Chapter 21: Jesse’s Race & Lose, He Ran?

As the sun dipped lower over the desert horizon, the air around Race Wars felt more electric than ever. Engines revved, rubber burned, and the smell of dust and gasoline was thick in the air. All eyes turned to the makeshift drag strip as Jesse, sitting confidently in his Jetta, prepared for the race of a lifetime against Johnny Tran.

Brian moved through the crowd, his face tight with worry as he spotted Jesse, checking his car one last time. There was a growing knot tightening in his gut. Racing for pinks with Tran wasn't just a risky move, it was downright dangerous. Tran was cutthroat, not the type to play fair, and if Jesse lost, there was no telling what Tran might do if Jesse panicked which all but a certainty knowing how much Jesse loves his Dad's car.

"Jesse!" Brian called, weaving through the bystanders as he hurried toward the mad scientist. He caught up just as Jesse climbed into his car, brimming with confidence.

Jesse rolled down the window, grinning wide. "Brian! Just in time to see me win this thing. Tran's goin' down, and this Jetta? She's finally gonna prove her worth."

Brian leaned in, trying to keep his tone calm but firm. "Jesse, look, man, this isn't just any race. You don't need to do this for pinks. There's more at stake than you think, and Tran… he's not someone to mess with, alright? You're pushing it."

Jesse scoffed, brushing him off with a wave. "Nah, man, you worry too much. I got this! The Jetta's in top shape, and I'm pumped. It's alright I ain't losing, this fool is running a Honda 2000, I'll win that way my dad, and I can roll together when he gets out of prison; it's all good. And for my dad, too… when he's out, he'll see I can make it on my own." His voice softened at the mention of his father, a fleeting vulnerability passing over his face.

Brian clenched his jaw, realizing there was no talking him down. Jesse was in too deep, and no amount of reasoning would pull him out now. "Well, they're just going to throw him right back in prison when he kills you."

But Jesse was already gone, the moment slipping as he turned his gaze back to the track, his face set with fierce determination. Tran was waiting, his gaze cold and calculating as he revved his engine. For him, this wasn't just a race for Tran, it was an opportunity to put Dom's crew in their place.

Walking to Jesse's window, Brian tried one last time to talk him out of it, "Jesse, don't do it, I bet you he has about 100 grand under the hood of that car." Jesse nodded, "Uh, huh…" He had no intention to back out and revved his engine as the race was nearing its start. Brian shook his head and didn't try any further as he backed away from the car.

The sun dipped lower over the desert, casting a reddish glow over the Race Wars scene. Engines roared and tires squealed, filling the air with the scent of burning rubber and the crackling energy of competition. Amid the frenzy, Jesse's nerves were a tangible force. He had been fine all day, playful and animated, talking a big game about how his car, his beloved Dad's Jetta, was going to dominate Tran's Honda S2000. But now, sitting in his car with Tran just feet away, the energy shifted. Jesse's bravado dimmed, and a hard glint of anxiety crept into his eyes.

Guldrin could see it. He stood by the sideline, clenching his fists, watching Jesse prep for the race with a flicker of worry in his chest. Jesse was family; he looked out for Guldrin, taught him the basics, and never hesitated to help. But right now, Jesse was slipping, and everyone knew that Tran played for keeps. Racing for pink slips was not a game, especially with someone like Tran, who had been on Jesse's case for a while now, waiting for an opportunity like this.

Shiro, standing beside Guldrin, sensed his tension. She looked at him with a steady, thoughtful expression. "You're worried about him," she observed, her voice calm amidst the chaos around them.

"Yeah," Guldrin admitted, his gaze fixed on Jesse as he revved the Jetta's engine. "He's not ready for this. Jesse's good, but he's got a nervous trigger. It's… it's like when the stakes are high, he loses control… At least that is what Dad always says… I have seen it a few times, but this is bigger than anything before."

Shiro nodded slowly, understanding in her own quiet way. "Maybe he thinks… if he wins, he'll prove something."

Guldrin glanced at her, taken aback by her insight. "Yeah, maybe." He thought about what racing meant to all of them, and especially to Jesse. For him, it wasn't just about the thrill of speed; it was validation, a means to prove himself in a world where he often felt he fell short. Guldrin only hoped Jesse would remember that the race was about skill and control, not just courage.

With that, Jesse ran his Jetta through its paces, his face set with determination as he gripped the wheel. Tran, already in his S2000, flashed a predatory grin, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the chase. Guldrin watched them line up, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and fear.

