The throbbing in his head had to be a signal that he was dead. That was the only plausible explanation as to how awful he felt. Along with his throbbing head there was the distinct taste of iron in his mouth. Blood. Something wet trickled across his face, a sickly scent touched his nose. He nearly choked, it was a medical smell. Lightning tensed and felt something icy cold against his hands. Panic welled in the pit of his stomach. Wherever he was, he was trapped.

He kept his eyes shut tight. The teen was too afraid to attempt opening his eyes. Running had been the wrong idea. He should have stayed and faced his fears. It would have been less intimidating than waking in a foreign place and in restraints. His mind raced as his ears adjusted to the soft beeping noises in the background. There had to be a way out.

"Are you sure he'll wake up?" A silken female voice floated to Lightning's ears.

"Positive. But your guy got him good." A deeper voice joined in.

"He did. Couldn't have the brat running around."

"And how did you know his location?"

"Some racer named… Licks? Icks? Bricks… No, Hicks."

"How did a racer get involved anyway?"

"A simple pawn." The click of high heels alerted Lightning of the approaching female. "Chick Hicks wanted to get rid of competition. He played into our hands."

"Couldn't you have picked someone a little more intelligent?" The man spoke up once again, annoyance clear in his voice.

"Being choosy can drag things out too long. We need the information now."

A cool hand brushed across Lightning's face. He held back a wince as mint scented breath wafted across his face. This was worse than really being dead, he was sure of it. Hicks? He paused. Could Chick Hicks really have become involved with his captors. Ice danced through his veins. He'd never really liked the other racer, but he couldn't believe Hicks would betray a competitor in such a way.

"You think this one has the answers to what the detective kept hidden?"

"If he doesn't then we'll have to get creative in questioning."

"He's a child."

"It doesn't matter."

The woman's voice caused chills to run up Lightning's spine. His gut churned and he forced himself to stay still.

"I didn't sign up for this Brianna."

"Too late Holden, you dug your grave. Now you dig his."

"Don't be so morbid." The man sounded worried.

"The truth hurts." Nails scraped along Lightning's arm lazily.

"You can't be serious."

"Have fun babysitting…"

The sound of retreating heels caused Lightning to relax.

I knew that Hicks was a jerk!

The redhead waited till he couldn't hear anymore noises, he pried his eyes open. The light danced in pained circles around his head. He glanced around the room; he gulped down a wave of nausea. His prison looked like a movie come to life, a bad movie. He was in a medical wing…or cell. The teen lurched from the bed and nearly face planted, his legs melting. Heart pounding painfully in his chest he spun around looking for an exit. A frown flickered over his face; he was in a glass box, which was his best description.

His cell was a glass box. He grit his teeth, outside he could see multiple screens flickering on the walls. Data scrolled endlessly over the screens, the hum of conversation rolled to his ears. Someone was coming, he felt his anger rise. He'd never liked being watched or caged.

"If it isn't Lightning McQueen." Chick Hicks grinned a bit as he came to a halt in front of his rival's cage.

"Hicks, you better be glad there's around six inches of glass between us." Lightning hissed.

"Now, don't go getting yourself worked up, not with that head injury."

"What do you want?"

"Oh, me? Nothing, but I hope my employers get what they want. They gave me enough money for it."

"You're a worse loser than I thought."

"I'm the one that's taking the next big trophy home. You'll be here, for months…years." He shrugged.

"You wouldn't leave me here…" The teen suddenly felt panic swell in his chest.

"Course I would, time to make this my show." Chick smirked. "Ka-chow!"

"HICKS!"

The empty silence that snarled at Lightning was lonely to say the least. He hadn't felt so alone in a very long time. Shakily he slid to the floor, back propped against the cold glass. Heart hammering, he realized how alone, cold and young he felt. All he wanted now was to be with Mater…to listen to Cal ramble on about something. He'd even take one of Lynda's lectures and overbearing mothering.

Someone, please come.

With that last thought he drifted into an exhausted darkness.