A bump again.

It was clearly deliberate. I was at the side where there's not much bumper cars. Yet, they didn't get flagged. Right. This is normal. They'd always turn into a blind eye when the perpetrator is blue or gray. Ah, I'm so tired. Just stop bothering me.

I held the steering wheel tightly again. Making sure to stay within the spotlight's range. The sounds of bumper cars moving on the ground itched my ears. It sounded like a nail scraping on a rusty metal. My eyes wandered on the tracks. Colors of pink and blue blinded my eyes.

Peep!

A black flag. I don't even need to know to whom it was directed at. It was obvious.

I spun the steering wheel as the ride steered to the side of the track. My eyes met a figure with a blindfold. I honestly don't even know how they could even judge the situation.

"Do you know what you've done wrong?"

The tone held no irritation, anger—nor a commanding tone. It sounded as if it's mocking, a taunting tone. I felt my heart tightening for no reason.

"...No—"

"Did you know that you're very fast on the track? It could endanger our driver!"

Their head bobbed up and down, as if scanning me.

"Tch. Of course it's the pink drivers—always breaking the law."

Something swelled in me, but, I couldn't retaliate. I can't disobey the rules, else I'll get ousted to the place outside the spotlight. Who knows what'll happen in there—maybe my body will get ripped to shreds.

I bit the inside of my cheek. The metallic taste brought rationality to me.

Don't be so pessimistic. Don't be impolite. Lower down your heads and you'll survive.

"This is your first warning. Don't do it again."

A bow of my head seemed enough as the figure shooed me away. I can't afford to disobey again. It'll be the end of me.

I got into my ride again. Wearing the safety gears as tightly as I could. I wouldn't want to get launched off.

I drove again. Following the one-way track like an obedient rider. As they expect me to be. I temporarily felt at peace. But of course, it was short-lived like a candle.

Bump!

"Oops, sorry. I 'accidentally' bumped into you. What a shame."

An unfamiliar voice entered my ear, but it's still undecipherable since my ear was ringing. That was an aggressive bump. Yet...

My eyes searched for the blindfolded figure.

Of course, the figure didn't even spare a glance at this situation. My eyes felt wet for the first time. I raised my head up from the steering wheel. My forehead felt swollen but it doesn't matter now. I've always pondered about something—why does the color of our bumper cars mattered?

Is it because it shows our status?

Superiority?

Legacy?

Identity?

I already knew the answer from the tip of my tongue. The blue-car riders got the leeway and didn't get reprimanded when they broke the rules but why exclude us? Me?

I felt something in me twist. I could feel something wet travelling down my face. My eyes locked with the driver behind me. I don't understand why but he looks quite shocked. My lips contorted into a smile as I broke into laughter.

Ah, how amusing.

"Wow, such a loser to pick up on such a 'weak' and 'pitiful' person like me—doesn't it hurt your conscience?"

The tone was mocking. My voice sounded different, felt like a stranger's. The rider's face fumed with rage as his eyes narrowed.

"Catch me if you want."

Then, in a hushed tone.

"Let's settle this."

I pressed my foot onto the pedal. Lights flashed before my eyes. It had never felt this fast before, was this how it felt? To break the rules? My heart felt light for the first time. But of course, I don't have the luxury of time, that guy is still on my trail. If I dare slow down even a tiny bit.

I pursed my lips.

Life is a gamble anyway.

Vroom!

A little faster, I need to be faster.

Vroooom!

I saw it, the edge of the spotlight.

Vroooooom!

And finally—

Vroooooooom!

—Darkness had devoured me.

I immediately unbuckled my safety gears, slammed my door open and stood in front of the guy. The latter's posture immediately shrunk after seeing my actions. I whistled.

"Wow, who is chasing who now?"

I smiled. It wasn't that fake smile that I adopted. It wasn't the smile when I felt tired. It was a genuine smile. The abused lion finally retaliated.

Slap!

I slapped the guy.

It felt like a decade's worth of weight had disappeared from me. I got into my ride again, this time with no safety gear. It would have gotten me a black flag but not here. If no one saw it happened, then, it simply didn't happen right? This is a space where the spotlight doesn't reach.

I stepped my foot onto the pedal. Bumping into the guy's ride harshly.

Ah, is this what it felt like? It felt so... Liberating.

No warnings, no bickering, no mockery. Just, me and my thoughts.

"HahahahahHahah—"

I laughed. I finally understood the emotions I had locked up all those years.

"Right—oh how I resent you so. Oh, how the tables have turned, isn't it nice?"

Right, I have claimed my agency now. I, am finally 'me'.