Bike Tag pt.4

Aaron Was 'It'.

He made tracks for John. John stepped on the gas. And Aaron booked after him.
John launched ahead but towards the loose, graveled driveway, leading up to a smaller, thinner strip of yard, and because he didn't want the risk of getting tagged and whipping out, he leaned from out of nowhere into a calm, smooth turn, all the while looking back to see of Aarons position.

Not far behind, was Aaron trying to keep up. But John still had the loop around a bend, so he leaned further into the turn. Aarons afterburners had burned too early, so even though he tried to scooch over and keep up, he couldn't adjust to the sudden change of course, and was forced to go straight. John rounded the half circle with just enough distance, before straightening out and breaking away.

Aaron was busy redirecting.

And while he was, I was searching for anything I could use as a blocade. I picked out the swingset, and an overgrown rose bush, and then looking ahead, noticed how the picnic table would work as well.
But while searching for the fourth obstacle I could move around, Aaron was gaining. And he was gaining enough ground to make me sweat. So I had to jet. I instinctively sped for the rose bush.

Aaron was catching up. I was trying to get to my safe spot. He almost had me.

But I was going too fast for hiding behind the bush. And I was running out of yard. Immediately, I slammed on my breaks. Sschhhhhh. I did a skid out! My back tire shredded up the slick grass, the shreds flew off in a tail behind me, and the foot I pivoted on safely caught my balance. I looked back to see the mark. And then I rode on. I was in the free.

By this time, John had swung over by the house and was rounding back in our direction, but when Aaron focused in on him, he shot back on the same course he'd come in on. Aaron tried to intersect. But he couldn't get a tire on him. So instead, he rolled on and adjusted his thinking cap. I was outside of the chase.

Aaron must have instantly remembered our clash from earlier, or saw me as matador holding a red flag, because from out of nowhere, he cut hard in my direction. I could hardly believe he was going so fast. And I just stared. I had to go. But it was too late.

Bang!

He slammed into my axle. The exact same place I'd hit his bike.

Continued...