Fatality: The Final Race

"Damen, I want to race a few."

"Are you sure James."

She nodded.

"Well I have the car that Autumn's using and...the mustang."

"Mustang."

"Here." he paused. "You should already know what it's like to drive it.

"What'd he mean by that?"

She just looked at the garage as the door opened.

"That's why."

I stared at the car--she used to race for Damen. That's the car she almost beat me in.

"Oh."

She smiled. "Let's go for a drive."

I got into her car and we drove off.

"Where are we going?"

"Away. For good."

"James--no."

"Why?"

"It's not possible."

She slammed on the breaks.

"God Autumn. I'm trying to get out."

"I know. It's not worth you getting thrown into the pit for it though."

She went silent.

"Fine."

The ride home was quiet. I hated her being mad but there was nothing I could do.

"Damen. Here's the keys."

"First race $3,000 in one hour."

She nodded and walked off. I ran after her and grabbed her arm.

"James--don't."

Whatever Autumn." She paused, "I have to go get ready."

I stood there. I couldn't move.
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Watching from the sidelines. She revved up the engine and sped off. Her competition looked a little tough but she proved to hold her own. I watched until they were out of view.

"Autumn."

"Hey Damen."

"She's good, isn't she?"

"She is"

We fell silent as the cars came into view. She crossed the finish line first--only by a nose.

"That's going to have to change."

"Yeah. Close calls don't work Damen."

She steeped out of her car, glared and me and took the money.

"Why is she glaring?"

"I don't know."

I walked to my house and laid down. The door opened and slammed shut. The stereo came on and was turned all the way up. I just lay there staring at my ceiling, listening to the music.

"Do you even care?" She stormed into my room but just stood at the door.

"I can't believe you would even ask that."

"You don't seem to."

I got up and walked toward her, "Yes. I care."

"You sure have an interesting way of showing it."

She walked to the living room and sat on the couch. I couldn't move. I hated knowing she was crying, but my feet wouldn't work. I tried to get her to come to me. I tried everything. She wouldn't talk to me. I didn't know why she was so pissed at me over not leaving and saving her from the pit. That was it. I was playing "Superman"

"James." I yelled.

"Fuck it Autumn."

"Come here."

"No. If you really want to talk. Get your ass in here."

I walked into the living room and turned the music off.

"I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to play superman."

"You still did."

"James."

She walked toward the door and I grabbed her arm.

"Don't...Don't leave."

She just stood there.

"James. Please talk to me. Tell me what's wrong."

"I can save myself."

"Yes. You can."

"Then don't save me."

"James--I'm sorry."

"Whatever Autumn."

I slammed her against the wall and kissed her. I stopped and looked at her.

"Please don't be mad at me--I'll try not to."

She buried her hands in my hair and kissed me back. Somehow, by some strange act of God, we made it to the couch.

"James. Don't leave."

"I'll never leave you Autumn."

"Promise?"

"I..I promise."