pulled the gun off of Shadow's head and I yelled to him, "I won't let them kill you, Shadow! I don't care about what I have to do. You're my family. I-I can't lose you…" Tears started to fall down my cheek and Victor knelt down close to me.

"So, do we have a deal?", He hissed almost directly in my ear.

"Y-Yes."

Victor smiled and put his hands up, "Untie him!"

One of the Zoroarks happily used his claw to get rid of the cable tie that held my arms in place. I stood up and ran over to Shadow. I picked him up and held him close to my chest. I was shaking and still about to cry but Shadow was shaking worse than I was, "I'm sorry…" I whispered to him.

"You two about done? We've got work to do now!" Victor shouted brightly. We were escorted down to their cars and we were put in the backseat. Someone had grabbed the Miata keys and followed us closely as they drove us east. The drive took an absurd amount of time. I felt like they were taking a deliberately long route to confuse me. Not a single word was said until we were almost there.

I had to be the one to stop the awkward silence, "So what am I doing again?"

Victor seemed to be broken out of a trance but he regained his composure in no time, "Well first of all you weren't the only person we recruited for this type of work; we actually have three more making you the fourth. Since we only accept the best of the best we hold a race where the top two get the position."

I saw my way out, "What if I come third or fourth?"

He pointed his gun at me and I got the message. So much for that plan…

I still didn't understand this whole thing, "So let me get this straight. I'm now competing against 3 other guys you picked up and 2 of them are going to die? Why didn't you just pick one of them or just me? Why the race?"

Victor laughed, "Where's the fun in that?"

I actually started to recognize my surroundings. We were in Detroit of all places. I started looking around for the race start while we drove and I took a look ahead to see three cars in front of us lined up in a grid.

On the pole there was a blue R34 Nissan Skyline, it looked stock but I knew most Skyline owners don't just leave it like that. Next to that was a red Lamborghini Gallardo, I honestly wasn't worried about that one. A 1963ish Corvette that was also bright red was the final car on the impromptu grid. The tires on this thing were massive, at least 305's on the front and back. That was the car to beat in my opinion.

The man driving my car pulled up to the empty spot on the grid and got out. He went off to the side where some people had gathered to watch. The car we were in pulled up semi close to mine and I nervously walked to the Miata with Shadow. I opened the door for him, did up our harnesses, and got ready for what could be our final race. I was given a GPS with the race route and a radio so they could communicate with us. I set it up in the lower corner of my windshield so it wouldn't block my vision. I checked my phone, 3 in the morning, wow it was late. The pit in my stomach was eating away at me and the more time we sat here the bigger it got.

A very happy and attractive woman with black hair got up in front of us all and got ready to start the race. She pointed to us all to see if we were ready. When we all signalled that we were good to go she pulled a pistol out of her back pocket and held it high above her head. She counted on her fingers 3...2...1... and she fired into the air. What the fuck did I get myself into?