Josh threw the tarp over the BattleVette. It wasn't finished, far from it. After he'd eaten Mia's breakfast, she took off, and he couldn't stand being cooped up much longer. The Supra called to him as he decided what car to use. Taking the Supra, Josh floored it on the expressway. "Feels like home. Loud, brash, and loose." He said to himself, turning up towards the canyons. It was an overcast day, clouds blotting out the sun, and the temperature was in the mid 50's. Finding an empty canyon road, Josh made a U-turn. Breathing in and out, he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. Eyeing the road, the soft rumble of the Supra engine filled his ears. He closed his eyes, and breathed.

"You sure Darius? I've never tried drifting before, and then this is your car…" I said nervously. "Yeah, I'm sure. I can afford the repairs. Remember, don't control the car, just guide it." Darius told me, then walked over the guardrail. I looked ahead, waiting for the green light. I closed my eyes and breathed.

Josh punched it, the Supra rocketing off, the first corner approaching rapidly. Josh let off the gas and turned left, the Supra mimicking the steering wheel. Josh closed his eyes, and guided the car through the turn. Opening his eyes, he straightened out the car, then chained his drifts; turning right. Watching the front come close to the guardrail, he exited the corner, straightening the car.

I took off, the Supra throwing me back. The first corner, a left turn, came fast. I panicked, and pulled the handbrake, the car halting in its track, inches away from the wall. "I can't do it!" I shouted. Darius and Nikki came running. I had just put the car in park when they opened the door. "What happened?" Darius asked. "Are you alright?" Nikki asked. "I can't do it Darius, I can't drift…" I muttered without looking him in the eye. "Look at me." Darius told me, and I listened. "I know you can drift. Hell, you're gonna be the best damn drifter here in Palmont, you'll see. Just relax. Free your mind." Darius told me, looking into my soul. "Bring the car back to the start, and try again."

Josh swayed with the car. Left, right, left. None of the burdens that weighed him down before existed right now. All that existed was him, the Supra, and the corners. Coming up on a tight left, Josh spun the wheel left, the car swinging left, right into the turn. Josh, for the first time since Neville had passed… Josh felt free. Swinging and swaying through the corners of the winding canyon road, Josh eventually reached the city roads once more. Sighing, Josh slowed down and stopped. Resting his head on the wheel, he closed his eyes. Clenching his fists, he growled out, "I'm coming for you, Kenji."

Josh went back to the garage, and finished the BattleVette. Matte black, armored and tinted windows, only silts to see in and out of, a heavily modified LT4 engine sat under the hood, capable of producing up to 836 horsepower. The interior was stripped of everything that Josh didn't deem necessary. Reinforced roll cage, lightweight racing seats, the works. Josh didn't want to risk it being traced back to him, so he removed the VIN number sticker off of the car. Showering, Josh put a black pair of jeans, sneakers, and T-shirt. Putting on his black racing jacket over that, he leaned on his sink and took a look at himself in the mirror. "This wasn't the same man a few days ago." Josh thought. "Shit happens." He said aloud, then took off for the Vette. Sitting inside and closing the door, Josh took a deep breath. "Here we go…" He said as he pressed the brake and then pushed the ignition button. Clicking for a second or two, the car then roared to life, a low rumble filling the garage. Opening the garage door remotely, Josh shifted into reverse, and began to back out. Facing the car toward the street, he closed the garage door before he roared off.

Josh drove for a while, adjusting to the new setup. "This isn't the same beast I bought a few days ago… She's angrier." Josh thought as he cruised into Downtown Palmont. Cruising through the old quarter, Josh kept an eye out for Kenji. It didn't take long for Kenji to find him though, since hardly any Vettes roll through Downtown. Drifting beside Josh, Kenji began taunting the mysterious car. "Where do you think you are, punk? This is my territory." Kenji called out. Josh said nothing, only watching him through the slit in the window. "You wanna get your butt whooped, that it?" Kenji taunted after the brief silence. Again, Josh chose to stay silent. "Alright, let's go then! First one to the top of East Canyon, go!" Kenji said before speeding off. Josh grinned. "Perfect."

Josh let Kenji lead most of the way, only passing him every now and then. Coming to the outskirts of the city and reaching the canyon, Josh let Kenji lead. Kenji tried to intimidate the mysterious driver, but nothing worked. Quitting the attempts, Kenji called Darius. "Kenji, I wouldn't have expected to hear from you at this hour. What's going on?" "Call off Cross, Darius, this isn't funny anymore!" Kenji said, almost shouting. "Umm… I didn't tell Cross to pursue you?" Darius said, confused. "Then who the hell is?" Kenji asked. "I don't know, probably some racer." Darius said, agitated. "Nah man, the way this guy's car looks… I doubt it's a racer." Kenji said, watching his rearview. "What's the car look like?" Darius asked. "New Corvette, matte black, plating on the windows." Kenji spoke. "Huh. Let me ask around, then I'll get back to you." Darius said before he hung up. "Useless!" Kenji shouted before being pushed forward by the Vette. "So that's how you wanna play, huh?! Okay, let's go!" Kenji said, trying to hit back. The green Skyline made contact, but it did nothing to the Vette. "What the hell…" Kenji began. Josh slowed down then turned the wheel left, pit maneuvering Kenji, sending him flipping. The Skyline rolled about four times, before finally stopping on its roof. Josh turned the car around to face the city, and put it in park.

"Agh, what the hell…" Kenji muttered. He unbuckled himself, and crawled out of the car. Standing up and turning around, he was met with a right cross to the cheek, sending him back to the floor. "What the hell man?!" Kenji shouted. "Shut up Kenji. I want answers, and I want them out." Josh said low and cold. "Josh? That you?" Kenji asked before Josh slammed his foot in Kenji's stomach. "Why'd you do it?" Josh asked. "Do what?!" Kenji asked wiping the blood of his lip. "Why did you kill Neville?!" Josh screamed at him, sending his foot into Kenji's stomach for the second time. "I DIDN'T KILL ANYBODY!" Kenji shouted, clutching his stomach. Josh stood over him, watching the man roll in pain. He shook his head, got back in the Vette, and sped off. "Damn it, Damn it, Damn it!"

I'm back. For how long? Who knows. I got some of my bearing back after an extremely long hiatus. I did a little soul searching, wrote some short stories about love and heartbreak, and found my soulmate. Hmm, one of those things ain't true. Anywho, here's the new chapter, hope it's worth the wait!