The Speed Demon

    By C/PVT BULOS, JOHN ANTHONY R

    The Speed Demon cover image

    01 Apr, 2024

    a woman in overalls standing in a kitchen with a window behind her and a window behind her that has a lot of clutter on the wall, process art, a comic book panel, Constance Gordon-Cumming, comic cover art

    Lena, a young mechanic, was always fascinated by the intricacies of automotive technology. One day, while working in her garage, she stumbled upon a peculiar device. It was unlike anything she had seen before, an oddity amidst the usual tools and spare parts.

    a woman standing next to a truck in a garage with tools on the floor and a wrench in her hand, american realism, computer graphics, Eve Ryder, game art

    The device was small and metallic, with a series of intricate circuits and glowing buttons. Intrigued, Lena decided to connect it to her car, a beat-up old pickup truck she had lovingly restored over the years.

    a woman in a garage with a car in the background and a man in the foreground with a truck in the background, american realism, a character portrait, Charlie Bowater, kinkade

    As she connected the device, her truck roared to life with a newfound energy. It was as if the old pickup had been given a new heart, beating with an intensity that Lena had never felt before.

    a woman in a military uniform standing on the hood of a truck in a city at night time with neon lights, retrofuturism, a character portrait, Dan Mumford, cushart krenz

    Lena took her newly enhanced truck for a spin. It was astonishingly fast, surpassing any vehicle she had ever driven. It was exhilarating and terrifying, like riding a wild animal.

    a woman in a factory working on a machine with a light on behind her and a clock on the wall, serial art, a comic book panel, Artgerm, kinkade

    She became a local legend, known as the speed demon. However, Lena's curiosity about the device's origin didn't dwindle. She was determined to uncover its secrets.

    a woman reading a book in a library with a lamp on the desk and bookshelves behind her, academic art, a storybook illustration, Artgerm, kinkade

    She started researching, spending nights pouring over books and documents, trying to trace back the technology. The trail led her to a forgotten inventor named Dr. Zephyr.

    a woman in a military uniform standing next to a car in a garage with other vehicles and equipment around her, serial art, a character portrait, Cynthia Sheppard, dieselpunk

    Dr. Zephyr was a genius of his time, but his obsession with speed was deemed too dangerous. His inventions were ordered to be destroyed, but it seemed one survived.

    a woman in a blue apron holding a camera in a room with lots of lights and a lot of shelves, academic art, a character portrait, Artgerm, stanley artgerm lau

    Lena felt a connection with Dr. Zephyr, sharing his fascination with speed. She vowed to honor his memory, using his device responsibly and showcasing the beauty of his invention.

    a woman in a futuristic city at night with a neon light on her face and a cityscape in the background, retrofuturism, cyberpunk art, Eve Ryder, stanley artgerm lau

    Lena continued to race, pushing the boundaries of speed but always mindful of the risks. She became a beacon, inspiring others to pursue their passions regardless of the challenges.

    a woman in a garage with a car in the background and a man in the background working on a car, american scene painting, a detailed painting, Constance Gordon-Cumming, cushart krenz

    Her story spread, reaching far and wide. People came from across the country to witness the speed demon in action, marveling at the fusion of old and new.

    a woman in a factory working on a machine with a light on her head and a computer on her desk, serial art, cyberpunk art, Cedric Peyravernay, stanley artgerm lau

    As the sun set, Lena would often sit in her garage, looking at the device. She felt a sense of gratitude towards Dr. Zephyr, and a sense of pride in her own journey.

    a woman in a garage with a car in the background and a man in the foreground with a camera, serial art, a character portrait, David Park, cushart krenz

    She knew she had a long road ahead, but she was ready. After all, she was the speed demon, always eager for the next adventure.