Chasing the Horizon: Chapter Three
#3 of Chasing the Horizon
Doberman street racer Diego lives a fast lifestyle comprising of exotic cars and casual sex. He delivers expensive automobiles to wealthy furs while smuggling illegal items to earn money on the side. When given a lucrative job of delivering a Shelby Mustang and a secret package to a mysterious client within a specific time-limit, he enthusiastically takes the offer, wanting to use his paycheck to retire from illegal work once and for all. However, the situation takes a complicated turn when he runs into his new neighbour Spike, a Coyote and a disillusioned police officer on a mission of his own.
Diego and Spike had cleared the city limits and were tearing down Interstate 15 towards the Mojave National Preserve. The Mustang's engine roared whenever Diego pressed down on the gas pedal, causing the fur on the back of Spike's neck to stand on end. The sun beat down on them, but Diego had turned the air-conditioning up so it blew refreshingly over Spike's fur. Diego also had R. Kelly's "Ignition" playing on the stereo system and was drumming his paws against the steering wheel as he sang along. Spike looked out of the window as the scenery flashed by "Hey Yote, you put something on" Diego said as the track finished. Spike reached over and tuned the radio into KROCK-FM "Awooo! It looks like today is gonna be a scorcher, make sure y'all stay properly hydrated, with a nice cool beer! Now here's The Who with Baba O'Riley" Howlin' Sam announced "Hey, I know this one!" Diego mused, grinning at Spike as the song began with its distinctive opening riff "I love this song" Spike replied Diego reached over and turned the volume up so that the windows rattled. Spike splayed his ears "That's pretty loud" "C'mon man, loosen out, music like this is meant to be loud. Sing and howl!" Diego shouted. Spike sang along quietly "Aw c'mon dude, louder!" Diego encouraged "I can't sing" Spike protested "So what? After me... don't cry, don't raise your eye, it's only..." "TEENAGE WASTLAND!" Both canines yelled before howling. Spike sat back and laughed as his tail wagged excitedly.
Diego's phone began buzzing. He turned the music off and answered the call "Hey Dobie" came Karl's voice "we've got a new development. I'm gonna need you to make a stop on the way to Denver" Diego glanced at Spike who was looking at him curiously "Uh, Karl I'm gonna have to pull over" Diego replied "Ok, gimme me a call back" Karl said, before hanging up "Friend of yours?" Spike asked casually "Yeah, I'm gonna have pull into this gas station. I'll get us some soda" Diego said, turning the Mustang off the road and into a gas station forecourt. Diego parked near the store and made his way inside. He walked to the graffiti covered bathroom, locked the door and called Karl back "What is it?" "Sorry man, I'm gonna need you to drive to Las Vegas" Karl said apologetically "Huh?" Diego replied, his eyes widening with surprise "why?" "There's been a new development regarding the package. My uncle got a call from the client sayin' that he wants to verify that it's genuine. The fur who can do that for us is currently in Vegas. You don't have to do anything, just find a hotel for the night and call me back. The fur should have told me the location of where he'll meet you by then. You'll take the package to him, he'll look inside and make a call to the client. That's all" Karl explained "That's gonna cut into my time limit" Diego replied "The client is willing to wait two extra hours, but no more. If you don't get there before two pm, the deal is off" Karl said "can you do that?" Inside, Diego was not fond of the idea of driving somewhere new and having to call Karl back for more instructions, but he wanted the money from this job to ensure a comfortable retirement "Sure, that ain't a problem" he replied, trying to sound cheerful "That's my Dobie!" Karl chuckled "where are you anyway? I can hear an echo" "I had to go to a bathroom to call back" Diego explained "A bathroom huh, any chance of a picture? Man, I've been craving your body since you said we'd have fun. Then you blew me off for your new boyfriend" Karl teased "Bathrooms are for pissing in, not taking pictures" Diego jested "like I said, wait until I'm back" "Aw man you're such a tease" Karl sighed "Listen, I've gotta go. I'll call you when I get to Vegas" "Good luck pal, look after yourself" Karl said before hanging up. Diego made his way back into the store and browsed in the refrigerator, casually glancing at the other furs. There was a bored looking teenage Bobcat behind the counter while a blue-eyed White Wolf wearing a grey suit was looking at the items on the shelf behind Diego. The Wolf gazed briefly at him before disappearing towards the bathroom. Diego blinked, feeling a tad unnerved. He brought two bottles of soda and made his way back outside.
