Chapter 2 – Ditched
After driving down the road Nick's bike started making a sputtering noise. As we pulled into Briarwood, I spotted a park and told him to stop there and see if he could fix the sound. We pulled to a stop and Nick started poking around the bike's engine trying to discover what was wrong. He adjusted a wire and then stood up, wiping his hands on his jeans.
"That should do it!" he exclaimed. He started up the bike, but it just made a weird noise, like a cat dying, and then died.
"What! That should've worked." he started tightening some gears and I really hoped he knew what he was doing. Otherwise, the bike might go boom.
I sighed, knowing it would take hours for him to get the bike fixed. He knew a lot about bikes, but not that much. "Nick, why don't I ask someone if they know a mechanic. Then you won't ruin your bike."
He grunted and I assumed that meant yes. I turned around and spotted a shop entitled the "Rock Porium". I decided to check it out and see if anyone in there knew a mechanic.
I walked into the door, and looked around. The shop was decorated by different posters of different bands and by CD's, records, magazines, and other stuff related to music.
"Coooool!" I said, liking this town already. I heard a noise coming from an open door just beside the counter. I peeked in a saw a man fighting with a box of paper, trying to get it open.
"Um, excuse me?" I asked.
His head snapped up. "Can I help you?" he set the box down and walked over to me.
"Yes, I'm new in town and I was wondering if you knew a good mechanic. My brother's bike broke down and I don't want him to break it with his fiddling."
"Aha!" he exclaimed and I jumped in surprised. He scrambled to his desk and grabbed a business card off it and handed it to me. "This guy is amazing. He's fixed my car millions of time after I've had an accident or when my car wouldn't start."
I looked down at the card and saw 'Josh Bader's Pit Stop". I looked up at him and smiled.
"Thanks! Now I won't have to search the city for a mechanic."
"You're welcome." He smiled back at me. "And if you're feeling lonely in this new town, my employees are about your age. I'm sure they'd love to hang out with you. Oh and my name is Toby. I own the Rock Porium."
"Thank you for your help, Toby." I waved as I walked out the door. "I'll come back later and bring my brother."
When I went back outside, I found Nick not by his bike. I saw an old man walking through the park and I decided to ask him if he'd seen my brother.
"Um, excuse me?" this line was beginning to get old. He turned my way and tilted his head to show he was listening. "Have you seen a boy wearing a leather jacket with a white shirt and black hair that is pointy at the front?"
He nodded "Why, yes, he and a few other kids went to look for a man's brother in the woods. I wouldn't follow them though. Those woods are haunted."
I frowned. "I'm not going to. It'd take way too long." I smiled politely "Thank you for your help." I turned to walk away but the man wasn't done talking yet.
"Why are you looking for him?" he asked. I turned to face him again and finally noticed that he was wearing what looked to be a fishing outfit. He was wearing a pair of overalls, a plaid shirt, water proof boots, and a tan fishing hat. His hair was a light grey and his eyes were a baby blue, the same color as mine.
"He's my brother." I shook my head. "My twin actually. We were both adopted when we were little and we are unusually close for a brother and sister, or so my family says."
He smiled "Well I hope you enjoy yourselves in Briarwood. " Then he suddenly disappeared. Poof! Kazaam! Bamm! He was just gone.
My mouth dropped open and I wondered if he had been a figure of my imagination. I walked towards the spot where he had been standing and waved my hands through it. I didn't feel anything.
Next time I talk to someone I don't know, I going to tap them on the shoulder to make sure they're real.