Nitro

Dark was the night. Lisa Silver was just on the outskirts of the city when the lights cut through the black sky and blinded her. They bathed the inside of her car with bright beams. They were coming from behind her.

She had been driving just to clear her head, and now it was full of light.

“Damn teenagers.” She said, assuming that the car on her tail was nothing but a couple of hot-rodding kids. Then the car, which she couldn’t make out, only that it was slick and black, smashed into the back of her car.

“Woah!” she yelled as she was shaken about. Once again, the car rammed her and Lisa lost control of the vehicle. She spun out and smashed into a tree, sending shards of glass flying. The sound of her horn could be heard throughout the night as she fell forward and smashed into the wheel.

Several days later, the young woman sat across the desk from Detective Dandy. She repositioned herself in her wheelchair, tucking her long blonde hair behind her ear. She was the latest in a string of victims of the mysterious black car. However, unlike all of the others, she was lucky enough to have survived. She cleared her throat waiting for the old man to respond. He leaned in an rapped his fingers against the desk.

“So that’s how it happened, eh? The car came out of nowhere?”

“That’s right, it wasn’t there one moment, and then it was the next. Like a ghost. Only, it didn’t feel like a ghost when it hit me.” She had a faraway look in her eye as she recalled the events of that night once again. Dandy could tell the sound of grating metal and the flash of bright headlights filled her head.

“You’re lucky to be alive.” Dandy said, nodding slowly. “As you’re well aware, you’re just the latest victim of this…this mad driver out there.”

“Yes, I’m lucky.” Lisa said. “I’ll be able to walk again soon. I still can’t believe it. It all happened in a flash.”

“This is a most terrible thing, I must admit. But I am a little confused. See, I specialize in a…certain type of case. Yet, you’d like to hire me to find this maniac.”

“That’s right, I think you’re the only one who can find this car.”

“And why might that be? There are plenty of capable people who could help you. . Surely the police have offered—” but Lisa waved him off.

“Oh no, on one can help me but you.” She emphasized.

“You seem awfully convinced. What aren’t you telling me?” Dandy asked.

This car,” Lisa began, her voice shaking, “I didn’t see much. But the one thing I could make out?” She swallowed hard. “This car didn’t have a driver.”

III

The next day, Dandy took a drive outside of the city, to Dunsworth’s Point, where Lisa had told him everything that had happened. He wanted to see what he could find out there on his own, now that it was daylight.

The area was just outside of town, and not very busy usually. Generally, people came out here to drive when they got bored or to fool around on summer nights.

Dandy’s grey Ford came to a halt at the site of the smashed tree. There were splinters of wood and glass and metal where Lisa had crashed. The dirt path was littered with it. Dandy walked toward this path and saw there were tire tracks leading away from the Point and further away from the city.

“Very interesting.” Dandy said to himself, tucking his white Panama hat down around his head. He hopped back into his vehicle and followed the tracks. They lead to a deserted area even further out of town, where there was nothing to be seen. Not even the tracks, because they stopped abruptly.

“How unlikely. Tracks that lead to nowhere. Of course, unlikely is the name of the game.” He said, looking from left to right. The sun was beginning to go down now, and he thought that maybe he might just wait around for a little while. See what the darkness could shake loose form this place.

He sat on the hood of his car, hat over his eyes, almost ready to doze off. Then, suddenly, he heard the sound of an engine coming to life. He grinned to himself.

“I thought you might be out there, somewhere.” He said. Quickly he moved the hat from his eyes and back onto his head, looking around. Then he threw up his arms to cover his eyes against the sudden light that shined on him. Two blindingly bright lights shone down on him. Headlights.

“Let’s say you and I have a little talk.” He said loudly. But there was no response save the revving of the engine. Dandy chuckled to himself and looked down. “I thought you might say that.”

The car crept forward, kicking up little clouds of dirt. Dandy slowly slid off the hood of his car. His eyes were adjusting to the bright lights, and he could see the car before him was a slick black Cadillac.

“Say, that’s a nice car, I’d love to take it for a spin sometime.” He said with a grin. He was slowly backing up against his own Ford. Then, lightly, he opened the door. Sliding into the vehicle with haste, he quickly started the engine. He had left the keys dangling in the ignition for a quick escape. He shifted gears and threw his foot down on the gas. The other car skidded back a few inches, as if surprised at the cat like reflexes of the old man. However, only a few moments after Dandy had taken off, the black car was on his tail.

Dandy could hear the furious whirring of the engine behind him, and he could see the lights getting closer and closer in the rearview He rubbed the dash of the old Ford.

“C’mon, girl, we can make it.” He said with more hope than certainty. The ground beneath him was rocky, causing his car to shake and shimmy along the dirt path. Finally, he could see the lights of the city come into view. All he had to do was get the car into his home turf. Then he would see what this thing, this hell on wheels would do.

He believed that once he crossed the city limits, the assailing vehicle would cut back and run to Dunsworth’s Point, not daring to follow him.

