Run. |Chapter 8: Preview

[Taiga]

Run.
​

Chapter music added for all chapters except beginning chapter.
Turn up your speakers to 'feel' the story as you read!​

​

Chapter 1 | Beginning of the Past
Chapter 2 | Mirage...?
Chapter 3 | Harsh victory
Chapter 4 | Marcus
Chapter 5 | Lost in memories
Chapter 5.1 | Lost in the present
Chapter 6 | I'll die another day
Chapter 7 | Godzilla's a lifesaver
Chapter 8 | Preview

Chapter 1 | Beginning of the Past​

It's a few minutes past midnight. Everyone's asleep in their comfy Ikea beds. The freeway's almost empty, almost silent. Almost. There's only that distinct turbo whine of the 700hp GT-R tearing down the H-95. It was as if it was racing an invisible car.

Oh god! I got blood all over the seat.
He's bleeding bad. Real bad. Pump it, Nick!

I am! Any faster and we'll warp outta space.
There! There! Sign says we're just 20 klicks away from the hospital.
-Looks back at Sarah and Jack-
Hang in there, Jack.

I...feel...woozy.
I ca-..can-..can't..
Ev..erything's fuzzy.
I...I

We're losing him! Step on it, Nick!
No! No! We're losing him!
Oh god.








It was the happiest moment of my life.
The day my baby arrived. I saved up for months to get her. I gave up buying the iPhone, that headphone, even that game, uhh what was it called?
Right. Granza Turiformo 5.4 and that uh.. PSBOX60-3 machine thing for her.

The truck unloaded and it stared at me. Oh, my lovely Silvia.

I got into the car and just sat there. Sat there, admiring the interior. Thinking again, how much I wanted this and how much I saw this online.
Thinking about me. Driving it now. I was overwhelmed.

I started it.
The 250hp turbocharged engine rumbled into life.
I couldn't wipe the grin off my face. I just couldn't.
Few years down the road, I'll be drifting this around Eiger, with people cheering, "Jack! Jack!" as I show them my insane angles.

I took it for a spin around midfield city, stopping by the shops to buy the groceries and bringing them home in the boot of my S15.
Oh. But I couldn't help going off to Midfield Raceway for a hmm... fast drive, or spin.

I raced it rather lightly, around the track. I didn't want to destroy my baby on her first day out. I could slide it! Just like how that guy on drift bible taught.
But I had to stop though. My tires will go bad if I keep sliding it. For now.

Then, I caught a glimpse of a Honda S2000 in my rearview.

 

[Anna+Reece]

I'm liking it so far! The Ikea beds part made me laugh!

 

[phil bell]

Like the photos,the fit in really nicely!
And dude,why does your Mitsubishi 3000GT have FWD?Rear tailshaft broke?

 

[Anna+Reece]

Like the photos,the fit in really nicely!
And dude,why does your Mitsubishi 3000GT have FWD?Rear tailshaft broke?

I hope not! I think it was made with FWD, it's an SL. Makes me sad though, I want AWD

 

[DK]

This looks good, I'm looking forward to more.

 

[Taiga]

Chapter 2 | Mirage...?​

Chapter Music








The S2000 flashed it's lights for a little bit, indicating a race.
He drove up to my S15 and signaled in sign language, "1 Lap."
Being the never-say-no type of person, I nodded my head and gripped the wheel hard. I knew I'd win. I had 250 horses.
"I'm racing, wow."

We did a rolling start and started on his hand signal.
Immediately, the S2000 pulled ahead.
That thing sure had a lot of power. We went into the first corner with him being in front. I slid a little on the exit, increasing that gap in between our cars. I cursed silently and drove on to the wide S.
The S2000 driver took weird lines. He wasn't going outside-inside-outside. He was more of out-in-unknown-out.
Distracted by thoughts, I missed the apex of the S curves completely. He pulled away.

I couldn't catch him on the straights either. That S2000 definitely has a monster underneath the hood.
I cursed my S15 for being so slow, and myself for losing him.
He was a mere speck in the distance now.

I finally completed the lap.
The S15's tires have suffered from this mischief of mine. There is wheel wobble, too.
Oh Silvia, what have I done.

However, the silver AP1 was nowhere to be seen.








He's back! Jack!
Jack! How are you feeling now?
Jack! I can't lose you.

We're just 10 klicks away now.

What happened just now?
It was so chaotic, I lost track.



You okay, Jack?

Yeah... uhh. I just passed out for a couple.

Who were those people?

It was weird... When I was unconscious, I had this flashback.
This...This flashback from the day..ughh!
My head! Ughh! Arghh!


The day what, Jack?
What day? What day?!
Jack? Jack! Can you see me?
Jack! JACK!








