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Tires squealing and engine revving, your trusty steed gets you out of the parking lot and back onto the coastal roads in no time at all! As you bask in the rush of brisk air massaging your face, you feel Pepper rest her head against your back and let out a contented sigh!
“This was <span class="mu-i">nice</span>, sandcrab…” She purrs through your bomber jacket, “Did you have fun?”
It had its <span class="mu-i">charms</span>, you shrug, earning a headbutt to the back for your troubles! But seriously though, you continue as you massage your now-sore spine, you really <span class="mu-i">needed</span> this, y’know? Life’s been a roller coaster ride ever since the island…
“Well now you know the roller coaster trick!” Chirps Pepper in a sing-song voice! “Just another pearl of wisdom from your favorite girl~”
You wouldn’t call it <span class="mu-i">wisdom</span>...
By the time you pull up to the gated alley behind <span class="mu-s">PIZZA MIND</span>, the street is pretty much empty save for a few flickering street lamps and that parked car caked in old parking tickets. Nudging the kickstand and hopping off your bike, you take a brief detour to the front of the pizzeria and peer through the metal window shutter into the restaurant’s shadowy innards!
“Hmm…” Your date remarks as she peeks inside with interest, “Looks closed, slick…”
Very astute, you groan as you gently shove her back towards the bike! Keep an eye on the wheels, okay?
“<span class="mu-i">Yes</span>, milord…” She replies in a tone dripping with sarcasm as she heads back to the bike!
You could get used to being addressed like that! Concluding your inspection of the premises with a satisfied nod, you make your way back to the alley gate where Pepper sits with growing impatience!
“What was that about anyways?” She asks as you take out a <span class="mu-s">KEY</span> and fiddle with the gate lock, “Expecting company?”
Nah, you shrug as you pop the lock off and shove it into your jacket pocket, just making sure everyone’s gone home, is all! Giving the redhead a comforting smile, you tug open the gate and walk the bike inside before shutting and locking it once more!
“But the lights were off and the shutters were down,” Pepper counters in her usual snoopy manner, “So-”
Doesn’t mean much, you retort as you take the bike to the end of the alley where a grubby set of metal stairs leads up from the restaurant’s <span class="mu-s">LOCKED DUMPSTER</span> and <span class="mu-s">BACK ENTRANCE</span> to a <span class="mu-s">SECOND FLOOR</span>, if the hat is still on the rack by the kitchen, the place ain’t closed…
The girl frowns as you turn off the engine and loop a <span class="mu-s">BIKE LOCK</span> through the staircase’s metal railing and your bike’s wheels. “Your uncle’s, right?”
Yea, you nod, sometimes he’ll just pass out on the corner booth–never fails. With your bike secured, you fish out a <span class="mu-s">TARP</span> from behind the dumpster and fasten it over your wheels! Ladies first, you add with a grin as you gesture to the door at the top of the stairs!
>CONTD.