The crowd fell silent as the two cars revved their engines, a tangible sense of suspense filling the air. Shiro glanced up at Guldrin, her eyes narrowed as she took in every detail of the scene. She didn't fully understand the stakes, but she could see the intensity in everyone's faces, the way Dom clenched his jaw, and the worry that flickered in Letty's eyes. Dom knew he wouldn't be able to make it to Jesse before the race started, that must have been Jesse's goal in the beginning, knowing Dom would have stopped him; so all he could do was watch and pray he won.

"Ready… Set…" The announcer's voice cut through the silence, and the cars roared to life.

"Go!"

Jesse and Tran launched forward, engines screaming as they tore down the track. The Jetta surged ahead, and for a brief, exhilarating moment, it seemed like Jesse had the upper hand. The crowd cheered as he pulled ahead, the Jetta's turbo whined piercing through the desert air. Guldrin felt a surge of hope, his fists clenched as he silently urged Jesse on.

But then, halfway down the track, something shifted. Tran's S2000 came alive, surging forward with a burst of speed that left everyone breathless. The gap between the two cars closed rapidly, and before Jesse could react, Tran flew past him, his taillights a blur of red against the darkening sky.

Jesse's face twisted with desperation as he mashed the gas, trying to catch up, but it was no use. Tran crossed the finish line first, leaving Jesse in his dust. The crowd erupted, but the cheers were mixed with murmurs of pity and shock. Jesse's face drained of color, panic flickering in his eyes as he skidded to a halt, the reality of the loss sinking in.

Guldrin felt a heavy weight settle in his chest, his heart aching for Jesse. He could imagine the devastation in his surrogate brother's face, the way his hands would be shaking as he gripped the wheel. Shiro reached out, her hand brushing Guldrin's arm, grounding him in that moment. She didn't say anything; she didn't need to. Her presence was enough, a quiet reminder that they were there for each other, no matter what happened.

Jesse stumbled out of the car, his eyes darting around wildly as Tran approached, smug satisfaction written across his face. "Nice try, Jesse," he sneered, holding out his hand. "I'll take those keys now."

Jesse's breath hitched, his hands trembling as he fumbled with the keys. He looked at Dom, his face twisted with shame and desperation. "Dom… I… I thought…"

Dom's expression softened, a mixture of disappointment and empathy. "It's okay, Jesse. We'll figure it out. But right now, you need to own up to it."

Jesse's gaze flickered between Dom, Tran, and the crowd. His eyes filled with panic, and before anyone could stop him, he bolted, the Jetta screaming as he flew out of the lot, blazing down the street. The loud screeching of his tires and overtaxing of his engine, the only sounds heard as he tore away from the track, disappearing into the setting sun.

The crowd erupted into chaos, voices rising in a mixture of shock and disbelief. Tran stood there, his face twisting into a scowl as he watched Jesse vanish. "You better get that car back for me, Dom," he snarled, his tone dark and threatening.

Dom held his ground, his expression cold and unyielding. "You'll get it back, Tran. But don't think this changes anything between us. We aren't in your block anymore, you better watch who you talk to like that." Dom walked away tired of this.

"TORETTO! TORETTO!" Tran shouted, angered beyond what losing a car should have made him, "SWAT CAME INTO MY HOUSE! DISRESPECTED MY WHOLE FAMILY! BECAUSE SOMEBODY NARC'D ME OUT! AND YOU KNOW WHAT?" He pointed his finger at Dom, "IT WAS YOU!"

Dom, who had been standing there unflinching, lost it and punched him with a left hook, knocking Tran to the floor. The crowd burst into an uproar as Dom straddled him and began beating him one punch after the other. The security for the event tried to pull him off, only to be hit as he scrambled back onto Tran.

Letty saw Lance coming to help and laid him out with a strong right hook, his Smith & Wesson 4566, scattering to the ground, which Guldrin quickly pocketed under Shiro's questioning gaze. She may have questions, but knew when to keep quiet, as no one else had seen his action.

Meanwhile, Dom was finally pulled away as he shouted, "I NEVER NARC'D ON NOBODY! NEVER! I NEVER NARC'D ON NOBODY!

Tran sneered, spitting out blood from his mouth, backing away as he muttered something under his breath. Guldrin, still stunned, looked up at Dom, his heart pounding with worry. "What's gonna happen to Jesse? Is… is he gonna be okay?"

Dom sighed, still fuming but calmed down, running a hand over his face. "I don't know, kid. But we're gonna have to find him before Tran does. He's family, and we don't leave family behind."

