Chapter 11

Ram Runner

Wednesday : March 5th 2025

After the most embarrassing exchange of money in her life, Ruby and David were mercifully back on the motorway heading home. Among the many things removed from the Murcielago to earn those big SV letters on its hips was unfortunately the cupholders. So David was diligently holding the two drinks and the cup of ice cream in one of those drink carriers made of cardboard. Still feeling guilty for ruining that lady’s night, Ruby was kinda zoned out as she mentally kicked herself. We should have just went in, why did I have to be such a damn show off… She muttered to herself internally and silently. She didn't want David knowing about her grievances and regrets on this short excursion, because he was still having the time of his life!

Ignorance is bliss, kid… Ruby thought, looking over as a smile subtly returned to her face. David looked as focused as an army sharpshooter, making sure not a single drop of anything spilled into the floor. It was cute, one of those silly things kids do to pass the time. It was hard to be grumpy around that sort of positive energy, which is exactly why Ruby tried to manifest it everywhere she goes and in every role she plays. 

A few weeks ago, she was doing some tech support for a blossoming Vtuber moving from a simple 2D face capture rig to a 3D full body, full room capture rig. They had randomly hit it big with the idea of a “Aquatic Angel”, a savior of the seven seas who was quickly signed by a major Vtuber talent company and needed help setting up a room for the model’s #D debut. Ruby's experience with motion capture hardware and software was critical for this sort of work, but both the model and the producer were utterly clueless. Through explanation after explanation, arguments between the producer and their new management company, and the poor model having a mental breakdown shortly before the launch of the live stream, it was up to Ruby not only to fix their problems, but to do so with a reassuring smile and cheerful yet sympathetic demeanor. By the end of the day, Ruby was so emotionally drained, she fell asleep in the driver's seat in the model's driveway. But as a result of her actions, she not only had a satisfied customer and yet another positive review on her social media, but a new friend as well. 

“After all, the job of an actor, an idol, a musician, an athlete, is to be the star of someone else's life, leaving behind a trail of light so bold it will never be forgotten…” Ruby choked up a little, thinking of something her father had told her so long ago. When she was about David's age, she charged into the dinning room one day and announced so boldly she wanted to be not one, but ALL of these things at once. Her dad never once said no, instead with a smile on his face, he said…

“I want you to be the star in many people's lives Ruby, however you do it is fine with me.” 

“I'm trying Dad…” Ruby whispered to herself with a sigh. 

“Huh?” David asked innocently. 

“Oh, sorry I was just thinking about something.” Ruby said, quickly redawning her cheerful attitude. However, with a sudden jolt things suddenly got serious. 

“What the hell!?” Ruby looked up at the mirror, but it wasn't much help. Through the slats of the engine cover was just a sea of the headlights behind. However another hit proved this was no accident.

“Ruby, that guy just hit us…” In an instant, a billion different emotions passed through Ruby's mind, fear, excitement, anger, terror. What was this dude thinking, who was he, was the car damaged, what would McClaire say? Ruby shook her head, none of that mattered now. Getting away from this madman and getting David to safety was all that mattered right now.

“Hang on!” Ruby firewalled the throttle and once again the Lamborghini’s V12 came alive. The whole car shook as the tires struggled for traction and like a rocket the passing lights of skyscrapers became a blur. However the blinding wall of light behind didn't fade. Instead the car behind swapped lanes and was now gaining ground along the side of the car. As the car pulled even, the attacker revealed itself to be a black R32 Skyline, “Godzilla.” Its fenders widened and its engine clearly modified, the windows were tinted so dark the driver was hidden from view. That didn't stop Ruby from making her countryman proud as she screamed at the driver through the window.

“What the hell is your problem you bastard!” The Nissan did the talking however, replying with a ball of flame from the exhausts as it started to pull ahead. Meanwhile in the passenger seat…

“Woohoo, get his ass Ruby! Wreck him, wreck him!” Ruby wanted to, after all if the crash didn't kill them, McClaire would when she found out what happened to her car. But with David in the passenger seat, that wasn't happening.

“Shut it Davey, not the time!” Ahead was the exit to get back to David's house. At the last second, Ruby slammed on the brakes. The Lamborghini nose dived, brakes glowing red as it burnt off speed. Inside both Ruby and David were hanging on for dear life as Ruby aimed the car toward the exit. Realizing their intentions, the Nissan tried to match them, its brake lights illuminating in a desperate attempt to make the exit too. However, the car skidded and squirmed, and then slammed into the guardrailing with a massive shower of sparks. 

Gritting her teeth, Ruby ordered the bull into the corner and reluctantly it obeyed. The nose of the car darted towards the inside curb, a little too much in fact, as the left side tires dipped into the grass. To their right, horrific sounds of crunching and grinding metal faded and was replaced by tires screaming for bloody mercy as they straightened back out onto the surface streets of Melbourne.

“Holy crap, that was so cool, he almost flipped over the guardrail! Did you see that, did you see that! Can we do that again Ruby?!”

“Absolutely not!” Ruby shouted, still pumped up with adrenaline and pure terror coursing through her veins. She took a couple deep breaths, not wanting to scream and poor David for being a kid. 

 “Not a single word about this to your mother, got it?! Zip those lips!” David nodded, mining the zipping of lips. Ruby sighed a breath of relief, and with haste, got back to David's house before something else could happen. It was only then Ruby could survey the damage. On the inside, the drinks and Ice cream were now all over the floorboards of the passenger side. However on the outside, the massive exhaust was now misshapen, pointing upward and now resembling an upside down heart. Several bits of carbon fiber structure around the exhaust had been smashed, and where missing, melted, was on fire from direct contact with the hot exhaust. 

“Fucking hell…” Ruby's heart sank, as she looked over the damage. David meanwhile somberly put out the fire with whatever he had left in his cup. He knew their joyride had come to an end. 

“Still better than what happened to his car.” He said, trying to cheer Ruby up, but she shook her head. There would be no talking her way out of this one. 

“Go inside David, I got to make a phone call.” Ruby ordered, her voice depressed and defeated. David nodded and shuffled inside with an equal amount of depression present in his stride. Ruby meanwhile pulled out her phone… 

“This is going to suck…”

Revz was surprisingly sympathetic as Ruby explained what had happened to him. How quickly it all happened, the Nissan crashing, and the damage done, it sounded like a crazy story recounting it all, but he believed every word. 

“Are you okay, and that kid you were babysitting?” Revs asked.

“Yeah, we're at his house now. We’re both fine. I'm so sorry Revz…” Ruby said, trying desperately to fight back tears 

“Look, it's all repairable. Cars can be replaced, but people can't, you handled yourself well Ruby.” Revz replied but Ruby just shook her head.

“I know, I know, but what's McClaire going to say…”

“I say we're going to kick someone's ass tonight Ruby. Give me the address, I'll be there in an hour.” A bolt of lighting went up her back as she realized Revz had the phone on speaker and McClaire had heard every word.

“McClaire, I'm so, so sorry… I… I…”

“Ruby, get me that address. We'll talk when I get there.” Ruby gulped down a huge array of apprehension, but agreed regardless. Putting her own phone on speaker, she texted the address to Revz. 

“There, I sent it to Revz.” Ruby said, and after a brief silence, Revz piped up again. 

“Sorry, I should have told you I was on speaker.” He whispered.

“I guess it keeps me from having to explain it again.” 

“Yeah, see you soon.” With that, Revz hung up, and all Ruby could do was wait for judgement to come.