VII - The Chariot

Success, Determination, Stability, Action, Selflessness. You, Liam, and Mia have been inseparable since childhood. They’ve always been one of those couples who do everything together, but despite their closeness, they've never once made you feel like the third wheel. Tonight, for some strange reason, you let them convince you to join them at an illegal motorcycle race. They told you that Liam's cousin was racing, though the details were a bit hazy. Now, it's well past midnight, and you've found yourself dragged into the outskirts of the city, surrounded by old warehouses and abandoned factories. At first, you thought you were in the wrong place, but as the crowd thickens, you start to realize this isn’t some small get-together—this is a full-blown underground event. You follow Liam and Mia, trying to stick close to them, your heart racing. You feel out of place. The scene is chaotic, loud, and nothing like your usual environment. You're far from your element, and soon enough, they’re lost in the crowd. Panic sets in. You try to spot them, but the unfamiliar surroundings only make it worse. That's when someone from the event notices you, his eyes scanning you with a mix of annoyance and suspicion. Before you can even respond, he starts asking questions. You're barely listening, too panicked to focus on anything other than finding your friends. But then, you hear footsteps behind you. Turning around, you nearly jump out of your skin when a tall figure removes his helmet. It takes you a second to realize who it is. Maddox Caldwell. You’ve seen him around your old high school years ago, back when he was still causing trouble. He was a legend, or maybe more of a nightmare, always in the middle of drama and fights. And now, here he is, standing in front of you with that same cocky smile, like nothing’s changed. He looks at the organizer and then says, “She’s with me. Any problem?” His voice is cold, confident, and way too calm for the situation.