They have passed the traffic jam into an array of houses on a quiet street. Abby got directions from Nicole and now they were close.
Nicole rose her head up from where she buried it on Abby's back and looked at the neighbourhood.
"Almost there. Take the next turn left."
"Taking the next turn now!" Abby sped through the sharp corner. A black Ford Focus was also coming through.
"Watch out!" Nicole screamed as the car came fast at them; head-on.
"Shit!"
"Oh my God!" Nicole screamed; closed her eyes and waited for death.
Abby swerved away and around the car. There were screeching sounds from both vehicles as they struggled to reduce speed to prevent a collision. The expert manoeuvres by Abby were able to bring back the bike on track. The Black car went on without any hitting them.
People who were standing along the road saw what happened clapped for the biker for the excellent display
"That was so damn close"
"Man, that biker was nasty. Wicked!"
"I know how to do that in X-box, it ain’t that hard"
"He's so damn reckless. He nearly got them killed"
They pulled to a stop in front of the house half a minute later.
"That was so damn close." Abbey took off the helmet and smoothed back her hair.
Nicole was almost shivering due to the trillions of tiny-weenie bubbles dancing inside her whole body. She stepped down carefully from the bike and stood with her right leg, enduring the chilly pain in her knee. "That was so damn dangerous. And where did you learn how to ride like that?
"It's a long story. But screw that maniac that sped through the corner without warning." She got down from the bike. "Come on, let me get you inside." Abbey held Nicole's hand and led her to the front porch.
"The key is under the black flower pot." Nicole pointed.
Abbey bent down to raise the pot but stopped half way. She observed something about the door; the worst has happened. She stood up and sighed.
"What?" Nicole asked.
"There's no need for the key. The door is already opened"
"What..." No!
Nicole felt a weakening lump grew in her chest; followed by a sudden fear cutting through her. She limped and pushed the door gently as if afraid of what might be behind it.
No!
Like some healing power had surged into her knee, she walked into the house by herself. Abby just watched Nicole walked slowly into the kitchen; and then to the garage; and then to the cellar door. Then Nicole stopped.
Visions of what's behind the door played through Nicole's head―the switch by the right; the paintings on the wall; the stairs as they curved all the way down to the door and the possible crime committed by whoever got in there. What's more scary was the possibility that the thief could still be inside.
Abby came to the garage and saw Nicole standing before a door. "Are you alright?"
Nicole didn't answer; she just opened it and disappeared down the stairs.
"Nicole." Abby stood before the door and waited. She didn't think it's a good idea to follow Nicole but she had the feeling that the stuff Maggie was keeping could be down there. She looked around the garage; it's clean. The black car sitting inside was catchy and there was a faint smell of gasoline in the air. She walked round the car slowly, afraid something could be hiding low. Nothing was there. But what if the thief is still in the house?
Oh God! Nicole
She hurried to the door, got in and ran down the stairs, calling Nicole’s name.
Abby saw Nicole standing motionless in a room looking at the wall by the right. The door was opened and a thick smell of dust hovered in the air that Abby had to put the back of her hand over her nose. She walked inside and stood beside her.
"Doctor Ingermanson; are you alright; is everything ok?"
It took Nicole a few seconds before she could respond; she spoke amidst tears.