A Glimpse of the Future....

As the quads head out to their vehicles they see that they are all standing up on cinderblocks, every last tyre has been removed. There is a note on every car and motorcycle.

"Since you all have so much energy to spare.... you can RUN back to the hotel..... it's 15 miles.... I suggest you haul ass."

Nicholas: Well, fuck.

Connor:" I guess simply saying please is never an option these days..."

Natalie: How did they find out?

Connor:" Dad was probably in the crowd."

Natalie starts stretching.

Natalie: Well... we'd better start running, or we'll never make it back by curfew.

Connor:"How much time we got?"

Nicholas: By my watch...thirty five minutes....to basically run half a marathon.

Connor pulls up the GPS on his phone

Connor:"hmm let's see......this could work.... Who wants to take a shortcut?"

Natalie: I think if the choice is between one of your shortcuts or one of dad's "special" early morning training sessions... I'll go with the shortcut.

Connor:"Well this might involve a bit more climbing over things but...It looks like its a straight on route."

Natalie: How much are we cutting off with this?

Connor:"If we go now...enough time to catch our breaths before going inside."

Natalie: Lead the way.

Connor double checks the directions and then starts running down a nearby alley, pausing at the top of the wooden fence at the end

Connor:"Any of you scared of dogs?"

Natalie: What kind?

Connor:"No big deal really...Looks like a german shepard and a doberman."

Natalie smirks.

Natalie: And here I was worried you were talking about rottweilers and pitbulls....

Connor looks over his shoulder at Natalie, returning the smirk

Connor:"Oh, I was just mentioning the dogs that are awake...The pitbull is asleep...for now."

he disappears over the fence

Natalie: Hey now, wait up!

She launches herself over the fence after her brother.

Natalie freezes, and tries to talk to the dog in a soothing voice.

Natalie: Nice doggy, nice doggy... it's ok... just passing through....

The pitbull growls again and starts getting up. Natalie stares at it, swallowing her fear. Not expecting the staredown, the pitbull cocks its head curiously. Natalie suddenly realizes she's gaining control. She stands up straighter and glares at the dog.

Natalie: Sit!

With a whine the pitbull obeys.

Natalie: Stay! Good dog!

Not waiting to see if it worked, she tears off, running past Connor.

Connor is surprised to see his sister run past. He looks back for a moment, then books it
They both clear the fence on the other side

Connor:This way..."

Connor runs into a Chinese restaurant, into the kitchen, and through the backdoor, the owner swearing in Mandarin at him

Natalie tries to remember the Mandarin that Grandma Jilly had taught her, and haltingly apologizes to the owner while complimenting the restaurant as she runs past, following Connor.

Natalie: I hope I just didn't insult his mother or something.....

Connor:"He's probably shocked a white girl spoke broken mandrin to him...Come on we still got a ways to go..."