Chance 10 years ago"Look Mr. Malone, I understand where you are coming from, but the truth is, I just don't have enough in the school's funds to get you what you want.""It's not something I want, it's something the students need. Your students. The same students that walk the halls, same as the other thousand.""And here at Silver Creek High School, we try to make all accommodations for all the students and faculty as we can, but the truth is, we just don't have the kind of funding for your project." Mr. Malley, the school principal crosses his fingers, elbows pointed upright on his enormous desk."Please don't give me the typical political answer on why the school needs more money. It's simple. This program helps students that are failing, catch back up again. If you don't have any failing students, you get more money.""Look, Ryan I'm trying to level with you, but those punks don't care if they graduate or not." Mr. Mallery stands and walks over to his office door, placing o
ChanceThe roar of the bike rumbles under me as I ride hard and fast down the long narrow street. What would normally take me a good forty-five minutes, is now going on fifteen. The roads are slippery and still damp from the small snow we got this morning, but I let nothing stop me as I rush to my target.My bike speeds down the suburban neighborhood, car alarms go off as I pass them, but my focus is on one thing and one thing only.Abby. Normally the road keeps my mind free of conflict and aggression, but not tonight. Tonight, my anxious form is hunting, and my bike is merely a means to an end.I can still remember the day I met Abby. Austin was giving me a tour of what would be my new home within the Nightmare Warriors compound. I was done with life, ready for it to take me away. I had hit rock bottom and wanted nothing, but something in her called to me. Some kind of deep darkness that she tried hiding behind the depths of her blue eyes, but I saw right through it. Only certai
AbbyI attempt to maneuver my arms in a more comfortable position, but it seems nearly impossible. I have been here in this hell hole for hours and yet have no idea where I am.A trickle of blood spills down my arm slowly and I watch it with aggravation as it reaches my flowing white dress sleeve I was excited to wear tonight. I blink back a few tears at my situation and give myself a small pep talk. I cannot break down. No there. Not now.I attempt another maneuver to try and get comfortable but the handcuffs that are connecting my small frail hands with the steel beam above me prevent me further. The man that brought me into this small windowless basement of some kind is the same man that had my father in a choke hold with a gun to his neck.My father.Just the thought of the last way I saw him has the damning tears falling without any sort of control. It was the same way I remember seeing my mother just before she died. Helpless is the feeling I could best describe it.I brief
Chance Ten years agoDead eyes stare me down in the mirror as I wash my face in the sink for the second time today. My face is sunken in from the weight I have lost and the scraggly beard I have grown in the last few weeks is getting too long.Rattling pounds the bathroom door and seconds later Laurie opens the door, letting it bang against the wall with a loud crash. I close my eyes, remembering the very first time I laid eyes on her. I was a pathetic sophomore in college, whose whole life revolved around graduating with honors. My parents could barely afford to send me, but with loans, scholarships and hard word, I had my foot in the door. Laurie was a new freshman, whom was in the same boat, but instead of looking at life half empty, full of bills, debt and responsibility, she showed me what it would be like overflowing with joy and happiness. Showed me that we had the chance to overcome everything that was put in front of us. Her deep red hair and dark green eyes called to me
AbbyI watch as he approaches me with the same dead eyes as before. I practiced lifting my legs up and down to see if I could somehow fend off his attack with the lower half of my body while still cuffed, but all that did was aggravate my already raw wrists.My breath hitches when he reaches me, but I release it when I see he isn't going to hurt me, instead he reaches past my sore arms and uncuffs me. My body automatically falls to the ground and I welcome the blood rushing back to the numb parts of my body. Rubbing my wrists and arms, I look up to the see the same dead eyes staring down at me.His face remains calm and blank as he indicates with his finger extended to the only other door down here besides the one he comes through.A bathroom.I walk over, glancing backwards every few feet, only to see him adjusting the steel beam and restraints. Closing the door behind me, I hurry to do my business, not realizing how much I had needed to go. After washing my hands and trying to s
ChanceSitting on my bed, I stare at the white blank wall in front of me. It's strange that just hours before I was sitting in this same spot, wondering if I no longer had a home with the Nightmare Warriors MC.After Max and I retuned, Austin chewed me out for leaving the way I did. I thought for sure he was going to kick me out of the MC, but he gave me one last chance to turn myself around. He told me he understood the panic I must have felt, starring at Candice from across the room as he spoke. I didn't deny my feelings for Abby, everyone knew I cared deeply for her, but I didn't want to see the comparison between Austin and Candice's love versus ours. I'm not worth of Abby's affection, no matter how badly I want it.Walking over to the en suite, I rinse my face in the sink and stare at myself in the mirror. How many times have I been here? How many times have I been disgusted by the reflection that stares me down?Needing to get out of this box, I come out of my room in the clu
AbbyI can still see him. Still hear the sound of the gun going off inside my head. I've been home for a little over three hours, and even with all the noise, the people swarming around me, and everyone comforting me, I feel as cold and lonely as I did while sitting in that phone booth waiting on help.My eyes remain focused on the sheets as I lay on my bed and let Slice check me over. Candice sits in a small chair on the side of me holding my hand and letting her tears fall. I haven't said a word since Austin and Chance picked me up. Simply fell into his arms and sobbed. He did exactly what I needed. Held me, stayed silent and took me home."Abby." I cringe when I hear Chance's voice. It's deep, deeper than normal. Full of emotion and worry and I immediately open my eyes and zone in on him.It's always been him.I notice Austin in the corner on the phone, I assume telling everyone that I am alive and well. He told me when I was first picked up that my father was in the hospital.
