Across The Border

Chapter 7: a shortcut?

Lloyd's pov:

'You still remember how to ride a motor bike, right?' Jay had asked.

Yes, he did remember some of it. Enough for the plan to work out. Now he was sneaking through the alleyways to get to the edges of town. They were sealed off, but he managed to get there. He could easily pretend to just be some citizen taking a walk.

The knights were in his sight, looking forward to the rest of the city. Lloyd was still far away from them, but that didn't prevent him from feeling like his stomach was a knot. The plan was too simple, he just hoped they managed to make it work.

He kept walking. Now, he wasn't very far from the knights post. But close to his objective. Either way, he could see as one of the soldiers turned to see him. He quickly shot his sight to the floor, or anywhere but them. That's when he heard the voice of the blue guy.

"Oh, hello there!" Jay's voice echoed through the place. Both knights turned back to see him, letting Lloyd get close enough.

"Hey, can I ask you guys for a favor? I moved not long ago and I'm a bit lost. Can you help me?" Jay said as he approached the knights to talk with them.

"Of course, where are you headed off?" One of them answered.

Lloyd quickly used the chance to slip from his path and take one of the motorbikes that were waiting for their respective owners. No doubt they were from the guards, they looked too fancy and well equipped.

The bike was all white, a modern design that clearly allowed it to move faster and was sure to have room enough for some weapons. It looked way more technological, with a control panel with too many buttons for a regular bike. Lloyd tried pushing one to get it started. But instead of just starting, it also turned on the light. Alerting the soldiers what he was doing.

"Hey! Get off now! Hands in the air" the soldiers said as they took their swords out and pushed Jay behind them.

"Sorry, not happening!" Lloyd said as he roared the engine and speed up directly to the knights, who jumped out of the way alongside his friend.

Lloyd made a close turn not very far from the others. Almost falling to the streets with the bike on top of him but handling to make it turn and face the others.

They all took a moment to glance at each other, but a thought crossed Lloyd's mind.

He had the bike; he could easily take out those knights and leave to complete his mission. He could leave right now and there. Why pull someone else with him on a most certainly dangerous mission? Why drag his only friend here to danger? Jay didn't deserve that but leaving just like that.... It wasn't right either. He couldn't make himself do that; he couldn't even make himself think of doing that. Then why was guilt flooding him?

Before he could try to even look for that answer, one of the knights started running to him. His sword was ready to slash him.

"No!" Jay yelled as he took down the other one. Lloyd didn't have to think twice to respond. He quickly used his powers to blow off the soldier and headed back to the other one. He had already gotten up and pushed Jay off.

Lloyd didn't hesitate to speed up to his opponent. With just a meter between them, the hybrid hit the brakes and made the bike turn to be sideways. Of course, the vehicle kept going on, knocking the soldier off the ground.

"Are you okay?" Lloyd asked as soon as he reached Jay, parking the bike right beside him.

"Yeah, we have to go now" Jay said as he stood up.

"You drive, I'll make sure they don't follow us." Lloyd said as he made room for the brown-haired boy.

"Nice ride" Jay said to himself before running the engine and speeding to the bridge. Lloyd held on to the back of the bike to not fall, his hair waving with the wind at their sudden escape.