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 Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 4:28 pm
 ▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀Gʋɨɗɨηg ҒαϮє▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄▀▄Running from the nightmare
In the middle of the road
Hell's no place for sleeping
In a world beyond control
Caught up in the headlights
Coming after you
When I woke up this morning
I had to do what I gotta do
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
Speed
Give me what I need
Yeah
White lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
Speed
Oh, let it bleed
Yeah
Greased lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
I've seen a train full of pain
On the edge of overload
We're in Heaven, baby
You are gonna implode
I've got these crazy feelings
That I can't explain
I've gotta save you baby
Or I'll die in vain
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
I said blast me to Heaven just for loving you
I said speed
Give me what I need
Yeah
White lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
Speed
Oh, let it bleed
Yeah
Greased lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
Blast me to Heaven for loving you
I said blast me to Heaven for loving you
Now I'm rushing on the run, yeah
I wanna have me some fun
I'll speed
Give me what I need
Oh, set me free
Let's speed
On wheels, on wheels, on wheels
Said speed
Oh, let it bleed
Yeah
White lightning
Let's speed, on speed
On wheels, on wheels
Com'on
I said speed, speed
Give me what I need
I said speed, speed
Give me what I need
Alright!
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 1:40 pm
The music was blasting all throughout the garage. The other guys were working at different stations. I, on the other hand, was right where I needed to be. Right under a 4X4 Pick-up truck. Not my favorite vehicle to work on but still fun nonetheless.
“Hey Soph!” I heard a shout from the garage. I smiled at the familiar voice. “You got a package!” My heart jumped. I slide from underneath the truck and jumped up. The other mechanics chuckled as they watched my excitement.
The boys were like family to me. My mom left when I was a baby and my father died when I was in middle school. I didn’t have any other family so I was sent to a friend of the family’s; my father’s best friend. A home that was full of a long line of mechanics. It was how my father would have raised me. It was how he started to raise me.
Once I finished high school, I went on to college to get a degree in Mechanical Engineering and have been working on cars ever since. For years, I’ve been trying to fix up my dad’s old car. A 1973 Chevy Camaro. Deep down, I’ve always thought if I brought it back to life then, somehow, my dad would come back to life. It was stupid but I couldn’t stop something I had already started.
I tried to grab the box but the old man holding it moved it out of my reach. “Franky,” I said in a serious tone. “Give me the box.” Franky raised me since my dad passed. He was the only person to be even close to being my dad. Franky just smiled as if he wasn’t doing anything. “Franky,” I said again, a small smile forming on my lips.
“Alright, kiddo. Here ya go.” He handed me the box and I ripped it open as if it was Christmas. The piece was perfect. It was just what I needed in order to continue working on my dad’s car. “You do realize you still have a long way to go in order to finish that car.”
“Yeah,” I told him, the piece carefully resting in my hand, “But this means I’m one step closer. You’ll see, Franky. I’ll have it finished.” I turned and was about to head to my dad’s Camaro but Franky put his hand on my shoulder.
“Hold on there, Spunky. You still have a few more cars to finish.” I sighed and nodded. When he was right, he was right. I placed the piece back in the box and placed it in the drawer of the only desk we had. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be until the next paycheck that I would be able to get the next piece for the car. But like I said. I was one step closer to finishing the car.
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 2:19 pm
"Two hundred five miles an hour," I grumbled as I laid across the hood of my favorite and most trusted car, Renegade. While she was just sitting below me being lazy at the time, I was doing the same as I laid on her hood eating pizza and answering race questions. Honestly, my interests were more the Frankenstine car beneath my back. Well, she was mostly a '69, but we have been taking that original personality out. I still loved her. God I wish I could be racing, not this crap again. . . I wrecked once and only once. Just because I messed her up--
"Rex!" my dad fussed when he noticed I was day dreaming or my mind was else where. "This is very important! If you don't get through all of this, there would be a major issue next time you race. Now, finish your pizza before we can go get her fixed, it's a crime that you broke her again. She's such a sweet heart, and you keep turning her into a cruel creature," he muttered going on about the car and how the engine had been ruined when she got to hot and I didn't get a chance to get any water into her radiator. Honestly, I felt bad, but this was ridiculous. While Jack Adler and Missy Adler looked at Renegade as a car and a money maker, she was my addiction.
I grew up as the baby in my family with two older brothers with one in the military and the other a business man. While they went off to see the world in their own ways, I only saw mine in terms of speed. Sure, I finished High School as an A student and then the same in Collage where I majored in physics. From that, I didn't do anything but race. So this became my life.
"Rex!" Dad shouted at me again.
