Lightning pushed the food around on his plate, his mind was far away. The rain always brought back more memories than he cared to count. He let the sound of chattering townsfolk wash over him like the unrelenting rain. Maybe listening would buff away the ache in his chest. Swallowing hard he closed his eyes, he tried desperately to erase the picture of falling rain washing away the puddle of red. He felt nauseated, he took a sharp breath as something cool touched his hand. His eyes snapped open.
"You alright Lightning?" Lynda's brow was furrowed with concern.
"Yeah…Everything is fine." The racer nodded his head sharply.
"If you're sure." She turned back to her own food, but the concern was clear on her face.
"So, how'd you get into racing son?" Tex turned his attention onto the Rusteze racer. He'd been curious about the rookie for quite some time.
"Oh, you don't want to hear that story." Lighting stabbed a piece of chicken and popped it into his mouth.
Doc turned slightly to look at the hotshot. He seemed uncharacteristically humble…almost like a different person. The older man would have been lying if he didn't say he saw himself in the young redhead. He'd kept up with the racing world, he couldn't help it. Especially when he kept hearing about a young rookie with attitude and skill. It was like hearing about himself, it was uncanny.
"Don't be so sure of that." Doc surprised himself as he spoke up. "There's more to the story than you just being discovered."
Silence fell over the diner and Lightning found all eyes on him. He had their undivided attention, despite not wanting it. Another piece of chicken conveniently found its way into his mouth.
"Pleaaasssseee, Lightning!?" Mater shot his sibling a pleading look.
"Mind your manners, Mater." Sheriff scolded, but it lacked conviction. He was just as curious as his charge.
"It's not that big of a deal." Lightning glanced down at his plate, memories flashed through his mind.
"Come on. Just tell us." Sally rolled her eyes and plopped down beside Doc. "We haven't got all night."
"If you're sure…"
"Stop beating around the bush."
"Well, it was a few years ago…"
"What happened?" Sally blew a spit-wad, it landed in between Lightning's eyes.
"Whah?" Lightning's eyes crossed, and he glared at the blonde.
"Sit down Sally." Doc tugged his granddaughter down with force. "Mind what little manners you have."
"Grandpa."
"Don't you grandpa me." The doctor turned to focus his attention on the young racer. "Go on."
"Well…I was in a crash derby."
"You? What-a you doin that for?" Luigi piped up.
"Needed the money. I didn't have a cent to my name." A far away look overtook his eyes. His fingers drummed against the table nervously. "I saw an opening, they needed another driver. I struck a deal with them. If I won, the first race I'd get the car."
"And you won the first one?" Lynda settled beside Strip. Her eyes roved over her nephew's face worriedly.
"Of course." A smile tugged at Lightning's lips. "It was fun. An adrenaline rush…Took about a year, but I was close to the top of the food chain there. Managed to scrape out a living through prizes."
"Then what happened?" Strip joined in.
"Dusty and Rusty. They were spectating at a derby one night. And they noticed me." He shrugged. "They found me afterwards and asked me if I wanted to try something different. The rest is history."
"How old are you?"
"Twenty-One." Lightning grinned lazily, but inside his heart was thumping. Believe me…believe me. Come on. Come on.
"You've got a baby face." Doc shot an amused smile at him.
"Something I can't seem to help." He sighed dramatically. Whew…that was close.
"Guido, turna the volume up!" Luigi instructed animatedly.
"Authorities have noted that a systematic attack has occurred against police across the nation."
"That's right Janet. Investigators are looking into various crimes that have been ignored in the past."
"One such incident would be the disappearance and alleged murder of a detective in Georgia."
"Detective Delanie Willard went missing years back. The Georgia Police Department attested it to corruption found in Detective Willards files. She was linked to drug deals and black marketing of illegal weapons."
"What?" Sheriff scowled at the TV. His face was red as a beet, fury shot through him. There was no way that his only child was a criminal. She'd done her job as an officer, he was sure of that. "That's ridiculous." He stood to his feet his cup gripped tightly in his right hand.
"Sheriff." Doc's voice was calm. "Sit down."
"Did you hear what they said!" It wasn't a question.
"We all know it isn't true. They're just speculating." Doc tried again.
"They should let her rest in peace." Sheriff slammed his cup down. His hand drifted to his sidearm.
"Ok. You need to calm down." Lightning tensed up. He hated guns, his mind flashed back to the gun that was left in his locker before he and Mater had escaped the foster system.
"I'm going home."
"Mater. You can stay with me." Doc kept his eyes locked on Sheriff. Maybe offering to care for his charge would snap him out of it.
The officer's shoulders slumped subtly before he sat down. He ran a tired hand over his face. Couldn't they just let his little girl stay dead. Every so often they'd drag her name through the dirt. It hurt. He knew her better than anyone.
"My mom used to tell me, "News is like trail mix. Pick out the good stuff and spit out the rest." Lightning offered with a grin.
Sheriff's head snapped up in surprise. He used to tell Delanie the same thing, it brought back good memories. A sigh passed his lips and a thin smile stole across his face. He would find out the truth, then the news people wouldn't be spreading anymore lies.
The rain had let up at last and everyone stepped outside. It was quiet, no sounds filled the air except for the occasional drip of rain water rolling off the buildings. Soft conversation filled the evening as the stars peeked out from the clouds in the sky. Cal, Mater, Sally and Lightning occupied a bench…despite the warning that they would get wet. They all were stargazing, hoping to see a falling star.
Swoosh! Bang!
Something sang through the air and cut into the ground next to the bench.
"Someone's shooting at us!" Cal yelled as he jumped from the bench.
"Get down." Lightning hissed. Hurriedly he collected Mater as another shot rang through the air. He felt adrenaline course through him, blood thundered in his ears.
Sally threw herself onto the wet ground. She flattened herself beside Cal.
Strip grabbed Lynda and urged her to run towards the diner, they'd barely stepped outside. Ramone had the same idea and he ducked back, shielding Flo with his own body.
"What in …" Sheriff pulled his gun.
"You go left?" Tex had his own gun in hand.
"Signal that it's you Texan."
"Name's Tex." The two armed men spread out.
"Peace man, not war." Fillmore's docile tones joined the volley of shots. An unmanly squeak left him as a bullet cut off a chunk of his far too long hair.
"Shut up soldier! Grab Sally, I'll get one of the others." Sarge ordered Fillmore with practiced ease.
They worked seamlessly, bobbing behind lampposts and benches until Fillmore snatched Sally up. He made a mad dash towards the diner, bullets whizzing by. Sarge grabbed Cal by the shirt and ordered him to run. The veteran proceeded to pull a gun…from some hidden pocket. He shot back in the direction of the enemy. Mater and Lightning were next.
"Lightning. I'll grab Mater. You go on." Strip's voice caused Lightning to jump.
"No. You take him. I'll come behind you." Lightning shoved Mater into Strip's arms. "Go."
Another volley of bullets caused Strip to make a dash towards the diner.
"Speed. I. Am. Speed." Lightning ducked down behind a trash can. He took a deep breath and began running.
BANG! BANG!
Lightning stumbled through the diner door behind Luigi, Guido, and Doc.
"Made it." Lightning muttered, his foot caught on a rug.
"You ok, Lightning?" Strip asked from where he was holding Lynda to his side.
"Yeah." Something wet trickled down the side of his neck. The world tilted. Thud.
"Hotshots. Always trying to be heroes." Doc grunted as he tugged the racer to his feet and slung an arm over his shoulder. "Some people never learn."