After they left, Guldrin set to work cleaning his bare-bones Chevelle. "Emily, we are on our own tonight. Keep an eye out for anything while I work" He petted her fur and smiled, earning a soft purr in return, 'Of course, I will be ever vigilant. Just enjoy working on your project.'
Smiling, Guldrin walked to the toolbox and found a hand sander, which Dom had explained would be the next step in the restoration process. "Okay, he said… fine grit last… medium grit first, and use the grinder if I find anything that burns through more than two disks." Picking up the hand-held sander, he attached the sandpaper and prepared to work.
"Oh yeah, I forgot, Jesse brought over a radio for me the other day." With a pep in his step, Guldrin walked over to a fancy 2-part radio. It had a subwoofer and treble combo, broken into two separate parts, and a radio dial and adjustment addition which both parts were attached to. "Music… When I think of this, I feel a giddy feeling… but I don't know why… Must be part of what I can't remember." He fiddled with the radio and blared white noise and static, causing him to frown and cover his ears as Emily whined. Pushing the off button, he looked over the radio again and understood what he had done wrong.
Turning down the volume dial, Guldrin once again turned on the radio and began cycling through the frequencies.
"This is the deep blue, bringing you all the latest hits for your calm jazz pleasure."
"Uh, uh," He shook his head hearing what was playing, "I don't think I like Jazz,"
"Howdy folks, we down here gonna be bringing you down to the south for all your country cravings."
"Nope, at least not now…" He changed the dial again.
"Hip hop, nuff said my people, sit down, throw down, do whatever your body wants. We will throw the best of the best at you."
"WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?!?! WHO, WHO, WHO, WHO!?!"
"Haha, this is fun." He walked away to begin his work as he turned up the volume, making the room shake. Singing along, he felt giddy and turned on the sander. Emily, though, had her own plans, walking forward she leaped onto the table and smacked the radio, causing the frequency to cycle again.
'No Dogs.' She simply said, and Guldrin paused, but then burst out laughing. 'Bahaha, sorry… Sorry, I forgot you are a cat and have an innate dislike for dogs.' He apologized and Emily simply licked her paw,
"Welcome listeners, we are bringing you the hits, the best, and the greatest, we are the one and only classical rock station. Sit back and enjoy the flow, the vibes, and feel the music course through your veins."
The sound of an electric guitar solo was heard, it was unlike anything Guldrin had heard before.
"This is crazy," He once again turned on the sander and could hear the music blasting over the sound from the buzzing sander. Starting at the front, he addressed the issue of the piles of rust and grime accumulated by neglect and being left to sunbathe in the open for years.
Ah, ah, ah, ahhh
Ah, ah, ah, ahhh
Ah, ah, ah, ahhh
Guldrin couldn't help but begin to follow the flow of the song. His sander flowed with the music as he ground out the blemishes along the chassis of the car. Each tough flaw being ground out to reveal a fresh unrusted metal.
Thun, Der!
Ah, ah, ah, ahhh… Thun, Der!
Ah, ah, ah, ahhh… Thun, Der!
The bass of the drum and the strokes of the guitar made Guldrin unconsciously stomp his feet and bob his head.
Ah, ah, ah, ahhh… Thun, Der!
He could feel the music invading his soul, "Is this why I felt giddy about music? This is great! Ahaha, 'Ah, ah, ah, ahhh… Thun, Der!
"I wish mom and dad were here, or Jesse."
Ah, ah, ah, ahhh… Thun, Der!
The main singer came in, his unique voice catching Guldrin off guard, "Wow, his voice, it is raspy but catchy!" He felt his blood begin to boil, and he lost track of what he was doing as he sanded out the blemishes he could locate. If it wasn't enough already, another guitar was added to the mix. "WOOO!" He shouted,
Thunder!
Thunder!
I was caught
In the middle of a railroad track… Thunder!
I looked 'round
And I knew there was no turning back… Thunder!
Guldrin continued to get swept up in the electricity of the music, his feet pounding the ground. If you looked close enough, a faint smirk could be seen on Emily's feline face as her tail swished behind her in rhythm with the music.
My mind raced
And I thought, what could I do? Thunder!
He couldn't resist the urge to turn the music up again, feeling the music in his very bones.
Sound of the drums!
The guitar which hadn't been hurt for a while came back with a vengeance. "Hell YEAH!" Guldrin was loving this, it was another turning point for him in this new life. The moment he learned he LOVES MUSIC.
Beating in my heart.
The thunder of guns.
A weird set of images of ancient, modern, and mystical guns appeared in his mind, causing a headache, but he didn't allow it to stop him from his current task of working on his car. He was getting used to these weird headaches and the unusual craving that came after, but surprisingly, the images of guns didn't leave his mind this time. Or did they? Maybe some of them did, but he felt a craving to shoot something, 'Weird, I don't think I have ever shot a gun? Maybe I forgot? Maybe it is something similar to my love for music? I guess I will have to test it later to find out… And my… thought process? I feel clearer… Neat.' He shook his head and enjoyed the music while investing all his energy into the work he was doing.
