Surrender 01 - Surrender

of smoke filled the air as both cars sped off.
    Robert glanced at his speedometer, climbing quickly to 65 miles per hour as they barreled down the city streets. Their cars darted in and out of morning traffic, getting everything from the middle finger to honking horns. Robert knew in the back of his mind that he’d seen police officers on this road, but his boyish arrogance would never allow him to slow down.
    Frank made a sudden attempt at a pass, while Robert responded with a sharp maneuver to block him. The sound of Frank’s engine down shifting could be heard as Robert watched him in the rearview mirror. He started to gain a lead, thinking, what a wimp , as he pushed his Porsche even harder.
    Robert knew Frank well enough that the man would do anything to win. He’d raced him before and had learned a few of Frank’s tricks and strategies. Come on Frank, make your next move, Robert silently taunted as they approached the on-ramp to the freeway.
    Although the traffic was somewhat heavy, the open expanse of the freeway was a golden opportunity. This is your chance, Robert. Give it all she’s got. He quickly shifted into third gear as he turned onto the ramp, looking back to see Frank only inches away.
    The cars surged up the ramp, both engines growling as they were pushed to their limits. Robert weaved in and out of traffic as he crested the top of the ramp. Honking horns could be heard as the annoyed drivers let their disapproval be known. However, none of it fazed Robert as he accelerated past one hundred miles per hour.
    Roberts’s confidence about his upcoming victory was quickly squashed by the sight of Frank’s shiny grill in his rearview mirror. Deciding it was time for some dirty tactics, Robert cracked an evil smile as he noticed a large truck with its turn signal on, moving into his lane. Without hesitation, or fear, Robert shifted into fourth gear and hammered down on the pedal. The sound of gravel could be heard under his car as he swerved around the merging truck and slightly into the median.
    Try that on for size, ha! Robert could see Frank and his blue BMW swerving from side to side while attempting to find a hole. He sped off, taking full advantage. After a couple minutes he figured he’d won, free and clear.
    Glancing in his mirror, Robert could no longer see any sign of Frank. Looks like you gave up too easily my frie…what the… Robert could see a blue car fast approaching from his right side, like a bullet fired from a gun. The glee on Frank’s face was as clear as if Frank was sitting in the back seat taunting Robert as he drove. His heart now pounding harder and adrenaline filling his veins, Robert pressed his engine as hard as it would go.
    His focus turned back to the road in front of him in time to noticed the distinct sky-blue nose of a crown Victoria protruding from the vegetation lining the median. It wasn’t the first time he’d had a run-in with the local police department. He was very familiar with their cars.
    To prevent a catastrophic ticket, and another mar on his driving record, he quickly down shifted and applied the brakes. With a slight chirp of the tires, he slowed to just five-miles-per-hour over the speed limit just in the nick of time.
    He looked back at his rival and sometime friend as the gap between them began to close at a quick rate. Robert noticed Frank wasn’t slowing in the least as he moved to the left lane to make his victory pass. Knowing Frank didn’t need any more stressors in his life, Robert did all he could to point out the police cruiser. He soon realized his warnings were going unseen as Frank kept on speeding, his focus too narrow to care.
    You fool, couldn’t say I didn’t warn you, Robert thought as he watched Frank’s brake lights glow and his tires smoke in what looked like a panicked deceleration. As suspected, the police cruiser lit up with flashing red and blue lights and pulled out, maneuvering behind Frank’s car, heading for the shoulder. Having avoided any detection and feeling a sense of accomplishment, Robert took the next exit to the airport.
    He glanced at his large aviator watch as he pulled into the airport employee parking lot on time, since his street racing session had ended with little cost to his normal commute. He pulled into his usual spot and stepped from the car with his uniform in impeccable form, designed to fit his body to perfection.
    Catching the first employee shuttle bus he could find, he sat quietly with