AN: Thank you for the reviews! Slower update but slightly longer so yay? I don't know, hope you guys enjoy!

"Wife to Hornet Dies in Freeway Accident". I read that headline one bolded word at a time and was filled with misery. Donna was finally having her fifteen minutes of fame and this was how it had to be. The TV broadcasters droned sympathetic phrases on her behalf and the fans offered prayers. It was all so wrong to me. They never knew her like I did, no one ever would. And even I hadn't been granted long enough to see her flourish into her fullest.

I burned every newspaper that mentioned Donna and I left our home immediately. I moved into a high-security apartment suite with Rick. Soon I began to have faded memories about my childhood. I often pictured Ms. Olson's solemn house across the street. Suddenly, I could imagine just what it must have felt like inside that sorrow-stricken home, for everywhere I went felt empty. At times I looked into the mirror and saw my mother's eyes reflecting back in my own. But there was no longer the option for me to live like a normal car. My fame had grown too much to grant me privacy to grieve. So, I bottled my emotions inside until they became so tightly wound I couldn't feel them anymore.

Besides, there was no need to dwell. I had a Piston Cup that I was expected to win. I threw myself hard into training and the results started to show. Fuel. Train. Sleep. Race. My life became a cycle which was certain not to last. However, I didn't foresee it ending the way that it did.

It was a cool October day out on the track in '55, three races remaining before the end of the season. The sky was light but cloud covered and the dirt of the track was freshly turned. A comfortable day for racing I had thought. I eased into the race without a single concern. Actually, I was quite proud of myself for how quickly I was chasing through the pack.

Around the thirtieth lap I was already hot on my leading competitor's tail. I was begging George to let me make the pass yet he insisted I hold off. But with that cold air blasting over my body, I was feeling like a superhero. So, I did what all foolish racers do and I ignored what my crew chief advised. I put on my speed and surged into the third corner at near full speed. I could hear George's voice on the other end of my radio as he anxiously yelled at me to stop. I tuned him out and successfully made the turn, flying past the leader in the process. I hit the straight and thought I was completely in the clear.

Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain resound deep within my chassis. My tires seemed to weaken from below me. I was losing control of myself and steering dangerously fast towards the infield. Almost at once, my vision began rapidly tunneling until my entire field of sight was filled with blackness. I gasped helplessly as my tire caught the edge of the infield and flung me into the air. I couldn't help but think, is this how Donna felt while dying?

When I woke, I was weak. I attempted to lift myself but there was no strength in my axles. I opened my eyes slowly and was overwhelmed by brightness, for a moment I feared I was passing out again. The stars cleared from my eyes and I gazed down at my hood. It had been completely replaced by one which was grey and uncomfortable to say the least.

As I came to the realization that I was in a hospital, I automatically tensed. Surely, George was here and I would get a mouthful about how stupid I'd been. Yet as looked to my side I saw him sitting in dumbfounded silence with Rick. The two of them exchanged glances. George made a move towards me but stopped. Still, the strange silence ensued. It seemed we were all confused as to where we should begin.

At last, Rick drove up to my bedside. "How ya doin' pal?" he asked.

"Weak," I answered. "How long will it take me to build my strength back up?"

Rick's mouth twitched ever so subtly. "A long time."

"Well, give me some numbers."

Suddenly, George appeared alongside Rick. His eyes stared at me, steady and hard. I tensed again, anticipating his scolding.

"Listen to me, Doc," he began firmly. "You had some internal combustion; it did serious damage to your engine."

I sighed. "I'm sorry-."

"It isn't your fault," George cut back in. His voice fell gentle as he explained, "the doctors said it would have occurred on its own regardless. You've got a bit of a temporary fix right not but you'll need heavier surgery in a month."

"Which means I'm out of this year's Cup…"

He nodded sadly. "And with the recovery time you'll need, well into next year's season as well."

I looked desperately to Rick, pleading him to tell me it wasn't the truth. He only grimaced with sympathy. I felt a sort of release from inside as the threat of crying coursed through my body. But I fought it off, winding myself all the tighter.

AN: Thank you for reading, please drop a review if you'd like to see more :)