Author's Note: Hey guess who's not dead! Yep, here's lil Ez, resurrecting herself. Whoo! I got some motivation from a good friend of mine to keep going with this. I know, the story seemed to be dead and gone after that last chapter from LAST FREAKING YEAR BUT as I said in the summary/description thing, this goes all the way to cars 3 (possibly further, idk) I had A LOT more planned for our favorite little Cadillac! SO HERE. WE. GO.
Also, SPOILER ALERT there is a character, ahem, new character in this chapter that has a sort of speech impediment. Well, for the said of legibility, I purposefully didn't incorporate that when he talks for a while, but if it's short or short-ish kinda stuff, I do. You'll understand what I mean when you get there. Anyways, for what you've all been waiting for! THE NEXT CHAPTER!
Oh, one more thing. I'll be doing two fics at the same time. I'm rebooting an old one that I had originally made years ago and, yes, it's an oc's story. And in the aftermath of Infinity War, I need something to give me solace over those characters whom I love dearly. And yes, it's a Marvel fic. So please please be patient with me! Okay, ONWARDS
Chapter 34: Down Route 66
Harley had slowed once she no longer saw any of the townsfolk of Radiator Springs, or rather, when she no longer heard the sound of Doc's voice cutting through the cold winter air like a serrated knife. Speaking of cold, the temperature had dropped with the sun as night settled in. The sun had fell under the horizon, but there was still the slightest bit of dusk light still visible as she neared the next town over. But the temperature and the sun weren't the only things dropping. Harley felt something off, something was wrong. Then she realized something that gave her more chills than the air could: she was running out of gas. She had no money, no gas, no where to stay, and now, she found herself headed towards a sad, desolate town. Looking around, she slowed and thought aloud to herself.
"Sheriff talked about this before…" she said, the world was so cold, she could see her own breath. "What did he call it? A ghost town?" she asked herself, and she got an answer.
"Ain' one-a those yet!" called out an old and rickety voice. "No' as long as I'm here.." Harley jumped and looked around, her eyes darted to find the source. "O'er here, lil miss, ta ya righ'." she looked and squinted her eyes as a lantern slowly lit up a shop porch. "Ya los'?" asked a rickety, old car. He was a 1929 Ford Model-A with worn out, faded paint and a voice to match, one that frequently didn't enunciate his 't's
"N-no sir…" Harley stuttered. "Just, uh, just passing through…" He studied her with eyes that looked to be straight from the old western times.
"Ya be comin' fr'm Ra'ia'or Springs?" he asked. Harley hesitated and moved away from the store.
"Like I said, just passing through." she began to drive again, but he stopped her with another statement.
"Hadn' had an'body 'jus' passin' through' in a long while…" his voice lowered and he began to drive towards her.
"Please, sir, just leave me alone…" she said, fear beginning to tint her voice. The old man took notice and stopped.
"No need to be ner'ous… why don't ya jus' come inside… it be mighty cold out here and the nex' gas station ain' for 'nother eighty mi'es…" he said in a less suspicious tone.
"It's… it's not?" Harley paused knowing she was getting desperate for gas. "There's not one closer?"
"Well, I'm sure there are, but if they have gas is the ques'ion." he paused and noticed Harley tossing the odds in her head. "Answer's no. The nex' few towns all be wha' you call ghos' 'owns.." the old man studied her for a moment. "Name's Mar'in by the way, Mar'in Blasse. Ye ca' call me Mar'y though. I gah a s'ash o' gas out back in m'barn." he offered. The chilled air was biting at Harley's paint job. It felt as though is would peal it right off. A warm barn didn't sound bad, not at all. A stranger's barn. Now that was terrifying. "Hey," Marty continued, "You can s'ay in there 'til mornin, fill up, 'en be on yer merry way. Don' even godda say g'bye." Harley began to leave once more as her response rather than actually speak, which Marty read clearly. "Fine, bes' a luck to ya…" he said, slightly disappointed. He'd been alone for so many years. "Hey, before ya go, one ques'ion… did ya see a lil Modle-T back in Ra'ia'or Springs?" she stopped and turned back.
'Lizzie…' she thought. "Why do you ask?" she questioned him.