Of course, this was not the first time Dandy had been wrong.

Once they got to the edge of the city, the revving of the engine behind Dandy only got stronger, angrier. Almost alive with hate. Finally, the gap between them closed and the angry black car smashed into the rear end of Dandy’s car.

“Hey, this is my sole means of transportation.” Dandy shouted, turning over his shoulder and shaking a fist. Once again, the black car slammed into Dandy, causing him to lose control, and he crashed into a fire hydrant. Water shot into the air in an arc. Dandy was dazed at the wheel. He could see water washing over his car, and the lights were mere inches away from his bumper.

Just then, a pair of red and blue lights lit up the sky. A nearby police cruiser pulled onto the scene. And with this, the slick black car backed away. The police officer got out of his vehicle and shouted angrily at whoever was behind the wheel.

“Out of the car. Now.” He demanded. But the car responded by simply flicking off its headlights and reversing into the night. It sped off before anyone could react. Seeing that this car was gone, and that someone needed help, the officer waved off the crazed driver and quickly opened Dandy’s door.

“Why, my good man, thank you very much.” Dandy said, feeling at his head. His hand came back bloodied.

“We’ll get you to a hospital, sir.” The policeman said. “I saw the whole thing. Guy just rammed you. He was nuts. You don’t look too bad; I suppose you’re lucky.” Concluded the officer.

Dandy walked to the back of his car, which was dented quite severely. Then a smile crossed his face. He knelt and picked up something metal from the ground.

“Lucky does seem to be my middle name, sometimes, son.” He said. He looked down. In his hands, he had a lead. A serious lead, at that. He held between his bloodied and slightly trembling fingers, a license plate.

The old detective smoothed his mustache down as he sat across from his old friend, Lt. Dale Perkins of the police force. He noticed Dale’s greying hair but said nothing. The job had been tough on his companion, and he remembered the days when they would patrol together, back when they were beat cops. A lifetime ago.

“Dandy?” came Dale’s voice through the fog of time. Dandy shook his head.

“Sorry, Dale, I was miles away, what have you got for me?” He leaned in, tenting his fingers together.

“We ran the plate that you got.” Dale looked down at the paperwork on his desk and adjusted it so that it sat straight.

“Well, what did you find? Don’t keep me waiting.” Dandy said smiling.

“The registration for the plate belongs to a man named Johnny “Nitro” Gordon.” Dandy shook his head.

“A ridiculous name, but not one I’m familiar with.”

“Well, we are. He was connected to lots of crimes around this city and many others. He was a big fish we were always on the lookout for.”

“Was?” Questioned Dandy raising a confused eyebrow. “Why’d you stop looking for him?” Dale cleared his throat.

“Well, that’s the thing, John.” He paused for a moment. “He’s dead.”

Digging through a box of microfilm at the public library, Dandy rummaged until he found what he was looking for.

“Aha, six months ago to the day.” He said with triumph. He placed the film in the reader and began to cycle through the pages of black and white print. There was nothing of interest to him, and then he came to a total halt at the obituaries.

He read about the man they called Johnny Nitro. About his love for cars, about his need for speed, constantly pushing the speedometer to the limit. Then he found himself reading about his various “alleged” crimes. The bank robbery the grand theft auto. He was a hired get aways driver for many a job. But it didn’t seem that the police could make anything stick. He was always quick to get away.

Until six months ago, when his car breaks failed, and he slammed into a semi truck as he tried to get away one more time. The article said he was killed instantly.

Dandy sat back from the machine and tapped his chin. It said that Nitro had a wife named Marie. She was the last living person who would claim any connection to him. And perhaps it was here that he would find his next lead.

Dandy knocked on the door to the apartment on Palmer Street and waited for someone to answer. Finally, a woman in her early thirties opened and looked him over.

“Who are you?” she asked suspiciously.

“Detective John Dandy.” He said, flashing his badge. She studied it and shook her head in disgust.

“What do you people want? It’s all over.” She wrapped her arms around her body and let out a shudder.

“I won’t keep you long.” He said, tilting his hat in her direction. “I just have a few questions.”

“Like what? I have nothing left to say.” Marie said.

“Like how has Johnny’s car been reported all around the surrounding area? In tact? Driving around like there’s a madman at the wheel.” Marie stared at him blankly.

“What do you mean? Johnny is dead and that car of his was destroyed too. You’re talking nonsense, old man.” Dandy peered at her coldly.

“What is it you didn’t tell the police?” The woman looked up at him and saw something in his eyes, something different than all the other cops. She couldn’t tell what it was but she was compelled to give the old man before her some answers.

Five minutes later, Dandy was huddled in a small room with pages tacked all over the wall, candles on the floor.

“Johnny, see, he was really into the occult. He wanted to find a way to live forever.” She said. “I like to think it was so that we could be together for eternity, but I think…” she trailed off for a moment and smiled a wry smile, “I think it’s just so he could drive forever, you know?”

