The Hollow Root - Chapter 28
First time? Here’s the table of contents:
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8
Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27
Miles floated over them as the Camry hummed down the road. Each of their minds trolling through endless memories for some bite of a clue. All of a sudden a distant glint hit Kavin’s eye. It was blinding and caused him to shake to the present need to keep the car on the road. Kavin squinted his eyes looking into the distance trying to make sense of the shining light as the Camry slowed due to his lack of attention. Then as they neared and the angle of the light changed... there it was a 1987 Monte Carlo Aerocoupe. In many ways this car was Kavin’s white whale. He had coveted this vehicle for years but never found himself capable of getting a working version... and here it was, and they needed a car. This particular Aerocoupe was painted burgundy and featured several dents and scrapes that were visible from a long way away. Kavin felt a tinge of rage that whoever had this car had treated it so poorly. The car was parked just outside of a trailhead on the side of the road. Just sitting there while the owner waltzed through the woods. Kavin gently pulled into a section of shoulder next to the Aerocoupe his entire attention lost to the vehicle of his dreams. As the car slowed to a park Amy and Fasaani also adjusted their attention to the vehicle they were aimed at.
“Is that...” Fasaani started.
“An Aerocoupe...” Kavin said in a cold monotone.
“Kav... there’s 3 of us.” Amy said taking note of his gaze.
“It’s an Aerocoupe.” Kavin said getting out of the car and slamming the door to walk slowly around the car inspecting its current condition.
Fasaani also followed to look around the car, while Amy sat in the Camry not understanding the appeal herself and mentally preparing to be crammed into a bench seat. Kavin and Fasaani circled the car like two vultures checking to see if the carcass was really dead.
“Kav.... It’s beautiful.” Fasaani said beginning to pat under the bumper searching in hope for a set of keys.
“It... I... I’ve always wanted one. I can’t believe... do you... do you think it’s a trap?” Kavin said as he started to pat in the wheel wells also hoping for a set of keys.
“Fuck... it could be a trap couldn’t it... whoever is doing this knows about us and they definitely know you want this car.” Fasaani said.
As Kavin reached up under the back bumper he felt the ring of a key. The keys dropping down to the dirt at the force of his prodding. Kavin stared at them in disbelief. He knew they were remote enough that the concern of having a car stolen would be limited, but he didn’t actually expect people to still leave them under bumpers. He picked up the set of keys featuring 1 house key, one car key and a keychain featuring a single die that said ‘Vega’ on the side with other letters seemingly rubbed off with time.
“I... I found the keys. I have the keys.” Kavin said his voice shaking.
Amy stepped out of the Camry and walked towards the car. “Kavin, I know you are lost in the moment. So I want to just lay out a plan because I don’t think I can talk you out of this. We need to move quickly. Try the keys see if it turns on. If it runs I’ll follow you two in the Camry and we can ditch it somewhere nearby and discreet.” Amy said using her teacher voice.
“Can’t we leave it here?” Fasaani said.
“No, Faz. When the owner of this vehicle returns they will see the Camry and notify the police. That clues them in we are going this way. If they have lost our trail that’s not good. So we will find a hidden spot off the main road and leave it there, we should take the plates and break a window or two so it looks abandoned.” Amy said.
“Have you done this before?” Fasaani said staring at Amy.
“No... I just... I love true crime documentaries.” Amy said with a mild blush.
Kavin didn’t hesitate and moved to the driver’s side door. Slowly running his hand down the handle and putting the key in and turning until he heard the exciting click of the lock opening. He sat down inside and caressed the steering wheel. He put the key in the ignition and turned to hear the growl of the engine coming to life. Kavin let out a long breath of air. It ran. Fasaani smiled and excitedly clapped her hands before she jumped into the passenger seat. Amy walked back to the Camry and turned the ignition preparing to follow the two of them. The two cars pulled onto the highway and started down the road.
Amy watched from the driver’s seat of the Camry as the Aerocoupe sped off in the distance. Kavin was forgetting the intent of staying together, lost in finally finding his love. Amy had a slight smile. As much as this diversion from the plan annoyed her it felt like she could see a glimmer of the old Kavin. She hoped wherever they found to ditch the car they would at least stay visible until she could pull off the road.
Kavin felt possessed again. This time by the car of his dreams. He felt the pedal’s resistance against his foot as it begged for him to push harder. Drive faster. He loved the way it felt to shift gears. Like the shifter slammed into each gear kicking the car forward. The engine labored loudly with each shift. This car had not been taken care of but it still had enough oomph to remind you it was once a monster. Fasaani felt herself compelled to feel the dash and the handles of the car. It was like a dream come true. A dream she wasn’t even sure she had ever had. This car felt like a marvel of modern manufacturing. It wasn’t long before Fasaani spotted a forest access road that had been bermed off. She pointed to Kavin who nodded and pulled the Aerocoupe to the side of the road so Amy could follow them. They sat for several minutes with the engine grumbling loudly in idle.
Amy noticed the taillights and dark grey exhaust on the side of the road and pulled past them to drive down the road. Once they came to the large berm that closed the road she gunned it to send the Camry up and over to the other side. Amy sat for a second before getting up and popping the trunk to get the screwdriver. She pulled the sleeve of her shirt over her hand and jammed the screwdriver as hard as she could into the window cracking it. She then went to the license plates and quickly removed them before letting the air out of the tires. Amy moved with precision.
Fasaani and Kavin stared in awe of Amy as she moved around the car breaking mirrors and rendering it less recognizable. Once she finished she walked slowly towards them and pointed the screwdriver to the Aerocoupe.
“Faz hop out and move the seat forward, we need to go. I think I enjoyed destroying the Camry more than I expected.” Amy said as she crawled into the backseat still holding the screwdriver.