Sorry for the lack of photos, I'll post some up soon.
And thanks for the support guys!

 

[DK]

I think it's interesting the way that you have 2 different timelines. 👍

 

[Zhu8]

Indeed, I suppose he wants us to be twice as excited for the next chapter?

 

[Taiga]

Indeed, I suppose he wants us to be twice as excited for the next chapter?

I have the next 2 chapters already typed out.
Just gathering the photos atm.

 

[phil bell]

Reminds me of Driver San Francisco,I like.

 

[Taiga]

Chapter 3 | Harsh victory​

Chapter Music






The Sunday cup.
The field was mostly made up of grandmas and soccer moms in their odysseys and life step vans.
But there was 2 to watch out for.
2 civics..




My first race. And I'm racing against these people?
Haha! A volvo and a step van?
I wanted to shout taunts over to team Minivan McGee but held it back.
Too cocky, a little bit too cocky if I did.
Civics? Those FWD junks.
Nothing my S15 can't beat. It has 300 horses now.
And it's a few KGs lighter too. And it looks so much better.
I'll take them by the first lap, then the rest of the race will be a solo run.


The race started and soon, the 3 of us pulled to the front, overtaking moms, dads and grandmas in their turbo Volvos and step vans.

I was behind the first of the civic team.
That civic's bound to understeer.
I saw an opportunity and dived.


However, he did not race clean.
Although no contact was made, I was forced to the right so much, I ran out of track and onto the run-off. I cursed out loud in my closed, air-conditioned environment and raced on.




He understeered!
Typical FF behaviour, I thought. I was reminded again how glad I was this was a rear wheel drive. Not only can I slide it out of corners, I also had he upper hand in cornering compared to FF's.
He went so far off with the understeer that he had no chance to retaliate to my pass. I was glad I didn't have to trade paint.


The other teammate of the civic team, pulled away while I was battling with the EP3.
"Bunch of dirty drivers. This ain't one bit legit."
I caught up going into the second lap, remembering how the FF's suffer in cornering, I tried to pounce on the upcoming hairpin.


Suprisingly, he held on well.
I was still behind him coming out of that turn.
"C'mon! Last lap! Let me have my first win!"


We battled and swap positions for a few time in the lap.
I nearly went out of course again at the same spot that EP3 ran me off.
This driver isn't as defensive as his EP3 teammate, I noticed. But he sure is a lot quicker.
And a cleaner racer too.
But they way he drove.
He drove like that guy who did in the phantom S2000 I raced a month ago.
"Was it him? Could he really be?
Well surely, he's driving another Honda.
Gotta wait till the race's over before I can talk."

My S15 had the legs on the home stretch.
I inched closer each milisecond on the straights.
I did a \m/ sign to his window.
They were tinted.
Actually, both the drivers' windows were tinted.
Those are a weird bunch of guys.
I got closer and closer, and passed him!


My first victory, at the soccermo-.
The Sunday Cup!
I was overwhelmed!
Damn. I was really happy too!
I got the prize 5,000 CR. and a little trophy to remind me of my success whenever I look at it on that shelf at home.

I went home. And it is then, I remembered about the civic drivers.
They were an odd bunch.
"Aww man! I forgot to talk to them!"

Then my cellphone rang.

"Yeah?"
"Jack? Jack Clarkson?"
"Yeah."

He hung up.
Weird.







Ahh! My head! Everything's a blur.
Weirdest...part is, I had...this memory played out in front of me.
It was like...watching a movie.
A movie...of...you, Sarah.

Huh?

When we first met.

That meet?

No. Before that. The Sunday Cup.

The Sunday Cup?
We met each other in the OrangeMoon touge-race club meet.

Weren't you...the one who drove the civic?
Not the EP3, the other one. You put up...a good fight there, Sarah.
-Cough-

The first time we raced was on Mt. No-Akina, that OrangeMoon meet.
Are you alright? The bleeding's stopped, but you're acting weird.

We're almost there!
Is your head alright, Jack?

That wasn't you?
Then who was it?
Could it be Marc-
Ahh! Oww!

Marc who, Jack?
Jack?
Jack?!
God, we lost him again.

Again?!
He could've lost too much blood.
It's been an hour after the accident.
Don't worry though. I think he's alright.


That was some kind of freak accident back there, Nick.
I mean, who ends up having turned upside down with 2 wheels missing?
He must have crashed going 120mph.

120mph or not, Jack isn't the type of person who makes mistake while racing fast.
This accident's just not like him, you know?

Then what do you suggest, Nick?
That he crashed himself?
That he wanted to take his own life?



No! That was not what I meant.
What I meant was.
What if this wasn't an accident?

 

[phil bell]

I see where this is goin.

