I really listened to the song who you are by madilyn Bailey for some of this chapter.
Lightning called Sally. She was doing well. It was good to hear each others voices. Baby Hudson was doing well. Growing. Sally showed Lightning the newest ultra sound photos. He was so happy about his little family. He did ask his wife for some advice with Storm. Sally was always the smartest person he knew. She had the biggest heart.
Cruz was getting out the bath. She could hear Storm in the bedroom. She walked up to him. Wearing some yellow t shirt and black shorts with her damp hair falling onto her shoulders. She always looked good. Storm cleaned up a bit before trying to face time his daughter and Rachel.
He called her. Sky answered. But Sky looked aweful. Her eyes red and puffy. Tears on her cheeks. He didn't recognize the wallpaper behind her?..
"Hey?.. Whats wrong?" He immediately asked.
Sky wiped her face a bit and answered with a whimper.
"Mama's sick." Cruz overheard and leaned over Storm's shoulder. Storm asked "Well.. what happened? Where are you guys?" Little Sky looked so upset. Cruz and Jackson feared the worse. Sky answered "She was throwing up a lot of blood and we came to the doctors.. grandma came and we stayed the night here." She was crying again. "I'm scared.." she said. Storm swollowed hard. He wished he could comfort her. "I know.." he said.. "I'll be home and soon. You gotta be strong. Can your mom talk?" Sky sniffled a bit. "Barely. She sound sick..". Storm stood up and talked as he paced carrying the tablet he had, "What happened to your face?" Sky asked. Storm but his lip before answering, "Some bullies." Sky knew better even for her age. She asked more "Did you do something mean?" Storm smiled a bit and snickered "Maybe.. So you're staying with your grandma?" Sky nodded. Storm suddenly realized the world isn't his.. he always makes everything about him.. he continued "What if you moved in with me? Permanently?" Sky thought about it. "That's what mommy wanted..". She answered. Storm sighed. "What about you?" Cruz sat down and dried her hair a bit more. She smiled when she heard Storm ask that. Sky sighed. "I want my mom.." she cried again. Storm really wished he could be there right now. Forget his pride and stupid ego. He was what felt like worlds away.. he even teared up listening to Sky. She finally paused a bit and asked Storm.. "Are they gonna take me away?..". Storms eyes widened. He sighed. "I'm gonna try to not let that happen Sky.. I'm gonna be home in a few days.. I'm coming straight there to you and your mom Okay?" Sky nodded. Sky spoke up "I love you..". Storm smiled a bit.. "I.. I'm gonna be there soon. Stay strong okay? You're a Storm. We are strong and brave." Sky nodded. That wasn't good enough for him. "Say it.. Say I am Strong and Brave." Sky sighed and answered "I am strong and I am brave." Storm smiled. "You really are." Sky kinda smiled a bit. They hung up. Storms fake smile faded. Cruz spoke up and hugged him. "You're doing the right thing. Taking Sky..". Storm sighed. Cruz's hug felt good. Storm pushed her away and crossed his arms.. he was hurting. "I don't know what I'm doing..". Cruz frowned. Storm frowned. "I'm gonna take a walk.." he grabbed his jacket and left..
Storm had a lot to take in. He felt like his world was falling apart. Even with Cruz. He always kept messing up. He really started to think about his choices. How he always pushed people away. He started to miss a lot of things. Like how him and the guys would play video games on the weekends together. Go camping every fall in his friends parents old trailer. The girls. Well.. Cruz now.. he loved her. He missed his family. His relationship with his parents fell apart when he bailed out on.. well on Rachel and the baby.. he had truly forgotten who he use to be. He let his career and fame and money. He let it all get to him.. He heard someone behind him in the darkness.
He stopped. "WHOSE THERE!?" he yelled. It was just Cruz. He sighed. Cruz ran up to him. "Hey." She greeted. Storm smiled. "I.." he didn't know what he was about to say. Cruz kissed him. Her kiss felt so good. Storm loved her. Held hugged her close. He spoke up. "I wanna be there for Sky..". He mumbled. Cruz smiled. Storm continued. "You think I'm weak.." he turned away. Storm rolled her eyes and turned toward him faced him and said with a smile, "No? I don't? I think your strong. I think you're confused at times. I think your lost. But not weak? I've never thought you were?" Storm frowned and spoke to his girl softly, "Cruz.. you are amazing. I don't deserve you." Cruz smiled. She kissed his cheek. "Let's finish this race." Storm nodded and added "For Rachel and Sky." Cruz was proud of him. She rubbed his back and leaned on her love.
The race came the morning. Storm's team stared first. And for the first time. Storm took a deep breath and drove. Not raced. He didn't care that a few racers passed his team. He was enjoying the drive. No aggression. No fighting. Storm was enjoying himself. Lightning didn't know what happened. But something changed. Storm was actually having fun! Cruz was so happy watching him. He raced different. Less tense. More flexible to situations. He was smiling and having fun. Just whipping around other cars. Jumps he just took as hard as he could for the challenge of it. He wasn't racing. He was.. racing. Cruz was proud of him. At least for the first few hours he raced this way. Then realization hit it. Hit him on the left side of his car hard actually.
