Shoobies clicked their cameras as the gang rode through the neighborhood's main drag. It was unusual to see a convoy of skateboarders if the X-Games or some other competition wasn't in town.
Many of them recognized Val. Last year, she had published a tell-all article in Skate 'n Shred magazine, People, and Sports Illustrated just to name a few. The article exposed Donnie Lightning for what he truly was: a shrimpy kid with a bad attitude and a huge ego, who didn't know an ollie from a kickflip. It had also featured pictures of Val in action. Of course Donnie wasn't pleased about the article, even though he'd retired from the film business after Skate Wars VIII.
"Your devoted fans probably think we're your entourage," chuckled Chuy.
"Yeah, the Skate Rat Mafia," she added, which was a reference to Elvis Presley's hangers-on, who called themselves the Memphis Mafia.
After following Val through several more winding streets, the group found themselves hiking up a sizeable chunk of incline. It rivaled a couple of San Francisco's famous hills. Chuy let out a low whistle.
"Long way down," he remarked.
"Are we almost (wheeze) to the (pant) top?" asked Sam.
"It levels off in about ten more paces," said Roderick.
His calculations were correct.
"Whoa!" gasped the Ozone Streeters.
The way down was semi-vertical, even steeper than the California Incline. Sam gulped.
"See that pothole?" Chuy asked, pointing down. "That's exactly where Bucky Lasek crashed."
"So this is like scared ground," said Otto.
Val put her boad in front of her. "I call first ride!"
She was in her element as she began her descent. Nothing to be heard other than the roar of the board. She gathered speed; her hair whipped off her face.
"Look at her go!" Reggie said in awe.
Twister hopped on his own board, camera in hand. He didn't want to miss a second of this...
"Oh no, she's headed straight for the pothole!" Reggie yelled.
Sam screamed.
"'Lenci!" Roderick bellowed. "'Lenci! Look out!"
They held their breath. Val was now on collision course with the hole. Hitting it would definitely earn a trip to the ER. With reflexes born of her stunt work, Val smoothly steered around the pothole.
"Way awesome, Lightning Girl!" said Twister, giving her the thumbs-up.
Seconds later, the hill bottomed out. Val lost control, crashing to the concrete. She rolled over twice before coming to rest on her right side. Twister jumped off his skateboard to help her up. Using his body like a crutch, Val limped to the top of the hill.
"Oh man, are you okay?" Roderick asked worriedly.
Val's lower lip trembled. Her tailbone hurt a lot; there was a good amount of road rash on her lower back and arms. Her ribs were throbbing too.
"I think we better take her home," said Reggie.
Roderick stood on the other side of Twister, comforting his friend, as she had comforted him during his first battle with cancer and the relapse a few years ago.