A wake up call
AYO IM BACK! It took a bit, but I finally was safisfied onto fully wrapping this story up. @niku30 and I talked about rather dramatic approaches, and as soon as they mentioned a turn in faith for the huntsman.. My brain was fueled with ideas. Then Nina pulled the uno card and made the most STUNNING artpiece that blew me away and brought so much emotion. SO HERE WE GO. Inspired by that piece. featuring Rayner Cruze and Jack Hardin ~ (HERE's THAT PIECE BTW https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw0d8IUqFp2/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Within the glimse of a second.. It happened. The steering of Jackson's car would not respond, No one could've possibly thought of this happening, and result in the worst fate imaginable.
The whole world seemed to stop for a second. Everything froze, yet went too fast to even realize what nightmare just happened. A turn was made, and wouldnt budge.. The whole audience in their seats gasped as the cameras followed to the worst crash of the century, no one knew how bad it was yet. All the racers were still in the game, as Cruze had driven to his pitstop as it needed fuel.. "This just in. The huntman is off the tracks, car has hit fire. Its yet to find out the consequences or state of Hardin himself.. Please remain seated-"... Cruze only caught up seconds after it happened. Freezing as he heard the words. Opening his own car door and watching the screens. "What happened.. What happened? is he hurt?" Cruze said with a swallow.. Before he got more strong. "IS HE HURT?" "we dont know cruze. It just happened, we dont know anything...". Out of pure fear and worry, Cruze swallowed again before he went back into his car, pushing the full gaspedal to blast the engine on as he drove off, right towards Hardin's crash. He couldnt even explain what he felt, but he had to go there. "CRUZE. CRUZE-STOP THATS-?!- Goddamnit he's not supposed to go out there. Someone GO AFTER HIM" One of his pitcrew yelled as he got someone to drive after him.. Managing to stop Cruze right as the man ran out of his car in the middle of it all, to see the wreck and full on blown fire.. "JACK.... JACK-" "Whoa woah.. Cruze, calm down. You cant come closer, the paramedics need to-" "I DONT CARE HE NEEDS HELP-" Cruze yelled before he felt like his world went into slomotion.. Cruze kept yelling thr man's name as tears streamed down his cheeks. Never in his life had he imagined to have felt such a sting in his heart.. The worst nightmare he hadnt considered or thought off to become reality.. Various people had to stop Cruze from coming closer as it was the ever first time the reckless rookie was broken like this. He was in shock, and even tried to run to the paramedics to join them on the way to the hospital.. but they all said for Cruze to keep a distance. But the man just couldnt. The game obviously was on hold.. and Cruze should not have driven off as it was an illegal thing to do. He just couldnt help himself.
Cruze eventually had been taken back to his own pitstop and crew.. Sitting away from most people as he shook as dried tears occupied his face, his trainer approached him slowly, taking him to a more private area where the doors could be shut instead of an open area.
"its a dangerous world Cruze. You need to realize this can happen.. Racing is dangerous. To younger, but also more advanced racers that hadnt made a mistake ever in their career. Its within the blink of an eye." Cruze's trainer/sponsor said as Cruze had been trying to get into jackson's hospital.. But everyone said it was too major, and had to keep their distance until they could tell or show how badly Jack's wounds were.. "I need to see him." Cruze said.. His voice shaking, yet being so stubborn and strong in what he wanted. "I know its difficult to see him but this is our world cruze. this is what you signed up for.. While you may or may not have realized yet that this can happen frequently. You have more speed than a take off to space, cars can mailfunction.. People bump each others cars. Things like this can be bound to happen".
As his trainer kept talking, cruze's mind was somewhere else.. Sniffing as he felt another tear slide down, he refused to look at the person speaking to him. "No one deserves this.. I should've been the one to get this-" "Cruze" "I JUST got into this world.. He.. He's been through so much Coach.. And now this happens, and here I am.. Without a scratch, without any issue. M" "Where did your confidence go all the sudden.. You're not quitting are you?" "I need to go to him, you let me go, or I'll quit.."