Dandy walked about the room and scanned the papers stuck to the wall. There were countless articles on resurrection and afterlife, on summoning spirits.

One on page in particular there were several passages circled in red. He leaned in and read them closely.

“Ancient Sumerian secret, huh?” he said, rubbing his chin. He pondered to himself, could Johnny Nitro and his wife have unlocked the key to transferring his soul to something else? Could a person be summoned into a car and take their revenge on society. By far, this was the most ludacris thing that he had ever heard.

As he turned this thought over in his mind, he heard the slight creaking of footsteps behind him. Swiftly he turned around and saw Marie creeping up on him, a candlestick in her hand, poised to come down on his head.

“And here I thought we were going to be such good friends.” He said. Quickly he hooked a nearby chair with his leg and dragged it close to his body. He lifted the chair up like a lion tamer as the candle stick came crashing down. Marie let out a low grunt.

“That wasn’t very nice.” Dandy said. He grabbed the woman by the wrist and twisted it behind her back.

“Ow, ok, let me go.” She cried. But the detective refused to loosen his grip.

“No, I don’t think so. I think you’re coming with me.”

VII

The pair stood at the grave of Johnny Nitro, staring at its cement headstone. Here was the final resting place of Mr. Nitro. Of course, it hadn’t been as permanent as that.

“Well, he certainly seems dead.” Dandy said.

“He’s only dead as you understand it, old man.” Spat Marie. “He can live forever now.”

“As a car?” Dandy replied. There was silence. Silence although out the cemetery until it was cut sharply in half by the sound of a revving engine.

Dandy whipped around quickly and saw the black Cadillac idling on the dirt path that snaked around the cemetery.

“Johnny Nitro, I presume.” Dandy said, trying to keep calm. He looked about slowly, estimating how far his car was and if he could make it before the sinister black automobile could run him down. He swallowed hard. Though he was quick for his age, he wasn’t that fast.

The car revved its engine louder in response. Dandy could see plainly into the vehicle now, and just had Lisa Silver had said, there was no one it the driver’s seat.

“Can’t I just be killed by a normal car like a regular person?” lamented Dandy. He could feel the sweat running down his forehead and getting trapped in the brim of his hat.

“Get him, baby!” Yelled Marie.

The car made its move, lunging forward. Dandy jumped to the side, just barely avoiding being crushed against the tombstone. The car crashed into the marker with a crunching noise of metal on stone.

Dandy took this moment to escape. He scrambled to his feet and dashed for his car as the black Cadillac spun its wheels, caught in the dirt and the bits of stone that it had thoroughly crushed. As Dandy slid into the driver’s seat of his car and fumbled with the keys, he could almost swear that he heard furious howling, as if the car was angry, hurt, confused. He shook his head quickly and brough the old Ford to life.

“I think I may have overstayed my welcome.” Dandy said, stomping on the gas. He lit out of the cemetery, leaving a trail of dirt flying behind him. He shifted gears and crossed through the gates.

He stared into his rearview mirror and his eyes flew open wide. Right on his tail was the killer car.

VIII

The car bumped into him viciously, causing Dandle to jolt around. He looked desperately for an exit, any sort of escape that would put space between him and the murderous vehicle behind him.

Suddenly, he heard the roar of a train up ahead. The red and white security rails were coming down quickly, But Dandy knew that he had only one chance to escape the killer Cadillac. He punched the gas and sped forward, crashing through the safety arms, sending splinters flying everywhere. The train blared its horn, the conductor seeing the small grey Ford crossing the tracks.

Inside the train, the conductor tried to screech to a halt, but he knew that there wouldn’t be enough space for him to stop now.

Luckily, Dandy had cleared the tracks just in time. He came to a screeching halt on the other side and looked back over his shoulder, peering out the back window.

The black car crossed the tracks just a second after Dandy, just a moment after the train came into view, causing an incredible collision. The sound of metal on metal filled the air. The train came to a screeching halt, but it was too late for Johnny Nitro. The black metal was twisted and tangled in on itself.

Finally, there was a loud explosion. The black car went up in flames and tumbled over and over. Flames shot from the inside of the car; thick black smoke came curling upward to the sky.

Dandy let out the breath that had been trapped in his lungs and got out of his own car. There was a buzz of confusion and terror, but Dandy couldn’t absorb any of it. All he could do was look at the wrecked mass of metal and lean against the Ford. He huffed as he realized it was over.

From afar he saw the headlights of the black vehicle flicker off, consumed and dying in the flames.

Up in the smoke, had he really seen it? He rubbed his eyes, it looked like the outline of a man. Nitro? Whatever it was floating there, Dandy swore it looked down for a brief moment, angered, then disappeared in the smoke.

Dandy flung his car door open and sat sideways so that his legs were stretched out over the pavement. He sighed to himself.

“Mr. Nitro,” he said removing his white Panama hat and wiping sweat form his forehead, “you better have some damn good insurance.”

END