Tore me apart!
Once again, images of foreign memories flooded his mind, but just as quickly were gone. His body aching as if he experienced those images firsthand, but he couldn't recall what they were. He wasn't sure if he ever did actually recognize those images.
You've been
Thunderstruck!
Rode down the highway
Broke the limit, we hit the town!
Went through to Texas, yeah, Texas, and we had some fun!
We met some girls!
The world around Guldrin was forgotten as the next surge of rhythm captured him, fueling his movements with newfound intensity. Guldrin moved around the Chevelle, his hands guiding the sander effortlessly along the curves of the car's frame. The reverberating energy of the song seemed to pour into him, steadying his hands and sharpening his focus as he smoothed away years of wear, rust, and neglect. For the first time, the car began to look like more than just a relic, it was becoming something personal, something his.
As the song thundered on, he felt a rush of adrenaline that mirrored the bold riffs and deep bass of the track. His small hands worked methodically, driven by a passion that he didn't fully understand but welcomed wholeheartedly. This was his project, and though it would be years until the Chevelle was road-ready, tonight, it was already becoming a piece of him.
He imagined the roar of the engine as it would one day be, how it would feel to sit behind the wheel and speed down a stretch of open road, the wind in his face, the sound of rock blaring from the speakers. The image filled him with excitement, and he found himself humming along to the tune as he sanded, losing track of time and place in the comforting rhythm of work and music.
Emily, always watchful, glanced around the shop as Guldrin worked, her ears perked up and eyes sharp, the occasional twitch of her tail matching the beat. She scanned the shadows, ensuring that no intruders lurked, as Guldrin poured his soul into his task. Her presence was a calming one, a reminder that, even while he was caught up in the thrill of the moment, he wasn't alone.
—
–
-
Meanwhile, miles away on the outskirts of the city, Dom with Vince in the passenger seat, Jesse with Leon riding shotgun, and Letty riding solo. Their cars glided down the deserted highway, their engines purring in the quiet night as they approached their target: a semi-truck, laden with high-value electronics and expensive merchandise. Dom took the lead, his car a sleek, powerful shadow moving with calculated precision. Jesse flanked him, his excitement barely contained as he prepared to fall into the synchronized dance that had become second nature to them.
Through the walkie-talkie, Dom's voice came through, calm and commanding. "Alright, team, stay tight. We've got one shot at this."
Jesse grinned, his fingers flexing on the steering wheel. "Got it, boss. Let's make this clean."
Letty's voice crackled over the line next. "We're right behind you, Dom. Ready when you are."
As they neared the truck, the world around them seemed to narrow, the distant city lights fading into the background as their focus locked onto the massive vehicle ahead. Dom accelerated, his car pulling alongside the semi's driver-side door. He motioned to Letty, who sped up to the rear of the truck, positioning herself to maneuver into place.
With a subtle nod, Dom took the next step, veering closer to the semi. The timing was everything, their rehearsed formation was a delicate balance of precision and speed. Jesse moved in next, positioning his car on the opposite side of Dom's to sandwich the truck in, making it impossible for the driver to veer off course.
Dom sped forward and put his rear bumper to the front of the truck. With practiced ease, Vince aimed the grappling hook. It shot from their car with a loud clang, attaching securely through the front window of the truck. The line went taut, tethering their car to the semi's massive frame.
"Grapple's secure," He confirmed, his voice calm despite the adrenaline flooding his veins.
Dom gave a nod, his eyes sharp as he observed the truck driver's reaction. The man inside seemed confused, one second he was driving and the next a grappling hook shattered his windshield, his face lit by the truck's dashboard as he panicked and looked around, and realized something was off as he was surrounded and couldn't move. Before he could act, Dom's car began to slow, cutting in front of the semi, forcing it to reduce speed.
In one swift motion, Jesse pulled up beside the truck, signaling Vince to make his move. Vince's hand darted toward the driver, holding the tranq gun they'd prepared for just this moment. He took aim, his focus narrowing on the driver, waiting for the split-second opening. With one clean shot, he fired. The driver jerked, his expression turning dazed as the tranquilizer took effect. Within moments, his grip on the wheel loosened, and his head slumped forward. Leaping onto the truck, Vince prepared to enter the window and take control of the truck.
"Driver's down," Dom called over the radio, his tone steady.
Thanks to the tranq, the driver's foot lifted from the pedal, causing the truck to engine brake itself. They moved seamlessly, just as they had practiced. Vince climbed into the truck, securing the wheel and steadying the massive vehicle as it continued down the empty stretch. Jesse took his in the rear, following closely, keeping an eye on the rear to ensure no one was tailing them.
"Alright, Vince, time to split off," Dom instructed, his voice taut with focus.
He released the grapple with a quick flick of his wrist, his car falling back as Dom adjusted position. Vince, with the truck under his control, maneuvered the truck off the main road, guiding it down a hidden path that led to their pre-arranged unloading point, a secluded lot shielded from prying eyes.
