Read Crow - The Awakening for Free Online Page B

almost missed that rut!"
    Brandon looked back. "No I didn't. Landed square on." He killed the engine and removed his helmet.
    Steven snickered, "Not. Your baby sister coulda done better."
    Brandon got off the bike and leaned it against the stump. He thought for a moment. "You're probably right. She's a week off her training wheels."
    Steven laughed and jumped off the stump to inspect the motorcycle. "It sounded different. What did you do to it?"
    "Sounded different?" Brandon knelt beside his bike. "I got a new carb, but it shouldn't sound all that different." He pulled a branch out from the frame and checked the throttle cable that had come loose.
    "Mmm hmm, maybe you gained weight. Been pigging out down at the mansion again?"
    "Yeah. On salads and lentils. Mom's on a vegan kick again." Brandon made a face.
    Steven walked around the bike. "Let me give it a go."
    Brandon tossed him the helmet. If anyone was able to nail down performance issues, it was Steven. For a relatively new motorcycle rider, he seemed to have a knack for fine tuning them. Steven snapped on the helmet and looked down the road as he started the bike. There was an old overgrown pile of dirt beside the fire road that he liked to jump and he was eager for some airtime.
    "Be back in a second." Steven twisted the throttle and felt the motorcycle surge forward. He kicked through the gears as he gained speed, hitting the ruts to get some air and feel out the suspension. It had been a few months since he'd last ridden this particular bike, but it seemed familiar enough. He could feel a slight difference in the handling and response, however. Pushing the bike harder made it easier to discern.
    His jump was coming up quickly and he braced himself as the motorcycle hit the pile at high speed. The bike came up under him, pushing hard against his legs as he powered up the pile and launched off it. Letting off the gas, he coasted through the air for what seemed like eternity, using the gas and brakes to keep from tipping up or forward too much, then made a near two-point landing. Braking hard, he slowed down and kicked into a low gear and hit the gas hard enough to break out the rear wheel as he spun the bike around to face the opposite direction. Another twist of the throttle sent him zooming back toward Brandon, hopping over the ruts as he went. He stopped just inches from his friend, grinning wildly.
    "What do you think?" Brandon asked.
    "Timing's a little advanced and the chain is too tight." Steven dismounted the bike and propped it against the stump. "But your suspension upgrades rock. I just eased over that jump this time."
    "What? I used a computer to make the timing perfect!" Brandon exclaimed.
    "Do computers drive the bike?" Steven asked smugly.
    Brandon frowned, looking at the bike. "Almost nowadays."
    "Just a little. That's all it needs," Steven insisted. "Did you repack your baffles?"
    Brandon shook his head. "Naw. Was going to do that later." He took the helmet and fiddled with the clasp. "Too bad you couldn't come over. Your bike is gathering a lot of dust. We could have gone racing out here."
    "I know. Maybe later on. Sally would have a fit if she knew I was tearing through the forest trails on these things. I think she hates them worse than computers," Steven pouted. "Besides, I keep beating you. Where's the challenge?" He smirked at Brandon.
    "I let you win, bub." Brandon pushed Steven, who jumped away smiling.
    "You only think so. Two jars of honey if you beat me next time we race," Steven challenged. He was going to bring the jars then anyway. Brandon's parents loved his honey.
    Brandon nodded, smirking. "Easy win."
    "Did you get the file?" Steven couldn't wait any longer. The motorcycle was a fun distraction, but he was eager to get busy on his computer projects.
    "What file?" Brandon looked innocent. Steven gave him a look.
    Grinning, he tossed a thumb drive to Steven.
    "Yes!" Steven danced around. "Yes yes yes!"
    Brandon laughed at him.