Angel Draiker had always been drawn to speed. It was his escape, his way of outrunning the pain that clung to him ever since that fateful night when he lost his father. The police called it an accident, but Angel knew better—it was murder, plain and simple. The anger that simmered inside him had nowhere to go, so he channeled it into speed. Whether on a bike, skateboard or behind the wheel of a car, everything else faded away. The world became a blur, and for those fleeting moments, he was free. That was how he felt that night, racing in a stolen car as fast as the wind. He felt like he was in heaven and the world was lifted off of his shoulders. He was finally what he always wanted to be, a race car driver. He felt unstoppable like a captured Mustang being set free in the wild. But that freedom came with a cost. At 14, Angel was caught joyriding in a stolen car, his need for speed and rebellion finally catching up with him. His father had promised him that he would teach him as soon as he got his permit because he wanted to help him fulfill his dream. Now, he wasn't here anymore. It was just himself, and if he was going to survive in this world as a black man, he could depend on no one but himself. The police car that took him away was a stark contrast to the freedom he craved—the cuffs tight around his wrists, the flashing lights reflecting off the windows as they drove him to juvenile detention.
Juvenile Hall was a cold, unforgiving place, a far cry from the life he once knew. The walls were gray, the air thick with tension. Fights broke out regularly, and Angel quickly learned that survival meant staying tough and showing no weakness. But it wasn't just about surviving physically—there was a psychological battle too. Angel had to keep his mind sharp, and his emotions in check. The only thing that kept him sane was the thought of his mother and grandparents, the only family he had left.
The years passed slowly, each day blending into the next. Angel found himself surrounded by others like him—kids who had been dealt a bad hand in life, who had made mistakes, and who were trying to find their way in a world that had turned its back on them. Among them was Gabriel, who was always positive under pressure; Asha, the fighter who stayed strong no matter what; Khalil, who never let anyone mess with him; MaryJane, whose light sense of humor lightened even the darkest days; Michael, the one who kept to himself but had a fierce loyalty; and Selena, the strategist, and manipulator who could outthink and outtalk anyone.
Together, they formed a bond, a makeshift family in a place where trust was scarce. But even among his friends, Angel remained restless. His need for speed, for the thrill of pushing boundaries, never left him. He'd often daydream about the rush of the wind in his hair, the roar of an engine, and the feeling of flying down the open road. It was the one thing that kept him going, a flicker of light in the darkness.
By the time Angel turned 18, he had changed. The anger that once fueled him had dulled, replaced by a quiet determination to make it out and keep the promise he'd made to his mother. His good behavior earned him an early release, but the world outside was different now—colder, more distant. The shadows of his past still clung to him, a constant reminder of the life he'd left behind.
As part of his release, Angel was required to attend counseling sessions with Spring Flowers, a woman whose patience seemed endless. That day, she listened, offering advice without judgment, but Angel remained guarded. He didn't trust easily, not after everything he'd been through. But when she mentioned a trip to The Sanctuary of Fire—a state-of-the-art wildlife reserve that housed creatures thought to be extinct—his interest was piqued. He played it cool, shrugging off the suggestion as just another meaningless excursion, but deep down, something stirred.
That night, Angel sat at the kitchen table, his mother busy preparing dinner. The familiar smells of home-cooked food filled the air, a stark contrast to the sterile, bland meals he'd gotten used to in juvie. His grandparents sat in their usual spots—his grandfather with his cane resting nearby, his grandmother humming softly as she stirred the pot on the stove.
"Angel, you want some cornbread with your dinner?" his mother asked, glancing over her shoulder at him.
"Yeah, Ma," Angel replied, his voice steady but low. He couldn't help but notice the way she looked at him as if searching for the boy she used to know.
His grandmother looked up from her cooking, her eyes warm but concerned. "You know we're just glad to have you home, baby. It's been too long."
Angel nodded, feeling a pang of guilt. "I know, Grandma. I'm tryin' to adjust, it' just feels weird I guess."
His grandfather, always the quiet one, spoke up, his voice firm. "You don't have to do it alone, you can talk to us boy, we're family. We here for you."
