The next morning, Miguel quietly knocked on his front door as a wave of relief washed over him. Standing there on the familiar doorstep, he felt an unshakable sense of comfort and belonging. He had spent the night at a very small, somewhat gloomy motel, and after hours of solitude in an unfamiliar place, the sight of home was nothing short of a blessing.
His mom, opening the door still visibly sleepy, seemed to brighten immediately as her eyes landed on him.
"Ah, Miguel! You could have called, you know. Your dad would have come and picked you up." Her voice, warm and slightly scolding, carried the love he had grown to miss during his time away.
Miguel offered a small smile, trying to sound casual as he stepped inside. "Got a busy day coming up. Didn't want to hassle you guys."
As he walked down the hallway toward his room, his heart began to race. He didn't linger to chat, didn't wait to explain himself—he had something else on his mind. Something that had consumed his thoughts ever since last night.
Inside his room, Miguel wasted no time closing the door behind him. His pulse quickened as he leaned back against it, staring at the space around him for just a second to take it all in. Familiar posters, familiar sheets, the same slightly musty smell from when he had left—it was like stepping into a time capsule.
But his focus quickly shifted. He moved toward the bed and sat down, a barely contained excitement bubbling up within him. He had been waiting for this moment since the mission concluded, and now it was finally here. After a quick wash to freshen up, he positioned himself carefully and whispered the familiar command to claim his reward.
The room filled with a sudden flash of light that reflected off the walls and furniture, momentarily dazzling him. As the light faded, a small vial and a sleek syringe materialized before him, almost as if the universe itself had decided to gift him directly.
Miguel leaned forward, his curiosity overtaking him as he picked up the vial and read its description carefully.
Life-Preserving Nanites: Bottles contain millions of nanites that preserve life in critical situations. These nanites heal nearly all wounds up to 99% and cleanse poisons or any other hostile agents circulating within the body. Note: Nanites turn off at death.
A sense of pride swelled in his chest as he stared at the vial. It wasn't just a tool—it was a lifeline, a trump card, a second chance in a world that often offered none. This reward was rare, potent, and invaluable. Miguel knew he couldn't afford to take its power lightly. Tucking it away in a hidden compartment with meticulous care, he let out a soft sigh of satisfaction. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he felt better prepared.
After changing into fresh clothes, Miguel made his way downstairs, following the mouthwatering aroma wafting through the house. His mom was at the stove, humming softly while she basted the Thanksgiving turkey with practiced precision. Nearby, his dad stood with a broad grin, sneaking a taste of the stuffing despite his mom's disapproving glances.
"Smells incredible," Miguel remarked as he stepped into the kitchen, rolling up his sleeves. "What can I do to help?"
His mom turned to him with a warm smile. "Grab the potatoes and start mashing, mijo. We're almost done."
The morning passed in a pleasant rhythm. Miguel found himself slipping back into the routine of home life with surprising ease. He cracked jokes, helped with dishes, and even managed to steal a few tastes of food when his mom wasn't looking. By noon, the house was steeped in the rich scent of Thanksgiving lunch, and the dining table was adorned with an impressive spread.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Miguel allowed himself to relax. He laughed at his dad's terrible jokes, joined in playful teasing with his mom, and soaked in the warmth of being surrounded by the people he cared about most.
However, peace wasn't destined to last. Sitting on the front porch after lunch, Miguel's phone buzzed, dragging him back to reality. The number flashing on the screen was unfamiliar.
"Hello?"
"Miguel, it's Mia." Her voice was tight, the stress audible even over the faint background noise. Miguel immediately sat up straighter, his heart skipping a beat.
"Mia? What's going on?"
"We got Dom out. Brian's with me, but… he's suspicious about how Braga disappeared. He thinks you might've had something to do with it."
Miguel closed his eyes, drawing in a slow breath. "Tell Brian not to worry about Braga. He's out of business for good. You two should lay low, get out of the country if you can. And call me if you need anything."
"Thanks, Miguel," Mia said softly before hanging up.
Miguel leaned back against the porch railing, staring at the street. He wasn't surprised Brian had pieced things together—the man was sharp, and Miguel's actions hadn't exactly been subtle. Still, he couldn't afford to dwell on it.
The next day evening, Miguel drove out to meet Ray, a contact the AI apparently trusted for discreet dealings. He had decided to sell Fenix's car—a sleek, heavily modified ride that practically screamed trouble. Pulling up to Ray's garage, Miguel killed the engine and stepped out.
