Act 3

It was almost noon of the following day on Koto pass. For a change everyone arrived at the meeting on time.

"Since we're all here," Aki began, "we can take care of business and then practice. Understood? Yes Vic?"

Vic put down his hand. "Can we eat while we talk?"

"Hey I like that idea," seconded his sister.

They all laughed.

"Well, it is almost lunch…." Chris started.

"Very well Victor," sighed Aki. "Ok Alex I think it's your turn to go."

"You sure?" she asked.

They all nodded in reply.

"Great so what are the orders?", she asked pulling out some paper and began to take down their orders. "Hmm tofu and sushi. This could get expensive. You guys all owe me later," she said getting into her car.

Aki watches as Alex speeds away in her red Viper. "Ok guys its time for a little mechanics lesson."

*******

Keisuke and Ryosuke were about to head home. They had come back to this district in hope of learning more about the mystery car they saw last night. Ryosuke was getting frustrated. No one seemed to know anything about it.

"Hey bro, I'm going to stop by the convenience store for some snacks. Want anything?"

"No thanks, I'm going to go check out the gas station to see if they know anything about the black car. Just meet me there when you're done."

With that the two brothers got into their cars and drove into town.

Keisuke saw a small coffee shop beside the convenience store.

//hmm a coffee might be good right about now.//

He didn't have to wait long. As soon as he was seated a young girl rushed up to take his order. He drank his coffee while looking out the window at passing traffic.

//You never know. I might be lucky and the ghost car will stop right outside the store.//

Keisuke laughed at himself.

//If only things were that easy.//

Taking another sip of his coffee, he watched as an exotic red car pulled up in front of the restaurant across the street. There was something familiar about it. A redheaded woman got out of the driver's seat and rushed into the store.

//It looks a lot like the one we passed on the road a few days ago.//

As Keisuke admired the sleek design his eyes came across a sticker.

//Dark Horizons? Never heard of them. Yet maybe the black car is part of their team. I definitely didn't see any of those stickers last night.//

Keisuke grabbed his phone. "Hey bro, it's me. How quickly can you get here? The car from the other day just showed up. No not the black, the exotic. It looks as though it is part of a team. Maybe the black one is one of theirs," Keisuke paused. The redhead was about to leave the store. "Just hurry up, I'll try to stall."

Keisuke dropped some money onto the table and left the coffee shop. He rushed across the street just in time to intercept Alex as she was leaving the restaurant her arms filled with bags.

"Hi."

Alex looked over the top large paper bag to see a blonde man about her age. "Hi"

"Need some help?"

"No thanks, I've got it."

Keisuke couldn't think of anything to say.

"My name's Keisuke Takahashi, what's yours?"

Alex's green eyes flashed in recognition before she ducked her head back behind the bag.

"I'm sorry, Keisuke but I'm running late. Thanks for the offer," replied Alex managing to make her way around him and to her car. She kicked open her car door and placed the food on the passenger seat.

Keisuke tried to stall a bit more. "You know it's impolite not to introduce yourself after someone else has."

She sighed, "if I tell you will you stop pestering me?" at his not she stated simply, "the name's Alex," and pulled out of the driveway.

Ryosuke saw her leaving the parking lot and stopped to let Keisuke into the car. They followed Alex at a distance until she turned onto the road leading to Koto pass.

"I thought this place was abandoned," said Keisuke as he watched Alex drive up the pass.

"Apparently not," Ryosuke replied.

********

At the top of the pass, Aki paced back and forth looking at her watch.

//She's late//

Aki had a strange feeling. She turned to her team sprawled out on the grass.

"Guys, get into your cars and wait until I come back. When I return if I flash my lights I want you to haul ass back to the motel by the back road. Got it?" They nodded. "That means now," she said as she got into her FC.

She drove partway down the mountain to where the construction crew had left a large billboard. Parking behind it she could watch the road without being seen. Not too much later she saw the Viper making it's way to the peak. Far behind it was a white FC.

She swore under her breath. "Not him again." The white FC was the same one from last night's near accident. "I don't want them to meet my team just yet."

Alex drove by and Aki pulled out behind her signaling her to go faster at the same time. They both sped quickly to the top and signaling their teammates to began to make their way down the back road. They all left leaving no traces behind.

******

As Ryosuke drove up Koto pass he analyzed the road. //Kenta was wrong. The reason no one uses this road is because it was never finished. It looks as though they found an easier way over the neighboring pass.//

When they reached the peak, Keisuke stepped out of the car.

"Hey bro, we just ran out of road," Keisuke got out of the car and walked to the end of the pavement, all he before him was forest. "I don't understand. We both saw her come up here, and I don't see any other way down." He looked at his brother. "You don't think it was a ghost, do you?"

"Keisuke don't be a moron. Why would a ghost need food?"

Keisuke shrugged. Ryosuke walked around on the pavement. He noticed some tire marks, freshly made.

//It looks like there were about four cars here. But where did they go?//

Ryosuke was puzzled.

//What is going on here?//