Meanwhile, Spike had waited until Diego had disappeared indoors. He climbed out of the Mustang and made his way to a pay-phone. At the Station he had changed into jeans and a white V-neck shirt, but out in the open he could feel the heat of the sun baring down upon him. Keeping the Mustang in sight, he inserted a pawful of change into the phone and called Jones' number "Yes?" The Boston Terrier rasped "I'm driving to Denver with Diego now" Spike explained "he's delivering a blue Mustang to the client" "Good, have you noticed anything unusual in the car, like a package or an additional suitcase?" "Not yet" Spike replied, he could suddenly feel sweat breaking out on his muzzle "Then search the whole car. Have you checked the trunk?" "No, I haven't" "Do that now. If you see a package, try and get a look inside. Call me back if you find anything interesting. I know for sure he's transporting something illegal" Jones rasped. With that, the line went dead. Spike glanced at the store, but there was no sign of Diego. He walked back to the Mustang and glanced behind the driver's seat. Other than their suitcases, Spike could not see anything suspicious. He crept around the back of the car and was about to open the trunk when he glanced up and saw Diego making his way outside. Spike hurried back to the passenger door, trying to muster an innocent expression "Hey buddy!" Diego called, "what are you doing around there?" "I wondered if my suitcase would fit in the trunk" Spike replied Diego shook his head "Sorry man, uh, got some stuff in there for a friend of mine. I said I'd take it to Denver for him" Diego claimed. He put on an innocent looking smile and handed Spike a bottle of soda. Spike felt relieved at the sensation of the cool bottle in his paws as he climbed back into the Mustang. However, he was pretty sure that whatever Diego was hiding, it must be in the back. Diego fired up the powerful engine and they sped off in a cloud of dust "I just spoke to my friend and there's a little change of plan" Diego explained "we're gonna go to Vegas" "Vegas? How come" Spike asked, taking a sip of soda "Gotta meet another friend" Diego said "that's the problem with my work, something can come up at the last minute". Before Spike could ask anything else, Diego reached forwards and turned the radio back on.
They continued driving for an hour before turning down a smaller, and more isolated road off the interstate. There was nothing around them asides the open plains and a range of towering hills in the distance. The vast, golden expense of scenery and the rich blue sky stretched out before them. The Mustang's paint shone in the sunlight as the car whipped along like a blue bullet. There were no buildings or any other cars in sight, nothing artificial to be seen or heard apart from the road and the thrumming of the engine. In the open, the car suddenly felt very small, but in his mind, Spike felt a glorious sense of freedom. His breed of canine were descended from desert scrub and hill dwellers, so he felt a sense of reconnection with his roots. His tasks of reporting to Jones and snooping on Diego were momentarily forgotten, and he no longer cared about running away from his work. The radio was still tuned into KROCK and ZZ Top's "Gimme All Your Lovin" was pounding out of the stereo system. Spike sat back and sang along while Diego tried to join in, making up lyrics of his own.
Suddenly, the moment was shattered as another car appeared beside them. Both canines glanced over to see a black turbocharged BMW M3 driven by a young looking Jackal. The Jackal was dressed in a leather jacket and was wearing a pair of aviator sunglasses. He slid the glasses down his muzzle and turned to shot a sly grin at Diego "Hmm, a Bavarian built car. That dude has taste" the Doberman noted "What does he want?" Spike asked "I think he wants a race" Diego replied, a smile spread across his muzzle "You're not gonna..." Spike began "I sure am!" Diego slammed his hind-paw on the gas pedal and the Mustang shot forwards, pushing Spike back into his seat. The BMW raced after them and Spike hoped that they wouldn't pass a highway patrol car sitting at the side of the road "Woo, try and catch me sucker!" Diego yelled The Mustang's engine roared as the scenery flashed past, the rocks and sand blurred into one. The BMW was gaining on them and soon it was level. Both canines looked over to see the Jackal making an L for loser sign at them with his paw. The BMW edged past and overtook "Oh yeah, watch this" Diego growled He pressed back down on the gas pedal and the Mustang began to regain ground. Spike felt adrenaline course through his body and his heart thumped against his chest. His worries vanished and he could suddenly appreciate the thrill of fast driving as he willed Diego on "C'mon, he's gonna get away!" he shouted "This guy is good, but no one outruns me!" Diego replied, he gritted his teeth as they drew level again. Up ahead, the road suddenly turned to the left. Diego cursed as he slammed on the brakes and turned the wheel. The tires screeched as they rounded the corner and Spike feared for a moment that the car would roll over, but Diego quickly regained control. The BMW had slowed at the corner and Diego soon caught up with the Jackal "See ya later, loser!" he laughed as they overtook, but the Jackal was not giving up and soon the BMW was hot on their tail "Jeez, there's no stopping him!" Diego growled in disbelief. The engine gave another fur-raising roar as Diego pressed the pedal as hard as he could to the floor. The BMW was falling behind. Diego glanced in the mirrors and chuckled to himself "Close, but no cigar dude" "Watch out!" Spike yelled Diego glanced back to the road ahead and his eyes widened in alarm as he saw another sharp turn approaching fast. He slammed on the brakes but the Mustang began to slide. Diego cursed and wrenched at the wheel. The Mustang's tires gave a tortured squeal but Diego gained control of the car and they rounded the corner without leaving the road. The Jackal's reflexes were not as fast. Spike watched in horror as the BMW met the corner and slid out of control. It left the road on two wheels and rolled over.
