Arif felt like the veins in his head would burst.
Taking Maya on a bike in her condition was reckless. But the race wasn't optional. Rick had to compete. And Arif had no choice either.
Everything was turning into a mess.
Maya was sitting near a burning oil drum with Elizabeth, warming her hands. The night was cold, but Elizabeth's presence felt strangely comforting.
Maya liked her instantly.
Elizabeth didn't seem like the others. There was something soft about her smile, something gentle in her eyes. Though she looked fully American, she was actually Bangladeshi. She had moved to the United States when she was only four years old.
Her golden hair flowed past her knees, loose against her black biker outfit. The contrast made her look almost unreal—like a warrior princess out of a fantasy tale.
Maya found herself staring.
Elizabeth caught her looking and smiled. "Why are you staring at me like that?"
Maya blushed slightly. "You're very beautiful. Especially your hair. Mashallah."
Elizabeth's smile deepened, but there was sadness in it.
"I think you're more beautiful than I am," she replied quietly. "Outer beauty isn't important. It attracts attention, yes—but not always the right kind. Sometimes beauty becomes a curse."
Maya listened carefully.
"Inner strength matters more," Elizabeth continued. "The outside fades. The inside decides whether you survive."
Maya nodded slowly. "I agree."
Elizabeth reached out and gently pinched Maya's cheek. "You seem innocent. Whatever happens tonight… don't panic. If you can hold onto your courage, you'll learn more than you think."
She paused.
"And maybe you won't die."
Maya's breath caught.
"Arif made a mistake bringing you here," Elizabeth added softly. "His ticket upward is already printed. Yours might be getting printed too."
Maya wasn't sure what that meant.
Upward?
Heaven?
Death?
Or something else entirely?
For now, it was better not to understand.
Everyone dies eventually.
The question was—who would die tonight?
Across the lot, Arif and Rick leaned against their bikes, speaking in low voices.
Then Jack arrived.
With his followers.
Arif didn't even want to look at him. But Jack walked straight toward them anyway, grinning like a predator.
He spread his arms dramatically. "Hey, bestie! Missed me?"
Rick rolled his eyes and stared at his phone.
Jack continued, "Italy was boring without you, Arif. No one races like you. So I came back to America—for my best friend."
His tone dripped with sarcasm.
"Oh, and I heard you got married? What happened? Your fake professor father-in-law ran out of money? Couldn't even invite us to the wedding?"
Arif's jaw tightened.
Jack smirked. "You brought your wife too, right? Won't you introduce her to her dear brother-in-law? Don't worry—I won't steal her. She's my best friend's wife after all."
His followers laughed.
Arif's fists clenched.
"Jack," he said coldly. "Walk away."
Jack stepped closer instead. "Why? Scared?"
Rick finally looked up. "Lions walk alone. Dogs walk in packs. So which one are you?"
Jack's smile vanished.
He leaned toward Rick. "People without proper fathers shouldn't speak too much."
Rick's body went rigid.
"Careful," Arif warned.
Jack chuckled. "What? I'm just stating facts."
Rick wanted to tear him apart.
But fighting at the race ground was forbidden. Anyone who broke that rule faced serious consequences. And last week, Arif had already created trouble by punching another racer.
This was not the place.
Arif's voice dropped. "You're only brave because you know we can't touch you right now. Say these words after the race. Let's see if you walk away alive."
Jack just laughed.
Maya was walking toward them at that moment.
Jack noticed her first.
He looked her up and down slowly.
"So this is the wife?" he said mockingly. "Pretty."
His eyes lingered too long.
Arif moved instantly.
Before anyone could react, his hand shot out and grabbed Jack by the throat.
Everything froze.
Jack's followers rushed forward, trying to pull Arif away—but Arif didn't move.
His grip tightened.
Jack's face turned red. Then purple.
Rick stepped in quickly. "Arif! Not here!"
It took all his strength to pry Arif's hand loose.
Jack stumbled back, coughing violently.
For a second, the entire race ground was silent.
Then Jack straightened his jacket as if nothing had happened.
But everyone had seen it.
Maya reached them just then.
She hadn't fully understood what happened, but she saw the tension.
Jack looked at her again and smirked.
"You are very pretty, darling."
Maya stared at him.
Then, without hesitation, she said, "Go away."
Everyone blinked.
Jack frowned. "What did you say?"
"I told you to go away," she repeated calmly. "Please step back."
Arif almost smiled.
Rick's explanation earlier had worked.
Jack's eyes darkened. "Professor's wife speaks good English after all."
He turned back to Arif. "Tonight's race decides everything. If you win, I'll step down. If you lose, you give me the pen drive."
Rick immediately whispered, "Don't agree."
Arif didn't hesitate. "I accept."
Rick stared at him. "Are you insane? With her here?"
Arif's voice was steady. "You'll ride with Maya."
Rick blinked. "What?"
"You'll go slower."
Maya's eyes widened in horror. "No! I'm not getting on a bike again!"
Rick smirked. "You want to stay here alone? With Elizabeth? You think she's harmless?"
Maya frowned. "She's nice!"
Rick leaned closer. "She's more dangerous than you think."
Maya felt trapped.
Tiger on land.
Crocodile in water.
Where could she go?
Arif's tone softened slightly. "Rick will ride carefully. Go with him."
She swallowed.
There was no escape.
The race began.
Engines roared like thunder.
Rick kept his speed controlled—but even then, the wind felt violent to Maya.
At the final stretch, she lost consciousness again.
Morning.
Sunlight filtered through the glass walls of Centramony, spilling into Maya's room.
She opened her eyes slowly.
Two figures sat nearby.
Arif and Rick.
Rick stood up once he saw she was awake and left quietly.
Maya sat up, glaring at Arif.
"Were you trying to kill me last night?"
He answered without emotion. "Maybe."
Her heart sank.
He stood up. "Be ready in twenty minutes."
"Why?"
"You're going to university."
She pulled the blanket over her head. "I'm sick."
"Studying will cure you."
And he walked out.
Maya groaned.
Later, she stood outside as Arif brought the car around.
"Get in," he said.
She didn't move.
"You promised to take me to the maple forest."
He sighed. "Now?"
"Yes."
After a moment, he gave in.
They drove behind Centramony.
The forest was even more beautiful in daylight.
Red leaves covered the ground like a carpet of fire.
Maya stepped out, smiling for the first time that day.
She picked up a leaf carefully.
"It's beautiful," she whispered.
Arif watched her quietly.
After a while, he said, "We should go."
"One more minute."
She took out her phone and snapped a photo.
At that moment, a red maple leaf drifted down from above.
Maya reached up—
But Arif caught it first.
Their fingers brushed.
He looked at the leaf.
Then at her.
For a brief second, the world felt still.
But somewhere in the distance—
A car engine echoed.
Unfamiliar.
Watching.
Waiting.
Maya didn't notice.
Arif did.
And the way his expression changed—
Told her something was very wrong.
To be continued…