Sighing, I started to push the car as I steered her before Dad and I had gotten the car up onto the bed. With much more precession, I pulled the cover over it hiding that 13 numbered black and red car. While my dad called up his friend, I climbed into the passenger seat as he wouldn't let me drive regularly. It wasn't that he didn't trust me, it was that I had a lead foot. It wasn't legal for me to drive on a real road. Or at least that's what he would say when ever I ask to.
Once he'd finished he climbed up and started the truck pulling away with me eating the last bit of crust that I'd stuck in my mouth to free my hands. For the short drive, I didn't do much but daydream, or more flash back about the previous race. I couldn't help it. Unlike some people, I remember things better the more crazy and intense they are. I fix my jeans leather coat when we'd stopped and I stepped out of the truck with a hop shoving my dirty blonde hair out of my face.
"Frank! The car's here!" my father called for the head mechanic in a cheerful tone as he knew that I wouldn't be racing tonight. My only guess would be that he hated seeing mom nearly have a heart attack when ever I spun out or something. That's all I could figure. I was kind of mad at myself, but I couldn't fix the problem sadly. That drove me insane.
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Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 5:09 pm
As I finished the truck, I heard someone call Franky. But Franky didn’t say a word. I slide from underneath the truck and wiped the grease off of my hands with my rag. “Franky!” I yelled but still no answer. I groaned. He was probably in the back going over some paper work while listening to his favorite radio station. “Tommy,” I sighed as I stopped one of my fellow mechanics. “Can you get Franky?” Tommy nodded and headed upstairs. Meanwhile, I headed to front to see what the trouble was.
As I did, I noticed a man who standing in front of a Camaro with another guy in the passenger seat. I couldn’t really see the face of the passenger at first so I just ignored the fact and addressed the man. “What can I do you for sir?” I asked as I looked at the engine. I whistled out of amazement. The engine was fried unlike anything I had ever seen before. “Geez, whatcha do the engine? Fry it on a grill until crispy?” I moved around to the side of the Camaro to get a better look on the right side but as I did so the face of the passenger became clear.
That face. I knew that face. It was as if I was trying to look through the files in my brain; trying to figure out where I had seen this guy before. Sure, he was cute but that wasn’t why I was staring. Then I realized it. It was Logan. My best friend from middle school before –
“Sophie!” Frank called. “What did I say about staring?” He chuckled.
“That only monkey’s do it.” I groaned and turned back to the engine, all the while I still couldn’t believe it was Logan. No doubt he would remember me.
"Exactly. So what do you think, Soph?" Franky asked as he looked at himself. Again, he whistled the same way I had. "I'll tell ya, Lou. This doesn't look good. Might be a day at least if not more." I shook my head.
"I can do it in two hours." I said nonchalantly. Frank just chuckled at my enthusiasm. Little did he know, I was serious.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:47 am
I sat on the rail of the car closing my eyes sighing feeling terrible for racing her like that, but that was life. He sighed tapping his foot as I wrapped my coat around myself closer hiding in the shadows. I shuttered lightly just staring at the ground before I felt myself being watched after hearing someone complement my racing talents with the poor engine. I looked over at her softly and he fought not to star himself. When Franky "called her off", he was thankful.
"Yeah, Rex raced her heart to pieces again. That boy's a great racer, but he's got a lead foot, and a hard hand," my father laughed walking over to look at the engine as well before looking at Sophie. "You don't have to, I mean its not really needed. Its not like NASCAR or anything. We can survive missing a few races," he said looking back at Franky trying to reassure her of that.
I stood up and walked over to the engine looking at it quietly and bit my lip slightly as I crossed my arms quietly. I bit my lip harder and looked at Dad seeing his face pretty much telling me that I was pretty much grounded for two days either way from the tracks. I ran a hand through my hair pushing it back before it fell back over my face.
While I was just taking everyone else in, I looked at Sophie and felt something click finally as I took her in. She honestly had grown into a gorgeous young woman and I couldn't help myself but to imagine her back in middle school as the tomboy, but I kind of liked this better. . . I rubbed my eyes to cover a shake of my head before I sat down on the trailer.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 12:38 pm
My ears perked up at the word racing. Logan raced? Sure, we had talked about it when we were kids but I never thought he would actually do it. Deep down, I was scared for him. It had been so long since we talked but I still felt as if he was my best friend. The day I moved to Franky’s was a sad day. Sure, I wasn’t living in a home with strangers instead living with my dad’s best friend. Sure, I was happy about that. But I knew I was going to miss Logan. We did everything together and talked about anything and everything.