His mind switched. One of the racers were being agrresive. They slammed into Storms cars side again. Storm gunned it hard cutting the racer off.
"You good!?" Lightning asked. Storm was. He was back in the race. The racer tried to pass Storm from his left side again. He tapped Storm a few times. They passed him. Storm hit the back bumper of the racer a few times.
Storm didn't notice the tight turn ahead and slid off road a bit. But he got right back on. He tailed the other racer close. Storm was getting a taste of his own medicine so to say. Storm gained the side of the racer. They both passed another racer. Then the driver slammed into Storms side again. Skidding storm into a railing. Metal sparked. But Storm got out! A small wreck ahead slowed the team down a bit. The track started to change. It was off and on the dirt and pavement. Storm hated driving the dirt tracks. Cruz was getting tired. She had a headache coming on from the heat. They had already been driving about 4 hours.
Lightning took advantage of the dirt. He pulled ahead of Storm and Cruz. Lightning enjoyed it. They passed through tunnels. It blocked the view ahead. A few dirt jumps came. Lightning didn't have any problems with them. Storm didn't either. Cruz actually came right behind the boys. She got it straight on this time. "That's was fun!" She yelled. She was having fun.
A tight turn ahead. McQueen took the turn turn right to go left! Storm done it this time perfectly! He was proud of himself. Cruz followed. They drove hard on dirt for about 2 hours. A few jumps agreed. Storm passed McQueen. He took the high jump and hit hard and swerved. He warned his team, "That's a lot steeper than you think slow down!" Lightning already hit the jump. He noticed but it was too late. He hit hard. Th car fishtailed. Right into a pole, spinning like crazy til it hit the other side and stopped by a railing. Cruz slowed for the jump and saw the entire thing! "Mr.McQueen!?" She jumped and landed and slid side ways to a husky near him. She threw her helmet off and opened the door of her car and ran to McQueen, "Cruz what's going on!?" Storm asked. No answer... "Fuck!".. he sqealed to a stop on the side of the track. A few drivers passed quickly. Storm whipped around dangerously facing the other racers and raced back to his team!
Storm knew it was dangerous. But his team needed him. He weaved through the on coming racers. Ignoring the possibility of hitting someone hard enough to kill them both! He was doing well though. He did graze a tail trying to avoid one racer. But he was okay! "Almost there guys!" He said. But no one answered. Storm slid in circles to a stop on the other side of McQueen's car. He took off his helmet and got out his car. Cruz was trying to get McQueen's door open. His car was hit hard. The there was some smoke coming from the hood. Storm ran up. "It's stuck!" She yelled. Storm kicked the handle a few times then got it open. He pulled mcqueen out. He was limp. "Is he dead!?" Cruz yelled. Storm didn't think so. The wreck didn't look that bad? He pulled Lightning helmet off. His lips was bleeding. Bout it noticeable.
"Hey! Champ!? Look at me!?" Storm patted Lightning face. McQueen groaned a little. "He's Fine. Just dazed." Lightning felt his head hurt pretty bad. "How's he gonna finish the race?" Storm sighed. He though hard. "You're not gonna like my idea.." he said. Cruz gave a weird look. "We can't give up." Lightning came to a little better by there was no way his car would make it.. "Neither of you are gonna like this." Lightning rubbed his head a bit. Confused. "You sure this will work!?" Cruz yelled. She was driving closely to Storm. Storm answered. "If it Don't we are screwed anyways! You good back there champ!?" Storm called. Lightning's car was chained behind Storms in neutral. "Let me know of the chain feels loose!" Storm ordered. Storm knew this would probably be a worse idea. He gunned it! Cruz stayed near the boys. Lightning was able to help turn the car. This team was the definition of teamwork and determination now.
They caught up to the back of the racers. They knew they'd be getting some looks. One racer hit Storms side. "Cruz! You gotta keep other racers away!" Lightning yelled. Cruz whipped in front of Storm and slowed in front of the race. They backed off. "Good just like that." Storm complimented his girl. Cruz stayed with the boys. Another racer took a hit but at mcqueen this time. It fishtailed around. The chain was tight and strained. Cruz let McQueen's car hit hers carefully. It helped ease the car back straight behind Jackson. They were doing well. "This is crazy.." Lightning said. Storm answered back "I love crazy!" And gunned it harder. His own car was being pushed hard. They lasted an hour easy. It was crazy it was actually working. They passed a few racers. Storm had to brake hard once. It rammed McQueen's nose into his tail. "Watch it!" Storm snarled. But got back to speed.
Storm joked with McQueen "How's it feel going this fast champ!" Lightning answered with the same sarcasm. "Not sure yet. How's it feel me riding your But!" Storm laughed "Ha! I knew I'd have to pull you one of these days old man!" Lightning laughed. Cruz loved hearing them get along. Kinda. It was funny. It was the Storm she loved coming out. They raced for a total of 10 hours now. They were nearing the final hours of the race. 3 hours to the finish line give or take!
What do y'all say!?
Do the chains hold up to the finish line. Storms team may or may not win still.
Or...
Is this plan doomed to fail and the chains snap. They are out and lose as fifth place?