"'Preciate that, Grandpa," Angel said, managing a small smile. He was normally a boy with a lot of humor but the years in Juvi had worn him down. " Jus' takin' it a day at a time aight."
His mother walked over, placing a hand on his shoulder. "That's all we ask, Angel. Just take your time, and know we with you every step of the way."
Angel nodded again, his heart heavy with the weight of their expectations and his fears. He wanted to be the son and grandson they remembered, but he wasn't sure if that part of him still existed.
Angel sat in the plush, comfortable chair in Spring Flowers' office, his arms crossed over his chest. The room was cozy, filled with books, plants, and artwork made by her that was meant to put him at ease. But he still felt tense, like he was under a microscope.
Spring, with her blond hair pulled back into a neat bun, smiled at him from across the desk. "How are you feeling today, Angel?"
"Aight," he replied rolling his eyes, keeping his answers short as usual. He didn't like opening up, especially not to someone he barely knew. I mean this lady kind of reminded him of a hippie. A pretty hippie but a hippie. Her speech and responses are full of the sound of deep space and psychedelic mushroom colors and dreams.
"You've been doing well since your release," she continued, her tone encouraging. "It's okay to talk about what's on your mind, though. That's what I'm here for. Are you adjusting well?"
Angel shrugged, not meeting her eyes. "I guess."
"It's normal to feel outcasted or strange after being away for so long," Spring said, her voice understanding. "But remember, you've grown and changed. It's okay to take time to find your place again."
He stayed silent, her words resonating but hard to fully accept. He wasn't sure if he could find his place anymore. It wasn't her business or place to tell him that anyway. She was just some counselor, she cared about being paid not about him. He stared at her with an annoyed look in his eyes.
" Look," She started reading right through the look in his eyes. " You don't have to like me or trust me. I'm not asking you that. However, I do want you to do well for yourself Angel. You're a good kid."
" You don't know me, don't act like you know me or care about me."
" I have your files I talked to your mother, I know you enough to know that this person you have let yourself become is not you."
" I don't gotta deal wit' this"
"You do, or else you can't be released completely you would disappoint your family by going backwards after all the progress. You don't want that. So please stop making my job hard on me I'm just trying to help you."
He looked away out of frustration and anger giving up. She was right, if he did not comply he would disappoint his family, but more so he would have one more year in real jail then it's off to the mental ward. Part of his defense was emotional trauma. His lawyer told him it would work out for the good but it seems now it was coming back to bite him in the ass.
Spring leaned forward slightly, her voice softening as she tried to change the subject. " You know, I know we've talked about this trip to The Sanctuary of Fire. I know you think it's nerdy or not for you. But, it might be a good opportunity for you to step out of your routine, to experience something new. You need to show that you can interact in a social environment without hostility or negative emotions. It's not just about the animals—it's about giving yourself a chance to reconnect with the world. But most important, it's about proving to these guys who want to put you into a psychoward that you're normal, capable, and sane."
Angel looked up, finally meeting her gaze. There was something in her eyes that made him feel a little less defensive. "Maybe… maybe you're right. I'll do it, for my family aight? I just wanna be done with this and go home."
"I think it could be really good for you," she said excitedly, her smile warm and encouraging. She slides a pamphlet across the table to him. "Just keep an open mind."
He grabbed it and nodded slowly, still annoyed about it all but willing to give it a try. After all, what did he have to lose?
Angel sat on the worn-out couch in the living room that evening, his fingers tracing the familiar pattern on the armrest. The evening sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room. His mother and grandparents were gathered around, the usual hum of activity filling the air as his grandmother knitted and his grandfather read the newspaper.
His mother, who had just finished setting the table for dinner, looked over at him. "Angel, your counselor called today," she began, her voice gentle yet probing. "She mentioned something about a trip?"
Angel nodded, not looking up. "Yeah, it's to some zoo or some shit. The land of Fire, or something like that."
His grandmother paused in her knitting, her eyes narrowing with concern as well as all the other adults in the room. "Shit? You mean The Sanctuary of Fire?"