I shook my head to bring myself back to what was happening. I was staring at a ’69 Camaro engine. If it hadn’t been burned to a crisp, she would have been a beauty. It was clear I had a lot of work ahead of me. Franky leaned in to get to my level.
“You sure you can have this done in two hours?” He asked. I looked at Franky with my famous confident smile. He knew what I was capable of. After all, I was the best in the garage. I practically the best he had ever seen. He had told me before.
“Well,” I shrugged, “I gotta beat my record somehow?” I winked and stood up straight. “Let’s get her into the garage, shall we?” I smiled. Franky and I pushed the truck into the garage and went to work. “Time me.” I told Franky. Diligently, I worked as fast as I could. Every now and then I would run around and find the parts I needed; including a brand new engine Franky had forgotten about we had in the back.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 1:02 pm
 I watched her look Renegade over and I was worried that I had blown the engine out again. I felt so evil for that fact, but Sophie's obvious set mind on beating her record time made me smile. When I was given a nod from my father, I unhooked the car and started steering her into the garage to be worked on.
While she had something to do, I sat down on the trailer in the sunlight taking in the warmth from my leather coat while at the same time sketching in my bound drawing book. I looked up occasionally to see how the car was coming, but aside from that, I just drew to my heart's content. I loved it as much as racing while it was my relaxing time. I yawned eventually and sunk back closing my eyes and falling asleep deeply with the book laying open across my chest as I dozed. It felt so good to take some down time finally. Normally I kept busy so just sleeping was a great reward.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 2:31 pm
I worked as fast and as hard as I could. My current record with working on a car was 2 hours and 27 minutes. Today, my record was going to be broken again. Then again, the last car I challenged myself with didn’t have as many repairs needed to be done. Every now and then I couldn’t help but look over and look at Logan. It was still weird and I couldn’t believe it. Franky cleared his throat as he got my attention again. He pointed at his watch and he was right. I had to focus and finish what had to be done. I said 2 hours and I meant two hours.
30 minutes to go.
I moved my hands faster and faster. Placing a bolt here and a nut there. Every now and then I would place another piece on the engine. I was almost done. Some of the other boys would help by handing me another piece I needed. This of course was allowed in my challenges because it would take so long to get the pieces I needed.
10 minutes.
I was almost done. I had to break my record. The new engine I placed in the Camaro was better than the one they had. Not to mention, it was the only new engine we had that could work with his ’69 Camaro. I quickly tightened the last bolt and placed my hands in the air. “Done!” I shouted with excitement. Franky whistled as he looked at his watch. “What?!” Franky was shaking his head but I didn’t know why; whether it was because he was impressed or disappointed. His silence was killing me. “Franky?” I groaned. The other boys stood around me as they too wanted to know how I did. “Did I do it in two hours?” Franky shook his head.
“You did it in 1 hour and 59 minutes.” The boys cheered and gave me high fives. I had beaten my record. Finally.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 4:42 pm
I woke up hearing cheers and looked around confused seeing Renegade finally finished and he looked surprised. He shuttered quietly as he sat up finding himself colder than usual. He walked over to the car looked at it surprised with a smile. "Wow," he whispered quietly smiling knowing he still wouldn't race tonight, but he would tomorrow probably.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 5:08 pm
I smiled at all of the boys who cheered for me. It wasn’t until I heard an unfamiliar voice, did I jump. Logan was admiring my handy work. At first, I didn’t really know what to say. What could I say? I hadn’t talked with the guy in who knows how many years. The last day I saw him was the day I found out –
Franky nudged me with one of his smiles. I cleared my throat. “Uh, yeah. She’s ready to go whenever you are. Though, I recommend you take it easy on her next time you drive.” For a moment, I just stared at him. The memory of that day was flooding back to me.
“Wait up, Logan!” I called. I was ten and Logan was 11. He told me he was taking me to some secret place. A place only he and I could talk. But about what, I couldn’t guess. I just figured he found an old car that we could play with. Little did I know how wrong I was. “Logan!” I called again. “You’re going too fast!” Logan finally stopped at a small creak. At the time, I didn’t understand its beauty. The water was crystal clear. I had never been there before but I knew of the place. It was the exact place his father told his mother that he-
I looked at Logan who was just staring at the water. I couldn’t read his expression. It was almost as if he was contemplating something. The young boy turned me. Something was different about him. “There’s something I want to tell you, Sophie.” My heart was racing and I couldn’t understand why. “I love you.” I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say. Then again, he didn’t give me a moment to because he immediately kissed me.
I pushed him away and shook my head. This wasn’t supposed to happen. We were supposed to be best friends forever. We weren’t supposed to kiss. That night, I ran home only to find the police there waiting for me.
