〃
I parked my truck off to the side of the Blacks' house； close to the trees； to
make it easier for us to sneak
the bikes out。 When I got out； a splash of color caught my eye—two shiny
motorcycles； one red； one
black； were hidden under a spruce； invisible from the house。 Jacob was
prepared。
There was a piece of blue ribbon tied in a small bow around each of the
handlebars。 I was laughing at
that when Jacob ran out of the house。
〃Ready？〃 he asked in a low voice； his eyes sparkling。
I glanced over his shoulder； and there was no sign of Billy。
〃Yeah；〃 I said； but I didn't feel quite as excited as before； I was trying to
imagine myself actually on the
motorcycle。
Jacob loaded the bikes into the bed of the truck with ease； laying them
carefully on their sides so they
didn't show。
〃Let's go；〃 he said； his voice higher than usual with excitement。 〃I know the
perfect spot—no one will
catch us there。〃
We drove south out of town。 The dirt road wove in and out of the forest—
sometimes there was nothing
but trees； and then there would suddenly be a breathtaking glimpse of the
Pacific Ocean； reaching to the
horizon； dark gray under the clouds。 We were above the shore； on top of the
cliffs that bordered the
beach here and the view seemed to stretch on forever。
I was driving slowly； so that I could safely stare out across the ocean now
and then； as the road wound
closer to the sea cliffs。 Jacob was talking about finishing the bikes； but his
descriptions were getting
technical； so I wasn't paying close attention。
That was when I noticed four figures standing