Allie gripped the steering wheel of her modified Mustang, the engine's growl roaring in defiance as she navigated the winding roads towards the designated meeting spot. The city faded behind her, replaced by the sprawling industrial landscape that marked the edge of town. She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, a familiar rush that both thrilled and terrified her. This was more than just a race; it was a gamble with stakes higher than she had ever faced.

The burner phone buzzed on the passenger side seat, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at it, seeing Tim's name flash on the screen. With a quick swipe, she answered. “Almost there," she said, her voice steady despite the chaos swirling in her mind.

“Acknowledged,” Joey answered. “The car tracker is working.”

"Allie," Tim's voice crackled through the line, a mixture of concern and urgency threading through his words. “You need to keep your emotions in
check.”

“Tim, seriously?”

“So much for that,” Tim muttered.

“The location device embedded in your bracelet matches with the location of the car.”

"I know," she replied, glancing at the bracelet resting against her wrist, its weight a constant reminder of the lover she was about to confront.

"Good luck. Be careful out there. And if it comes down to it—" Tim hesitated, the unspoken words hanging heavily in the air. "If you have to, kill Juliette."

Allie’s heart sank at the thought. She didn’t want to imagine a scenario where she would have to make that choice. "It won’t come to that," she said, forcing a conviction into her voice that she didn’t quite feel. "I’ll find out what’s going on. Just… don’t lose track of me."

With a final nod, she ended the call, the silence that followed amplifying her thoughts. She parked the Mustang in a dimly lit lot, the shadows stretching long as the sun dipped below the horizon. The air was thick with anticipation, and the scent of oil and gasoline hung heavily around her.

As she stepped out of the car, Allie was greeted by the sight of Kurt, leaning casually against a nearby wall, his posture exuding a cocky confidence that made her skin crawl. His eyes flickered over her Mustang, then shifted to her, a smirk playing on his lips. "Nice ride you've got here," he said. “Lovely blue hair, does the carpet match the drapes?"

Allie rolled her eyes, pushing down the irritation rising within her.

Kurt shrugged, stepping closer, his gaze lingering a moment too long. "Just here as your chauffeur and to help you make a statement. Grabbed some gasoline for you." He held out two containers, one of which he handed to her with a flourish. "This will be your first sacrifice," he said, pointing to her car.

Her heart twisted at the thought. "You’ve got to be kidding me," she shot back, but Kurt’s expression remained unfazed. He was serious, and the reality of what he was asking her to do hit like a punch to the gut.

Allie took the container, her hands trembling slightly as she stared at her beloved car. The Mustang had been her escape, her freedom, and now Kurt wanted her to destroy it. But as she looked back at him, the cockiness in his eyes fueled a fire of defiance within her. She would play along for now, but she wouldn’t forget the betrayal this felt like.

With a heavy heart, she began to douse her car in gasoline. The liquid splashed against the sleek paint, and she felt a pang of sadness clawing at her insides. Memories flooded her mind—late-night races, the thrill of the chase, the freedom of the open road. She’d rather set Kurt on fire than do this to her pride and joy.

Kurt lit a match, the flame flickering in the dim light as he tossed it onto the gasoline-soaked car. In an instant, the fire roared to life, engulfing the Mustang in a fiery embrace. The flames licked up the sides, illuminating the night sky with an orange glow. Allie stood frozen for a moment, caught between disbelief and a strange sense of liberation.

"Let’s go," Kurt said, beckoning her towards his car, a sleek black vehicle that seemed to mirror his personality—smooth, polished, and dangerously inviting.

Allie climbed into the front passenger seat, her heart still racing from the chaos unfolding behind her. The explosion rocked the ground, a thunderous sound that echoed in her ears and sent a jolt through her body. She could see the fire reflecting in Kurt’s eyes as he grinned, clearly pleased with the spectacle.

"Welcome to the Snake Pit, Allie," he said, revving the engine as they pulled away, leaving the burning wreckage of her past behind.
As they sped down the road, the city lights blurred into streaks of color. Allie’s mind raced, torn between the loss of her car and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much larger—something that would either consume her or set her free.

"Where are we going?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady as the adrenaline subsided, leaving behind a hollow ache.

Kurt shot her a sideways glance, a smirk still plastered on his face. "To your welcoming party, of course. The Vipers have had an eye on you for years, while you’ve been chasing after chump change. You’ve been invited to something bigger…if you’re not too busy mourning your car."

Allie clenched her fists, the anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "Don’t think this is this is over, Kurt. I’m not your pawn,” she thought.

He chuckled, his laughter mingling with the roar of the engine. "Oh, we both know you’re in deeper than you think. Just remember, in this game, sometimes you have to burn a few bridges, or a car, to get ahead."

They drove in silence for a few moments, the weight of Waller’s words hanging in the air. Allie stared out the window, watching the world blur past, her thoughts a tangled mess of fear and determination. She was heading into the heart of the storm, and she had no idea how she would navigate the chaos that awaited her.

As they approached their destination, a dimly lit warehouse on the outskirts of town, Allie felt the familiar rush of adrenaline return. This was it—the moment of truth. She was about to confront the very forces that had torn her family apart, and she would do whatever it took to uncover the truth about Juliette.

With a deep breath, she steeled herself for what lay ahead. The fire of her Mustang might have burned bright, but the flames of her resolve burned even hotter. She would not let Kurt or anyone else dictate her fate. She was Allie Jovankah, and she was ready to take on the world.