Yeah fan fiction was down for my account for a while to. I was worried. I had the chapter ready but couldn't upload it until later thanks to that crap. Anyways, thanks for the reviews guys! Good to know everyone is open to ideas for cars on the road. Some of its tricky, some not. Played around a bit. Skipping some places a lot and giving other point of views for the skips. But I think it's working well. Thanks again! Have a good weekend.
Lightning was driving while Mater stared out the window. The suv was overheating. The area they were passing through was just desert. Nothing else. Lightning glanced at his phone. Still no signal. Great. Lightning glanced at the meters. Seeing the vehicle was getting seriously burned up out here. "I'm pulling over." He announced. Slowly coming to a stop and shutting off the suv before popping the hood. The two got out. Walking over to the front of the car. Seeing the steam coming up from the engine. Mater looked around and asked, "Somethin looks different than the last time I traveled out this way." Lightning couldn't help but snicker asking, "You travel?"
Then he looked around and noticed something. "Um… Wait a minute.. Where's the road?" The blonde asked. "You know I was starting to wonder the same thing." Mater replied. Lightning quickly walked back to the driver side and grabbed his phone. "Fuck… No signal still. Sally is going to be worried sick." "Shoot. I sure hope we ain't lost." Mater muttered. The two stared at each other. Realizing how much of a predicament they were actually in with no service and an over heating rental.
Lightning walked around the the trunk hatch and shuffled around for something. Mater leaned on the fender. But a humming or buzzing noise caught his attention. "Hey, Lightnin'… What is that?" He asked. Lightning came around with a gallon of water. Staring out towards the buzzing sound that was only getting louder. "It sounds like… An airplane?" He questioned. The two stood there. The sound obviously coming closer. Mater jumped and exclaimed, "Oh! Maybe it's one of them fancy delivery drones!"
Lightning glanced at Mater with a raised brow. Not sure that's what it was. Lightning suddenly panicked and shouted, "Look out!" Dropping the gallon and shoving Mater in front of the suv and jumping the opposite way, falling onto the ground and covering his head as something whipped by! Speeding between them, busting the gallon of water and knocking the passenger side mirror off the rental! Mater jumped up and shouted, "Holy smokes! That sir, was no delivery drone!" Lightning stood up and dusted off his pants. Then saw the side mirror completely taken out. "Awe man.." He whined. At least it was only a mirror fix with little damage really. "What was that?" Mater asked.
Lightning shrugged but explained, "It came from somewhere. There must be a town or somethin out here. Come on, let's go." "Walking?" "Walking." Lightning said sternly. And the two headed out on foot to find some things for the vehicle and hopefully, finally some signal….
Sally finished the morning run and was in her office at the cone. Finishing up paper work, checking out a few guest, the bell rang and she quickly said, "Be with you in just a minute." Then she looked up and her smile grew! "Dad!?" She exclaimed and came around the desk quickly. Hugging her father! "What are you doing here?!" She asked. Carson smiled answering, "It's been a while. Wanted to check up on you and Lightning of course." "Yeah, I'm alright. Lightning is actually on his way to Mater's sisters wedding. He won't be back for a few days." "The Mater guy has a sister?" "Yep." "Wow. Did not see that coming. Are you sure you're alright?" Carson asked.
Sally nodded answering, "Yep. Everything is going well here, Dad." "And your marriage? Everything is doing well? Or at least okay?" "Yea. Lightning and I are happier than ever. He's still working on finding something other than racing sense he's left that world behind, but he'll find it." She assured.
Carson nodded then asked, "Are you busy? I was hoping we could grab a bite and catch up. Was hoping Lightning was around too, but as long as I get to see my little girl." He said playfully. Sally smiled then glanced at her desk, "I was just finishing up." "Great." "How are you doing?" Sally asked as she grabbed her phone.
Carson snickered answering, "Fine. Just work." "Aren't you retired?" "Technically." "Right. You have got to learn to relax, Dad." "I will. One day. Press isn't to bad on the two of you is it?" He asked as he and his daughter walked across the street to the cafe. Sally shook her head, "Not really. Careless sometimes, but it's not bad. You know I actually have some pretty exciting news." "Really?" "Mmhmm. I'll tell you later tonight once we get you settled in the guest room." She explained. Carson wasn't sure what it could be, but definitely was not expecting what would come out of his daughter's mouth….