 

[DK]

Oh, a cliffhanger. Awesome. 👍

 

[Taiga]

Glad you guys liked it.
Sorry to leave it ending on a cliffhanger, but I sorta just wanted to.

 

[Taiga]

Chapter 4 | Marcus​

Chapter Music








The Eiger Mountains.

A day after the the Sunday Cup.

A lone AP1 was spotted on the tarmac trail.
It was as if he was running a time trial.
Or racing a ghost , so it seems.




Man, I should have brought my AP1 there yesterday.
I've beaten him with it before, and so would I if I brought it instead of that Type-R beater.

I guess I under-estimated him.
And James...why did he drive his EP3 yesterday?
Stupid. I've had enough of that guy. I rather have someone else like Jack Clarkson, rather than him.
Although, James does have a thing for hitting stuff.
Maybe.

But Jack Clarkson. He's really someone.

I could hold him off till the end even though I'm only with 200 horses.
Plus, the Type-R's bone stock.
Right! He won with luck. I knew he had me on the straights.
Damn! I should have brought this car.
He really got lucky. I was merely careless.

Damn! I swear, he got lucky.
That smug face when he walked onto the podium.
Urrgh!
And James, that useless 🤬.

I wish Jack would just die.
The sight of that S15 makes me sick.
I wish he'd just die.
I should've just ended his S15 that month ago at Midfield.


Argh! I've lost myself in thoughts again.
Let's make this lap count.

Marcus punched the gas, sending all that 400HP into the rear wheels, creating a tiny bit of wheelspin on the semi-slicks.
A tiny squeal, a loud Naturally-Aspirated roar.

What am I even doing racing in the Sunday Cup.
I should be doing Boss' work.
He never lets me in on anything besides racing for cash.
Am I that useless?
I can do whatever he tells James to do.
I can wreck someone's car too.
Does Boss underestimate me?

I can force someone out of the road too!
I can shoot at people too!
I wonder why he never gave me a gun.
Why does James get a gun?!
Ughh!!
Maybe I can prove myself to Boss, then maybe, I can be a wheelman for his jobs too.
Now I just have t--

Marcus spun his AP1.
Arhhh!
Maybe.
Maybe...I can't even drive.

Damn that Jack Clarkson. I'll see him again, and the next time... We'll see what happens.









-Present Time-

Nick, Sarah and the wounded Jack arrived at Grindelwald Hospital.
Jack was wheeled into the Emergency Care Unit, still knocked out.


Man I hope he's alright.
I don't want to lose him, you know?
He's a good friend. To you too, Nick.

I don't want to lose him either.
He was there when we needed him.
Remember that time when your RX7 broke down in the Mt. Eiger Trail?
1 call, and he was there.

Yeah, how could I forget?
He gave you his S15 when your car blew it's engine and went on flames.

I love that S15. I have the keys with me right now, you know?
I hope he's alright.

You said you think this isn't an accident.
Could it be Jack's mistake?
I'm slowly leaning towards your thinking, Nick.
What if someone wanted to put Jack down?
The way Jack crashed didn't seem like only his car was involved.

Now that you mentioned it, it does look like someone intentionally pitted him, causing him to slide and eventually, roll.
But why would anyone do that?
Does he have enemies?

Not that I know of.
Maybe it was the Eiger SpeedStars. Jack did force one of the guy's car to spin, though unintentionally.
You think this is revenge?

I don't know, man.
I'm hoping it was just his mistake.
He could be in real trouble.
We gotta ask him when he comes to.

 

[Michelin]

Loving the story so far, keep up !

 

[Zach]

WHY ARE YOU GOOD AT EVERYTHING?! PHOTOS AND NOW FAN FICTION?!

*sits in a corner and feels inferior XD

 

[DK]

Nice way to build up a character! 👍

 

[Taiga]

@NascarManiaco99 Thanks! I enjoyed writing the story, though I did have a bout of writers' block at Chapter 4.

@Zach That's a huge compliment, thanks! Now go out and take some photos and write some stories, hehe!

@driftking18594 Thanks! I'll be digging more into Nick and Sarah's life as the fanfic goes on.

 

[Michelin]

Man, I'm quite having some ideas for a fanfic, but then I would copy some ideas from various fanfics around here, which is something I don't wanna do. That's what happens when people write some good story and you can't stop reading (Hashiriya did this to me, everyday I'm reading from Vol.1 to 4, it's addicting )

 

[Taiga]

Man, I'm quite having some ideas for a fanfic, but then I would copy some ideas from various fanfics around here, which is something I don't wanna do. That's what happens when people write some good story and you can't stop reading (Hashiriya did this to me, everyday I'm reading from Vol.1 to 4, it's addicting )

Hopefully mine will be one of that.