I shook my head. I didn’t know how long I had been staring at him. “Just take it easy on her.” I finally said and began to walk away. There had to be something else I could work on. Something to get my mind off of him.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 6:20 pm
I looked up at her as she spoke before I closed my eyes tightly and closed the hood. "Thanks again," I said with an even voice before I climbed into my candy apple red Renegade and drove off without a second word. I didn't want one. I saw the way she was looking at me and I knew what she was remembering and I didn't want to deal with it. I kept driving and driving and driving until I'd reached that creek. Quickly, I found that place and got out of my car mouthing the words of a song I'd made up in my spare time.
After a while, I sat down next to the creak sticking my hand down into the water pulling a box out. I shuttered at the cold feeling that shocked my body, but I still held it there for a while longer just to enjoy the bitter feeling that soothed me. I opened the box and pulled out a necklace and looked at it calmly staring at the gear and key before I put it back into it's box. Then I pocketed it.
I stood up and walked back to the car continuing the song silently as I sat on Renegade's hood yet again as if she was furniture. He closed my eyes tightly finally stopping biting my lip deciding that I would have to finish that song. Still, I closed my eyes again in the cold air and closed my eyes just keeping my thoughts to myself but Sophie kept appearing again and again. I couldn't forget her. That fiery hair, spirited heart, song bird voice, and then her soul stealing eyes. . . I opened my eyes quickly pulling myself out of my day dreaming and sighed. I did miss her. I wanted to know what happened. And I wanted to know what was going on.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 7:00 pm
He left without another word. That was it. I just watched him leave. Just like that. Frank cleared his throat. I looked at him, expecting him to say something. “What?” I asked. “Stop staring at me like that. You’re giving me the creeps.”
“You know him, don’t you?” Frank asked. I said nothing. Instead, I walked in the opposite direction trying to find something to do. Franky just followed me as he continued to ask me questions. “There’s a past there. I know there is.” He chuckled. “Who was he, Soph?” He asked again.
“Franky, come on. He was no one. I got work to do and so do you.” I slide underneath a minivan that was brought in only a few hours ago. The damage was not that bad but I still made it seem like it was worth my attention. Franky left it at that. I was glad.
I worked on car after car. But no matter what I did, I couldn’t help but think of Logan and the river. That spot he had taken me to.
This was crazy! We were kids. It’s been years since I’ve seen him, let alone talk to him. I had to concentrate on my work. Not him.
Then again, that was easier said than done.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 7:27 pm
After a while I climbed into my car again and decided I had to do something. I couldn't leave her again and just leave everything open to anything. But I couldn't leave it completely alone. I drove back in the opposite direction to the shop before I stopped having to find a way to talk to her. Sure, I hated my life sometimes, but I couldn't leave Sophie alone like that. Of course she broke my heart, but that was years ago and I was persistent.
I drove back to the shop and walked over to the van finding her, or at least the bottom half of her. "The back tire is a little wobbly, maybe the axel's bent from the last time I got rammed," I said quietly to where it was barely audible as I knew it was a lame pick up line, but you know what? I didn't care, I had to do something. Leaving her like that, he couldn't do that.
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:24 pm
Just as I was about to be lost in my work, I heard his voice again. I turned my head and noticed shoes. And they didn’t belong to any of the guys in the garage. The shoes I saw were too new and clean. My heart was racing again. “Alright,” I sighed without moving. “Give me a few minutes.”
“Soph,” I heard Franky say. I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Frank,” I said in the same voice. “I’ll be done in a few minutes.” Quickly, I finished up and slide from underneath the minivan. My face, I could feel, was covered in more grease. Frank leaned against the van as he wanted to watch the two of us. I could feel he wanted to be protective of me but I couldn’t really understand it. Over the years, I had my fair share of boyfriends but he had never been this protective. Ever. “Frank.” I said again. “Don’t you have some work to do?” Frank looked at Logan and then back at me before walking off.
“Sorry about that.” I told him. “I’ll, uh, take a look at that wheel.” The boys and I put the car in position and examined the wheels. Each wheel seemed the way it should. I stood up and wiped my hands with my rag. “Your tires are fine. All of them are fine.”
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Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 8:35 pm
"I wanted to at least say good bye this time," I blurted out feeling like a moron for that, but I had to say it, "I don't want you to be mad at me forever." With that I turned away quickly looking at the wall rubbing my forehead feeling like even a bigger moron now. I couldn't stop it, it was just terrible. After a few seconds, I looked back over my shoulder at her wondering what she was going to say. I just threw myself like a desperate man and I felt like an idiot for it. I kind of started to wish I didn't.
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