chapter 18-21

Chapter 18 Remember

Hector nodded, taking in Zeke's advice. "Thanks, man. You're a really good driver yourself," he said, giving Zeke a friendly pat on the back.

Zeke chuckled. "Yeah, well, I've had a lot of practice. But hey, you boys aren't bad yourselves. You put up a good fight out there."

Hector and Brandon both smiled, feeling a sense of pride at Zeke's compliment. As Zeke turned to leave, Hector couldn't help but ask, "Hey, you're heading towards New Angeles, right? You must have some money if you're living there instead of here in Los Angeles."

Zeke grinned. "I've got enough to get by. But don't worry about me. You boys focus on getting better at racing. Who knows? Maybe we'll meet again on the track."

With that, Zeke got into his car and drove away, leaving Hector and Brandon with a newfound respect for the skilled racer.

As they continued their drive back to the garage, Hector couldn't help but think about what Zeke said. He remembered the days when Los Angeles used to be a thriving city, full of opportunities for everyone. But after the Corporation and Syndicate wars in 2050, everything changed. It was a long and brutal war, with many losses that split the United States.

The war had a lasting impact on Los Angeles, turning it into a slum where the poor worked tirelessly to make ends meet. On the other hand, the upper class, who used to be normal people, slowly added hyper chips to themselves, making themselves able to do almost anything. Want to fight? Get a chip. Want to dance? Get a chip. Want to run faster? Get new legs. As long as you had money, you could do anything.

Hector remembered how the hyper-chipped upper class would look down on the poor, considering them inferior and unworthy. They didn't care about anyone else but themselves, and that was what led to the downfall of Los Angeles.

However, the memories of the war were still fresh in Hector's mind. He couldn't forget the day when his family was killed during one of the deadliest battles. It was a day that changed his life forever.

Hector's family was caught in the crossfire between the Corporation and the Syndicate, two powerful factions fighting for control over Los Angeles. They were just innocent civilians caught in the middle of a war that had nothing to do with them. Hector barely made it out alive, but he lost everything that day.

As they pulled into the garage, Hector turned to Brandon and said, "I was just a baby when the wars happened. It's 2071 now, but it seems like nothing has really changed. Los Angeles is still a slum, and the upper class still dominates everything."

Brandon nodded in agreement. "Yeah, and it's not just here. The whole world's messed up. There was that war that brought back the Koreas and made New Korea. So that's a plus and Japan had its moments. Everywhere you look, there's conflict and chaos. It could always be worse."

Hector sighed heavily. "I just hope we can make a better life for ourselves through racing. Maybe we can get out of this place and find somewhere better."

But deep down, Hector knew that their chances of escaping the slums were slim. The world was too broken and too divided for anyone to truly make a difference. All they could do was focus on their passion for racing and hope that it would be enough to get them by.

As they drove back to the garage and parked their cars and headed inside, Brandon noticed DD sitting alone on a bench. He walked over and sat down next to her, while Hector headed off to his own room.

"Hey, you okay?" Brandon asked, noticing the worry etched on DD's face.

DD sighed. "I'm just a little scared, you know? About bringing a kid into this world. With everything that's going on, it feels like such a big responsibility."

Brandon put an arm around her. "We'll be fine, as long as we stick together. We'll raise our kid to be strong and resilient, and we'll make sure they know how to survive in this world."

DD smiled, leaning into him. "I love you," she said softly.

"I love you too," Brandon replied, planting a kiss on her forehead.

DD leaned into Brandon's embrace, feeling comforted by his words. "I know, you're right," she said. "I just need to keep reminding myself that we're in this together."

Brandon kissed her forehead. "Always. And we'll make sure our kid has a good life, no matter what."

DD smiled, feeling grateful for Brandon's support. They sat there in silence for a while, enjoying the calm of the night and each other's company.

Eventually, they made their way up to the roof of the garage, where they sat on the hood of Brandon's car and looked up at the stars. The night sky was clear, and the stars shone bright against the darkness.

Brandon looked at DD and said, "Do we have any names yet?"

DD thought for a moment before answering. "If it's a boy, Adam. And if it's a girl, Selina."