"Stop!" Spike shouted as the BMW continued to roll, throwing up a plume of dust. Diego slammed his hind-paw on the brake and the Mustang screeched to a halt, the smell of burnt rubber filled the nostrils of both canines "What have we done?" Spike gasped Diego reversed back until they were level with the crashed BMW. It has come to rest on its wheels, but the roof had crumpled and the windshield was cracked. Steam was also rising from under the hood. As they watched, the driver's door was kicked open from the inside. The Jackal stumbled out, dazed but seemingly unhurt. His sunglasses had come off and he glared at the Mustang with narrowed, rage-filled eyes "He's ok, let's go" Diego said nonchalantly "Wait, you can't..." Spike began, but his words were drowned out by the Mustang's engine as they sped off "What the hell are you doing?" Spike demanded "you can't just leave him like that" "If he calls the cops and gets us thrown in jail, I'm dead meat" Diego replied "besides, I know his type. He would have done the same to us" "Yeah? How would you know" Spike protested "Look man, if you wanna go back, be my guest. I think you're fucking idiotic but I'll stop and let you out. I'm not getting mixed up with the law and that guy will probably beat you to death" Diego shouted, his hackles were raised. As appalled as Spike felt, he knew he had to stay with Diego "Ok, fine. Just continue then" he sighed.
They drove in silence for the next two hours. The radio had gone dead and there was a tense atmosphere in the car. Spike gazed out the window, no longer taking in the view. Part of him wished that he had not come on the journey and that he could have just made a run for it with his grandmother. Both canines sneaked the odd glance at each other, but remained quiet, not daring to speak. "Hey, you ok Yote?" Diego eventually asked. His tone was now gentler and he glanced at Spike with a genuinely concerned expression "Yeah, I guess" Spike replied, his feelings softening at the tone of Diego's voice. Diego reached over and gently placed a paw on Spike's leg "I'm sorry I yelled at you dude. I understand you're a cop and you'd have gone back to help" "It's ok" Spike replied, forcing a smile. Diego smiled back and ran his paw teasingly up Spike's leg "I'm gonna get the tires and brakes looked at when we get to Vegas, but I know a nice hotel where we can spend the night" he said. Spike initially tensed, but relaxed as the Doberman's eyes gazed playfully at him "Only if you want to?" Diego asked, removing his paw and looking anxious "Yeah, for sure" Spike replied with a grin. Diego reached over and put his paw back on Spike's leg. He felt his way up to Spike's crotch and gave it a gentle rub. Spike felt excitement and anticipation replace his sense of anger. Outside, the sun was starting to set and the blue sky was streaked with red. "Wanna put some music back on?" Diego asked "that radio station you like is cool" he tuned it back into KROCK "I'm all out of hope One more bad break could bring a fall When I'm far from home Don't call me on the phone To tell me you're alone" "This track sounds familiar too" Diego mused "It's called Eyes Without a Face" Spike explained "Heh, you know your music" Diego chuckled. Spike also smiled, but with the excitement of the race and the argument fading, he suddenly felt exhausted. He curled up in his seat and gazed out the window. The sky had turned a deep shade of maroon as the sun began to disappear over the horizon. Spike's eyes felt heavy and he began to slowly drift off. Meanwhile, Diego was feeling happy that the tension had subsided. He loved driving in scenic locations, but for the first time he was glad to have some company. Above, the sky had now transformed to a deep blue as the twilight set in. The distant hills were silhouetted against the fading light and the plains around them were soon shrouded in darkness, but the Mustang's powerful headlamps picked out the road ahead. One by one, the stars began to appear in the sky. The last of the sunset was replaced by the soft, silvery glow of a full moon. Keeping one paw on the wheel, Diego reached over and placed an arm around the dozing Coyote. His previous desires for a genuinely romantic moment were now satisfied. Spike relaxed as he turned his head and rested his muzzle on Diego's strong, reassuring arm. His eyes briefly glowed green as they reflected the lights of a car passing in the opposite direction, but then he yawned and closed them as sleep finally came. The music continued to play quietly in the background "Eyes without a face Eyes without a face Got no human grace You're eyes without a face"
Further back down the road, the Jackal was sitting beside his destroyed BMW. He was not only seething at the fact that his car was wrecked, but also that the Doberman had humiliated him in their race. He looked up to see the lights of another car approaching. He raced to the side of the road and flagged it down. The car pulled over and the Jackal saw that it was a police cruiser. A grim yet satisfied smile spread across his muzzle. "You ok, sir?" A grey wolf cop asked, as he wound down the window and shone a torch out "I had a crash" the Jackal replied, trying to show a distressed expression "some Doberman and his Coyote friend forced me off the road". A minute later, both wolf cops were taking details from the Jackal. He recounted the Doberman's physical appearance, explained that he was dangerously driving a blue Shelby Mustang with white stripes and that he probably posed a threat to other furs on the road. The Jackal smiled to himself as the cops wrote down his story and radioed their buddies to keep their eyes out for the Mustang. He may have lost the race, but he was going to make sure that the Doberman's victory was short lived.