Lightning got into his car and begancalling Jackson. It rang but no answer, voicemail. "Come on.." he tried again. It rang but again, voicemail. "Dammit!" He yelledand tossed the phone into his seat. He sat there a minute thinking. He had to really think this through. If Cleo was going after someone wlse besides Sally? Who was actually next. Lightning grabbed his phone and texted everyone. (Of main townfolks and friends).

Sally's phone buzzed. She was in the middle of making dinner. She glanced and saw it was a group message from Lightning.

Lightning

Everyone meet up 7am at the academy tomorrow morning. I know its early but everyone needs to be aware of the mayor and her intentions and actions recently.

Sally frowned a bit reading that. She glanced behind and saw the kids playing. This town wasn't safe and Lightning wasn't him anymore. She was beginning to wonder if they would ever be together and happy at this rate. Because it began to seem like Lightning liked this drama and to fight with Cleo. Like it was getting him off. Sally glanced over at a drawer. The key to the security camera room. She needed to know what happened. But then her phone buzzed again.

Lightning

Sally, I know things have been crazy. So I'm coming over tonight if it's alright? I'd love to see you and the kids. Plus, I'm sure you want some explanation to a few things.

Not really. At this point she made up her mind about this situation and Cleo drama.

Sally

okay.

It was a short reply. Not that normal. Lightning sat in the car staring at that text. She was upset. Lightning hated this. But one day.. One day this was going to be over.

The undercover cops watched Lightning from a distance unseen. "Sure that's him?" one asked the other. The other nodded showing a photo of Lightning McQueen next to an old 95 race car. "Yup. Chief said to keep an eye on him and the mayor. She's inside still." "We gonna follow him? Or wait for her?" the cop asked. The other shrugged answering "Flip a coin?" They snickered. Lightning's car started and he began driving off, at the same, Cleo began qalking out to her car. "Let's watch her." one said. They watched. One took out a device like a pencil stick almost, placing a bud in his ear, listening from afar.

Cleo put her phone to her ear speaking "Is it done?.. Good.. How long?.. I don't have a few days Buster. Get him awake, get him lucid." she hung up. The two cops stared at each other. They were definitely on to something...

The door bell rang. Sally put the lid on leftovers and walked over, opening it. "Lightning.." she muttered in a sigh. He smiled awkwardly. "Sorry I'm late I.. Had to get these." He revealed some flowers from behind his back. Sally glanced at them but glared. "Come on.. Dinner might be a little cool but it's still warm.." She walked away. She was mad. Lightning sighed and shut the door behind him. "Where are the kids?" he asked. Sally sharply turned answering "Where do you think? Fed, bathed, asleep. You were suppose to pick them up from daycare earlier.." she reminded. Lightning set the flowers down on the island and admitted "I know.. I was going to but then"-"You got held up.. I know.. At least I kind of figured.. Always something anymore.." Sally mumbled.

That stung.

"Sal.. I'm sorry." he repeated. She nodded. That seemed good but then she just snapped. "So are you going to explain things to me? Because if you came here hoping to get lucky you had better just go.. I am not in the mood for more lies Lightning." Lightning's brows lowered. Part of him wanted to snap back but instead "I definitely did not come here just to? Sleep with you. I love you." he replied. Sally made a face as she began dishing him up some of the left overs. "Hey." he said, grabbing her attention. "I love you." he meant it to. Sally sighed and asked "Are you having an affair again?" Lightning's eyes widened. "What? No! No, never. I told you I love you." "You loved me before didn't you?" she asked. Lightning nodded slowly. She was trying to trap him maybe?

Sally finished his plate and pushed it toward him. "So a meeting huh? With everyone?" she asked bringing up. Lightning nodded and began digging into the meal. "I think this is a lot more than I can handle on my own anymore.. Cleo has Jackson now. I don't know where or why exactly.. She says she's doing something to him. I can't possibly imagine." Lightning explained. Sally frowned listening. "And now, Cleo plans to go after the others." "Others?" Sally asked. Lightning nodded explaining "Anyone and everyone close to me. Not just you anymore. Don't worry, not the kids.. Least I don't think so. Cleo is crazy but she wouldn't hurt children.." Sally sighed and nodded. Her eyes started to gloss over and Lightning noticed. "Hey.. Hey?.." He stood up and walked over to her. "Sal, it'll be okay.. You were right before and I should have listened.. We are stronger together." he smiled a little. Sally wiped the small tears filking her eyes and smiled a little to.

Hearing that did feel good but her skile faded. "I won't be at the meeting tomorrow.." She announced. Lightning was surprised. "Why?.." "Because the kids and I are leaving in the morning." She answered. Lightning sighed but that was probably best. He didn't exactly want them back yet anyway. Sally sniffled a bit as she tried to continue "I can't.. Live in this fear.. I mean this town.. Cleo? Is such a threat that.. That you gave me a gun!? Why did you give me a gun!?" she shouted. "Well.." Lightning began. "To protect yourself.. Cleo threatened to hurt you. I thought you'd feel safer?" he explained. Sally pushed away snapping back "Exactly! This town is so screwed that YOU, YOU gave me a gun because now I fear that! I am scared leaving my home thinking I might be raped or hurt and what, what if something happens to me!? What about the kids Lightning!?" she asked. She was in tears at this point. Lightning swallowed painfully hard. It was painful and terrifying to see Sally so scared.

