Chapter 7: Getaway

Careening down he road, I keep looking in my mirrors at the headlights behind me. One set, belonging to the limo, recedes in the distance. The other, more angular pair, seems to be closing. I try and push the car, but the damage from the race is starting to show. I pray to whatever gods might be listening to let me at least get to the highway before I get caught by the Furrari. Turning my head I notice the girl is cowering in her seat, eyes full of fear, just staring at me. She almost looks like the is trying to crawl into the cushion of the seat itself to escape me.
"I not going to hurt you, I will get you somewhere safe."
she whimpers a bit and turns her head away
Damn, haven't had that bad a reaction from a girl since high school.

A mile from the freeway my rearview mirror is full of yellow supercar.
"Nothings easy." I spit out.
I hear a pop from behind and see a flash from the drivers window. It repeats and is accompanied by a ping from somewhere in the back of the car.
"Get down! He's shooting at us"
I start to swerve back and forth, trying to throw off the aim of what I am assuming is the panda in pursuit. More shots, thankfully none finding their mark in anything important, like me or the girl. Soon I spot the signs for the highway entrance and turn in. Speeding down the ramp, tires screech as they are abused. I dart in between a van and a large delivery truck at the merge. Joining the nighttime traffic.

Cutting in between cars and trucks I start to pull away from the panda. Years of experience have trained my instincts on the timing and flow of Zootopian traffic. More of a sixth sense the conscience thought. The panda, being new to the area, is having a hard time getting through. I see him get caught several times between a couple of trucks or by other motorists, oblivious to the life or death struggle unfolding before them. Horns blare in anger as I cut off cars and trucks alike, squeezing into gaps with inches to spare at times. After opening a sizable gap between me and my pursuer I slip in front of a large truck, momentarily out of sight of the Furrari. I flip a switch on the dash and the tail lights of the car wink out, the headlights dimming to almost a glow. Just enough for my vulpine eyes to see by.

Having all but disappeared to the car chasing me I make a quick right on the next exit, hoping he didn't catch sight of me. I roll to the end of the ramp and stop. Watching my mirrors for any sign of chase, ready to dart back onto the ramp opposite. As I hear the distinct roar of the import pass by on the bridge overheard I breath a sigh of relief. Pausing to get my bearings in this unfamiliar area, I decide to turn right and head down the road till I find a convenient spot. A wholesale market, closed for the night comes into view. I drive around the building out of sight of the road and stop by some dumpsters. I climb out of my car and get to work peeling the graphics off the side, designed them to be easily removed. I ball them up and toss them into the top of one of the green metal containers. I then kick and pull at the side skirts and bumper extensions, the plastic bolts holding them on break with a faint pop. Opening the trunk the wing comes off with a pair of quick releases. Taking note of a few holes punched into the rear of the car from the pandas weapon I frown at the thought of how badly this could have ended. With a half twist even the exhaust tip comes off, leaving behind a standard looking tailpipe. All of the pieces ripped from the car get tossed behind the dumpster, sacrificing it for our safety. My sticker is the last to come off, getting shoved into my pocket. Don't want to advertise who's litter this is. What once was a highly tuned street racer has transformed into what appears to be an everyday car, the color of the paint, the rims, and tires, the only things different from the factory car. It should be enough to blend in with regular traffic. Ironic, I planned all this in case I had to run from the police, now I am using it while running to the cops.

Before getting into my car I catch a reflection in the window and I jump at the sight. No wonder the girl cowered away from me. I look in the cars mirror at myself and cringe. The muzzle looking back at me seems to come out of a horror film. A white monster with his muzzle and fangs stained red from the blood of his last victim. I get back in the car and the girl is in a ball, eyeing my with uncertainty. I need to get this girl to the police, but first, I think I need a shower.