1269_UgliesFreeBook

64 Scott Westerfeld
“Let’s do it,” Shay said. “Let’s roller coaster.”
“How?”
“On your board.” Shay turned to Tally and said seriously,
“But you’ve got to go fast. It’s dangerous unless you’re
really moving.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
Shay turned away and sped down the roller coaster, flying
just above the track. Tally sighed and leaned hard after
her. At least the thing was metal.
It also turned out to be a great ride. It was like a hoverboard
course made solid, complete with tight, banked
turns, sharp climbs followed by long drops, even loops that
took Tally upside down, her crash bracelets activating to
keep her on board. It was amazing what good shape it was
in. The Rusties must have built it out of something special,
just as Shay had said.
The track went much higher than a hoverboard could
go on its own. On the roller coaster, hoverboarding really
was like being a bird.
It wound around in a wide, slow arc, circling back
toward where they’d started. The final approach began with
a huge climb.
“Take this part fast!” Shay shouted over her shoulder as
she zoomed ahead.
Tally followed at top speed, rocketing up the spindly
track. She could see the ruins in the distance: broken, black