Shiro, still holding onto Guldrin's arm, looked up at him with a steady gaze. "We'll find him," she said quietly, her voice filled with a calm determination. "He's part of your family. You don't leave your family behind."

Dom gave her a grateful nod, appreciating her simple but profound understanding of the situation. "Exactly, Shiro. We stick together."

The rest of the crew gathered around, their faces etched with worry and concern. Letty placed a comforting hand on Guldrin's shoulder. "We're gonna find him, Son. Don't worry. Jesse just needs some time to cool off, and we'll bring him back. I know you are worried about him, he is like an older brother to you, we will find him."

A lingering sense of dread settled over the group. They all knew the risks, knew that Tran wasn't one to forgive and forget. Jesse's actions had stirred something dangerous, and now, they were racing against time to find him before Tran did. However, they had something else that was more time-sensitive, if Jesse wanted to hide, he wouldn't be found. So Dom planned to have the crew complete one last heist before they searched for Jesse.

Guldrin and Shiro walked around the crowd as Guldrin thought about why Jesse ran. Emily was held in Shiro's hands, her mind racing with how to help Guldrin feel better at this moment, and Shiro forgot to pay attention to how hard she was hugging Emily. If Emily was a normal cat, this amount of force would have injured her, but for Emily, it was a mild inconvenience.

"Why… Why did he run? Doesn't he know Tran shot our car for just being in his turf? What will he do when he finds him? We have to find him first… Tran will kill him, we can't let that happen." Guldrin was spiraling as he continued to walk around, until Shiro placed her hand on his face, "Calm… Breathe…" Her utterance drew him back to reality as he followed her instructions.

"Good, we will do what we can do. This is a puzzle, think with a clear head, and we can solve it." She clasped his face, making him stare into her eyes.

Guldrin's breathing steadied under Shiro's calm gaze. Her words, soft yet commanding, grounded him, pulling him from the whirlwind of fear and worry that had threatened to consume him. Emily, released from Shiro's intense grip, landed gracefully at her feet, brushing against Guldrin's leg as if to remind him she was there too.

"Thank you, Shiro. I… I just… don't want anything to happen to Jesse. He's like a brother I never had," Guldrin whispered, voice thick with emotion. Jesse had been there from the beginning, always helping him feel part of the crew, and this reckless race felt like watching a brother slip over the edge.

Shiro nodded, still holding his gaze with her steady green eyes. "Then let's be smart about this. Rushing around in panic will only make things worse. We have to think like Jesse, understand why he ran, and figure out where he might go." She released him, and Guldrin felt a newfound resolve replace his fear.

Just then, a voice caught their attention, Mia, heatedly arguing with Dom as the rest of the crew prepared for their heist. She looked desperate, her face a mixture of worry and anger. "Dom, you can't keep doing this! Look at what it's done to Jesse! If you go through with this heist, what's left of us as a family? You're risking everything!" She pleaded, grabbing his arm.

Dom looked down at her, eyes filled with a mixture of frustration and regret. "Mia, we've got no choice. We need this last run. After this… We'll be able to disappear and go somewhere safer. This is the only way to get us out of this mess for good."

Guldrin noticed Brian lurking nearby, listening intently, his jaw clenched as he watched Mia and Dom. He hadn't yet fully earned the crew's trust, let alone Guldrin's, and hearing Mia's desperation seemed to weigh heavily on him. Guldrin's instincts screamed that something was off; the way Brian's gaze shifted, conflicted but determined, gave him an uncomfortable feeling.

As Dom walked away from Mia, Brian slipped out of the shadows and approached her. "Mia… you don't have to go through this alone," he said softly, reaching out. She looked at him, her face clouded with frustration and sadness, and for a moment, it seemed like she wanted to let her guard down. But something in her eyes hardened, and she stepped back, shaking her head.

"Brian, you don't understand what this family has been through. We don't just walk away when things get hard. If you're really here for us, then you'll understand that." Her words were edged with a pain that struck Brian deeply, and for the first time, Guldrin sensed a flicker of vulnerability in the usually confident agent.

The tension in the air thickened as Dom gathered the crew, going over the final details of the heist. Guldrin's stomach twisted, knowing they were running out of time to find Jesse. But Dom's eyes met his, filled with a fierce resolve. "We finish this job, Guldrin. We will find Jesse afterward. Trust me." With that, Dom and the others left, leaving Guldrin and Shiro in Mia's care. This seemed to be the chance Brian was waiting on, as he pulled Mia to the side and said something that would change everything.

(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)