My mother saw a picture of Jackson Storm on a juice box this morning, and after carefully studying him, she asked me,

"Is that a printer?"

I facepalmed.

Chapter 5 : 'The Track'

Maybe 'awestruck' was an understatement, as the speedway looked larger than life at night. The track was not in use, so most of the large panels of blinding white lights were off. On the infield, perched in the middle of the track, was an array of floodlights, providing some lumonisity, but a car's headlights would have to do the rest.

Melise felt a sensation of frigidness in her gas tank. Sure, exploration was thrill-seeking sometimes, but the size of the Copper Canyon Speedway was megalophobia-inducing.

The front entrance was locked, and for some time, Melise considered going back to the hotel, but the structure was a magnificent dome. She opted to driving around it, hoping to find something interesting with the help of her headlights– a battered gate allowing view into the stadium's track answered her wishes.

She was sure it was illegal, and the thought of getting in trouble made her axles tremble, but Melise was just a curious, small, convertible– what could she do?

"Better safe than sorry," Melise murmured to herself, her eyes trailing over the angle of the speedway her eyes and lights could see from the gate. The parking spaces staircasing up the stands twinkled under the dimmed lighting. An 'EXIT' sign glowed its ominous red in the far distance above a series of white tents– her soon to working station.

The scent of the raceway was another story. Akin to that of a gymnasium, the permanent, but slight stench of burned rubber, and exhaust basted in the stadium.

Tire skid marks littered the pit-lane like a carpet, but the way each turn on the track mounted up the dome, carving a symmetrical curve, almost resembled a drained pool bed.

Glancing up, Melise's eyes widened at the sight. The dome's mega roof remained half opened, each steel support beam glimmering in the moonlight.

The sight brought a shiver through Melise's cabin as she bit her bottom lip, turning her attention back to the track. Some things were truly extra-large terrifying, but also innovative and surreal.

A series of blue lights flickering behind the pits, amongst the array of tents and structures, catching her eye. Melise's eyes narrowed inquisitively, the lights seemed to be moving.

Watching the blue aura approaching the track on the far end, Melise reversed slowly, uncertain. She began low-beaming her lights, as she watched a distance from the fence.

As the glow approached the track, it became clear that it was on a car, as it accented the wheels, and frame. It looked familiar.

Melise's fright settled down as she observed the rookie racer, Jackson Storm. His face remained concealed under the desolate lighting of the arena, as he lined himself up on the track.

The steady ignition of his electric engine came to life, soon increasing to loud and zealous revs that echoed the empty stadium. Within seconds, Jackson accelerated down the track.

As he sped towards the turn on the far end, Melise watched in wonder. Jackson seemed determined, yet at the same time uncaring. He zoomed on like it was nothing special, and as he came down the track, near the fence she viewed through, the immediate reaction was to reverse and hide. She was uninvited after all.

Listening as he approached her side of the track, then zoomed past, engine fading to the other side, was quite relaxing after a few minutes despite not watching him for fear of being seen.

Melise glanced discreetly from the corner of the fence, watching as the rookie racer slowed down to a stop near her side of the track.

His expression was quite clear under the dim moonlight, as he closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and then proceeded to drift suddenly. Loud tires screetched in the moody, quiet night.

Something didn't seem right, Jackson looked annoyed, frustrated, and when he skid on his half-doughnut, it was clear. His rear-end faced her, and Melise blinked a few times as the scent and heat of burned rubber hit her.

Jackson didn't seem to mind, he idled there, ready to tear back down the track. And he did.

Melissa hardly hesitated to approach the fence as he rounded the far end. She watched him speed towards her side, slowly increasing her anxiousness as the engine got louder, and then– as fast as he had arrived, he echoed down the track passing her lame spectator spot.

As the glow of his tail-lights sped down the track, Melise caught her voice. She inhaled abruptly, before hollering,

"GO, JACKSON!"

Melise listened in glee, as her voice went up an octave on his name, and made a series of reverbs in the arena. She held a tire to her mouth as she reversed out of sight.

Jackson stopped after a moment, he made a U-turn from his parked position, to face the pits. He scanned the area, his eyes alert, and his expression bewildered. He rolled slightly along the racetrack, eyes trailing the stands to find some car who chanted for him.

"...Whoever you are, show yourself!" Storm shouted, his eyes narrowed after a few silent seconds, and he dropped his guard down. Melise watched silently, as Jackson accelerated out of the arena track behind the pit lane. Racing teams must've had special privileges to the tracks, because she was certain that entrance was locked for her.

She had to admit, she felt foolish for shouting to him like that. Melise must've startled Jackson out of his chassis with that pointless display.

She began driving back to the hotel, as fatigue came. Pondering about the track, Melise thought about what she saw.

'He is fast, he is a force, he is a storm. He is, Jackson Storm.'

Just then, the rookie racer passed across the road, entering the hotel a distance away. Melise's RPM slowed as she approached.

As she exited the elevator, she glanced down the hall to hear a suite door closing. Tip-tiring slowly to her suite, it seemed to take a lifetime to get there, and Melise felt at ease once she was inside.

Her bags remained unpacked, and formed a mountain on one corner of the room. Melise yawned, falling on her axles to the bed. She was too exhausted to move any further.

Today really was a crazy day. And Melise wouldn't change it for anything.

(Minor editing to fix the duplicate in the chapter.) I purchased Cars Origins: Storm Chasing from Chapters, and there are copies online, on Amazon, if you would like to get your hands on a novel! I hope you are staying tuned. More to come, Vroom Vroom!