Chasing the Roar

A sudden low rumble shuddered right through the floorboards. Across the rug, someone had switched on the vacuum cleaner, and its base was churning up a roaring mini-cyclone of air and carpet lint. I didn't hesitate. I dropped the hammer, tires tearing across the thick wool pile straight toward the spinning brush roll. The intake suction grabbed my front splitter with violent force, pulling my front axle completely off the ground. I spun my rear wheels hard, broke the grip of the vortex at the last second, and slammed down sideways safely behind the heavy power cord.