Page 3 of Psycho Boys

“Let’s get going," I squeal, making sure to give the guys a hug and kiss before Dom and I head for his car.

We weave in and out of the crowd, laughter and shouts echoing around us, filling me with an infectious sense of freedom. As soon as we're in Dom's car and he starts the engine, listening to it purr beneath the hood, I reach over and grab his hand, anxious but ready to speed off into the night and leave our worries behind.

"Lets win this shit, Dom."

"Anything for you, Calista... anything for you." He smiles sweetly, bringing my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles.

And then we're off, flying through the dark streets with hundreds of cars around us.

The rush of the wind whips past us, the roar of the engines drowning out the chaos that once filled my mind. Each turn ignites a new wave of exhilaration, a sensation I’ve craved. Dom grips the wheel tightly, his focus unwavering as we hurtle forward, the neon lights blurring into streaks of color that dance in the dark. I glance over at him, my heart racing, not just from the speed but from the intoxication of being alive—of being here, right now, with him.

“You’ve got this, Dom! Just remember to breathe!” I shout over the roar of the engine.

“Always do,” he replies, eyes glimmering with fire and determination.

We weave through the maze of cars, feeling the vibrations reverberate through our bodies as we chase the high from this dangerous game. As we reach the outskirts of the crowd, I can see others striving for the same rush—a brotherhood of speedsters united by the thrill of outpacing one another through the night.

But there’s a flicker of concern nagging at me as I steal glances in the rearview mirror, searching for Ash and Kill, making sure they’re safe in the midst of the noise. I steal a moment to appreciate how their presence grounds me, fortifying me against the anxiety that threatens to surge again.

“Focus on the road, Calista,” Dom says, his voice steady but teasing. “I need you with me; no distractions.”

He flashes a grin, a clever spark in his eye that reminds me just how much he loves the adrenaline of the race—the momentary escape from everything weighing us down.

I bite my lip, enthralled by the way his entire being lights up. This is his moment, and I refuse to let anything—especially my fears—cloud it.

“Okay, okay, I’m here,” I affirm, replacing the worry with all the pride I can muster.

The long stretch begins, our tires squealing with the high-pitched screech of rubber meeting pavement as we take the narrow on ramp, accelerating onto the highway. Dom maneuvers expertly, edging ahead as we fight for first against our competitors.

As I think about Dom, my stomach knots with anticipation, the thrill of the danger intertwining with the exhilaration coursing through us. But tonight, in this race, we are united—we stand together against whatever darkness looms over us. My heartbeat slows for a brief second as I think of Kill and Ash, both braving their own battles in a different way tonight.

"Dom, I'm worried about the others," I admit, feeling a sinking notion in my stomach, a sense of unease.

His gaze flicks over to me, determination solidifying his features. “I know, Cali, but this is our moment. We have to seize it, even in the chaos. We can’t let fear control us any longer.”

I nod, swallowing the knot in my throat. He’s right. I lean back, trying to relax and allow myself to get lost in the rhythm of the race. My hands grip the edge of the seat as we lurch forward, every turn pushing us closer to the cutthroat thrill of the front of the line.

Dom leans into a sharp curve, the car roaring like a beast beneath us. I can feel the shift in momentum with every turn; he knows how to play this game. His confidence is infectious, giving me a sense of stability. I let out a celebratory cheer as we gain speed, the sounds of distant roars filling the air as we inch closer.

Suddenly, everything shifts. A car jostles between us, cutting too close, too fast. The world blurs; I hear Dom shout something I can’t quite grasp over the blaring horns and the sound of metallic dreams colliding. My grip tightens instinctively, and for a moment, chaos reigns—the world spinning, my life beginning to flash before my eyes as I desperately reach out for Dom.

He pushes the accelerator down harder, sending us racing forward, trying to escape the impact, and there’s no ignoring the anxiety creeping back in. The smell of gasoline wafts heavily throughout the car, making me gag, and I watch Dom scrunch his face in confusion.

"What the fuck is th-"

He doesn't get to finish. Everything happens so fast, and before I know it, we're slammed into the force of the impact, sending us spinning like a dreidel into the pitch black. I reachout to hold onto him, my eyes squeezed tightly shut, the car still spinning into the unknown.

Another hit from a different side sends the car into thin air, flipping dangerously down the wrong way on the highway, throwing us around like ragdolls inside. Glass shatters all around us. The sound of scraping metal piercing my ears. The smell of gas grows even stronger, making me fear what's going to come next.

Drifting in and out of consciousness, my head smacks into the dash and the crushed door, pulling me away from reality. I reach for Dom, trying to feel for him, but as the car continues to flip, slightly slowing down, I feel myself start to lose my grip on reality.

As the mangled car finally comes to a stop, it's final collision being into a guardrail, everything around me is eerily silent, and I can feel myself slowly slipping away. I lie here helpless, waiting for the sound of sirens to signal that help is on the way. But they don't come. Instead, I hear the faint slam of a car door and heavy footsteps approaching in the distance.

I try to scream for help, but nothing comes out.

I try to move my arms and legs, even my body, but I can't get anything to move, and I begin to freak out, especially when I still see no sight of Dom.

The footsteps get louder, closer, and I think I'm about to be saved. A dark figure stands over me, watching me, but it's too dark to see who it is. They crouch down, peering into the badly mangled car, brushing a strand of bloodsoaked hair out of my face.

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