The station was clam this morning. Papers rustled, keyboards clacked, and conversations drifted between desks, but the real buzz wasn't about cases or patrol routes. It was about the banquet. Everyone was talking about it, the food, the drinks, the announcements to be made, and more importantly, the chief himself would be presenting.
Kai leaned back in his chair, balancing in on two legs like he always did, his arms crossed loosely behind his head. Eli sat across from him, jittery with energy, flipping through a file he wasn't even reading.
"So," Eli finally said, lowering the folder, "who's this mystery girl you're bringing tonight?"
Kai smirked, the kind of smug grin that always made Eli feel like he was missing the punchline. "She's this girl from the rebel side. Her family owns a restaurant down there."
Eli blinked, surprised. "The rebel side?"
Kai leaned forward, letting the chair slam back onto all four legs. "Yeah. You know there's more people like me down there, people who aren't apart of any crew, just trying to get by. Not everyone is waving flags or burning cars."
Eli nodded slowly. "You're right."
Kai grinned. "Of course I'm right." He tilted his head. "So, you ready to go with Mira?"
Eli's face turned pale. "No. Not really. I'm super nervous. I've never done anything like this with a girl before."
Kai slapped the table, laughing. "Relax, man. It's just a banquet. You're just going as friends remember?"
"Yeah I know, but that's easy for you to say," Eli muttered.
Kai leaned in, voice dropping. "It's okay, it just so happens that your bestfriend is a ladies man. I'll teach you a few things. Don't worry."
Eli finally cracked a laugh. "Thanks."
Later that day, Eli stood in front of his bedroom mirror, straightening his tie for the tenth time. He took a deep breath, staring at his own reflection.
"I got this," he told himself. His voice wavered, but the determination in his eyes steadied.
He grabbed his keys and headed out.
Driving through the quiet neighborhoods, Eli glanced at the note on the seat beside him. Mira's address was written in Kai's surprisingly good handwriting. His palms were sweaty as he turned to her street.
He parked, climbed out, and knocked on the door.
Mira opened it, a playful smile already tugging at her lips. Her dress wasn't overly fancy, but it suited her perfectly, simple, flowing, and paired with her natural energy.
"Hey," she said.
"Wow," Eli breathed out before he could stop himself. "You look.. great."
Mira tilted her head, her smile widening. "Thank you."
Eli hurried around the car door for her, earning a raised eyebrow.
"Well, well," Mira said once they were both inside. "I'm surprised, Eli. Didn't expect you to have any experience with this kind of thing."
Eli scratched his cheek nervously. "Well... not really. Kai taught me a few things."
Mira laughed, shaking her head. "Of course he did."
They then drove off.
The banquet hall wasn't just any building, it was a massive clubhouse on the edge of the city, gleaming with polished wood floors, high ceilings, and chandeliers that sparkled like stars. Cars lined the entrance, and a line of officers and guests were filing inside.
Eli pulled into the lot, parked, and got out with Mira. She looped her arm around his without hesitation, sending a jolt through him.
Inside, the air buzzed with chatter, the scent of roasted meats a deserts filing the room. Officers mingled, laughing, shaking hands. Eli gave a polite nod to a cop standing near the entrance before whispering, "Where's Kai?"
Mira rolled her eyes. "Screw him. Let's get some food."
Before Eli could answer, she dragged him straight to the buffet. The two piled plated high, laughing as they sampled everything in sight. Eli was halfway through stuffing a pastry in his mouth when Mira nudged him.
"Look," she whispered.
Eli followed her gaze. Officers all around the room were turning their heads, murmuring.
At the center of attention was Kai.
He walked confidently, dressed sharper than Eli had ever seen him, a dark suit that fit him perfectly. But it wasn't just his presence that turned heads, it was the girl beside him.
She had a striking black hair that fell in soft waves, a beautiful face framed by subtle makeup, and a black dress that seemed to shine under the chandeliers, every step drawing attention.
Kai greeted officers along the way, exchanging quick handshakes and smiles until he finally reached Eli and Mira.
"What's up," he said casually, as if he wasn't the star of the evening.
He gestured to the girl. "This is Scarlett. Her family owns a restaurant on the rebel side."
Mira's eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh wow, that's really cool," she said aloud. But inside, her mind raced.
Scarlett. That face. That hair. She had seen her before, at a rebel party.
She then realized, Scarlett.. is Raven. One of the four shadows.
Her pulse quickened.
As Kai and Scarlett left to grab food, Mira tugged Eli's sleeve. "Come outside. Now."
Eli looked confused but followed her out the door.
"What's going on?" he asked
Mira glanced around to make sure no one was listening. "That girl. Scarlett. I've seen her before. At a rebel party. Eli, I think she's Raven one of the four shadows."
Eli's jaw dropped. "What are you talking about?"
"I know it sounds insane, but you have to trust me."
Eli rubbed his forehead. "Fine. I guess. But listen, don't say anything to Kai. Not yet at least until we figure out if this is true or not and besides. She seems like a really nice girl, and the way kai talks about her, he really likes her. So let me check the four shadows files first, okay?"
Mira crossed her arms but nodded. "Fine. Thank you for hearing me out."
"of course," Eli said. "Let's get back before they notice."
When they returned, Kai was waiting with a teasing grin. "What were you two talking whispering about, huh?"
"Nothing," Mira said too quickly.
Kai chuckled. "Sure."
A microphone squealed as feedback echoed through the room. The chief's voice boomed.
"Is this thing on?" a loud tap followed, making several people wince. "Ah, there we go."
He cleared his throat. "Welcome, everyone. I hope you've all had enough to eat and enjoyed yourself tonight. But now it's time for what you've all been waiting for, the announcement of our new vehicles and riders.
Murmurs filled the room as screens flickered on. One showed a sleek supercar, black, aerodynamic, gleaming under the spotlight. The other displayed a powerful motorcycle, its design built for speed.
Applause erupted.
The chief raised a hand. "Now, your new riders. For out ten bikers, Mason Clarke, Derek Hunt, Owen Farris, Jonah Vega, Victor Hale, Tyler Crow, Brandon Pierce, Malik Ross... and our two ladies, Erica Lane and Zoey Winters."
The officers clapped again, a few cheers breaking out.
"And for out fifteen supercar drivers, Ryan Gates, Connor Blake, Jason Steele, Anthony Cruz, Marcus Bell, Shayla Quinn, Jordan Cole, Isaac Knox, Trevor Holt, Shawn Bishop, Adrian Frost, Leo Turner, Dominic Chase, Aaron Myers... for our final slot, going to Dylan West."
The room filled with whistles and applause.
Eli sighed. "Aw man, I wanted to be picked."
Kai patted his shoulder. "It's okay. You're still new."
Scarlett excused herself soon after. "I should go now."
"I'll drive you back," Kai said immediately, earning another look from Mira.
After dropping her off, Scarlett entered her home quietly. Her phone rang. She picked it up, voice steady.
"Did you do it?" and man's voice asked.
"Of course I did," she replied.
"Good." The line went dead.
Later, far across the city, Night Rider sat on his bike atop a dark hill, looking out at the city lights.
The engines, the cheers, the danger, memories stirred like ghosts in his chest.
"Am I really gonna race again?" he muttered. "It's been so long..."
The night swallowed his words as the city below continued to glow.