they rolled the bikes around to the back of the house , leaving them on the porch , then walked inside , pushing through a door whose paint had cracked and peeled over the years . belle twisted back to the room and finished , `` we left shortly after that . '' `` i guess they must keep them somewhere on their own island before bringing them here . '' i saw him lose his footing , one boot sliding off into the air above my head . it was so unlike him i felt guilty just hearing it . 