"Sorry,...sorry Grandma, Yeah. They got some animals—some extinct, some… hybrids or something," Angel explained, his tone nonchalant. He wasn't sure how to feel about it himself.
His grandfather put down his newspaper, his gaze steady on Angel. "And you're thinking of going? They say it's part of your evaluation." They all awaited his answer in suspense.
Angel shrugged. "I guess. Miss Flowers thinks it'll be good for me—get me out of the house, prove my sanity, do something different."
His mother walked over and sat beside him on the couch. She placed a hand on his knee, her touch warm and comforting. "Do you want to go, Angel? I know things have been hard since you came back and even before, baby. But, maybe this trip could help you… you know, clear your head."
Angel finally looked up at her, his expression conflicted. "I don't know, Ma. It sounds stupid aight honestly. It's more like I'm being forced rather than a choice. But, I gotta do what I gotta do for us."
His mother smiled softly, her eyes full of understanding. "Give yourself a chance, Angel. You've been through a lot, and maybe this trip could help you see things differently. Sometimes, a change of scenery can make all the difference. Trust me." She kissed his head softly.
His grandmother chimed in, her voice firm but loving. "You've been cooped up too long, Angel. You have given up your humor your hopes and dreams boy. It's time you try again, even if it's just for a little while it's a vacation. A way to stretch your legs. And who knows? You might learn something new about yourself."
His grandfather nodded in agreement. "You've always been quick on your feet, son. This could be your opportunity to find that spark again, to remember what you're capable of the right way. You know." He moves his hands as if turning a steering wheel.
Angel felt the weight of their words, the care and concern they had for him. He knew they were right—staying in the house, in the same routine, wasn't helping him move forward. Maybe this trip was the push he needed.
He took a deep breath, then nodded. "Aight, I'll go. I mean, maybe it'll help, like you said."
His mother smiled, relief washing over her features. "I'm glad, Angel. Just remember, no matter what happens, we're proud of you for taking this step."
His grandmother leaned forward, her knitting forgotten. "And you be careful around those animals, you hear? I don't want to hear about no dragon nor dinosaur or whatever eating you up ya hear. Not my grandbaby"
Angel chuckled softly, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Don't worry, Grandma. I'll kick his dinosaur ass if it gotta resort to all that."
His grandfather gave him a rare smile. "Good. Now, let's have dinner and talk more about this sanctuary. Where is the pamphlet boy? I'm curious about these 'hybrids' you mentioned. You know every time they make something like that in the movies it winds up eatin' they asses"
Angel laughed hard, feeling a sense of warmth and support from his family. Maybe this trip would be the start of something new, a way to reconnect with the world and with himself. And with his family's encouragement, he felt ready to face whatever came next.
The bus ride to The Sanctuary of Fire was quiet at first, the group of friends lost in their thoughts. Angel sat by the window, staring out at the passing landscape, while Gabriel, always the optimistic one, tried to strike up a conversation.
"Yo, Angel," Gabriel said, leaning across the aisle. "You think this place is gonna be as wild as they say? I mean it looks kinda interesting."
Angel shrugged, still looking out the window. "I dunno, man. Seems like some nerdy science project I'm stuck doin' wit yall to me."
Khalil, who was sitting behind them, chuckled. "Yeah, but if they got dinosaurs or whatever, that could be dope. You never know, might be something worth seeing especially if they eat yo ass."
"I'm just hoping we don't get eaten by some freak experiment," Selena added dryly, her tone light but serious.
Mary Jane, always ready to crack a joke, grinned. "If we do, I'm blaming Angel. He's the one with all the bad luck."
"Ha, very funny," Angel replied, managing a smirk. "But if anything does go down, I'm out of there faster than you can blink."
Michael, who had been quiet, finally spoke up. "I just want to get in and get out just like Angel."
"Appreciate that, Mike," Angel said, feeling a bit of the tension ease. Despite everything, these were his people—the ones who had been with him through the worst of it. They understood each other in a way no one else did.
As the bus continued down the road, Angel found himself looking forward to the trip, if only for the chance to experience something new. Maybe, just maybe, it would help him find a piece of himself that he thought he'd lost.