"Where's Lightning?" Doc glanced between his granddaughter and Cal.
"Who?" Sally batted her eyes innocently at her grandfather.
"Don't play dumb with me little lady." The judge pulled her from the basement of the courthouse. "And what were you doing snooping?"
"Who said we were snooping? I was cleaning the vent!" Sally tried to tug her arm free.
"I don't think so. You two are coming with me."
"Oh, no…" Cal gulped as he found his own arm held tight. He knew they shouldn't have eavesdropped.
"Is it true that Lightning isn't an adult?" Sally blurted it out and tugged on her grandfather's arm. "Are Mr. and Mrs. Weathers his uncle and aunt?"
"Well, that answers if you were listening or not." Doc narrowed his eyes as he marched the two teens towards Sheriff's house.
"Aren't we going to Flo's?" Cal frowned. "I'm thirstyyyy!"
"Hush up. You're in trouble."
"Your grandpa is cranky." Cal grumbled to Sally.
"Shhh, you'll only upset him more."
"It was her idea!" Cal blurted it out as they were shoved inside Sheriff's home.
Doc released the two teens and scowled. Cal felt sweat trickle between his shoulder blades, he never thought he'd die like this.
"Traitor!" Sally shoved her friend.
"You didn't say I couldn't tell."
"Most people know better than to spill the beans." She hissed under her breath. A sharp whistle stopped her from continuing. The two troublemakers slapped hands over their ears.
"Sit down." Doc glared. "I want answers. The police and feds are looking for Lightning."
"We don't know where he is." Cal crossed his arms.
"We were minding our own business."
"If you're lying Sally… I still have that bar of soap."
"It's the truth. He snuck off while we were…investigating."
"Snooping." Cal muttered.
"Not helping Cal." Sally glared at him "Next thing we knew, he was gone."
"Grayson wants to take him into protective custody."
"We know." Cal grinned at knowing something he wasn't supposed to.
"Really Grandpa?" She put on her innocent face.
"I don't trust Grayson." Sheriff's voice floated in from the kitchen. "Or his lackies."
"Someone is in a bad mood." Cal grumbled.
"Lightning is in real trouble," Sheriff frowned coming to stand beside Doc. "Trouble seems to follow you kids."
"Way to think positive."
"You hush up pipsqueak." The blonde shot Cal a dirty look. "You should have been watching him."
"Let's just go look for him." Thunder rolled overhead outside. Cal groaned, he really didn't want to get stuck looking for his newfound cousin in the rain.
"Better not track mud inside." Doc called as the pair ran outside. "I don't know what to do with her anymore. "
"I can always lock her up once a week."
"She'd just find a way out. Now let's go distract those feds."
He was sure he was going to regret breaking and entering, but now it was the least of his worries. Lightning slipped into the old garage. He'd noticed Doc slip in there a few days ago, maybe there was a car he could use.
It was musty and dark inside, Lightning risked flipping a light on. His breath hitched in his throat as he looked around the seemingly abandoned garage. He let his eyes wander over the dusty looking shelves, his heart stopped.
"It can't be…" The fourteen-year-old shuffled forwards reverently. It was a piston cup. "Three of them? Wait a second. Doc…Hudson. The Fabulous Hudson Hornet!" His heart rate quadrupled. He couldn't believe he'd met a racing legend without even knowing it. How could they have been so blind? Lightning spun on his heels and promptly froze. It was her. His eyes widened. It had to be her, the legendary Hornet herself.
Hesitantly he marched over to the heavy tarp laden obstacle. The sound of blood rushed in his ears, sweat beaded his forehead. With shaking hands, he tugged the tarp away, his mouth fell open. It was really her.
"I hope…he doesn't kill me."
Lightning ran a reverent hand along the side of the car. Quickly he darted over to the shelf holding the piston cups. His shaky hands fished inside of one of the trophies.
"There!" He shoved open the garage doors before hustling over to the Hornet. Shakily he slipped behind the wheel.
"You're going to be a felon after this. Stealing a car…breaking and entering. Wonder what other crimes I can rack up." He cranked the engine and sped out of the garage.
His gut churned as he raced through the town, the wheels of his confiscated vehicle kicking up dust. He felt like he was flying for just a moment. The redhead's legs shook as he realized he was leaving his brother behind again and this time there would be no turning back. He was abandoning the friends he'd made and the new family he'd discovered.
He was several miles outside of the town before he heard something roaring overhead. It sounded…like a chopper. This was not good at all. His day couldn't possibly get worse. He was very wrong. The chopper followed him relentlessly and suddenly the wheel jerked to the side.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The hornet swerved to the side and Lightning found himself stuck in a ditch.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" Lightning slammed a hand against the wheel.
Rumble! Crack!
Thunder sounded overhead. The racer groaned as the sky opened and emptied itself.
"Great just great!" He tried to drive forward. No movement, just spinning tires.
He had not one but two flat tires, he wasn't going anywhere. Anger and fear clouded his mind, the sound of the chopper was way too close. He glanced out the window to find that the chopper had landed.
He couldn't see clearly through the rain, but he could make out the image of someone staring at him through his window. He flailed backwards and reached for something to defend himself. His hands grabbed at the air as the driver's door swung open. Lightning opened his mouth to speak only for a gun but to come down on his head.
"This has to be the worst way to die." Lightning thought before the world went completely dark.