This is an AI-assisted story as I wanted to see how close it could come to the storyline I wanted to write. Surprisingly, it came close but I had to convert the POV from third to first. In addition, as you could probably tell, it is not written in "my voice",
Rest assured, "The Duel" is the only book I have worked with AI to write.
Created using NovelAI with a little bit of my own voice thrown in
Please let me know if I should continue the storyline.

The neon glow of the city pulsed like a heartbeat, casting an electric hue over the asphalt streets. I leaned against the cold metal of my motorcycle, the wind tousling my blue hair as I surveyed the scene. It was a Friday night, and the air was thick with anticipation. My racing crew, The Red Falcon Syndicate, were preparing for another midnight race, and the thrill of it coursed through my veins like gasoline.

I was Allie Jovankah in the halls of my school, but the streets called me Ghost; a name I reflected to my ethereal presence and ability to slip to first place unnoticed. I reveled in the adrenaline that came with racing. The rush of speed that made me feel alive! But tonight felt different. A sense of unease settled in my stomach, a whisper of something amiss, but I brushed it aside as childhood jitters. I had my crew, our gear, and the promise of the night ahead. It was going to be a great right at the races.

“Yo, Ghost! You ready to show them what you’ve got?” Marco’s voice broke through my thoughts.

Marco was the leader of the Red Falcons, with his black hair tousled and a confident grin plastered on his face. His presence was magnetic, and I felt my heart race not just from the anticipation of the race, but from being in his orbit. We had been together for a year, and he was everything I had ever wanted—strong, charismatic, and fiercely protective of his crew.

“Always,” I replied, my voice steady despite the fluttering of a Mothra-sized butterfly in my chest. I pushed herself off the bike and walked over to him, feeling the warmth of his body as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. The camaraderie of the crew buzzed around us, with laughter and banter echoing in the night air.

As the engines roared to life and the racers revved up their machines, my mind wandered to my best friend, Juliette Ekens. Juliette was a fiery spirit with bright red hair that matched her vibrant personality. She had always been my biggest supporter, cheering me on from the sidelines and soaking up every detail of the racing world. I couldn’t wait to share the night’s excitement with her.

“Where’s Jules?” I asked, scanning the crowd to try and find her.

“Probably getting hyped up for the race,” Marco replied, his eyes glinting with mischief. “You know how she gets.”

Just then, Juliette burst through the throng, her face flushed with excitement. “Allie! Marco! You won’t believe the stories. I’ve heard tonight!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing on her toes. “Did you hear about the new racer? They say he’s unbeatable!”
I chuckled, loving how Juliette could turn any mundane moment into a thrilling tale. “We’ll see about that,” I replied, my competitive spirit igniting. “But first, let’s focus on the race at hand. I’m ready to leave my mark tonight.”

The races were a mix of skill, speed, and a touch of danger. My soul thrived in the environment, with my heart racing in tandem with the engines. As the countdown began, I felt the familiar surge of adrenaline. I climbed into our-custom build Civic and felt the cool leather beneath me, the weight of the world falling away as I laser-focused solely on the track ahead.

The race began, and I took off like a shot, weaving through the other racers with precision. The world blurred around you, with the roar of engines and shouts of the crowd fading into a distant hum. I was in my element, the wind whipping past as I pushed it to the limit, feeling the rush of freedom that came with every twist and turn.

But as the night wore on, my earlier unease returned. I felt a strange sensation, as if someone was watching her, lurking in the shadows, perhaps hiding in what was left of the backseat, ready to grab my helmet and rip my head off!. I nervously laughed at myself and shook it off, attributing it to the building intensity of the race. After all, the streets were filled with rival crews, and danger was part of the thrill.

When the race finally came to an end, I crossed the finish line in first place, my heart soared with triumph. The cheers of Reds filled the air, and

Marco pulled me into a tight embrace, lifting me off the ground in celebration.
“You did it, Ghost! You were incredible!” he exclaimed, his pride palpable.
“Thanks, Marco,” I said, my cheeks flushed with exhilaration. “But I couldn’t have done it without you guys!”
As the crew celebrated, my thoughts drifted back to the cryptic note I received earlier that day. It had arrived unexpectedly, slipped under my door while I was getting ready for the race. The message was simple yet mysterious: “Stark Garage on the outskirts of town. Steal the blue Mustang. Bring it to the old warehouse on 5th. TWO AM”
I hadn’t mentioned it to anyone, not even Marco as the thrill of the race had pushed it to the back of my mind, but it constantly knocked on the door of my conscious, gnawing at my curiosity. What did this note mean? Who had sent it? And why did they want me to steal a car?
“Hey, Ghost, you good?” Juliette’s voice pulled her from me thoughts. She was standing beside me, a concerned look on her face. “You seem a little distracted.”
“I’m fine,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Just thinking about the next race.”

Juliette raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “You know you can tell me anything, right? I want to be part of this world with you. I want to help.”
I hesitated; the weight of the note heavy in my pocket. I wanted to share my thoughts with Juliette, but a part of me felt the need to keep this secret close. “It’s nothing, really. Just a little side project,” I finally said, hoping to brush off her concern.
“Okay, but if you need me, I’m here,” Juliette said, her eyes sparkling with determination. “I want to be part of your adventures, Allie. I want to help you race, to be a part of this life.”
My heart swelled with affection for her friend. Juliette had always been there for her, through thick and thin. “I appreciate that, Jules. You have no idea how much it means to me.”
As the night wore on and the celebrations continued, mu mind remained preoccupied with the note. I knew I had to follow through with it, to uncover the mystery behind the message. A crazy thought to attempt, and it was risky, and I couldn’t do it alone.
“Hey, Juliette,” I said suddenly, her voice steady. “What do you think about a little adventure tonight?”
Juliette’s eyes lit up with excitement. “What kind of adventure?”
“A scavenger hunt of sorts.”
“Are you serious?” Juliette squealed, barely able to contain her enthusiasm. “Like a late night geo-cache?”
“It’s a little more involved than that.”
“Like how?”
I moved Jules closer to me, her perfume mixed with the heavy smell of leather and gasoline permeating from my jacket. “We need to steal a car,” I whispered. “All we have to do is get in and out without getting caught,” I replied, my heart racing at the thought of the impending thrill. “And I could really use your skills.”
“This is going to be epic! Count me in!” Juliette exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Let’s do this!”

"The Duel" Theme