"for this season?" "Maybe all of it.. Depends what I feel like". "Cruze.. As much as you care, you cant do much nor take such direct actions.. He's possibly getting operated, and needs healing for a while.. At best he might have some scars he can get away with.. But he was in a massive hit, and chances are he might not get back into this game-" "You dont want to loose me too right.. allow me to visit him. Like maybe once a day. for a minute. Then I'll be back into your stupid game. Because you care for the fact I'm all over the media right?" Cruze said direct, seeing the true colors of this world now.. and the risk that they all had to endure which could end wrong.. as his trainer sighed.. "I wont stop you anymore, but I cant help you either. just as a reminder, if you'll pull something like this again, drive off towards the crash without allowance or pull more irrational decisions you think off on the spot.. It might've worked once to win that game which got you all into this world.. They will start to find you a bother, maybe even loose some sponsorships. you need to be careful" "Thats all you care about right" "Its important. Its a scary world with alot of ups and downs" His trainer said honest, slowly sitting up as he had sat down with Cruze. "Dont be late for the new game. As much as it might pain you, this season needs to go on and its a harsh reality. we have a race tomorrow again.. Try to keep your head in the game, or it'll be worse for all of us" The man said as he was realistic.. Making Cruze glare before he grabbed his car keys and drove off. He knew the crash was so recent ago that he might not get close.. But he couldnt help but try anyhow.
cruze was still in his racing suit. He ran right from the track to the hospital to stay as long as he possibly could. while he couldnt do much to help jack.. he just did not want to leave him alone. Each nurse after another told him to stay back and wait.. But somehow, Cruze's smooth ways got him still a little closer, using his looks a little bit to smoothen the deals along his reckless but fun behavior.. But the man was also so terrified. How would jack be.. In what state he'd be in.. Would he even be breathing on his own. It were things that were haunting Cruze. It might've been his first true fear he ever experienced.. As the driving and all never scared him.. But hearing that crash happen all over again in his mind, made him all the more worried how he was doing.
Listening yet trying to keep himself calm, one of the nurses eventually touched Rayner's shoulder as he was sitting in one of the waiting areas on the level Jack was located.. "Mr Cruze?" "Its rayner- You're fine" "He's still under some of the painkillers. A big operation is behind him, But he's stable for now." "Can I see him? or just wait inside of his room?" Cruze said as the lady looked into the direction of jackson's room before turning to him. "If you just stay here, I'll see what I can do. Since Mr Harbin is still dozed off, we usually dont allow people to come so early" The nurse said, but she noticed how badly Cruze through all these hours tried to come as close as possible. Noticing this man must.. care so much for Hardin. More than the people hardin works with, let alone his team. "Please.. if you can make an exception.." rayner said, noticing the lady saw the man was still wearing his whole racer outfit.. Not having wasted a second to come here. "Just, wait here.." she said, making Cruze slowly sit back as he waited.. Possibly being the most patient he's ever been.. Its been killing him, but after another few hours, the same nurse came to him. "Sorry for letting you wait, Hardin showed some signs of discomfort, so we needed to be sure what was happening.. You can go inside. Just try not to make him move too much if he wakes up" She said, making Cruze sigh out of relief. "Thank you.. Really.." He said, almost running to the room as he slowly opened the door, seeing Hardin for the first time since the crash.. gently closing the door behind him, he swallowed as he just slowly took a seat, but the noise made Hardin frown as he slowly opened his eyes..
"god i've never been more relieved to see someone move their chest" Cruze almost whispered as hardin had to blink a few times before he tried to focus on who was in the room.. Noticing all pipes and things onto his arms and more. "Cruze?" "the one and only.." Cruze said as he was almost able to cry out of pure relief to hear the man say his name.. alive and still kicking. "What are you doing here?" the man said with a rough voice, making Cruze laugh as tear fell down his cheek. "I could ask you the same thing.." Cruze said as he stood up to stand next to the man's bed, seeing Hardin moved a bit as he assured the man to take it slow. "You worried me sick Jack.. you better not pull this again or I'll have to kick you for it.. Are you okay?" cruze's voice started a but like how they sometimes messed with each other, but as soon as he asked how Hardin was doing, his own voice cracked, making him close to crying. He might've been a rookie and a daredevil, but the whole thing hit him so much that he wasnt scared to show emotion. "I seem to be fine for now.." "you better not scare the shit out of me like this again.. You're throwing me out of my game" Cruze said as Hardin laughed very carefully, before he looked at Cruze more. "I guess I keep doing my job then, being the huntsman" He said as the two all the sudden heard Cruze getting called.. But Cruze knew it was his team, questioning why he's gone for hours.. Without hesitation he ended the call before it even started, putting it on silent.. "Did they.. tell you anything regarding what you've been through?" Cruze said as he grabbed a chair to sit next to the man's bed.. "So far, not too much, they mentioned a lot of healing.. And that I barely made it out alive it seems.. But why are you here Cruze? I believe there's a race you have to be at tomorrow, and its not in the same city" "You care more about me having to be out there than visiting you here? do you even realize how difficult it was to even get this close" Cruze said as he raised an eyebrow, but almosy had to smile again because he was so happy he saw the man alive..