ChanceIt's been a week since Abby came home from the clutches of that stranger she was forced to kill. Austin and I spoke and agreed that it was best that I stuck around for Abby. Not only for protection but because she desperately needed to be around someone.Bone came home two days after Abby was home and since then, I have been keeping my distance. Abby was tempting while watching over her. Her small smiles and light whispers made me hard around every corner, but I knew I couldn't act on any of the fantasies I jerked off to in the shower each morning. Abby was the kind of beauty that never saw it for herself. Her confidence was there, but not enough to see herself as sexy. I wanted to change all that, and had I been any other man, I would have. But she deserved more, deserved better. As much as it fuckin' pains me to admit that, I know it's the truth.I pull up to the compound and park my bike right next to Shane's. Ripping off my helmet, I place it on my lap and take in my surroun
GhostThe music pours out through the speakers as I lift the glass up to my mouth downing half the bourbon immediately enjoying the burn that follows up from my stomach to my throat. I signal the bartender for another as he zooms past me to help another patron. Seconds later, I down the second half and give the man a chin lift when he pours my second glass instantly.I've been here no longer than ten minutes, but I knew right away I would be drinking tonight.Christmas.Fuckin' Christmas.And here I was trying to escape it all.Candice and the other old ladies wanted to do something nice for the brothers, something nice for Bone. It's something I respected, but knew it wasn't something I could stand being around for too long. Christmas was about family. And I didn't have one outside the Nightmare Warriors."You look like you could use some alcohol." I look up and find a different bartender starring down a me from her spot behind the bar. Looking down I see my glass is once again
AbbyPlacing the last dish into the dishwasher, I shut it with my foot then run over to the laundry room to deposit the load of laundry I currently have in my hands. Throwing those in the machine and pressing the start button, I run over to the living room and clean up all the baby toys that are scattered around it.Cursing when I check the time noticing that Chance should be here any minute I grumble my father's name when I think of why I am cleaning last minute. I had spent the entire morning over at his house, because he said there were some things he wanted to talk to me about. Turns out, he just wanted to tell me that he wasn't sure about going to the Christmas party that we practically created for him. It took me almost three hours to talk him into going and another forty minutes yelling at him for being so stubborn."Damn stubborn biker." Another grumble comes out of me as I make a bee line towards the kitchen to put away another random dish left out on the sofa. Normally C
Lyla"But they're a bunch of bikers." Rolling my eyes, I pause as my hand grips the handle to the oven."Yes mom, and they've invited you to come to their Christmas party." Pulling open the oven door, I turn and grab the two sheets of cookies with both hands as I maneuver the phone between my shoulder and ear. "Mom, look I know this is a little different, but this was the first year the club had no drama and they wanted to celebrate as a family." I won't tell her some of that drama included myself, mom already has a hard enough time with the fact that Adrianna hangs around the clubhouse after what happened to her."I don't know, maybe just you and your family can go, and I'll stay with Lisa and her wife.""Mom, Lisa is going and she's bringing Lizzy." Shutting the oven door, I lean back against the counter placing one hand on my hip while the other now cradles the phone.I have been trying to get mom to accept the fact that she is apart of our family, but she still gives us the dist
ShawnaMy body moves through the rhythm of the song as Believer by Imagine Dragons booms loudly through the speakers aligning each wall. My head swings around as my body bends down to the level I need it to go, all while keeping my posture tight. I end it hard stomping on the ground, keeping my face down and hat titled to the side when the song ends on a hard beat.Smiling up at my class I relish in their applause as April, my assistant walks over to me with a towel and my water bottle.Taking them both with gratitude, I remove the hat, damping my face with the towel then swing it around my shoulder, just before draining half the bottle of cold water. Handing the hat over to April I look around and watch as everyone begins grouping together and working on the moves I've just shown them."That was great.""Thanks" I smile up at her, pleased with myself that I kept the routine exactly the way I had envisioned it. I had debated whether or not I was even going to make a routine to t
