Roller racing was a sport passionately loved by all Martians. Race tracks were scattered across the planet, and even this slum had one - an incredible fact. They might lack water and electricity, but roller racing was a must!
Besides the highly-anticipated official events, these small-scale "black" underground races also attracted many spectators. These races had no gender or age restrictions, no rules, no responsibilities - only winning and losing mattered. People often died on the track, and blatant betting was allowed, with transactions reaching millions in a single race. No government department would bother to regulate its legality.
Allie stood at the entrance of the underground race track, feeling the vibrations beneath her feet.
The track was built in an abandoned underground shelter, its walls bearing mottled marks that spoke of past glory. A fine layer of red sand hung in the air, shimmering in the dim light as if casting a mysterious veil over the entire space. The audience's cheers surged like waves, filled with tension and excitement.
Allie's silver hair fluttered gently in the breeze, like a dancing silver flame. Her purple eyes flickered with unease and anticipation. Her gaze was fixed firmly ahead, as if it could pierce through the layer of red sand and see the end of the track.
"Allie, you're entering the race?" Allen's gruff voice sounded beside her, breaking her reverie like a muffled thunderclap. Allen was the organizer of this underground race track. He had a mop of unruly black hair, like an unkempt tuft of weeds. His left arm was a mechanical prosthetic that gleamed coldly in the light, adding to his rugged appearance.
Allie took a deep breath and nodded. "Yes." Her voice was firm and clear, like a mountain spring - small but full of strength. However, her heart surged with nervousness and unease. Her palms were slightly sweaty, and she could hear her heartbeat clearly in her ears.
"I know you're good at this, but you shouldn't be here," Allen patted her shoulder, showing a concerned smile.
Allie didn't respond but walked straight towards the underground tunnel, her figure looking particularly lonely in the dim passage.
Inside the underground race track, the audience's cheers were even more deafening. In the center was a track made of special materials, filled with various obstacles and traps. Around the track were rows of spectator seats, the faces of the audience filled with expectation and excitement.
Allie's petite figure appeared on the track, immediately drawing the attention of the audience and her competitors. The spectators whispered among themselves, while her rivals wore expressions of disdain and mockery.
"Little girl with a death wish," someone spat out, their voice full of derision.
Allie looked around. The other competitors all appeared tall and muscular, their eyes filled with a hunger to devour, like a pack of starving beasts.
Soon, the starting signal sounded, like a sharp whistle cutting through the air. Allie didn't hesitate, bursting from the starting line. Her roller skates spun rapidly under her feet, kicking up a cloud of dust. Her figure was like a nimble arrow, easily taking the lead.
Before long, a burly man with dark skin was close behind her. His eyes were fierce, like burning flames, seemingly ready to attack at any moment. Allie could feel his hot breath on the back of her neck, sending a chill down her spine.
"Move aside, brat!" the man growled, his voice like the roar of a beast, as he tried to slam into Allie from the side.
Allie didn't respond, focusing instead on the track ahead. Her eyes were fixed on what lay ahead, as if she could see every future step. She spotted a sharp turn coming up and immediately formulated a plan. Just as they were about to enter the turn, Allie suddenly slowed down, letting her opponent pass her.
"Ha! Too green!" the man laughed triumphantly, his laughter echoing in the air, unaware of Allie's true intentions.
Just as the man was about to crash into the wall on the outside of the turn, Allie suddenly accelerated, overtaking him on the inside. Her movements were so fluid, as if she had anticipated everything. Her body was like a leaf in the wind, gracefully navigating the turn, leaving the man behind with a frustrated roar.
Allie continued forward, her speed increasing, her movements becoming bolder. Her skates left trails on the track as if writing her own legend. The audience let out gasps of amazement; they had never seen such an outstanding newcomer.
"Look at that silver-haired girl!" an excited spectator shouted, his voice full of delight. "She's like she's dancing!"
Indeed, Allie's movements were graceful and rhythmic, every turn and every jump seeming meticulously choreographed. Her purple eyes sparkled with focus, a slight smile on her lips, showing she was immersed in the thrill of the race. Her body seemed to merge with her skates, like a free bird soaring in the sky.
Just then, a horrific accident occurred on the track. At a dangerous turn, two racers collided violently while vying for a favorable position. One of the racers lost balance and was thrown off the track. His body slammed hard against the metal barrier at the edge of the track, making a heart-stopping crash.
The audience erupted in chaos. The racer lay motionless on the ground, blood slowly seeping from his head, forming a glaring red patch on the track. Medical staff rushed to the scene to provide emergency treatment, but everyone knew the racer's chances were slim.
In the spectator stands, no one paid attention to whether anyone was injured. Everyone was fixated on the competitors they had bet on, afraid to miss a single second.
Allie witnessed all of this, her heart racing, sweat dampening her silver hair. The brutality of the underground race track, the wager of life itself. Allie forced herself to concentrate. The race was still ongoing; she couldn't let this incident affect her performance.
As the race entered its final stage, Allie faced her biggest challenge - a massive loop jump. Many racers had failed here, ending up battered and bruised. Allie took a deep breath and accelerated towards the jump. Her eyes were fixed determinedly on the ramp as if she could see the dawn of victory.
Allie closed her eyes, feeling every connection between her body and her skates. As she took off, she seemed to hear the whistle of the wind and feel the pull of gravity. She completed a perfect 360-degree rotation in the air, then landed steadily on the other side of the ramp. Her movement was so perfect, it was like a spectacular performance.
The audience erupted in thunderous cheers. Their voices surged like waves, filling the entire arena. Allie opened her eyes to see the finish line right in front of her. She sprinted with all her might, crossing the finish line first.
"Unbelievable!" the commentator shouted excitedly, his voice full of thrill. "Newcomer Allie Raine has won the race with an amazing performance! Her speed must have surpassed that of professional athletes!"
Allie stood at the finish line, breathing heavily, sweat trickling down her cheeks and forming small puddles on the ground. Her eyes sparkled with the joy of victory, her lips involuntarily curving into a radiant smile. Allen rushed forward and gave her a warm hug.
"Fantastic, Allie!" Allen exclaimed, his voice full of pride. "I knew you could do it!"
Allie looked at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Who was it that just said I shouldn't be here?"
Allen shook his head, smiling helplessly. "Allie, you have extraordinary talent. You should be in official races..."
Just then, the man who had tried to knock Allie down earlier approached. His expression was complex, showing both reluctance and admiration. A glimmer of respect flickered in his eyes as if looking at a worthy opponent.
"Not bad, rookie," he extended his hand, his voice full of sincerity. "I'm Max. Hope we can compete again next time."
Allie shook his hand, offering a friendly smile. "I'm looking forward to the next race too, Max."
Afterwards, Allie was invited onto the podium. As she stood at the highest point, accepting the prize money, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders. At least her immediate problem was temporarily solved.