Chapter 2:

Storm McQueen flopped down on his bed. He sat up and got a photo from his drawer. It was a picture of his father holding the Piston Cup, and smiling like a crazy hyena. Storm chuckled, thinking how happy he would be himself.

Looking crazier than he does, that's for sure.

His smile dwindled.

I wish you were here.

He glanced at the window.

Hmm…

He placed the photo in his pocket and snatched his red satchel. He jumped up on the window sill, and climbed down and fell in the prickly bushes.

"Ow, ow ow, owie, ow", He groaned as he climbed out of the bushes. "That was not a good idea", he muttered.

He took his cell phone from his pocket, and dialed a number.

"Hello?" A female spoke over the phone.

"Yeah, hi. Do you mind if I come over to your house today?"

"Sure you can, Storm. If you're willing to help me with the horses today."

"Great. I'll see you there!"

"See you later!"

Storm ended the call, and got on his bike. He passed the modern houses of his neighborhood, until he came upon the oldest part of the town. Urban neighborhoods surrounded this old legend that he called home. He passed by Flo's V8 Shop, and waved hello to Flo and her nearly grown up children who help around the shop once and a while.

"Hi, Storm!" They would both yell at the same time, every time, but it never bothered him.

"Morning, Sherriff!" He yelled, as he passed the sleeping body.

Sherriff woke with a start, and nearly tripped on himself.

"Where's the punk, huh?!" He yelled out, but soon realized that it was just Storm. He laughed and waved at Storm.

Storm slowed to a stop when he reached Tow Mater's Towing and Salvage.

He dropped his bike off, and jogged to the wooden door. He knocked; it was their secret knock, the one they used whenever any of them were going to each other's house.

A 16-year-old girl opened the door.

"Hey Joy," Storm said sheepish.

"What is it now?" She groaned and rolled her eyes jokingly.

"Can you answer a question?" Storm inquired.

"Uh, yes. The last time I checked, I can answer a question." She said sarcastically.

Storm rolled his eyes. "This is important!"

Her smile faded. She had been a best friend with Storm long enough to know when he's joking and when he's serious.

"Help me with the horses, and then I help you."

Joy and Storm had been friends with each other since they were kids. They would always joke around and call each other names like: Stormy Cloud, or Buck-Toothed Child. Unlike her dad, Mater, Joy did not inherit the buck toothed smile. She had a resemblance with her father, but her spirit, not so much.

Anyway,

"What's so important?' Joy asked as she put fresh hay in one of the stalls, while Storm did another.

"Do you have a tape of, perhaps," He started nonchalant, but quickly added, "the recording of the race Firestar?"

Joy turned around confused.