VOLUME FOUR: A WARRIOR'S CHRISTMASCandiceStepping onto my tip toes, I reach up higher, cursing when I feel my shirt pull free from my black slacks. Looking down I count the steps of the ladder, only to realize I'm on the last one.Damn my short legs.Eyeing the top cap, I wonder for a brief moment if I could balance on it, just long enough to hang up this last bundle of lights that I have bunched tightly in my hands."Come on Candy, it's just like another step." I whisper, attempting to motivate myself. Shutting my eyes and counting to three, I jump up placing one foot on the top then startle when I feel two hands wrap around my ass, pulling me down the ladder and onto the ground."Babe, what the hell are you doing?" Austin grunts and I smile up at him while balancing my hands on his chest. My heart is still pounding from my near death sudden decision so I catch my breath, counting once again before I could speak."Trying to hang up this last strand. I was able to do all the o
AbbyI clutch onto Chance's waistline as he speeds up, passing all the familiar surroundings. It's been over a year since we have been home, and it's been the most amazing year of my life.Chance and I have been traveling all over the country and have recently decided to make a permanent home back here in New York, surrounded by everyone we love. My web design business grew even larger when I was able to travel and meet new clients. I don't regret my decision to leave nursing and the money is just as great.I lay my head on his back once again, smiling with excitement as I see the same long street that leads up to the compound. Going nomad has been the best thing to ever happen to Chance. He is not only happier, but lighter. Darkness and guilt no longer lead him, he takes everyday as its own and always appreciates each day as it is. We've seen much, lived a lot and met a lot of new friends. Chance was even able to track down his parents after they moved to Florida to retire. The r
Chance"Know you're all pissed. Put the club in danger, but I had to keep the intel to myself." I stare down at the small seashell, twiddling it back and forth as I listen to Austin speak.It's been two days since everything went down at the clubhouse and everything feels completely different.Bone is no longer in the ICU. He's still bound to the hospital, but Abby and Julia have gone to see him each day to keep him calm and in the loop. Abby is going strong, I think being close to death has given her voice a push. She and Bone have a much better relationship now and he respects us being together.The FBI told us that we were in the clear, they found all the information to prove our innocence, including six cops coming forward with facts about what Alberts had either promised them, or threatened them with. We were simply in the way of the drug trade. We no longer deal, that much everyone knew, but he knew enough about the clubs that if he was able to get rid of Snake and the King
AbbyMy knees bounce, sobs wrecking my body. I rock back and forth, worry borrowing its way deep down inside my mind. The doctors words as they rushed my father into surgery repeat in my head over and over again."We think one of the bullets is lodged in his lungs."I woke on the way to the hospital, my head on Chance's lap as Shane drove us behind the ambulance. I was worried for my father, but my following questions were about everyone else. Chance explained that the FBI of all people helped us, and that the Alberts brothers were the only causalities. I was so worried about everyone, but it looks like Austin saw them coming from the back of the clubhouse on one of the monitors Torque had set up.They were desperate. That's the only way this all made sense. We were close to getting to them, and with Domingo after them as well, they took their last opportunity.I spot Chance walking towards me; his long strides quicken when he sees my state. I have not stopped to calm down since t
ChanceNine Years Ago"Need another?" I look up from my empty glass and nod at the bartender. The liquid pours into the tumbler and I quickly down it, signaling him for another. I could have made a dangerous mistake tonight. That's all I can think of as the next shot of bourbon fills the glass. I recall the night of mistakes I had as I down this one.The gun in my handWatching the minivan appear, lurking in the shadows directly across the streetWatching as Detective Alberts family got out of their car, happy and care free without worryI was going to do it. I was going to end the lives of every single one of them. Alberts was not there, but I didn't need him to be, I was going to seek the revenge I was due. An eye for an eye, family for family.But as I neared the house, gun ready in my hand while my face was covered by a scarf, I stopped.AvaShe was what crossed my mind the moment I crossed the threshold. She wouldn't want me to do this. I couldn't do this in honor of