Through the Mesh

The steel landing opened into a sunlit stretch, but a discarded aluminum beverage can was crushed flat across the walkway. Right in my driving lane. No detours. I revved high and rammed the dented cylinder at full speed. My front bumper slammed into the crinkled metal seam with a sharp clatter. Front wheels spun hard against the slick painted aluminum, churning forward until the chassis hoisted over the sharp folded ridge. I slammed down solid on the diamond tread beyond. Right beside me, an open maintenance drain stood flush with the landing, exposing thick woven steel mesh and the iron bolts beneath. Heavy structural hardware. I idled right alongside the rim. Track conquered.