As she was making a sharp turn on her left, a silhouette appeared in front of her headlamp. 

For a second her heart stoped and she saw herself driving over the man who fell on the streets. But instinctively she managed to press the brake, so hard that she felt her nails sink into her palm, and brutally shift the handlebar. The old scooter squealed painfully on the pavement while the rear wheel lifted off the floor, and the vehicle started to dangerously lean on the left.

Aiko somehow managed to redress her mount, standing up rapidly and pressing her feet down to put some weight on the back while controlling her trajectory.

Finally the old beast stopped in a last moan, its tires steaming.

Aiko put a feet down, still shaken by the incident. She looked up slowly.

- Damn it ! 

The brick wall in front of her, was too close. With wobbling legs, she got of her scooter and slowly went to the man still lying on the street.

- Please don’t be dead. Please, don’t be dead. Seriously ! Don’t be dead, god Damn it ! 

Aiko was the kind of person who would get angry when they were nervous, hence she tended to swear a lot. But as she was finally reaching the man on the floor, this one just suddenly rose up into a sitting position. Aiko let out a silent scream and once her heart calmed down a bit, despite wanting to curse at him, she took her most civilised tone to ask :

- Sir, are you alright?

- Aaaah… he moaned swiftly, not really…

- Oh my god ! Exclaimed Aiko sincerely worried now, I’m so sorry, did I hit you ?

- No, no… you didn’t touch me, answered the man softly

- You sure ?

A quiet laughter quickly followed by a dull groan slipped out of the man’s lips. 

- Yes, I’m sure, don’t worry…

- But you’re bleeding, cut off Aiko pointing at his forehead, a shit lot tons of it too…

The man skimmed his skin and took a look at his hand. A shit lot tons of blood. 

- It was from before, he explained gently as he was trying to stand up, you really didn’t  hurt me so don’t worry too much.

- Oh thanks god ! She exclaimed despite herself, you should go to the hospital, sir.

Now that she knew she wasn’t in trouble, her anxiety calmed down and she was able to think more rationally. She lent a hand to the man and helped him get up. She was pretty sure she saw somewhere that head-injured people shouldn’t be moved until paramedics come, but the guy was already standing and ready to leave. Since she didn’t had to deal with insurance and hospital fee, she was also about to excuse herself. 

- Again, sir, you should check in the hospital as soon as you can, she repeated to give herself good conscience, head injuries are nasty thi….

- Miss you have a bike, right ? 

A chill went down Aiko’ spine. Although the man’s voice was calm and composed, there was absolutely nothing that indicated that it was a polite inquiry. And Aiko knew already what he was going to say next.

- Don’t kid with me! Ya know I can’t give you my bike, it’s not even mine to begin with. And I can’t pay the owner if something happens to it. So how ‘bout we both go on our merry way, all right ?

The man stood there a bit puzzled while Aiko was cursing at herself for her false sense of confidence due to her extreme nervousness.

- I’ll pay you, finally said the man putting Aiko out of her misery.

- What about the last delivery I have to make ?

- I’ll also pay for it, with generous tips, he said as he was pulling a good amount of banknote out of his wallet. 

Who still has cash on them, nowadays ? Wondered Aiko briefly 

- Even though, I probably will get fired if I come back without the bike, she finally answered 

- It’s up to you, said the chilling voice, either you take the cash, or you don’t.

Ah. There was no option where Aiko could leave with her scooter. She knew that, but this god damn habits of her…

- The hell do you think you’re doing right now ? Even if I let you have my bike, you can’t ride it anyway, I mean… look at you ! You’re bleeding all over your clothes, and besides, I didn’t even hit you so why the heck do I have to give you my precious bab…

Her tirade was interrupted by clamours coming from an adjacent street. She slowly turned her head toward the noise to notice that it was coming from a group of men shooting angrily, and visibly searching for someone. Aiko turned her head back to the man who was standing still, looking at the direction of the voices. 

- You… finally said Aiko slowly, are you chased by the police ?

- Do they look like police, to you ?

Aiko gave another look at the group that had now spotted them. No. They looked like thugs. Actually, they looked like thugs from a 60’s Hollywood movie. It was so absurd that Aiko almost laughed. But her snort fell into her mouth when she saw the men approaching them more determined than earlier. 

- Damn it !

- All right, said the injured man, that settle it, I’m taking your bike, here is some money…

- Don’t make me laugh, Aiko answered sharply walking towards her scooter, there is no way in hell I’m staying here with those guys. And I told you, didn’t I ? You can’t possibly drive in your state, and I can’t loose that bike. So… get on !

She was sitting on her motorcycle ready to leave. The man hesitated for half a second and with a loud groan manage to climb behind her. 

- You’re confident you can lose them ? He asked after looking one more time to the group who fasten their pace when they noticed the eminent escape of their prey.

- You swear it’s not the police? Answered Aiko while making her bike rumble.

- I promise.

- Then, let’s go.

The bike suddenly lurched and lost its balance for a second because of the unexpected weight, but soon Aiko controlled it again and they flew on the dark street just when the men were about to catch up. Despite being an old lady, the motorcycle sped up quite nicely and Aiko felt the man behind her wobbling.

- Hang on ! She exclaimed loudly to cover the noise of the bike and the wind.

Two strong arms grabbed her waist a bit too tightly, and she couldn’t help but notice how warm those hands were.