Chapter Text
Forty laps left
Forty laps left to prove he still had it in him to finish this race, and prove he, veteran racer Lightning McQueen could beat that rookie Jackson Storm. He'd been in the game for 10 years now, 6 cups under his belt, it couldn't have been simpler than that. Yet here he was struggling to place third.
Sure, Storm had a fancy new race car that was faster, but speed alone wasn't enough to win. McQueen would know that more than anyone. Although, extra speed would surely be useful right now.
Thirty eight laps left
He kept a close eye on Storm's tail lights, noticing that the rookie was headed for the pit lane. He followed suit and sure enough like clockwork his trusted two man pit crew proceeded to give him new tires. However it was taking an agonizingly long time, he could feel the seconds burn away as Storm had two tired completed.
"Guido! Faster!" He shouted into his mic.
Storm now had three tires.
"GUIDO"
BANG, the car was dropped and he sped off as fast as his vehicle allowed. The Italian behind him began to shout, but McQueen didn't hear him. He just barely managed to get ahead of Storm before the rookie could leave the pit. He was a whole lap behind and needed to catch up now, there was no room for error, there was no time to waste. He redlined his engine more than he ever had. Sweat beginning to bead down his helmet
thirty seven laps left
The engine roared. Screaming in what almost sounded like pain due to the intensity of power it was being subjected to, so much so that the engine’s screams drowned out a suspicious noise originating from his back right tire. He paid no attention to the noise, all he could see was Storm’s lights getting increasing closer. He pushed harder maneuvering and attempted to make the pass more difficult for the rookie behind him.
Thirty six laps left
Storm's and McQueen’s cars battled for the top spot in the line up. The noise turned into rattling, still being drowned out by the engine. Suddenly the black and blue car passed McQueen, anger and despair grew as the tail lights once again made themselves visible to him.
No, it was unacceptable. McQueen booked it harder than he already was. The redline needed its own redline for how far it was being pushed. Every time he got closer, Storm would get farther and farther.
Thirty five laps left
come on he thought
The normally smooth car was beginning to shake, but he paid no mind. The tail lights sat infront of him, mocking him. It made him furious, squeezing the steering wheel he pushed his gas harder than he ever had. The engine screamed out yet he paid no mine. His heart was pounding in his chest so hard he could feel it hammer his ribcage, thoughts racing so fast all he could think was fast fast speed faster must go faster over and over again. Then another car passed him, then two more. All he could see was black and blue, anger boiling, hitting the gas as hard as he could the car began to shake violently a screech from somewhere behind him
COME ON
Suddenly, a loud horrific BANG followed by the screeching of metal rang loud in his ears. One moment he was skidding on the track, next he ran into the wall. Then he felt himself go airborne.
he felt himself go upside down, then upright, then upside down again over and over like a bad roller-coaster. The screech of metal deafened him as he rattled about,unable to hear anything other than his own car falling apart.
The pain was sharp, his body ached horribly, vision came and went. When the horrible ride finally ended he wasn't sure where he even was anymore. Between the blurred vision he could see the asphalt, shreds of metal and shards of glass peppered on top. An entourage of noise surrounded him, people shouting but he was unable to make out their words, if they were words at all.
Then suddenly, darkness.
When he finally opened his eyes again he was greeted by four blurry figures, their faces refusing to come into focus, what was clear was the starry night behind them. The cool air had hit his face, the figures began saying a mish mash of words that were once again unintelligible.
Darkness came again accompanied by silence.
When he woke, he was greeted by an antiseptic stench and the rhythmic beeps of hospital machines.