"I was so.. worried, it would've been worse.. I rather make sure you're fine and.. well treated than being in some stupid game..". "Stupid game? what happened to the man being so determined to win.. You're not planning on backing out are you?".. Hardin said as he sat up a little bit.. With help of the bed. Cruze realized this showed he cared more for jackson that he might've even realized himself, but the experienced man caught up on that detail.. Surprising him.. But making him remember it. "I'll catch up.. I'm not leaving the whole game.. its just, not the same without you out there. I find your health more important" Cruze said honest, making Hardin listen to him fully as he was a bit weakened. It touched him alot that Cruze went above and beyond to visit him.. Which again showed a certain part that confirmed some suspicion that they didnt talk about. "I can tell you one thing. you cant back up now kid.. They're gonna eventually notice this might weaken you- Many racers after seeing crashes like this tend to back out.. You cant do that" "I'm not weakened.." "I can tell you're worried. you even said it yourself, but you need to show them that this one crash wont distract you or throw you out of your game." Hardin said honest, making Cruze turn to Hardin as he looked at the man, saying nothing back for now.. "stay on track. mentally and physically" "You're becoming my new trainer?" Cruze said with a frown as Hardin looked back st him. "Dont give me that look. I'm saying you need to stand your ground" Hardin said forward, seeing Cruze got a wake up call.. But he didnt want it to become his way on avoiding this world anymore. "You're not weakened? Prove it to me then." Hardin said as Cruze's sudden challenged energy got pulled back.. Giving a specific look to Hardin in that regard.
"Since I wont be around for a bit, you might as well try and beat everyone else and stay at the top so you can wait for me to have a real challenge again. Shouldnt be too hard for you now?" Hardin said as he more than enjoyed the conversation, seeing that young energy in the room that got triggered by his approach.. Cruze had a bigger impact than he possibly realized on Hardin, but it so happened to be visa versa. "You're really out here challenging me while you've barely survived the accident?" Cruze said as he eventually smiled.. "You'll be okay.. Right?" "I will be if you wont go so soft on me. I'm quite tough Cruze, you better watch out" Hardin said, as Cruze laughed softly eventually, noticing the oldtimer was getting stronger again, certainly comfortable to make such comments. "Sure oldtimer, I'll keep my eyes peeled. The huntsman always seems to strike out of the blue" Cruze said as Hardin noticed the man thinking. "Whats on your mind?" "i was wondering one thing... Right before this occured, our race. you were so.. Strong on trying to win, so you had your next say in what you wanted.. I wonder what it was." "Well I didnt win.. Due to circumstances, so you might have to wait until I do get to win, the first day I'm back on track" Hardin said as his confidence made him smirk softly, making Cruze walk up as he nudged him. "Yeah sure- But you definitely made me curious. You were so ahead of me. As if you couldnt accept yourself to loose that one time. Must be important of what you were after-" Cruze said before he got called by his agent.. Sighing "What...?" "WHERE ARE YOU. We need to get ready to move you the next drive in cabo. Else we'll be behind-" "Alright- Alright. I'm coming.." Cruze said as he hung up, sighing as he stood right next to Hardin.. "Give me that" "What..?" Cruze said with a frown as Hardin took the man's phone, putting his own number in. "So.. The oldtimer has a working phone, even an own number?" "Very funny. How old do you think I am..?" Hardin said as he glared in a challenging way "Dont even answer that". Cruze immediately had to softly laugh, before he'd receive his phone back.
"So, now I'm forced to call you each day to give updates?" Cruze said as Hardin sighed. "You'll be gone, and I've noticed you're rather strong on wanting to know how I'm doing. Might as well see this as the best solution since you're about to travel again" Hardin said as cruze looked at his phone, adding the number to his priority. "Alright.. But you will have to explain what you wanted back on that bet of ours eventually" "Go Cruze or I'll call security.. You have to be out there. Dont show them your doubts. Those tires dont warm up themselves and you better show that reckless unstoppable behavior of yours that even can be a pain to me at times" "I was already doubting this whole speech, it started so supportive. Glad I made a mark" Cruze said as he held up the phone. "You might regret this though, now I'm even able to bother you outside the tracks" Cruze said before he had to leave.. Quickly making his way back as he felt less shocked about the whole occurence now, that he got to chat with Hardin.. Alive, breathing. In the time he went back to the track, he got called several more times by his agent, before running into his domain and packing as fast as it needed to be.. Onto a new race soon.