"That's why I'm getting the town together.. That's why I want everyone to meet up and I'm going to tell them all what has happened and what Cleo really is." Lightning replied. Sally shook her head snapping "You don't get it!.. At the end of all this?.. What os going to be left of you?.. You changed.. And you are playing her game instead of being with us.. You negelected your children because of her! When was the last time you even talked to your children!? Just one of them!?" she asked. Honestly Lightning didn't know. Maybe she was right. "Now I love you Lightning.. I have been through the absolute best and the absolute worst times with you.. But now you.. You can't turn back from this path if you go much further.. You have changed and it's like?.. You like being this?.. New person more than you like us."

So she was feeling neglected as well. Lightning frowned hearing all this and stepped closer, taking Sally's hand. "It will all be over soon. I promise." and he meant this promise. He was determined. Sally nodded. "It better be.. Because unless you can save this place fast and.. And some how save yourself in the process?.. I won't be coming back to Radiator Springs.." Lightning was really surprised to hear that. His hand dropped from hers. "What?" he asked softly. Still surprised. "What do you mean you won't be?.. Coming back?" Sally sighed and choked up a little before explaining "This isn't home anymore.. It's like living on a battlefield. I can't do it.. If this doesn't end soon?.. Look, the kids and I are leaving and.. I don't expect to come back at this point.." She admitted.

Lightning stepped back and stared at her. This had to be a sick joke. "You could give all this up?.. You could save yourself too and come with us? We can start a new life.. One where Cleo doesn't exist?.. As much as I want to live here I just.. I'm scared.." Sally added. Lightning stared. Maybe processing ot thinking. "Don't do that.. I agree you and the kids should leave but... Not for good? Just.. Come to the meeting in the morning. Maybe you can help"-"The car is already packed Lightning. The kids and I are leaving first thing in the morning. Unless you want to pack and come with us maybe you should go.. I need rest for the drive." She was pissed. She was pissed and running away. She grabbed the flowers and tossed them into the trash before heading up stairs. Lightning stopped her arguing "You're just gonna run away?"

Sally turned explaining "I don't want to.. I love this place but.. My.. Our kids come first to me. I will not endanger them or neglect them to save this town." "What about everyone else!? Do they even know!?" Lightning shouted getting a little angry! Sally frowned and shook her head answering "They'll understand.. They know I love my children. They know I'd do anything for them. If that means leaving this town.. And you behind?.. So be it." Lightning stood there a moment. Now he was thinking. Because now he was loosing Sally again. But this time he couldn't understand what she meant by he had changed. He changed? How? He didn't see it. And leaving town for good was her answer? That's not like Sally.

"I love you.. But if you ask me to stay?.. You're making me choose between you and the kids.." she explained. Lightning could see that kind of. And he was about to. He was about to express how much he loved her and needed her. But now he couldn't. She trapped him even if she wasn't meaning to. Sally then went up stairs leaving Lightning alone. So now he had a choice. Stay and fight. Determined to save the town. Succeed and Sally would return but fail and...Failure wasn'tan option. Or abandon Radiator Springs and make a new life with Sally. He needed advice and help. Because either choice was sickening...

I know! sorry for shortness. i got stuck here because S is scared and putting the kids first is what she feels is best. leaving Radiator Springs possibly for good. We all know Carson is gonna love that! But anyway, L is choking on this one. So heres how things are going from L's point of view,

Cleo has Jackson, and these sort of hench men that really just beat people up. she has.. Raped him.. threatens a lot! A LOT of things, she now says shes coming after his friends and not just family. She has Cals schools money paying off all her debts legally, Francesco is gone, Chick is gone, Gage is gone, he has no one but Jackson who can tell anyone the things she has done. Now Sally, feels so scared and unsafe she is leaving and she is willing to NEVER come back and leave him behind for good. He plans to talk to the townfolks, Bobby, Heather, Cal, Megan, Flo, Ramone, Luige, Guido, Sarge, Filmore, Mater, Minty his mom, Sally, Red Etc in the morning but now he isn't sure because part of him longs for Sally and feels he should leave with her.

I got stuck here because The story can go so many ways right now. Cleo at the moment is untouchable but cops are onto her Thanks to the (unknown to L), help of Chick. But no actual good proof Except that her phone muted Jackson and his crew chief's communication. Which wouldn't cause an accicent, just a bitchy thing to do and would put a high fine on her and ban her from race tracks and the car was so destroyed, no one could tell what was used in it that made it run hot and cars, especially race cars, get hot! So she really hasn't done much of anything leaving a trail yet, but the cops are suspicious and onto her. So L could give up on town and focus on his fam, saying goodbye to a lot of friends or stay and fight. which staying puts the story two different directions as well, winning and ending cleo, possibly pushing L further down a dark path,

Or loosing, still pushing him down a dark path possibly.

What would you guys think to do here? Advice? Ideas? I know As the writer I could just take Cleo down in a few words, but trying to be moderately real as to how she is caught here for Cleo is trying her best to get out of all this and so far shes doing well but she is being cornered now and that's why shes going to extremes.

and i have a plan for Jackson, no worries on whats going on with him. you guys will find out in the next chap surely.