Chapter 10 - "It Was Him"
Lightning drove straight up to Chick's door and banged on it with his tire. A female car's crying was heard inside.
"Don't you ever say that to me again!" yelled Chick from inside the house. "Get the door!"
Lightning had a furious expression on his face. The garage door opened up slowly, then stopped just enough so that a hood could fit through. A female car's hood poked through the crack.
"Wh-Who is it?" asked the female Toyota Corolla. Lightning grabbed the bottom of the garage door and forced the door open. He looked the Corolla right in the eye. She had a light blue paint job and was small. She had tears in her eyes from Chick yelling at her. The Toyota backed up slowly.
"You seen a Porsche around here?" Lightning said. He rolled closer. The Toyota started to shake, "Don't hurt me! I'm just his maid!"
"Where is he?"
"He's back there…," she stuttered. She pointed with her tire. Lightning drove in the direction she pointed in, which led him to Chick's baby's room. He was parked in front of his son. Lightning idled at the door and watched instead of just barging in. The envious race car was turned away from the door so he didn't notice McQueen just yet.
"Hey, champ," Chick said. He chuckled to himself, "You have a good nap? Mommy scare you? Don't you worry. You just stay right here," he closed the crib, "And I'll go get you some juice," Chick turned and faced the door. He jerked in shock, "McQueen? What are you doing here? How did you even get in here?"
"Where's Sally?" was all Lightning said.
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
"Oh, you know what I'm talking about."
"Sally? Your girlfriend? What would I want from her?"
Lightning growled and grit his teeth. He pulled forward and rammed Chick hard.
"OW! The heck was that for?"
"This isn't funny Chick."
"I have no idea what you're talk-"
Lightning punched Chick in the mouth. Chick yelped and brought his tire up to his mouth, holding it. He closed his eyes tight. His son backed up into the corner of his crib and started screaming.
The female Toyota came into the room, "What's going on!?"
"M-McQueen, I'm not kidding, I have n-no idea what you're talking about," Chick dribbled through his saliva, "I want n-nothing to do with her."
"I'm his girlfriend," the Corolla said, "He better not want anything to do with her."
"Why were you crying when I came in?" asked Lightning. The Toyota just looked down. Her mouth was dry. She peeked over at Chick.
"Jane doesn't have to tell you anything," said Chick.
Lightning's eyes widened, "J-Jane?", he whispered, "That's my girl's name.."
Chick's usual blank expression turned into one filled with compassion, "Man to man, that was one hell of a punch," he brought his tire up to Lightning's fender and gave it a knock, "But..I can see there's something going on with you right now, and whatever it is, I think I feel it too," he motions his nose to his son, "Mikey over there gets me just as anxious...but seriously, I don't know what's going on with you and Sally, but I don't have her. I haven't even seen her."
"I should be getting back to Radiator Springs, then…," said Lightning, "Sorry for the punch.."
"I had it coming," Chick smirked, "But do it again and I'll give it back."
Jane drove out of the room and to the front door. She opened it for him, "Here you go, Mr. McQueen."
When Lightning returned, he drove over to Flo's Café and parked in one of the bays. All of the cars in town were there. Lightning was parked between Mack and Mater, but everyone was silent. There wasn't even any music playing on the radio. Lightning observed some more. All of the cars were looking down at their food and nothing else. Barely blinking.
"Hello?" Lightning muttered. Mater looked up, but no one else did. He gave Lightning a quick glance and turned away just as fast.
"Mater?"
Mater didn't answer. Lightning looked over at Flo who was parked with Mia and Tia waiting for a customer to call on them.
"Flo? Mia? Tia?"
The ladies just stayed in their positions, looking down at their hoods, not answering anyone.
"Guys?..Doc?" Lightning shifted his gaze toward the older car.
Doc didn't answer.
"Well..I have somewhat good news," Lightning started, "Chick didn't have anything to do with taking Sally."
The townsfolk cringed at the word 'Sally'.
"So that only leaves us with...how far could she have gone?" Lightning continued.
Mater cleared his throat, "Purdy far…"
"Huh?" asked Lightning. Doc teared up and said, "Lightning.."
"Yes?" asked Lightning. Mater closed his eyes tight and tears ran from his eyes. He turned away. Lightning started to get nervous, "What is going on, guys..?"
"Sally might have been taken by Bubba..," Doc said.
Sheriff pulled up to their side, "And..lookin' at his records..he's murdered before."
"And none of us has heard from either of them," Mater mentioned, "Not even..me."
"I-..I-I'll kill him!" Lightning yelled. He slammed on his gas pedal and spun out of Flo's and down toward Tailfin Pass.
"Lightning! Wait!"