NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5: Chapter 5: The Lost Trail
Rain Over the Half-Modern City
The rain poured over the half-modern city, making the night even gloomier. In her small workshop, Lana sat on the cold floor, staring at the half-disassembled Falcon-X. That night was supposed to be the time she and Rai began planning for their next race, but the man never showed up.
"He must've had something urgent," Lana muttered to herself, trying to calm her unease.
Yet, as time passed and there was no word from Rai, an unsettling feeling began to creep in. She tried reaching him several times, but there was no response.
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The Mysterious Letter
The next morning, a crumpled envelope lay at the workshop door. There was no sender, only small writing on the front that read: "For Lana Veil."
Cautiously, Lana opened the envelope. Inside was a piece of paper with sharp handwriting:
"If you want to know who Rai really is, stop trying to be a hero on the track. He's not who you think he is. Go to Warehouse 47 tonight, alone."
Her heart sank. The message wasn't just a threat but also a puzzle that brought more questions than answers.
"Who could've done this? And what does it have to do with Rai?" Lana wondered, clutching the letter tightly.
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Warehouse 47
That night, Lana drove the Falcon-X to the location mentioned. Warehouse 47 was on the city outskirts, in an abandoned industrial zone. The place was dark and silent, lit only by flickering streetlights.
As she entered the warehouse, the massive metal door creaked open. Inside, a man stood in the center of the nearly empty space. He wore a black leather jacket, his face obscured by shadows.
"Lana Veil," the man greeted coldly. "You're right on time."
"Who are you? And what do you know about Rai?" Lana demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear.
The man raised a hand, revealing a holographic device. He activated it, projecting images of Rai at various underground racing circuits.
"Rai Ardent isn't just a former racer," the man said. "He's part of an illegal racing syndicate responsible for major accidents in the past. He may be training you, but do you really know who he is?"
Lana stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the images. In the photos, Rai was seen with individuals who looked like professional racers, yet their presence was dark and ominous.
"This can't be true," Lana whispered.
The man stepped closer. "Do you think he's training you out of care? No, Lana. He's using you for something bigger. You're just a pawn in his game."
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A Crushing Loss
After that encounter, Lana returned to her workshop with her mind in turmoil. She tried to track down Rai, but all efforts were in vain. His communicator was offline, and his residence was empty.
The more she searched, the more questions arose. Had Rai truly been using her? Was everything he had taught her a lie?
Lana felt trapped between two worlds. On one side, she wanted to trust Rai, but the evidence was too hard to ignore. On the other, without Rai, she felt lost.
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The Mystery of Axel and Vera
Meanwhile, Lana noticed something strange. After the last race, Axel Kane seemed intent on more than just defeating her on the track. He began sending intimidating messages, further convincing her that Axel knew something about Rai's disappearance.
"Why does he care so much?" Lana wondered.
Even more surprising was Vera Cryse. The reserved racer suddenly appeared at Lana's workshop one night, carrying a holographic map identical to the one Rai had once used.
"I know what's going on," Vera said coldly.
Lana eyed her suspiciously. "Why do you care?"
"Because I was trained by Rai too," Vera replied, shocking Lana. "And I know how dangerous he can be if he's on the wrong side."
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A Painful Truth
Vera explained that Rai had once been part of an illegal racing organization that manipulated race outcomes for profit. He had left the group after a major accident involving his teammates, but some people from his past were still hunting him for revenge.
"So, this isn't about me," Lana realized. "It's about Rai."
Vera nodded. "But now, you're caught in the middle. If you want to get out alive, you have to decide who you can trust."
Lana clenched her fists. She felt overwhelmed, alone, and unsure of her next move. Yet, beneath her fear, her determination to survive burned brightly.
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