LAP 3

RACEWORTH ACADEMY HAD CONNECTED BUILDINGS, WHICH EACH OF It HAD THEIR PURPOSES. On the north wing of the academy, the dormitory was located. 

The academy was wide that it took them five minutes before reaching the dormitory hall. Of course, the males' dormitory is in a different hall with the females'.

The dormitory hall was no different in a modern condominium. It had its huge lounge area where trainees could relax or hang out; laundry area; bathroom area and comfort area; and a dining area. 

In the dormitory's hall entrance, they were welcomed by another assistant android. It introduced its name a AA-9.

"It's been a long time, Sir Winston. How are you?" The android greeted, this time it had a male-like monotonous voice.

"Fine as always," Winston answered. "How about you, AA-9? I hope there's no any commotion happened while I'm gone!"

"I am patrolling the male dormitory hall 24/7, sir. Rest assured that everything is under control..."

Whoa, Kairo thought. It feels like we have our own R2-D2 or something here.

AA-9 came to approach the new training. "Are you our new trainee, Kairo Rosales?"

"Yes," he replied.

"I would like to be of service, sir. Let me have your baggage delivered to your room. Your room is on Room 315." The android took his baggage and dragged it in the hallway.

"Please follow me."

They walked in the hallway. The walls were decorated with racing-related paintings or images. It helped the trainees to become motivated as Winston explained to him.

"Here we are, sir! Your dormitory room," AA-9 announced as they stopped in room 315. Its head opened — which terrified Kairo for a moment— to reveal a key card.

"Oh."

"You'll see it every now and then," Winston told him.

"This is your key card," AA-9 said. It motioned Kairo to pick it, and so he did. "This is your only key to your room. Kindly keep it, report us immediately if lost. Do you have any concerns?" 

Kairo shook his head.

"Well then. A few reminders: all trainees are required to have breakfast and dinner at our dorm's dining hall. Lunch is available at the open cafeteria. Trainees could only stay in the bathroom for 5 minutes. And do not forget: you cannot go to the female dormitory hall without permission. You may check the rules and regulation board plastered in the lounge area."

The android left after. Kairo used the card to unlock the door knob. The door automatically swung open, revealing a small room.

"Two beds?" His eyebrows creased. He looked at Winston scratching his nape.

"I'm sorry, I haven't told you. Trainees here share a room. There are two trainees in each room— so, in this room you will have—"

"It doesn't matter," Kairo uttered. He dragged his baggage to his designated bed. There were two standard single size beds on both sides of the room, an open cantivelere balcony where they could stay for fresh air. There were also cabinets and tables for each of the residents of the room.

"So, where's the other roommate?" He asked.

"I don't know, Theodore's usually stuck doing things in the mechanical department. You won't even notice him in this room."

Good, he whispered to himself. He usually liked to be alone. He sat on his bed as Winston sat on his roommate's bed. Well, the mattress is soft.

"Soft, right?" Winston chuckled. 

"When will my training start? I'd like to be trained as quickly as possible," he said. We would like to begin his legacy in the speedway. His dominance must be known. 

"Your class and training will start tomorrow," Winston answered. "You must call me Coach Winston from now on. Together with the other trainees, I will be your mentor and guide, alright?"

"Right... Winston," the young man retorted. Winston's face grimaced. "You're just like them..."

"Who?"

The old man smirked. "Your future crew."

Crew? 

Winston stood up, stretching his arms. "Well, I gotta go now, son. You can unpack your baggage. Your suit will be sent later, alright?" Winston reminded Kairo of everything he should know— and none of those Kairo listened to. He just wanted to have his rest.

"Do you understand?"

Kairo just nodded. He had enough exposure with humans— he wished no more.

When the old man left, Kairo was finally alone in his room. Well, technically not alone because I have a roommate. He threw his back into the mattress. He had never laid his body to this bed as soft as a cloud.

He averted his gaze into the open balcony where the air breeze entered. He stood up and walked into the balcony. 

There, the sight of the wide speedway where cars blazing, defying speed, racing inside the circuit. Even from afar, their revving sounds could be heard. Much pleasant noise to Kairo's ears. 

Vroom!

His heart beat faster— like a vehicle's fuel pump. It made his adrenaline to kick in. He could imagine himself there, training to be the best. 

Vroom! Vroom! 

The room's bell rang. He was pulled out of his reverie. "Who might it be?"

When he opened the door, another android was in front of the door giving his suit that he would be wearing inside the academy.

Now, his heart was pumping harder and faster— almost palpitating. "Thanks," he mouthed to the android. He closed the door and began to inspect his new pair of suits.

His smile had never changed its lopsided grin ever since. It was a lightweight leathered black overall suit, with blue details, and the logo of the academy printed in the back. On its left sleeve, his name was etched to it.

ROSALES, K.

His mouth gaped. He couldn't believe it! It was truly his beginning! It was happening already!

Kairo wondered how was like his father's humble beginning as a racer? Had he felt the same thing? This racing heart? This overflowing uncontained energy? How?

On his necklace, he took its silver key-shaped pendant. On the head of the key, there was a small locket containing an already fading family picture.

It was his family. Once happy, once completed. In the picture was him, his mother Carmelita, and his father Kiro. His father was wearing his racing suit while holding a trophy and the small child, Kairo, and his wife.

Little did Kairo know, these smiles could only be seen now in just a small picture that he could only save that night.

The air entered the room, touching his warm cheek. Kairo closed his eyes as memories of yesterday brought him back to his dark past.

Flame.

Towering flame.

Kairo could see the flame and the towering smoke slowly devouring his old room. It crawled through the ceiling.

"Kairo!" The door opened. He saw his parents rushing toward him. "Are you okay?" Carmelita, his mother, worriedly asked. Kiro, his father, took him before the fire consumed the entire room with them.

They rushed out of the room. The flame slowly crawled through the walls as if chasing them.

"There!" Carmelita pointed the door that would lead them outside. The intense heat was slowly frying their skin. The thick smoke made them suffocate.

"Argh!" A cabinet fell into Kiro's back, making him and Kairo pinned down the floor. Kiro groaned in pain. The heat kept on intensifying!

"Kiro! Oh my god!" 

"G-Get our son," Kiro gave his wife their crying son. Kairo had no idea of what was happening. All he knew was he was scared and terrified. The flame engulfed his vision that would forever scar him.

"How about you? We won't leave you here!" Carmelita cried. She tried helping her husband, but the cabinet was heavy for her to lift.

"It won't budge!"

"Just leave me, now! I-I can handle myself! Just save yourself and my son!"

A fire exploded.

"No! I can't leave you here!" The cracking sound of the flame covered their cries that evening. Tears rolled down Carmelita's eyes as her husband, Kiro, smiled at her.

"I'm fine, okay? Get out here, save our son."

"N-No... baby," she uttered. "I can't, please!"

Kiro's trembling hand went to Carmelita's warm cheek for the last time. 

"I love you. Now... go."

Carmelita ran and ran. Escaping the fire engulfing their house together with their son, Kiro. Kiro told her to not look back, and so she did. Her heart ached while running away.

Finally, they made outside the house. The flame was already devouring most part of their house. The house that was made from love and dreams.

"M-Mama, what's happening? How about Papa?" Kairo said between his heavy sobs. He couldn't understand everything— just the fear he was feeling.

"Stay there, okay?" His mother told him.

"Why? Where are you going?"

Carmelita smiled at his son. She wrapped her arms around his small and fragile body, and planted a kiss on his forehead. 

"I'll be back with your father, okay?"

That was the last words he heard from his mother before they succumbed to that humongous flame that night.