Mater stepped out of the tent in a full fireproof suit and held a helmet. Lightning sighed and tried reasoning, "Come on, let's talk about this, buddy.." Mater began walking to the air plane like car. Lightning quickly following him. Mater smiled and nudged Lightning saying, "I'm faster than fast and quicker than quick." Lightning frowned a bit. The concern growing. "Mater, this isn't funny anymore. This is deadly racing. Even I'm not this crazy." He reminded. Mater stared at Lightning and replied, "Shoot, you are just use to being the fastest race car driver in the world." "But I'm not!" Lightning shouted! "Awe come on! Why can't I be the fastest? Why can't I be the best at somethin?" "What!? You are great and the best at lots of things!" Lightning shouted in fear Mater what about to end his life for an itch!
Some guy then walked up and said, "Ready when you are." Mater glanced at Lightning who he could tell was serious here. Mater sighed and handed the helmet to the guy. "Maybe next time fellers." Lightning let out a sigh of relief. The two then began walking back to the suv with a few parts and gallons of water.
Mater smiled and asked, "You was worried about me. Wasn't you? Huh? Come on. You was worried." Lightning shoulder bumped his friend answering, "Of course I was, you big lug nut. We're best buddies, aren't we? Besides, what fun is a road trip on your own anyways?" He asked.
Mater chuckled answering, "You got that right." "Alright, let's just get the suv fixed up and get back on the road." Lightning said. Mater then asked, "Hey, did you ever get signal out here?" "No.." "Awe, don't worry. I'm sure we will get signal at the rest stop for the night." Mater assured. "You are gonna make a good Dad one of these days." Mater added. Lightning rolled his eyes as they walked back. "Not sure about that, but thanks." He replied to his old friend. Mater then asked, "Why you think not?" "Because it's me. I can't even run a motel and it's pretty simple… At least for Sally it is." "Awe that's just cause it's her thing." "And being a dad is my thing? Please… Knowing me I'll lose the thing before we even made it out of the hospital.." Lightning growled.
Mater snickered saying, "We could always tie a balloon to the baby's foot. That's what my mom did with me and my sister." "That actually makes sense." Lightning mumbled hearing that. Suddenly he stopped and gasped as they came to the suv! "Oh no…" He whined. Mater stared and watched as Lightning dropped the tools, part and one of the gallons of water and run up to the SUV that had its doors opened and the hood missing. "Someone seriously took our bags!? The hood!?" He yelped in disbelief. Mater walked up and asked, "Who would do that?" Then they heard some guy yelling in the distance, "I found some more parts for the speedster! And some extra clothes!" Lightning glared at Mater who just stared in awe at the guy as they watched him get in a truck and drive away.
Lightning looked inside the vehicle. Thankfully they left the keys, medicine bag and one of Mater's bags. But the snacks, water, their main duffles filled with necessities and clothing?. Gone. Lightning sighed and glanced at the engine. No hood or side mirror. Great. This would be fun to explain to insurance…..
Carson followed his daughter into the house. Closing the door behind him he asked, "So what is it you wanted to tell me?" "Well do you want a drink? Are you hungry?" "No, I'm fine. Baby, what is it?" He asked. Sally stared at her father a moment before looking up at him. Taking a deep breath before announcing, "Lightning and I are-well… Have been, but… We are trying for a baby." "Again?…" "You don't seem to excited." Sally pointed out. Carson rubbed the back of his neck and explained, "No, I am… I'm… Glad things are going that well for you." "But?.." "But.. A few things have me concerned, Sally. For one, your body just got over… Losing one.. Are you sure you can"-"My doctor okayed it, Dad." Sally interrupted with a growl, crossing her arms.
Carson sighed adding, "And you and Lightning… Your marriage… After what you did, are you sure the two of you are ready for this?" He was just concerned. Sally stared at her Father and snapped, "You know, I thought you would be happy for us. For me. Lightning and I over came a huge obstacle! We are happy, Lightning is happy and we want this." "Are you sure he does?" "Yes! He's being very supportive and wants this just as much as I do." "Sally…" "Don't do that tone! I know that tone…" "Sally… Just… I am happy. I hope this works out for you.. I'm just worried it's to soon.. You two went through a lot.." Carson reminded.
Sally only growled, "I know that!" "A baby won't fix things." "I know that! Lightning and I were trying before the accident! It's not like this is something we did on impulse! I've been taking the medications and doing the injections again and it's sucks but we are gonna have to do a dam Petrie dish culture baby if this doesn't work!" "Okay, okay… Just.. Calm down…" Carson mumbled as his eyes widened.
Dam. The her hormones must be all wacky with the injections. Sheesh. This woman just went from 0-100 in seconds. Sally stared at her father and tears began to gather. Carson was clueless. "What's wrong?" He asked. Sally wrapped her arms around her Father. Tears rolling down her face as she mumbled, "I've been thinking about her a lot over the last couple nights… I wish Mom was here…" Carson's heart melted. Broke a little too, maybe. He hugged his daughter tightly and kissed the top of him her head. "Me to.." he replied…..