Brandon smiled. "I like both of those names. Adam or Selina, our kid's going to be amazing."

DD leaned into Brandon's side, feeling content. "Yeah, they will be."

As they sat there together, looking up at the stars, they both knew that the world was a scary place. But as long as they had each other, they felt like they could handle anything.

Meanwhile, Hector lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. He couldn't shake the feeling of hopelessness that hung over him like a dark cloud. He heard Brandon and DD talking outside, but he didn't have the energy to join them. Instead, he closed his eyes and let the sound of their voices lull him to sleep.

Chapter 19 Brandon

Brandon had his own demons to face, ones that he kept buried deep within himself. He had grown up in a broken home, with a father who was abusive and an alcoholic. He had watched his mother suffer through the beatings and the neglect, and he had vowed to protect her no matter what.

But one day, when Brandon was just sixteen years old, his mother had died. It was sudden and unexpected, and it left Brandon feeling like he had lost everything. He had to drop out of school to take care of himself, and he turned to racing as a way to escape his pain.

It was on a race track where he met Sage, a fellow racer who quickly became his best friend. Sage had also suffered a tragic loss in his life, and the two of them bonded over their shared grief. It was through Sage that Brandon met DD, who was working as a mechanic at the time.

DD had her own struggles, having grown up in poverty and struggling to make ends meet. But she was strong and determined, and she worked hard to build a life for herself. She had always been drawn to the excitement of racing, and when she met Brandon and Sage, she knew that she had found her tribe.

As the morning sun began to rise, Brandon stirred in bed and reached out for DD, but she wasn't there. He sat up, his heart racing with worry, and got dressed quickly. He walked around the garage, calling out her name, but there was no response. He even woke up Hector, who had been sleeping soundly, and asked if he had seen DD. But Hector just rubbed his eyes and mumbled something about her going out to get breakfast.

Brandon's worry turned into panic as he tried calling DD, but her phone went straight to voicemail. He felt like he was going to lose her, just like he had lost his mother. He couldn't bear the thought of going through that pain again.

As he paced around the garage, trying to think of where DD could be, he felt a sense of dread creeping up on him. He knew that the world outside was dangerous, and he couldn't help but fear the worst. What if something had happened to her? What if he never saw her again?

Hector tried to calm him down, but his words fell on deaf ears. Brandon was consumed with fear and worry, and he knew that he wouldn't be able to rest until he found DD.

He decided to take matters into his own hands and got into his car, driving aimlessly through the streets of Los Angeles. He went to the slums where he knew DD had grown up, hoping to find some clue as to her whereabouts.

As he drove, his mind raced with thoughts of what could have happened to her. His heart was pounding so hard that it felt like it was going to burst out of his chest. He was having a panic attack, and he didn't know how to stop it.

He pulled over to the side of the road, trying to catch his breath. His hands were shaking, and he felt like he was going to pass out. He tried to call DD again, but her phone went straight to voicemail. He felt like he was going to lose his mind.

He closed his eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm himself down. He reminded himself that he was strong and that he would find DD. He couldn't let his fear consume him.

After a few moments, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. He started his car and continued driving, determined to find DD no matter what.

As he drove deeper into the slums, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The streets were filled with shady characters, and he knew that he was putting himself in danger by being there. But he didn't care. He had to find DD.

Finally, after what seemed like hours of driving, he saw a figure in the distance that looked like DD. He couldn't believe his luck. He pulled up beside her, and she turned to face him.

"DD, thank God. Where have you been? I've been so worried about you," he exclaimed.

But DD didn't look relieved to see him. In fact, she looked angry.

"What are you doing here, Brandon? Why did you come looking for me?" she demanded.

"I was worried about you. You disappeared without a word, and I didn't know where you were," he said, trying to keep his voice calm.

DD sighed and looked away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I just needed some time alone."

Brandon could tell that something was off, but he didn't want to push her too hard. He knew that DD had her own demons, and he didn't want to make things worse.

"Okay. Let's go home. Hector is waiting for us, and we can talk about this later," he said, hoping that she would agree.

