The race

When I woke up the next day , it was already midday and I surprised myself to have slept for so long. I had also slept peacefully the other day. Since I had nightmares pretty much everyday, my sleep schedule was all messed up so I was grateful for the small mercy.

Even though I was still sore and achy from the surprise beating, I felt fresh and it was a bonus that I didn’t have to worry about my parents for at least a week. It was the weekend today so I stayed in bed wondering what I was going to do with my time when I had the perfect idea.

As I really enjoyed driving at an extreme speed, I had actually sneaked out one day and went to see an illegal car race one day that I had heard some of the students in my school whispering about one day. I had gotten curious and sneaked out to attend it.

I had entered pretty easily and had paid in cash for the tickets from the money I had saved up painstakingly. Though I had felt the pinch, I hoped it would be worth it. I attended the race in a disguise which got me a few looks as I had dressed as a Goth and had heavy makeup and was also wearing a mask. I just ignored the looks and watched the race start.

My excitement cooled down when I saw the race though as it was not really up to my standards. I was mumbling and cursing about their slow pace when the person next to me looked at me and challenged me to a race if I was willing. I was already sixteen and had my licence so I thought why not give it a shot and participated in the next race with the car the stranger provided me with and won pretty easily.

The person who had challenged me turned out to be the one who owned and hosted the races and proposed that I become a participant in the upcoming races. He also promised to give me eighty percent of the money that he profited which was a really attractive offer and the bonus was that he didn’t care or ask about my identity. I didn’t really have any money of my own so I had agreed and pretty soon I became a well known racer by the name of Ace. I never lost a single game and earned quite a lot which I saved in a separate account.

I hoped that it would aid me one day if my parents took it too far and I had to run for my life although I think that it will be pretty impossible to run from them given their influence. No one has recognized me till today and I was also able to release all my frustrations and earn money at the same time which was a win win for me.

I decided to contact Rico who was the host of the races and told him to put my name in for today which he agreed enthusiastically since people always flocked around and placed big bets when I was competing. He would just have to spread the word and the money would come flocking. I can tell by experience.

I felt that luck was on my side today since I had a good sleep and now I could also do something that gave me a thrill. Since the race would only start at night, I spent the rest of  the day lazing away in my comfy bed.I started getting dressed when it started becoming dark outside. I painted my face in my signature Goth makeup and dressed myself in all black clothing. I put on my leather mask and I was ready.

When I reached the racing spot, it was already dark. The place was brimming with people. The guards were familiar with me so they let me in pretty easily. I headed straight to my private lockers and wore the protective gear. I met Rico outside the locker and he informed me that there was a new player entering today.

I just shrugged as it was not a big deal to me but I was also hoping that the new player would provide me with a little more competition. All the players were already in gear with helmets on so I couldn’t really see anyone’s face. I put my own helmet on and got into my car. My car was a special car that I had purchased with the money I won from races and was built specially for me. I had taken part in making and customising it so it was my baby.

I was stroking it lovingly when the race started. I immediately got my head into the game and zoomed forward. I was not in the lead at first but I slowly started overcoming all of the cars. They were not really tough competition for me but I noticed that there was a car which was following me closely and almost took the lead twice. It must be the new racer. “you’re on '' I mumbled under my breath and increased the speed recklessly. It did the trick and I won at the end but it was a close call. I was seriously impressed with the new guy.

The crowd cheered when the race ended and I hopped out of my car. Rico patted me on the back but I didn’t care and headed straight towards the new racer to talk with him as it was because of him that I enjoyed today's race. I headed towards him as he was removing the helmet but froze mid step when I saw his face. It was no one other than Aziel.

He was also heading towards me with a determined look on his face. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that he was the new racer and he was heading towards me so I did the only thing that made sense in my head, I turned around and ran.