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“Yeah, she did. My boss rescued her.”
Vivi clapped her hands happily. “Yay! She finally figured out the clues I told her.”
“Wait. What?” Cross demanded. “What clues?”
“During the phone calls,” she replied, counting off with her fingers. “I told her I couldn’t wait to eat turnips again. I mentioned enzymatic science. Then this last time I talked about our grandfather who we called Pop.”
All were silent for a moment, then Lincoln chuckled. “Root beer.”
“You get it!” Vivi let go of him to hop with excitement. Then she latched back onto him like a leech. “You’re so smart. I guess this means my sister is dumb.”
The other biker leaned closer. “He went to college.”
“Well, that explains it.”
“Stop!” Cross thundered. He brought up a gun and pointed it at Lincoln. “She’s not going anywhere. I won’t allow it.”
Vivi laid her hand on his arm. “Calm down, Cross.”
Immediately, his angry countenance melted away. Slowly, he lowered his weapon and she quickly slipped it out of his grasp.
“You don’t need me,” she murmured. She gently placed the gun in the outstretched hand of the man in the suit. He immediately and quickly pulled out the magazine and emptied the chamber.
“I think I do,” Cross replied, touching his head. “You quiet what’s in here.”
“No, only you can do that. Don’t let the rage consume you, Cross. You can be a good man.” She patted his cheek, then turned back to Lincoln. “I’m guessing this Oisín dude was the tied-up guy in the van, so let’s get going.”
“Vivi, right?” asked the older biker.
“Yep. Godawful name, I know. Believe it or not, I’m named after Vivian Leigh, although my mother didn’t go that far. It was like she got bored when writing the whole name for the birth certificate and said fuck it. Vivi it is.”
“Do you always talk this much?” Lincoln asked.
“Yes,” Cross answered immediately. “The woman has no filter.”
Lincoln’s companion half-coughed, half-laughed. “You okay to ride a bike? Or do you need the van?”
“How hard could it be? Let’s go!” She spun around and patted Cross’s shoulder. “Goodbye. I’d like to say it was fun, but it really wasn’t. Come on, Lincoln.”
She grabbed hold of his hand and tried to drag him toward the bikes, but it was like moving a boulder. Needless to say, she didn’t get anywhere.
“Do you have a spare helmet for her?” Lincoln asked Cross. The other biker blinked, as if his mind was clouded up, and snapped his fingers. A young kid with the word “Prospect” on his vest ran forward.
“Bring me my brain bucket,” Cross ordered.
The man ran off to obey.
“I … I don’t think she should go,” Cross said slowly. Vivi touched his hand again, and the tone of his voice changed. “I mean, I think she should stay with me.”
“Aw, I’m glad you enjoyed my company,” Vivi murmured. “But it’s time for me to get back to my life.”
The kid ran back and held out the half-helmet. She smiled her thanks and plucked it on her head. It was a little too big, but Lincoln adjusted the strap to make it snug. She beamed up at him.
“You need to take anything?” he asked.
She shook her head before turning to face the root beer factory. She waved enthusiastically to everyone watching.
“Bye! Goodbye! Thanks for the very boring vacation! Gonna have to give you a thumbs-down on hospitality! Bye!”
