The soft hum of the café machines filled the morning air. Mira wiped down the counter absently, her mind far from the cups and orders. She hadn't been able to sleep much, not after what she saw the night before.
The rebel party played like a loop in her head: the races, the laughter, the way the 4 Shadows moved pieces in a larger game. It felt alive, real, and.. dangerous.
She looked down at her hand and realized she'd been drawing without thinking. Tiny sketches in pen: a tire streak, a helmet design, a symbol she vaguely remembered on someone's jacket.
The bell over the café door jingled.
"Morning, Mira," Kai's voice came first, casual and smooth.
Eli followed with a sleepy grin. "Yo! You okay? You look like you stayed up all night."
"I kind of did," Mira said, trying not to look too excited. "Yesterday was... insane. So much fun."
Kai raised an eyebrow as he stepped behind the counter to grab his apron. "Fun?"
She nodded quickly. "That party on the south side? I heard music riding home and followed it. You ever hear about those rebel meets?"
Eli laughed. "Yeah, those are a little famous. Kind of illegal though."
"I didn't see anyone causing trouble," Mira said, suddenly more defensive than she meant to be. "Just people living. Dancing, racing, building stuff. It was kind of amazing."
Kai glanced sideways at her, careful. "And no one gave you trouble?"
"Not really," she shrugged. "I actually talked to Night Rider again, and his crew the 4 Shadows."
That name made both Eli and Kai pause.
"Again?" Eli asked, curious but trying to not sound too eager. "What's he like?"
Mira leaned on the counter, eyes bright. "He's different in person. Not what I expected. Feels more like... someone with a lot on his shoulders, you know?"
Kai turned to refill the coffee beans, thinking to himself. "She has no idea what she's getting into."
The wind was gentler tonight. Mira's tires hummed across the cracked pavement as she pulled up to the same hill where she'd first met Night Rider. Her heart beat faster when she saw the black bike waiting.
Night Rider stood against it. helmet on, arms crossed like always.
"You came back," he said.
"I wanted to." Mira stepped closer. "That party was.. something else."
He nodded once. "Good. Means you saw what we're truly fighting for."
She hesitated, eyes searching his hidden face. So what happens now?"
"Now?" Night Rider looked out toward the city skyline. "Now you decide if you're with us or just a witness."
Before she could answer, something caught her eye. A small symbol inked behind his right ear vertical, dark, almost blending into his skin. She blinked. "How have I not noticed it?" She thought to herself.
"You have a tattoo," she said softly.
Night Rider didn't move. "Yeah."
"I didn't notice it last time."
"You weren't looking."
She frowned, studying it. "What does it mean?"
He didn't answer. Just turned slightly toward his bike. "Keep riding smart. Some roads don't let you turn around."
Then he was gone, engine roaring into the distance, leaving her alone with questions she didn't know how to ask.
Eli flipped through the station's dusty rebel files while Kai leaned over the desk
"So Mira said Night Rider rolls with this group the 4 Shadows, Four of them. She only remembered one name clearly: Dax."
Kai nodded slowly. "We've heard that name before. He's the one who runs stuff when you know who Isn't there."
"Yeah," Eli said, pulling up the digital file. "Look at this. Dax went to school with Night Rider. They've been connected since they were kids."
Kai leaned in, "How's that supposed to help us?"
"I don't.. know, But that's all we've got," Eli added. "No address. No known relatives. No record of arrests, sightings, contacts. Literally nothing else. How do we have less on him than Night Rider?"
Kai stayed silent.
Eli frowned. "Feels off, right?"
"Yeah," Kai murmured. "Feels like someone buried his trail on purpose."
In a dim garage lit only by a hanging work light, Dax sat on a crate with his helmet off, grease-stained hands resting on his knees.
Night Rider stood nearby, Helmet off, Looking carefully at the map.
"Switch got the files, that should throw them off a bit." he murmured.
Dax cracked a grin. "These cops, they have no idea what's going on, do they?"
Night Rider turned slightly toward him, voice low but solid.
"We just need to execute the plan fast... before they figure out what we're doing."