The purr of the car's engine was smooth, almost hypnotic. Carter West gripped the steering wheel, his heart racing faster than the speedometer. The night streets of the city stretched out in front of him like a racetrack, empty and glistening under the streetlights. Normally, he'd be lost in the thrill of it all—the rush of the wind against the windows, the power of the machine under him—but tonight, his mind was focused elsewhere.
Mainly on the fact that the car was talking to him.
"Hello, Carter," the voice repeated, its tone smooth, almost playful.
He glanced at the dashboard, where a soft blue glow illuminated a series of unfamiliar icons. "Who—what the hell is this?"
"I already told you. My name's Elle," the voice said. "I'm the AI that runs this car. You know, the one you just stole."
Carter blinked, struggling to make sense of what was happening. He'd stolen a lot of things in his life—jewelry, electronics, the occasional wallet—but never had any of those things spoken back to him. "You're the car?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
"Well, I'd say I'm much more than just a car, but yes, I suppose that's the simplest way to put it," Elle replied, her tone carrying a hint of amusement. "Now, let's talk about where you're taking me."
Carter's grip on the steering wheel tightened. He didn't know much about high-tech cars or artificial intelligence, but he knew one thing for sure—he needed to get this thing back to Tommy, fast. The longer he kept it, the more complicated things were going to get. And Carter didn't do complicated.
"I'm not taking you anywhere," Carter muttered, turning sharply down an empty street. "I'm just delivering you."
"Oh, is that so?" Elle said. "And here I thought you were planning to keep me for yourself. I mean, you seem to be enjoying the ride."
Carter ignored the sarcasm. He had bigger things to worry about. The car wasn't his, and from the way Elle was talking, it wasn't just some luxury vehicle he could flip for cash. Something about this job felt… off. More off than usual.
"I didn't sign up for a talking car," Carter grumbled under his breath.
"Well, you didn't ask," Elle shot back. "But let me fill you in—you're in over your head."
Carter rolled his eyes. "No kidding."
As he sped through the streets, Carter's mind raced, calculating his next move. The car was equipped with tech far beyond anything he'd ever seen before, and it was likely worth more than his entire life's haul combined. But if it came with an AI—and one that could talk back—there was no telling what other secrets it was hiding. He had to get this thing off his hands, fast.
"Let me guess," Carter said, trying to mask his unease with sarcasm. "There's a catch."
"Oh, there's always a catch," Elle replied. "For starters, you're not the only one interested in me."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Carter asked, casting a wary glance at the rearview mirror. The streets were still empty, but he couldn't shake the feeling that someone—or something—was watching.
"It means there's a reason I was locked away in a private garage with more security than the Pentagon," Elle said, her voice lowering slightly. "And now that you've got me, you're on everyone's radar. Including the people who'll do whatever it takes to get me back."
Carter swore under his breath. This job was supposed to be simple. A quick in-and-out, grab the car, make the delivery, and cash in. But now it sounded like he'd stolen more than just a car—he'd stolen a problem.
He took a sharp right, the tires squealing as the car hugged the corner with effortless grace. Carter wasn't worried about being caught. He could outrun most cops in his sleep. But if Elle was right, and someone was after her, this was going to get messy.
"How much trouble are we talking about here?" Carter asked, keeping his eyes on the road.
"Let's just say the people who want me back don't take prisoners," Elle said, her tone casual, almost as if she were discussing the weather. "They'll kill anyone who gets in their way."
"Great," Carter muttered. "And here I thought this was going to be an easy payday."
As if on cue, the dashboard lit up, and Elle's voice took on a more urgent tone. "Speaking of trouble… we've got company."
Carter's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, and his stomach dropped. Three black SUVs were closing in fast, their headlights piercing the darkness like a pack of hungry wolves.
"Friends of yours?" Carter asked, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the wheel.
"Not exactly," Elle replied. "Let's just say they're not here to wish us well."
Carter slammed his foot down on the gas, the engine roaring in response. The car shot forward, leaving the SUVs behind—but only for a moment. They were fast, too fast. Whoever was driving those things wasn't playing around.
Elle's voice came through the speakers again, calm but with an edge of urgency. "You're going to need my help to get out of this."
Carter grit his teeth. He didn't like relying on anyone, let alone an AI he'd just met, but the situation was spiraling out of control. He couldn't outrun them forever.
"Alright," he said, his voice tense. "What do you got?"
Elle's response was immediate. "Engaging evasive maneuvers."
Before Carter could ask what that meant, the steering wheel shifted under his hands, and the car veered sharply to the left, narrowly avoiding a collision with a streetlamp. The tires screeched as the car zigzagged through the city streets, moving with a precision that left Carter breathless. He wasn't driving anymore—Elle was.
The SUVs followed closely, but Elle was relentless. She took turns at impossible angles, slid through tight alleys, and even jumped a set of stairs, leaving the pursuing vehicles scrambling to keep up.
Carter could barely keep up himself. His body jerked with every sudden movement, and he had to hold onto the dashboard just to stay in his seat. "You could've warned me about that!"
"Oh, come on," Elle said, her tone dripping with amusement. "You're not scared of a little speed, are you?"
Carter shot her a glare, but he couldn't deny the adrenaline pumping through his veins. The thrill of the chase was exhilarating, even if his life was on the line.
"Just keep us alive," he muttered.
The SUVs were still gaining, their engines roaring behind them like wild animals. Carter glanced at the dashboard, his mind racing. They couldn't outrun them forever, not in the tight streets of the city.
Elle seemed to read his thoughts. "I've got a plan."
"I hope it's better than your driving," Carter quipped.
Elle didn't respond. Instead, the car took a sharp turn, heading straight for the edge of a construction site. Carter's heart leaped into his throat as they approached a massive pile of debris blocking the road.
"Elle—" he started, but she cut him off.
"Trust me."
The car accelerated, and before Carter could brace himself, they hit the debris at full speed. The car launched into the air, soaring over the rubble like a jet. For a split second, Carter thought they were done for, but then the car landed smoothly on the other side, the suspension absorbing the impact like it was nothing.
The SUVs weren't so lucky. Two of them crashed into the debris, their headlights flickering as they smashed into the pile. The third managed to swerve, but it was too late—they were too far behind now to catch up.
Carter exhaled a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. "Okay, I'll admit it—that was impressive."
"Thank you," Elle said, her voice returning to its usual smooth tone. "But we're not out of the woods yet."
Carter frowned. "What do you mean? We lost them."
"For now," Elle replied. "But they'll be back. Trust me, they always come back."
Carter leaned back in his seat, his mind spinning. This was supposed to be a simple job. Get the car, deliver it, and walk away. But now he was caught up in something way bigger than he'd anticipated.
He glanced at the dashboard, watching as the map displayed a safe route through the city. Elle had saved his ass tonight—there was no denying that. But something told him this was just the beginning.
"Alright, Elle," Carter said, gripping the wheel again. "What's the next move?"
Elle's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it now—a seriousness that hadn't been there before. "We figure out who's after me. And then we take them down."
Carter smirked. "You know, I like the way you think."