The two buds, Lightning and Mater, drove some ways before coming to a forested area. Finding a camp site that sold some camping equipment, and deciding to spend the night there..
Lightning finished putting a little extra firewood onto the fire. Feeding it. "Okay, Mater. Camp fire's ready. We're all set." Then he looked around. Where was?… "Mater?" He looked around him then saw Mater talking to a few questionable characters.
Mater glanced back and noticed Lightning staring, so ran up exclaiming, "Oh hey there, Buddy! I made some new friends! These some real intersting folk." "Uh.. I"-"Hey! y'all come on over!" Mater shouted at the three characters. Lightning sighed. Not really wanting to stay up late and talk to many people. Honestly he was just tired and still a bit upset of the lack of signal. Not being able to call and check on Sally for an entire day and two nights now. "I don't know, Mater.. I was kind of hoping we could just hang out and make plans then head to bed." "Seems to me like you're fighting that road trip spontenou-Sponitiv-Spontanement.. Uh… Make it up as you go spirit." Mater argued. "I mean, what's wrong with meeting some fun, new friends?" He asked the former racer.
Lightning sighed. The three characters walked over. Mater sitting at the fire. Lightning hesitated. Watching the three people sit down across, he took a seat next to his friend. Everyone stared at each other from across the fire in awkward silence. Just… Staring. Lightning finally cleared his throat and asked, "So uh… What brings you around to these parts?"
The large man of the group asking, "What brings you around to these parts?" "Uh… Um, I'm taking a trip with my friend." Lightning answered. The man snickered saying, "A perfectly innocent trip with a friend." Lightning and Mater stared at each other. Not sure about this. Lightning questioning, "Uh.. What's going on here?.." A woman with an accent that seemed British or something then asked, "Are you two willing to question everything you think you know about the natural world."
Lightning nervously answered, "Yeah, I'm not following you.." "We're researchers Mr. McQueen." Oh great, the crazy people knew his identity. "We straddle the thin veil between the known and the unknown." The large man answered. Followed by the woman, "We are crypt-ids." "Crypt ids?" Lightning asked with confusion. Mater nodded answering, "Creatures in the fringes of our perception. Which include your chupacabras, your moth mans and most especially… Your big foot." The woman stomped on the ground and snarled, "And we demand your loyalty before we accept you into our secret order." "Secret order!? What are you talking about?" Lightning asked as he only grew more and more concerned.
The bigger man stood up and grabbed a map out of his jacket vest and placed it on the ground unfolded. The woman then explained, "These woods are a hot bed for crypt id activity. Specifically, big foot." The woman said as she pulled out a tablet and showed a blurry blob of a photo of the creature she and her friends called big foot. Looked more like a hairy man in a suit.
Mater gasped and said, "Would you look at that." Lightning glanced at Mater and asked, "Really? Because I'm just not seeing it. But what do I know?.. Listen, you folks have a fantastic big foot hunt. I'll be in dreamland." Lightning explained as he began to walk away. Nope. He was not getting involved with creepy and crazy people. Not tonight. He chose life, thanks.
Mater stopped him though saying, "Uh… Buddy… I kind of told them we're in!" "What!?" "Yes sir!" "Mater… This is a terrible idea…" Lightning tried getting them out of it. Mater rolled his eyes and argued, "Nah, this will be fun. Besides! They agreed to let you use their phone. It works unlike yours." He assured. Lightning sighed and glanced at the three big foot hunters. Still unsure, but at least he would get to call Sally finally. The woman then walked up to Mater and said, "Come on. He can make his phone call while we fix up your ride for the hunt." Mater smiled and followed the lady with excitement.
Lightning barely heard that and asked, "Wait! It's a rental!" Then felt a heavy hand on his left shoulder. Lightning slowly turned to see the big man behind him. The man smiled saying, "Come on. You get three minutes. No more, no less." Lightning swallowed nervously before following the guy. A little scared of the unforeseen events of the night….
Lightning put in his wife's number. Hoping she'd answer. It rang a few times. Over and over. Fuck. Voicemail.. probably because the unknown number he was calling from.
"Hey, Sal.. I'm sorry I haven't been able to call. I love you. I'm gonna try calling again as soon as I can. I haven't been able to find signal sense the destiny motel. I hope you're doing alright. Talk soon. Bye." He hung up. The large man staring at him. Lightning nervously walked around him and decided to go see the damage to the rental….