But DD just shook her head. "I can't go back there, Brandon. I need to get out of this place. I need to start over somewhere else."

Brandon felt like his world was crashing down around him. He didn't know how to respond. He loved DD more than anything in the world, but he knew that he couldn't force her to stay with him if she didn't want to.

"I understand. We can leave together. We can start a new life somewhere else," he said, hoping that she would agree.

But DD just looked at him sadly. "I can't, Brandon. I have to do this on my own. I have to prove to myself that I can make it on my own."

Brandon felt like he had been punched in the gut. He didn't want to let her go

but he knew that he had to respect her decision. He asked, "Why do you want to leave, DD? Is it because of me? Did I do something wrong?"

DD shook her head. "No, it's not you. It's this place. The gang fights, the shootings, the other problems. I'm pregnant, and we have a kid to take care of. Do you really want them in that life? I'm scared, Brandon. I'm sorry. I don't know what I want. I don't know what to do."

She fell to her knees and started crying. Brandon knelt beside her and put his arms around her, holding her tightly. He knew that he had to be strong for her, even though he was falling apart inside.

"It's okay, DD. We'll figure it out. We'll find a way to make things work. I love you, and I'll support you no matter what," he whispered, as he wiped away her tears.

DD looked up at him, her eyes full of pain and uncertainty. "I love you too, Brandon. I'm sorry that I'm putting you through this. I just need some time to figure things out."

Brandon kissed her forehead and helped her to her feet. They walked back to the car in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. As they drove back to the garage, Brandon couldn't help but wonder what the future held for them. He knew that it wasn't going to be easy, but he was willing to do whatever it took to make things work with DD.

Chapter 20 Wanted

As they approached the garage, Brandon noticed that there was a police car parked outside. He felt a knot form in his stomach. He had a bad feeling about this.

Just as he pulled into the driveway, the police officer got out of his car and walked up to their vehicle. He knocked on the window, and Brandon rolled it down.

"Do you know why I pulled you over?" the officer asked.

Brandon wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone. "No, but I'm pretty sure you're going to tell me," he replied.

The officer handed him a poster. "We're looking for this man. He's on the run for killing two staff members of Kyo Corp. Have you seen him around here?"

Brandon looked at the poster. The man on the poster looked familiar. He couldn't place him, but he knew that he had seen him before.

"No, I haven't seen him," he said, handing the poster back to the officer.

The officer looked at him suspiciously. "Alright, but if you do see him, call this number immediately. He's considered armed and dangerous."

Brandon watched as the officer got back into his car and drove away. He felt a sense of relief wash over him. He didn't want to get involved in anything with the police. He just wanted to focus on DD and their future.

As they got out of the car and walked towards the garage, Brandon couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He looked around nervously, but he didn't see anyone.

He pushed the thought aside and opened the door to the garage. Hector was sitting on a stool, cleaning his tools.

"Hey, guys. Everything okay?" he asked, noticing the worried look on their faces.

Brandon shook his head. "No, it's been a rough day. DD and I need to talk."

Hector nodded and got up from the stool. "Okay, let's go to my office."

They sat down around Hector's desk, and DD started to talk. She told them about her fears and her desire to start over somewhere else.

Hector listened attentively, nodding his head every so often. When she finished, he looked at Brandon.

"What do you think?" he asked.

Brandon sighed. "I don't know. I love DD, and I want to support her, but I don't know if leaving is the right thing to do. We've built a life here, and we have people who depend on us."

Hector nodded. "I understand, but you have to do what's best for your family. If that means leaving, then so be it. But you have to be sure that it's what you both want."

DD looked at Brandon, tears in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Brandon. I don't know what to do. I'm scared."

Brandon took her hand and squeezed it gently. "It's okay, DD. We'll figure it out together. We'll do what's best for us and our family."

Brandon couldn't help but feel the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He decided to show Hector the poster they had received from the police officer.

Hector looked at the poster and his eyes widened. "That's Zeke," he said. "The guy from the race track."

Brandon's jaw dropped. "The same guy?"

Hector nodded. "I heard rumors that he was involved in some shady business, but I didn't think it was true. Now it looks like he's wanted for murder."