 

[Michelin]

Hopefully mine will be one of that.

From the start already it shows it will be one of those.

 

[Taiga]

Chapter 5 | Lost in memories​

Chapter Music








2010
Tuned Car Championship
Tokyo Route 246


Jack has upgraded his street toy to a track-ready grip machine.
With a new wing, a wide-body kit and larger wheels, this S15 holds Jack's line like a dream.


Just another race, just another win.
Let's see... A HPA Golf, a few skylines and oh! A 400R. Easy.
Nothing my Silvia can't beat.

He lined his car up on the grid.
He gripped the wheel hard, thinking again about his launch tactics to shoot through the positions in the first straight.



GO!
The race started.
A loud mix of different exhaust notes filled the streets of Tokyo.
The Tuned Car Championship begun.

I miscalculated the launch.
Misfire.
The HPA Golf left me behind.

But my S15 had the legs on the straights now, thanks to the new turbo I've installed.
It had 350 horses now.

Into the first corner, and immediately the few Nissans that were in front suddenly became part of my rearview.

I took the HPA Golf next.

I out-braked him and punched it into the next corner.
I was soon clear of the hatchback by the next straight.

I was now in 2nd place.
The 400R was up next.
"That thing sure has a nice rear."
It sounded great too.

I followed him closely through the long sweeping corner, and made my move in the exit.

But.
But I under-estimated him.
I fell back.

"How?!"
"No way that thing has so much power!"
This instance reminded me of the time when I've got my S15 months ago, about how I lost to a mystery driver in a monster S2000.
"Say... What if this is him?"
I lost focus for a moment and fell a little further back.

"Damn!"
"Again?!"
"Why do I keep thinking of that guy.
"Jeez."


I caught his draft and made my move again.

But no.
He managed to keep me behind him.

"Could it really be?"
"I gotta ask."
"After the race, I will."
"I won't forget like last time."
"Or is it just someone else?"

He ran a perfect line through the final hairpin, but I did better than perfect.
I took him in the straights as I had a better exit.
I put the pedal to the metal, taking all of that 350 horses with me.
He was also stepping on it.

I went across the line.
But the 400R was nowhere to be seen.
"Again?"
I looked in my rearview.
I saw a cloud of smoke, followed by a Golf emerging through that.
He must have broken down.

 

[Taiga]

Chapter 5.1 | Lost in the present​

Chapter Music
Continue song from Chapter 5.




Present Time




Ahh! My head!


Jack! You've woken up!

Where...Where am I?

You're at the Hospital, Jack.

Nick!

You seem surprised to see me.

It's weird.
It was like... I had my life played out in front of me.


Are you alright now, Jack?

It was like a movie of my life.
Of when I first received my S15.
That Tuned Car Championship.
And the Sunday cup. And.. and.

You've told us about the Sunday cup before you passed out again, Jack.

Again?
How many times have I been out?
Ugh.

Few times.
Don't you remember a thing, Jack?

No. I just remember...
I can't remember a thing.

He must have hit his head hard.

Definitely. You've made the rear seats of my GT-R red with your bleeding.

What happened?
The only thing I remember is getting into my LF-A and...
And everything's a blur after that.

You mean... You don't remember a thing?
Not even how you crashed?

No. Not at all.
Where's my car?
How did you guys know that I crashed?
How bad was it?

You dialled us on your cell, Jack.
You sounded as if you were dieing and called for help.
By the way, where's your phone?
It wasn't anywhere near the wreck and it certainly isn't on you.

Beats me. Where's the LF-A?

Probably on the way to the impound or junk-yard.
You really don't remember a thing?

I've already told you!
I don't!
God!

Relax, Jack.
At least you're fine.
That was one helluva crash back there.

Judging from your wreck, it looks like you flipped several times too.

Let me have some time alone.
My head's throbbing and I just feel like having a rest.

Alright. Rest well, Jack.

We'll see you tomorrow.
We'll get you a new cell too.
And a new car.

 

[Zach]

Excited to know the new car btw, those pics are taken by you? noticed the expressway signs look S'porean.

 

[GT5 X1]

Epic stuff you've got here!

 

[Taiga]

@Zach: I have not decided on that car yet, haha! I wish, but GT-Rs are quite common here in Singapore, aren't they? I just googled 'R35 Highway' and got that.

@GT5 X1: Thanks mate! I enjoyed writing this very much!

 

[DK]

Those RM'd S15s are great things, aren't they? Especially if you need them to beat a coked-up gangster...

 

[Taiga]

Those RM'd S15s are great things, aren't they? Especially if you need them to beat a coked-up gangster...

Yes they are. And they look really good too.

 

[phil bell]

Would be interesting to have a twist in the car selection.