"Oh, I was jus' wan'in' 'a know if she was doin' alrigh'. Haven' seen Elizabe'h in quite some time…." he mumbled." His gaze fell as did his spirits. Another car that couldn't give him an answer. He wasn't well enough to travle away from the desolate town and a care only came through once every few years. He turned around and thought himself foolish to think he could get an answer from this kid. Harley saw how upset he was and sighed.
"You don't know this car… keep driving.." She told herself under her breath, but then she thought about how she once didn't know Lizzie or Sheriff or Ramone. They're not bad cars.. "Wait.." she called out and Marty turned back towards her and she sighed.
"Elizabeth? She's doing good." Harley said and it lit up Marty's face.
"She is! Lizzie's still-a-kickin'! Oh, of course she is! Who am I kiddin', she wouldn' stop for no one!" He laughed and grined. He was so happy he stomped his tire on the ground. "An' S'anley! How's tha' ol' bas'ard?" Harley's didn't realize she was smiling until he asked about Stanley and a frown soon formed on her face.
"Stanley, he's.. well.. he's uh…" Marty's expression faded as well as he understood what happened.
"Ah. I see. He's gone an' joined the Grea' Manufac'urer, hadn' he?" he asked with a peaceful expression. Harley could only nod. She never knew Stanley, but Lizzie talked about him so vividly and with so much happiness and joy, it was as if he was her own grandfather. She always thought about how even though it was hard for Lizzie to recall much of anything, she could always tell stories about her true love without hesitation. She hoped to find that kind of love one day.
"I always though' I'd be dhe one to leave firs'..." Marty pulled Harley away from her thoughts. "At leas' he's ah peace now. Las' I heard, he'd been-a figh'in' some sor'a disease or some'in', a-course, 'hey be jus' some rumors." Harley realized she never found out how Stanley died. A disease seemed to make the most sense, regardless of that fact that it was a rumor.
"I'm not sure. Lizzie never talked about that." Marty shrugged his tires.
"I wouldn' nie'her." He said then sighed as he saw the first few stars appear in the sky. "So, my offer. Ya gonna take it?" he asked. Harley looked towards the sky then sighed.
"I'm not sure." She lied. She knew that taking the offer was her best bet. Even if this guy turned out to be crazy, at least she'd have enough gas to run off. "How, uh, how do you know Lizzie?" She asked out of pure curiosity.
"Heh, well. Tha's an old s'ory." He said and took a deep breath. "Bu' if ya mus' know, I'd say come inside where i's warm. A long s'ory's bes' ''old indoors anyways." Harley considered it then thought might as well. She began to drive up the ramp towards his house. He responded by just opened the front door and driving inside.
The interior of the house what what you'd expect an old house from the western movies to look like. Everything was wooden, there was a pot belly stove that was crackling and an eire shadow on everything as well as a contrasting and welcoming glow. The living area was small and had a tiny tv. It was evident by the rabbit ear that it was on the older side. With some homey touches as Flo would've called them, it could've been a nice and cozy place, but it's owner was as old as the building and getting around to touching up was just a luxury he wasn't capable of.
"Ya wan' any-hin' righ' now?" Marty generously offered. "I don' gah much, bu' I have enough." his humble home reflected his wealth, and Harley wasn't about to take what little he had.
"Uh, no.. no thank you, I'm good." she kindly refused and Marty shrugged.
"Sui' ya se'f." he said and drove over to his spoit beside the fire.
"So, uh, wh-what, uh," Harley felt nervous, but who could blame her? She was in the house of a car she just met. "What was your history with Lizzie?" she asked finally. Marty sighed as he settled himself into his spot.
