It was 11:30 PM and it was race-night. The team was decked out in their finest from purposefully ragged jeans, to see through tops. A little bling, a little bravado and they were set.
The crowd drew back as six cars zigzagged into the crammed street, one after another they pulled up. One after another emerging from their respective vehicles. As always the large man with the shaved head lead the pack, striding out purposefully to the front. Men drew back and women drew closer. This was a street race in all it's glitter, glamour and glory.
Daemon hated it.
He'd been coming to these events since he could pass for an adult and it wasn't out of choice. His older brother fancied himself part of the crowd and was always offering racing tips to whoever would listen. The real reason he was there was to drag his brother's, or rather, half-brother's ass home whenever he got too stoned to drive himself. This happened all too often and although younger by ten years Daemon was the one stuck with it. All too often he felt it was more trouble than it was worth, and immediately felt gulity afterwards.
His half-brother, Nick Farley, was his mother's first son by a man she never spoke of. Nick Farley was one of the world's most ambitious people, to talk to, but somehow all that drive was pushed away after one drink and then obliterated by another.
The two brothers were nothing alike, the only thing they shared being a surname. Farley, which they inherited from their mother. Daemon's own father was a repetition of his brother's. One night thing and the woman was stuck with the results.
The two brothers had been born in Dublin and had only moved to the states when Daemon was fourteen, just after their mother's death. That was five years ago. Nick had always had a penchant for machines and motors and the racing spirit of their new home infected him with roaring enthusiasm. He started up a parts business, dealing engines and other various equipment to local racers. Soon, very soon the business got dirty and special clients were handled illegal goods.
The work was stressful and Daemon only stepped in when he had too. For the most part he ran after his brother, trying to keep him out of whatever trouble he could. That part made everything else in life seem easy. Time after time Daemon found himself thinking of just leaving, dropping everything and running but blood was blood and family was family and as much as he hated his brother he also loved him. So it was, year after year Daemon was dragged into his brother's world. The world of loud music, fast cars and loose women. Just a flashy cover for a life empty of meaning. Daemon saw through it like clear glass, but his brother fell for the bait every-time. Wasting his money, his effort, and his life on an illusion dancing tauntingly before him.
Daemon hated it.
There were a good many things he hated, but first and foremost was the one thing he feared. Racing.
He watched darkly from amongst the press of people, shouting and yelling so loud one couldn't even hear themselves think. He watched as the Toretto team pulled in and disembarked. With a grimace he watched as the racer's pooled cash, his brother holding the money.
As the cars took off he flinched and looked away quickly, the speed terrifying him in a way he was disgusted to admit. The feeling of dread dragged him under as he waited until the screams of fans towards the finish line signaled the end of it. The other people around him had already rushed to their cars, wanting to be the first to get down and get close to the victor.
As the crowd thinned Daemon's eye caught sight a small figure over to one side of the street. Partly shadowed by the looming building behind her he couldn't catch sight of a face, only dark hair. Normally he wouldn't have looked twice at some girl at the street races. They were all the same. Flashy, flaunting, trying to show the goods. But this one was by herself, away from the others, and... the most noticeable aspect. She wasn't showing as much skin as she possibly could, in fact, she was swathed in dark clothing.
Curiosity suddenly aroused Daemon moved forward, almost unconsciously. At his motion the head of the small dark form snapped upwards and towards him. Daemon caught a brief glimpse of an angled pale face and large half-moon eyes, but quickly, almost suspiciously so the girl moved running up an alley to her right and disappearing. Watching for as long as he could, Daemon shrugged to himself. He was still curious but as the yells of race fans in front of him swept his senses he gradually forgot the strange encounter, so slight yet so impacting.
Sighing he headed out to find his brother. It would be a long night.
Believer : Hopefully this is abit longer. Sorry for the last chapter's shortness. I was stuck there but I think I'm back on a roll. Thanks for the input, keep it up!
