We continued on our way towards the route Ilya wanted to take, winding paths and clusters of trees dotting the surrounding area.

The setting sun was still looming overhead, painting the world orange.

As we made our way through, fewer and fewer people were present, indicating Ilya was right to say it was a relatively secluded area.

"We'll have to turn here. You can take the lead, Bridger." She exclaimed, turning her head to me and gesturing in front of her. I gave her a determined glance and a quick nod before accelerating past her.

"Look at you go! Now it's just a straight shot forward!" She said, riding her bike behind me while Myla cruised by her side. Ilya's face was shining in the sunlight, and her expression showed happiness in getting to see someone experience something she's loved for so long. It wasn't just her kindness I was so enthralled by, but her dedication to the hobby and how much it seemed to mean to her.

A feeling and experience unlike any other, huh? I missed it.

I thought as I recalled all the days that had passed when I still had someone to share hobbies with. It truly was a magical experience and it seemed Ilya was the perfect person to remind me again of its magic; I pondered on this as a ring emanated from Ilya's purse, and while attempting to find her phone, she also pulled out a small pair of earphones.

"You listen to music out on rides?" I asked as we began to stop by the side of the path.

"Yeah, I listen to a bit of rock usually, but on rides, I prefer some swing, gets me in the mood, y'know?" She said with a smirk as she found her phone and read the message.

"Oh, damn," She stated with a saddened expression as she faced us.

"Sorry, guys, it looks like they need me at work. Apparently, the place got a shipment addressed to me." She stated with a considerate smile, tilting her head.

"It's alright. You took the time out of your day to be with us anyway," I reassured her with a friendly look.

"Yes, and you had to spend an hour of it teaching this idiot," Myla continued with a tired sigh.

And you have to spend 8 hours with said idiot; who's the unlucky one now, huh? Oh, wait.

I joked, but it was true. I felt bad for having Ilya go with us but having to spend the majority of it guiding me.

"It's alright. I own a local flower shop not too far from here, so you guys can keep going if you'd like. Before I go, though, I wanna know, how'd you like it?" She asked with a smile and enthusiasm plastered on her expression.

"It's pretty simple from afar, but it's fun, and I can see how you'd fall in love with it," I replied, a genuine joy in my voice.

"Indeed, it is quite pleasant," Myla responded formally, though with a small smile accompanying it. Ilya gave a quick snicker, and her cheeks flushed a reddish color.

"Glad to know you guys liked it - I'll be off then; see you in a bit!" She stated before spinning her bike around and beginning to take off at a speedy pace.

"Oh! By the way, the path I wanna take is right around the corner. You guys should check it out!" She shouted, enthusiastically as she disappeared from view.

I waved at her though I doubt that she saw it, after which I faced my partner with a smile.

"Wanna check it out?" I asked with a kind tone.

She replied with a judging look, wondering if I had ulterior motives.

She's right in her reaction, though, no one would find a body in the ocean, and if things go South, I can always jump in with her.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

I schemed as she gave me a reply.

"It'll help us figure out what exactly she wants to let Hunter experience, so I don't see much of a problem." She said as she took off in front of me, and I followed suit. We began moving forwards, the path covered in leaves, suggesting that even those assigned to maintain the park had little knowledge of this route. The trees lining the sides of the path were becoming denser as the light of the sun was slowly being blotted out until I saw a glimmer.

"I see a light," I said, squinting my eyes and focusing on the clearing ahead.

"Please, do not exaggerate; it's only been an hour and a half of physical exertion; you're only 24." She said with an irritated tone as she turned around to glare at me.

"No, I mean, look forward, dammit!" I yelled and pointed to the light ahead. She slowed down a bit, allowing me to ride almost beside her as we made it through the clearing.

Trees that once lined my peripherals disappeared as the sun's rays returned and wrapped my vision with an orange hue; the sea and sky danced together as they reflected the brilliance of the star. I let out a gasp and saw Myla's eyes widen at the sight. Before we could continue to take it in, however, I stopped and called out to my partner.

"Wait! I have a request, just this once, and I swear to you I'll throw away that 6-step plan for revenge I was writing." I spoke in a pleading tone as I gave her a determined expression.

"What is it?" She asked, surprised by my sudden eagerness as she, too, halted to a stop.

"Can you stand on the pegs behind the back wheel," I expressed with a tenacious smile; she responded with an unhappy look, and it seemed she needed justification.

"And what, give you the chance to enact whatever revenge plot you've been scheming these past few days?" She replied accusingly at me with a deathly glare.

She's got me there, crap.

"I just wanna know if I can do it now. Think of it as a wish from the younger me, please, plus we can tell Hunter and Ilya to try if it turns out well," I said once more, pleading with her as she gave me a thoughtful face. It seemed she was most worried about me being in control and for once actually having the chance of killing us both, but to me, I simply wanted to experience something I had once dreamed of, the simple undertaking of riding a bike gave me a delighted sensation, and I wanted to know what else I had missed out on due to my hesitation.

And I always have the choice of fulfilling my revenge plan, so win-win, really."

She gave an exasperated sigh as she faced me with an irritated look; I responded with the best puppy-dog eyes I could conjure and gave a pleading smile. She pondered on it for a moment as she put a finger to her lips until her eyes widened, and it was as if the sun above her represented a light bulb illuminating.

"I'll accept your request, but on a condition." She expressed as she offered me her compromise.

"Welp, this works too," I said with a content voice as I stood tall atop the pegs, holding onto Myla's shoulders as I took a proud stance. We left the other bike leaning on a tree, shrouded, in case anyone tried to steal it.

Then again, if that were to happen, any evidence of two people entering here wouldn't exist.

She had also given me the camera, part of her compromise was for me to take photos of the scenery seeing as both of my hands were empty.

"Just don't move too much, or we're both dead." She said as she began pedaling; I faced forwards as the marble path marched ahead. Groves of trees were soaked in the orange hue to my left, lining the sides of the linear trail.

The sound of the wheels of the bike became a soothing accompaniment to the scenery before me, and the steady vibrations from said wheels rolling along the ground climbed up my body.

She's keeping it stable, actually. I guess if she hasn't tried to kill me in the car, she won't try to do it here.

I considered as I looked to my right, and took in the seascape. It was one hell of a sight. The sun bathed the entirety of the sky and sea in radiant orange, and the cool breeze hit my face as we moved at a controlled pace; I then faced my partner, whose bright hair reflected the sun's rays in defiance, glowing near-white as it flowed almost phantasmally in the wind, her face was shrouded from my view, but even just her back looked truly picturesque, just as when I first saw her in the office.

Best not to disturb this art piece, though, or else I really might die.

I thought as I gazed once more into the beautiful scenery before me, realizing how truly wonderful this hobby could be, and how happy anyone would be to show this to someone they love.

Shame all I have is her.

I thought as the bike began to slow down.

"Umm, you good there, partner?" I asked, changing my view from the sea to Myla.

"It's beginning...to go uphill." She answered, panting as she turned to me with an annoyed expression.

"I can take over if you want," I offered with a smile, not out of kindness but out of hope she wouldn't get any angrier at me.

"Then please," She said as the brakes were suddenly activated, and I jolted forward, my forehead colliding with my partner's thick skull.

"Go ahead, right?" I said, caressing my forehead.

"...Yes." She quietly responded, both hands placed atop her noggin.

You can't do that here, woman.

I thought as I took one hand off my forehead and held the camera up, snapping a shot of the scenery and then at my wounded partner.

Maybe I won't have to throw you away after all.