"Well," he started off, "when I was young, nah quie' as young as you're, bu' young enough, I drove inna Ra'ia'or Springs. I s'ayed fer a whi'e and met a car by the name of Stanley. We became friends real quick. And of course a couple years later came about this gorgeous Model-T by the name of Elizabeth Tailer. Stanley thought she was pretty too. As good as friends as we were, we couldn't not fight over her. We both tired to woo her everyday and lemme tell ya, she was a strong willed woman for sure. Finally we decided one of us would have to give in to the other. That one would eventually be me. I gave up and let him have her. I tried to at least. Sometimes I'd steal a dance. I even stole a kiss. Oh Stanley was so mad! And Lizzie being Lizzie, she only laughed. Oh that girl! Eventually them two git married and I let them be, though a part of me never stopped loving her even after a girl by the name of Caroline eventually swept me away to this town. Lizzie and Stanley were both so happy. Caroline and I were happy. Oh but I suppose all good things come to an end. I would lose Caroline just a few short years later in a fire. Lizzie and Stanley both would come visit me often. I was reminded how I felt about Lizzie and because of that I never moved back to Radiator Springs. I knew I would only want to be with her and I couldn't do that to Stanley. Also I knew how much Caroline loved this place. I couldn't bare leave it…" Marty looked down with a sad expression and sighed. "Life went on people came and went thought this town until everyone was eventually gone. Doc sometimes visits me and makes sure I have enough to live off of." Harley was caught off guard. How come Doc never talked about Marty? "He's the doctor and the judge in that town. He's a good guy. Hasn't visited me in some years. Wonder hows he doing.." Now Harley looked down.
"I, uh, I couldn't tell you.." Harley said and Marty nodded in understanding.
"Well, I'm sure i's beenna long day. I've gah some gas if ya nee' some. I gah a gues' room around the corner there as well. You can leave whenever you'd like. But come mornin' I can make some omle's if ya'd like."
"That would be nice..." Harley said and smiled. "Thank you." Marty chuckled slightly, almost a kind hearten scoff.
"No. thank ya. I's nice haven some comp'ny." Marty said then yawned. "I guess I be headed off ta bed. Nigh' Miss Harley" He said as he drove off. Then she realized she never gave him her name. "Doc never failed to mention you." He said as if reading her mind. "And I don't forget the name of who someone loves." With that he was gone leaving Harley lost in thought. When was the last time Doc visited? She had chills at the thought of this car knowing who she was before she even spoke. The thought of Doc caring for more that himself. Even though he had already proven that.. but he lied. Lied to her and everyone else. Why? Harley could feel tear threatening to be shed, but she shook her head. No. She wasn't going to cry about this. She drove off to the guest room and settled in. It had been a long and emotional day for her. She sighed then shut her eyes hoping for a restful sleep.
"Harley?" It was dark and Harley frantically looked around for the source of whoever called her. "Harley, where are you?"
"I'm over here!" She called out. Within the darkens drove a royal blue car. "Oh.. it's you..." Harley muttered seeing Doc.
"Oh, there you are." Doc said as if he didn't hear her comment. "It's time for you to come home." Harley scoffed and shook her head.
"I don't have one.." She said and began to drive away.
"Then all those years living with me?" Doc asked, "What was that?"
I don't know." Harley was begging to get mad. "But it wasn't home I can tell you that much..." She turned away and slowly left.
"Harley!" A demanding and terrifying voice yelled at her. She froze in fear and looked behind her with her mirrors. Doc was gone and in his place stood a metallic red Dodge Charger...
Jeremy.
"Get your ass back here right now!" Harley began to panic. No, not him... anything but him. She began to speed off as fast as she could in her attempts to get away from him. "Harley!"
"Harley!" She slammed on her brakes as another car was suddenly manifested in front of her. "John?" She froze and stared at this forgotten figure from her past. The rundown, patchy paint job, ex-racing, amnesia ridden… friend. It was Damien, though she never learned his real name. "I haven't seen you in, like, years.."
"Yeah, it's been a while." He said with a warm smile, but his voice was strange. Almost strained. "A long while."
"John, is something wrong." Harley asked becoming afraid.
"No. nothing's wrong. But I'm not John." Harley drove backwards and eyed him. He was still. Too still.
"What… what do you mean?" His smile faded and his expression became blank.
"I'm not John… I'm not John… I'm not John…" He wouldn't stop repeating it. "I'm not John.."
"Then who are you!" Harley shouted in fear.
"I'm not John!" He yelled back and revved his engine. "Get out!" He charged her and Harley sped out of the way just in time not to get wrecked by the deranged car. "Jeremy!" Damien yelled. Harley looked as Jeremy drove straight into Damien.
