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He swerved towards the exit. Luis’s screams were louder than the sirens closing in.

Jun headed towards the Washington Avenue exit, barely scraping an oncoming car turning left at the intersection. A shattering crunch erupted behind them. Jun’s eyes flicked to the rearview. The cop car had slammed head-on into the oncoming vehicle, metal folded like paper.

Another cop car swung around the wreckage and locked onto them.

“Oh, fuck no!” Luis cried, curling back into his seat.

Jun floored the gas, racing through yellow and red lights. Headlights flashed. The cop caught up.

Flying over a hill, Jun spotted a faded P with the words “24 hours” on an old brick building. Jun made two sharp turns into an old parking garage.

He checked the mirrors—headlights swept the garage entrance, then fell away. He followed the ramps up, floor after floor, until they broke onto the rooftop. Empty. Just the three of them and a faded starry sky. He slid the Vanquish into a spot at the far end under the dimmest streetlight, tires squealing into a perfect stop between the lines.

“What the fuck is—” Luis said loudly.

Jun shushed him, gesturing out into the night. He gave it a few seconds. The distant sirens faded as time went on. When it was completely silent, everyone exhaled a deep sigh. Luis almost melted into the back seat. Jun rested his head on the steering wheel, gasping the anxiety out of his sweating scalp.

The masked man whistled. “Damn, that was cool.”

Jun felt his phone buzz in his hoodie. He pulled up the screen and scrolled through the messages.

Augs: Yo @Connor

Augs: we were just behind you before we lost ya

Robin: what??

Augs: also

Augs: luis

Augs: squeeze whatever info you got but be careful

Augs: he may be a bitch but hes armed

Augs: call me asap when your safe

He glanced at the rearview mirror. Luis was hunched forward, muttering and gesturing at the masked man, who stared out the window as if Luis didn’t exist. Could he really be that dangerous? He sent a quick “ok” before he straightened in the seat.

“Boss,” Luis wheezed, reaching out to touch the masked man’s shoulder. “You good—”

The man jerked his broad shoulder away. “Don’t touch me.”

“I said I was sorry!”

“Yeah, but it doesn’t take back that you bet on MY car. And lost.”

Luis pressed his hands together, nostrils flaring. “Sir. With all due respect. You are in the presence of a stolen car.”

The masked man let out a long sigh, turning his whole body towards. “What do you mean, this is my car—”

“This guy!” Luis screeched, shaking a finger at Jun. “Is probably working for Gangster Barbie! Why are you letting him drive your car around?”

There was a pause. Jun could almost hear the confusion. “Gangster Barbie?” Then the man’s voice brightened. “Oh! You mean that pretty pink-haired guy?”

“Don’t be fooled,” Luis sneered. “He may look like that, but he’s actually one of the most dangerous guys in the Garras.”

The masked man barked a laugh. “According to who? You?!”