Brandon shook his head. "It all makes sense now. That's how he was able to afford to live in New Angeles. He must have been involved in some kind of criminal organization."

Hector pulled out his tablet and began searching for more information about the case. After a few moments, he found an article detailing Zeke's murder spree at Kyo Corp.

As they read on, the details of Zeke's rampage became more horrifying. The article described how Zeke had gone on a killing spree at Kyo Corp, targeting anyone who got in his way. He had used the hyper chip as a bargaining chip to gain access to restricted areas of the facility.

The article went on to describe the gruesome murders in great detail. Zeke had shown no mercy, using a variety of weapons to brutally kill his victims. Blood had coated the walls and floors of the facility, and the survivors were left traumatized and scarred for life.

DD felt sick to her stomach as she read the article. "How could anyone do something like this?" she asked.

Brandon shook his head. "I don't know, DD. Some people are just evil."

DD wiped away a tear and took a deep breath. "We need to leave this place, Brandon. I don't want to raise our family in a world where monsters like Zeke exist or Black dragons or gangs or mafia."

DD fell to the floor " I just want our child to be safe"

Brandon rushed to DD's side and wrapped his arms around her. "I know, DD. I feel the same way," he said, his voice trembling. "But we can't let fear control our lives. We have to be strong and make the best decisions for our family."

Hector nodded in agreement. "DD is right, though. We need to get out of here. It's not safe for anyone anymore, especially not for you and your family."

Brandon sighed heavily. "I know. We'll have to start planning and figure out the best way to leave without drawing too much attention to ourselves."

Hector placed a hand on Brandon's shoulder. "I can help you with that. I have some contacts that can get you out of the city safely."

Brandon looked up at Hector with gratitude. "Thank you, Hector. We couldn't do this without your help."

Hector smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. We'll make sure you and your family get out of here safely."

As they made plans to leave the city, Brandon couldn't shake off the feeling of fear and uncertainty that had settled in his chest. He knew that leaving everything behind would be difficult, but he also knew that it was the right thing to do for his family's safety.

Chapter 21 Leaving Los angeles

Hector pulled out his phone and dialed a number. "Sage," he said when the call was answered. "I need your help."

He quickly explained the situation to Sage, who listened carefully before responding. "I see," he said. "Well, it would be fine if DD and Brandon could stay with me and the Black Dragons. We can protect them."

Brandon looked at Hector, surprised. "The Black Dragons? Are you sure about that?"

Hector nodded. "Sage is right. The Black Dragons can keep you safe, and they have connections all over the world. They can help you get a place."

Sage interrupted. "Yu-jun can fly you out to Korea. We have a safe house there, and you'll be protected."

Hector passed the phone to DD, who began talking to Yu-jun about becoming a mom. Yu-jun was thrilled and offered her support and advice.

Meanwhile, Hector motioned for Brandon to follow him to his room. Once they were alone, Hector turned to Brandon. "Are you sure about this, man?" he asked. "Leaving everything behind and going to Korea?"

Brandon hesitated for a moment before responding. "I have to do what's best for DD and our kid. If they're safe, that's all that matters."

Hector nodded, understanding. "I'm going to miss you, man. But I know you're doing the right thing."

Brandon smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Hector. For everything."

Hector sat down on his bed and motioned for Brandon to do the same. "I wanted to give you something," he said, reaching into his nightstand drawer.

He pulled out a small box and handed it to Brandon. "It's a gift for your kid," he said.

Brandon opened the box and saw a beautiful silver bracelet with a small diamond on it. "Hector, this is too much," he protested.

Hector shook his head. "It's not much, but I wanted to give something to the baby. It's a symbol of our friendship, and I hope it brings your child good luck."

Brandon felt tears welling up in his eyes. "Thank you, Hector. I don't know how to repay you."

Hector smiled. "Just take care of your family."

Brandon nodded, feeling grateful for Hector's kindness. 

As they rejoined the others, Hector gave DD and Brandon instructions on what to pack and how to prepare for their journey. Yu-jun promised to take good care of them and help them settle into their new life.

With a heavy heart, Brandon and DD said their final goodbyes to Hector