"John!" Harley called out. Then Doc was back. He was right beside Jeremy.
"I'm getting her back.." Doc muttered.
"We both are.." Jeremy responded. The drove together slowly towards Harley.
"No… No!" Harley shouted. She backed up and suddenly Damien was back behind her.
"No.." He said sadly.
"What are you doing?" she asked in a panic. "Move!"
"There's no running away. There never was. Not for anyone…" Doc and Jeremy inched closer.
"John, stop!" She begged and began to cry tear of fear.
"I can't.. They won't let me." He said as he looked at the terrifying duo.
"No stop!" Harley said and then felt frozen. She couldn't move. She couldn't move no matter how hard she tried. "Stop!"
The morning came quickly. Harley gently opened her eyes. She was surprisingly calm as she woke from yet another terrible dream. She sighed and drove out of the guest room she had borrowed to find Marty making scrambled eggs. His version of omelets. Harley smiled at his hospitality. With the morning sunlight, the house had a new welcoming and warm glow to it. It felt like a home. One that had been loved for years.
"Mornin." Marty said, a plate sitting out for Harley. "Have a nice nigh'?" He asked.
"Uh, yeah.." She lied. Marty noticed but shrugged it off. A typical response from a runaway.
"Good…" There was a long silence as he finished making his own plate. "So las' nigh'," Marty said, "I gave ya my s'ory. Wha's your?" He asked as he joined her in the living area.
"Mine?" She repeated his question.
"Yeah." Marty said very casually wha's got you runnin?" Harley sighed not wanting to talk about it. "Alrigh… then wha' you hopen to runna?" Harley thought for a second then answered.
"Running to?" Marty nodded. "A new life in the racing world." Marty chuckled and nodded.
"Of course." He said. Harley remembered Doc had talked about her to him. "And how you think ya gonna ge' tha'?" He went on.
"Wel.. I was hoping to find a couple races to sign up for.. Or a league of some kind…" She hadn't thought about it before. Running away was kind of a last minute thing. " I don't know, I guess I was hoping to get noticed." Marty shook his hood. "What?"
"Hopen… you hope ta ge' no'iced? Tha' ain' gonna happen.." Harley looked down. He definitely had been talking to Doc. "Wha' ya need is a crew shief. A coash." Harley looked back up. "I know a guy." He said and continue to eat.
"Who….?" Harley wondered alouded.
"You ough'a find a guy called Ryan Lee Muffler. Bes' there is. And a grea' guy as well." He noted "He'd be-a willen ta help ya ou'."
"Where can I find him?" Harley persisted. This was perfect!
"I don' know.. He 'ravles a lo'," Harley slumped. Really? "Bu' he usually come back ta Midway. I's a coupe hours from here."
"Hours…" Harley had never driven that far before. At least not at the speed limit.
"Yep.. I would offa ta dri'e wichyou for a while, bu' I don' thinck my ole 'ires could 'ake my tha' far.." Marty sadly remarked.
"No, no that's fine. I'll just fill up here then I'll head out. I'll be fine." She assured. Marty nodded his head. "Thank you."
"You're very we'come. I'll le' Doc know you're doin' good whenever he comes." He said. "I'm sure he'll be comin' this way soon. He now had Harley confused.
"Why are you doing this?" She asked.
"Hm?"
"Why don't you just send me home. Or take me home yourself. Or call Doc to come get me?" Marty smiled at her.
"Kids all grow up. In their own ways gran'ed. I shouldn' be the one to pu' my 'wo sense inna it." He repied. "Doc knows tha'. He'll undas'and." Harley nodded. She was still confused, but she decided not to press on with it. She fueled up and was getting ready to leave.
"Thanks Marty!" She called out as she began to drive down the road. "I'll tell Lizzie that you say hi!" Marty wavved a tire.
"I would apprecia'e tha'! Thank you!" Marty called back. "Safe 'ravles!" Harley smield and drove off with only one goal in mind.
"Find Midway. Find Ryan Lee Muffler. I can do this." She repeated that in her head a couple times as she drove off through the morning desert. "Ryan Lee Muffler. Ryan Lee Muffler."
"I will find him."
"I will be a racecar.."