Ray, a wiry man in his late forties with oil-stained hands and a no-nonsense demeanor, looked up from a carburetor as Miguel approached.
"You Ray?" Miguel asked casually.
Ray glanced at him, then at the car. His expression darkened almost immediately.
"That's Fenix's ride," he said, his voice low and sharp. "Kid, that car's got more heat on it than a stolen cop cruiser. What the hell are you doing driving it around?"
Miguel smirked faintly, unfazed. "Relax. It's clean. No heat, no ties. I just need to get rid of it."
Ray crossed his arms, scrutinizing Miguel with a skeptical eye. "You know what you're asking me to do here? Move a car that every street racer and cop in town probably knows? That's not just a sale—it's a liability."
"That's why I came to you," Miguel countered smoothly. "You're the best at making problems disappear. I'll make it worth your while."
Ray rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his sharp gaze shifting between Miguel and the car. "Alright, kid. I'll take it off your hands—but it's gonna cost you. I'm thinking $90,000. I'll have to strip it down and rework half of it just to make it unrecognizable."
Miguel shook his head. "$120,000. This car's got more than just looks—it's got rare parts under the hood. You'll flip it for double that."
Ray raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed by Miguel's confidence. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But guts don't pay my bills. $100,000, final offer."
Miguel smirked, stepping closer. "$110,000, and we both know you're still coming out ahead."
Ray stared at him for a long moment before finally nodding. "Deal. But if this comes back to bite me, you better believe I'll be looking for you."
Miguel handed over the keys and took the thick envelope Ray handed him in return. As Ray inspected the car, Miguel pocketed the cash with a faint smile.
By the time he returned home, the sun had dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. As he walked into the driveway, Miguel's phone buzzed again. This time, the number was not what he recognized. Before answering it, he leaned back in his seat.
"AI, you there?" he said, addressing his AI.
"Yes, Miguel?" the AI responded in its usual monotone.
"Trace this call. Discreetly." he proceeded to answer the phone.
The voice on the other end was calm but carried a note of urgency. "Miguel, it's Dominic."
Miguel's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "Dom. Didn't expect to hear from you. I thought you were gonna be out of the country by now."
"Yeah, well, desperate times call for desperate measures," Dom replied. "I need your help."
Miguel's mind raced, but his voice stayed even. "With what?"
"Let's just say I've got a situation brewing," Dom said cryptically. " Meet me now at the docks in Long Beach. I'll fill you in."
Miguel hesitated. Getting involved with Dom meant stepping further into a world he was trying to balance carefully. But he also knew that building trust with people like Dom could be an asset in the long run.
"I'll be there," Miguel said finally. "What time?"
"Midnight. Come alone," Dom replied before hanging up.
Miguel stared at his phone for a moment, then exhaled deeply.
"AI, analyze. What's the likelihood this is a setup?"
"...High," the AI replied. "Dominic Toretto's profile suggests he values loyalty and does not typically engage in deception. However, the speech pattern of Dominic Torreto seems off and there seems 70 percent chance that he is being imitated or made to say those words. The call came from some sort of a number emulating a burner but it is using some encryption that couldn't be cracked within the time frame and as soon as the call ended it disappeared. It might be the Government or some other party wit similar capabilities "
Miguel nodded, already formulating a plan. If he was exposed he needed to solve this now. ' Fuck....this is gonna be a long night. I knew I should've gone out to sell the car some other day.' he thought as he got out of the window after making sure his parents were asleep.
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Apologies for the long gap and hiatus.
Dear Readers,
I owe you all a heartfelt apology for the year-long hiatus. Life took an unexpected turn, and between exams, personal challenges, and the creative block that followed, I found myself unable to continue writing. The gap grew longer than I ever intended, and for that, I'm truly sorry.
Exams and personal challenges demanded much of my time and focus, leaving me little room for writing. On top of that, the distance from the story made it difficult to reconnect with the characters and plot the way I wanted to. Writer's block set in, and I didn't want to deliver anything less than my best for a story you've invested so much time and love in.
My health took a wrong turn after I developed an eating disorder due to stress as I forced myself to focus on many other stuff including clearing some exams that I failed within the time frame of my Btech course. But now I have finished my course and do have some more free time than I used to.
In the future I would genuinely strive to make a consistent release schedule and of course I am still in midst of GATE and some more similar exams so not that often as I previously used to.