DRIVER 88 (The Death Race Saga).

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1. Death on the Horizon

Jaxon barely had time to react before the second missile fired. The explosion sent his car skidding violently across the track. Sparks flew as he fought for control, his heart hammering against his ribs.

Wraith's car roared beside him, its sleek, reinforced frame undamaged. The man was a legend for a reason.

"Stay down, Jaxon," Wraith's voice crackled through the radio. "You made it this far, but you don't walk away from me."

Jaxon ignored him. Wraith wanted him dead. That wasn't happening.

The finish line was visible in the distance—a massive iron gate that only the winner would pass through. But between them, the War Zone, a section of the track littered with mines, automated turrets, and collapsing structures.

It was a no-man's land.

Jaxon gritted his teeth. If he was going to win, he needed to go through hell first.

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2. The War Zone

The moment they entered, the automated turrets activated. Twin barrels swiveled toward them, spitting bullets.

Jaxon swerved hard, zigzagging between the wrecks of past racers. Wraith, unfazed, drove straight through the hailstorm of gunfire. His car took the hits, reinforced armor absorbing the damage.

Jaxon cursed. He needed another way to slow Wraith down.

Then, an idea struck.

Up ahead, a collapsed overpass loomed, its remains hanging by thick steel cables. A perfect trap.

Jaxon accelerated, aiming for the wreckage. He timed it perfectly—just as he passed under, he fired his side-mounted guns at the cables.

The entire structure collapsed behind him.

Wraith barely had time to react. His car skidded as metal beams crashed down, forcing him to make a split-second detour.

Jaxon smirked. That bought him seconds. But was it enough?

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3. Wraith's Wrath

It wasn't.

Wraith exploded through the wreckage like a demon unleashed. His car was damaged, flames licking at its sides—but it was still moving.

And he was gaining.

Jaxon's stomach twisted. The man was insane.

Then, Wraith's turrets locked onto him again. More missiles.

Jaxon braced. There was no dodging this one.

Boom!

The blast struck the back of his car, sending it airborne. Jaxon spun helplessly, flames engulfing his rear tires.

He had one second to react.

One second to live.

He hit the eject button.

The moment before his car crashed, his seat launched him into the air. He tumbled across the track, rolling hard before landing on his feet.

Wraith's car screeched to a halt beside him.

Jaxon looked up.

Wraith stepped out.

It was no longer a race.

It was a fight.

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4. A Duel in the Wreckage

Wraith cracked his knuckles. "You're a tough bastard, I'll give you that."

Jaxon rose to his feet, wiping blood from his lip. His muscles ached, but he refused to show weakness.

"You talk too much," Jaxon muttered.

Wraith grinned. Then, he attacked.

Their fists collided, raw power meeting sheer will. Wraith's blows were fast, precise—years of experience in every strike. But Jaxon wasn't holding back anymore.

He blocked a punch, countered with a brutal elbow to Wraith's ribs. The older racer staggered but recovered fast, slamming his knee into Jaxon's gut.

Jaxon grunted, but instead of retreating, he grabbed Wraith's arm, twisted it, and drove him into the wreckage.

A steel beam cracked as Wraith's back hit it.

For the first time, the legend looked mortal.

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5. The Final Move

Wraith coughed, blood trickling from his mouth. He met Jaxon's gaze and… laughed.

"You really think this ends here?" he smirked.

Jaxon's body tensed. Something was wrong.

Wraith's wrist flicked.

A detonator.

Jaxon's eyes widened. The track was rigged.

The moment Wraith pressed the button, the entire War Zone would explode.

Jaxon lunged—too late.

Click.

The ground shook as massive explosions erupted across the battlefield.

Jaxon barely had time to think before he was thrown backward, fire and debris swallowing everything.

The last thing he saw was Wraith grinning through the flames.

Then, darkness.

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6. Awakening in Chains

Pain.

That was the first thing Jaxon felt. His body ached, his head pounded.

He opened his eyes.

Chains. Shackles. A dimly lit room.

He was in a cell.

A familiar voice echoed in the darkness.

"Welcome back, Driver 88."

Jaxon turned. The Warden.

Beside him stood a shadowed figure. Someone new.

And then, Jaxon realized.

The Death Race wasn't over. It had just begun.

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End of Chapter 28.