DJ, Snot Rod and Drewster drove off in search of Boost. Wingo, who was left behind, raced to catch up with the three.
"Guys! Wait up!" Wingo called. "Can I come?"
"You gonna be calm?" DJ asked.
Wingo rolled his eyes. "Shit, man…yeah…."
"When did you say you saw Boost?" Snot Rod asked Drewster.
"Umm, before we went to sleep," Drewster replied. Did Snot Rod suspect something? She thought to herself.
"Wonder where he'd go?" DJ wondered aloud, looking around.
They drove down a side road toward Willys Butte. McQueen was out on the track, training with Doc. The racers stopped briefly to watch.
"Man, that looks like fun," Snot Rod said.
"Never mind," chided DJ. "We gotta find Boost."
What's wit' that guy lately?" Wingo mused.
"He's had a rough time," Drewster commented.
"C'mon, guys," DJ said. "Let's go."
--
Meanwhile, at Wheel Well, Boost was parked at the edge of the cliff. He watched the interstate traffic off in the distance with disinterest. He sighed and closed his eyes. He didn't notice Sally pull up beside him.
"Hey, Boost," she began softly. "What are you doing up here?"
"Nuthin'," Boost mumbled, not moving. He kept his eye closed, but a single tear rolled down his hood.
"You're not thinking of jumping, are you?" Sally asked, concerned. "I mean, you're doing so well."
"I dunno," Boost sighed.
About this time, the rest of the tuners arrived. Sally noticed them and motioned for them to stay back.
"Dude," Wingo whispered. "What the fuck?"
"Oh, crap!" Drewster exclaimed. "I hope he's not gonna jump."
Snot Rod turned away from the scene. "I don't wanna watch!" he cried.
Sally quietly approached the group, keeping an eye on the despondent Boost in her rear view mirrors.
"DJ, can you talk to him?" she asked. "He seems to listen to you. I'm going into town to get Doc." She took off at top speed.
DJ slowly drove over to Boost. "Hey, man…" he began.
"Leave me alone," Boost snapped and sank onto his tires.
"C'mon, buddy," DJ pleaded. "Me and the guys. We're nuthin' without you."
"Don't care…," Boost said and edged away from DJ, moving closer to the cliff edge. Some gravel tumbled over the precipice.
"Boost, don't do it, man," DJ trembled. "Everything's gonna get better."
Down the hill, Wingo, Drewster and Snot Rod huddled together in fear for their leader. Snot Rod was still facing away. He tightly closed his eyes and pressed into Drewster.
"No no no no…," he wailed. Wingo and Drewster stood silently in shock.
"Go away," Boost sobbed. "Just…go…away!"
DJ backed away from Boost slightly. "Come away from the cliff," he begged, trying not to cry. "We can't lose you, man."
"I miss you, Mom," Boost sobbed louder. Sally arrived with Doc and Mater.
"Mater, I need you to be ready with your tow cable," Doc said. "Just in case."
"You kin count on me," Mater replied.
"I sure hope Boost listens to DJ," Sally commented, fearing for Boost's safety. They pulled up alongside the racers and watched DJ try to coax Boost away from the cliff.
"Mater, move in a little closer," Doc said. "But don't let Boost see you."
"Uhhh, okay." Mater positioned himself so Boost would be within reach of his tow hook. Some of the Wheel Well Motel guests looked out their windows or had emerged from their rooms to see what was going on. Sally drove over to keep them quiet and away from the scene.
For what seemed like an eternity, everyone but Snot Rod watched DJ and Boost. Finally, Boost backed away from the cliff and collapsed against DJ. Both boys wept as they drove down the hill to the relieved group.
"I didn't think DJ was gonna get through that without getting' all emo…," Wingo whispered to Drewster.
"Well, whatever he said, worked," she observed.
"Is it over?" Snot Rod asked. He kept his eyes shut, afraid of what he might see.
"It's over," DJ answered. "Boost is safe."
Wingo, Drewster and Snot Rod gathered around Boost and nuzzled him. He sobbed and trembled, obviously quite distraught. Doc approached the tuners.
"Can you take him to the clinic?" Doc asked. "I just want to check him over."
"Sure, Doc," Drewster said.
"Is he gonna be okay?" Wingo inquired, puzzled.
Doc nodded. "I've seen this behavior after bad accidents," he replied. "Boost has a long way to go yet. He needs your support."
"Thanks, Doc," DJ said and sniffed back tears.
The racers headed back toward town, driving in a tight diamond formation with Boost in the center to protect him. Doc and Mater followed, and Sally returned to tending the motel.
"I'm glad I dint hafta use my tow cable," Mater stated, wagging his tow hook.
"Me too, Mater," Doc sighed with relief. "Me too!"