The night was theirs, and with practiced ease, they unloaded the precious cargo from the truck, their movements efficient and unhurried. Jesse couldn't help but grin as he stacked box after box, his excitement bubbling over. "Man, I gotta hand it to you, Dom. This plan was genius."
Dom gave him a nod, a rare smile playing at the edges of his usually stoic expression. "Good work, everyone. Let's get these loaded and out of here. We're on borrowed time."
In no time, they had transferred the cargo to the back of their hidden truck and filled the cars, securing it with expert care. They left the truck empty, hidden out of sight, ready to disappear into the night. With everything in place, they piled back into their cars, ready to head back to the garage where Guldrin waited. Vince left the truck and the knocked-out trucker there and prepared to drive the loot truck back.
-
–
—
Back at the shop, Guldrin had nearly finished the first run of sanding the Chevelle's body, his heart pounding with a satisfaction he hadn't felt before. The music was still blasting, filling the room with energy as he wiped his brow and admired his handiwork. Emily watched him with a calm gaze as if approving of his hard work.
Just then, the familiar rumble of the crews' cars as they popped off and echoed down the street, signaling the crew's return. Guldrin's eyes lit up, and he hurried to shut off the sander, dashing to the garage doors as Dom's car pulled in, followed closely by Letty and Jesse. Vince and Leon had gone to store the goods, but Guldrin didn't know this.
As they climbed out of their cars, Dom spotted Guldrin's eager face peeking out from the garage. "Well, look who stayed up past bedtime, the job took longer than expected, and I thought you would be asleep by now." he teased, ruffling the boy's hair as he walked past.
Guldrin grinned, practically bouncing on his heels. "I was working! Look!" He pointed proudly to the Chevelle, which partially gleamed under the garage lights, its once-rusty frame now slightly less rusted and looked like a ton of work and effort had been spent on it. Jesse let out a low whistle, grinning from ear to ear. "Kid, you really went to town on that thing! Looks like it's gonna be a beauty. I also see you enjoyed the radio, we could hear your music from a few blocks away." Guldrin blushed as Jesse went to turn down the radio so they didn't have to shout.
Letty gave Guldrin a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with pride. "You did good, Guldrin. That's some impressive work."
Dom's expression softened, pride evident in his gaze. "Told you, didn't I? If you keep this up, that car'll be a work of art by the time you're done with it."
—
–
-
Miles away, Brian's own phone buzzed in his pocket. As he pulled it out, his jaw clenched when he saw the caller ID: Blinkins, his FBI supervisor. Glancing around, he noticed Mia was sleeping and slipped outside the room and called Tanner instead of answering Blinkins.
"Tanner," he spoke, keeping his voice low.
"Brian. We've got reports of a truck being hit tonight. Another heist on the 105. This is getting out of hand," Tanner's voice crackled through the line, sharp and no-nonsense.
Brian frowned, feigning concern, he was pretty sure it was Dom and his team but had no proof, which is where he has been since the beginning. "You think it's Toretto's crew?"
"Could be," Tanner replied. "But we need hard evidence, Brian. I need you to keep an eye on them. See if they slip up."
Brian bit his lip, his mind racing. He knew that Dom and his crew had been out on the job tonight thanks to Mia being in a bad mood, but he couldn't let Tanner know that, not yet, anyway. "I'll keep looking. But if I'm honest, Tran's crew has been just as active lately. They're unpredictable, got the hardware, and I know they've got a bone to pick with Toretto. Maybe it's worth looking into them too."
There was a pause on the other end. "You think it's Tran?"
"Look, if it were Tran, it would explain the uptick in activity. They're the only other crew with enough guts to take on big rigs," Brian replied, choosing his words carefully.
Another silence, and then Tanner sighed. "Alright. We'll keep Tran on the radar. But stay close to Toretto. I don't care what you have to do, find out if they're involved, one way or another. We need something to show for this. So I am going to ask this clearly; we are going to raid Tran, do you agree?"
Brian paused, thought of all the automatic SMGs Tran and his crew had, and responded, "Yes."
The line went dead, leaving Brian standing in the bathroom, the faint echo of city sounds around him heard through the window. He'd bought Dom and the others a little time and shifted some of the suspicion onto Tran. But he knew the feds were running out of patience. If they didn't find something concrete soon, they'd start cracking down hard, and Dom and his crew would be their prime suspects.
'I can't keep playing both sides, I need to make a choice.' He thought to himself as the lines blurred more each day.
As he pocketed his phone, Brian's thoughts drifted to the party Dom had invited him to. The invitation had been a token of trust, a rare gesture from someone as guarded as Toretto. And now, here he was, playing both sides, toeing a line that grew thinner with every passing day. He felt the weight of his double life pressing down on him, a constant reminder that he was a stranger in Dom's world, an outsider with a hidden agenda. He needs proof before acting, as of now he can be blissfully ignorant, but he will need to investigate again, though he was almost caught by Guldrin the last time. Luckily, the kid bumped into a can, and he was able to escape before he saw him.
(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You!)