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

Doubleback

The air in our former hideout was thick with a mixture of exhilaration and dread as we exchanged glances, our hearts still racing from the thrill of our escapade.

The Mustang, gleaming in the dim light, felt like a trophy we fought hard to claim. But as the minutes ticked by, anticipation morphed into anxiety. Marco had said he would come, but the longer we waited, the more my stomach twisted with unease.

“Do you think he’s okay?”Juliette asked, her voice breaking the silence that had settled over. She paced the small space of the makeshift living room, her red hair caught the light as she moved, like a dancing flame.

“He’s fine,” I replied, though my voice lacked any conviction. The image of Marco’s worried face flashed through my mind, along with the thought of how was I going to explain why I took that particular car. I feared that if I told him that a note told me to do it he would read me the riot act. At that moment, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

Just as the tension reached a boiling point, my phone buzzed again, and I quickly snatched it from my pocket. It was Marco. A rush of relief washed over me, but it was quickly replaced by a sense of foreboding as I answered.

“Marco! Where are you?” I asked, my heart pounding.

“Ghost, listen to me carefully,” Marcoâ’s voice came through, strained and urgent. I need you to meet me at the old racetrack. It's critical. Bring Juliette, but don’t bring the Mustang.”

My breath hitched. “What's going on? Are you in trouble?”

“Just trust me, Allie. I’ll explain everything when you get here. And be quick. I don’t have much time,” Marco said before abruptly ending the call.

“Did he say what’s wrong?” Juliette asked, her eyes wide with concern.

“No, but we need to go, now!”

Without wasting another moment, we hopped into the Mustang, the weight of the night pressing down on me. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as I navigated the streets, my mind racing with possibilities. What could have happened? Why did he want us to leave the car behind? And how the hell were we to meet up with him without the car?

The old racetrack loomed ahead, its dilapidated structure a haunting reminder of the adrenaline-fueled nights they had spent racing under the stars. The moonlight casting eerie shadows around the empty stands, and I felt a chill run down my spine as they parked the Mustang in the shadows.

“Stay close,” I whispered to Juliette as they stepped out of the car, the gravel crunching beneath our feet. The atmosphere felt charged, as if the very air was holding its breath in anticipation.

We made out way toward the center of the track, our footsteps echoing in the stillness. My body shivered not just from fear, but from a sense of impending doom. I could feel tension in the air, a palpable energy that hinted at something dark lurking just beyond our sight.

“Marco!” I called out, my voice cutting through the silence. “Where are you?”

A rustle in the shadows caught my attention, and my heart leaped as Marco stepped into the dim light. But something was off. His face was pale, and his eyes were wide with fear. “Allie! Juliette! You need to..”

Before he could finish, a figure emerged from the darkness, clad in a helmet and a snakeskin jacket that glimmered under the moonlight. My blood ran cold as I recognized the emblem on the jacket: the mark of The Viper Syndicate, a notorious rival gang known for their ruthless tactics.

“Marco!” Juliette gasped, her voice trembling as she instinctively stepped closer to me.

The Viper leader raised a gloved hand, silencing us “You’ve got something that belongs to me,” he said, his voice low and menacing, the helmet obscuring his face but not his intent. “And I want it.”

“What are you talking about?” Marco demanded, his bravado wavering as he stepped protectively in front of us.

“The Mustang,” the leader replied, his tone unwavering. “And I want the redhead too.” He gestured toward Juliette. “Hand them over, and I might let you walk away.”

“Over my dead body,” I yelled. “You can’t take her!” desperation clawed at my throat.

The Viper leader's head turned to me, and for a moment, I felt the weight of his stare behind his helmet, as if he could see right through me. “You think you can negotiate with me? You’re in over your head, Ghost.”

“Please, just let her go,” I pleaded, my voice cracking. “We can give you the car. Just don’t hurt her!

“Too late for that,” the leader said, his voice cold as ice. In one swift motion, he drew a gun from his waistband, aiming it directly at Marco. “You’ve made your choice.”

“No!” I screamed, but it was too late. The sound of gunfire echoed through the night, a deafening crack that shattered the stillness. Marco fell to the ground, a look of shock and pain etched across his face.

“Marco!” Juliette cried as she attempted to rush to his side, but the leader stepped forward, grabbing her by the arm and yanking her back.

“Let her go!” I shouted in horror.

“Now you have a new choice to make,” the leader said, his voice smooth yet threatening. “You can keep your boyfriend alive, or you can keep the Mustang and your friend. What will it be?”

My thoughts spiraled into darkness. I couldn’t lose Marco, but I couldn’t abandon Juliette either. “You’re a monster!” I screamed, tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Choose!” he demanded, tightening his grip on Juliette, who was struggling against him, fear evident in her eyes.

“Just let her go, please!” I screeched, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on me. “I’ll do whatever you want!”

“Too late for that. It looks like you’ve made your choice.”

In a moment of desperation, I lunged forward, but the leader was faster. He fired again, this time hitting Marco in
both legs. The sound of the gunshot rang in my ears as Marco fell back, a cry of agony escaping his lips.

“Marco!” My heart shattered at the sight of him writhing in pain.

“Now, give me the Mustang,” the leader said, his voice steady as he turned away, dragging Juliette with him.

“No! You can’t take her!” I shouted, my voice filled with despair.

But the Viper leader was already backing away, Juliette in tow, his grip unyielding. “You made your choice, Ghost. Enjoy the consequences.”

I looked at Juliette's tear-streaked face, reached into my pocket, and threw the keys at the faceless monster.

As they disappeared into the shadows, I fell to her knees beside Marco, my heart pounding in her chest. “I’m so sorry,” i whispered, my voice breaking as she cradled his head in my lap.

Marco looked up at her, pain etched in his features. “You did what you had to do,” he gasped, his voice strained. “But you have to go after them. You can’t let them get away with this.”

“But I can’t leave you!” I cried.

“Go!” Marco insisted, his voice filled with urgency. “You’re going to have to save Juliette. I'll call Jessie to help me.”

I felt a surge of determination rise within me fueled by the love I had for Marco and the friendship I shared with Juliette. “I will.” I promised, my voice steady despite the fear threatening to devour me.