Monday, January Fourteenth, 12:00 P.M….

It was quiet in the house. Deathly quiet.

Ricky turned on the TV, trying to fill up the empty space. Ever since Chris and Vinny had come into Ricky’s house, Ricky had been by my side twenty four-seven. He never the left the house. Chris hadn’t tried to call him. We were in our own little reality.

All I had to do was count down the days until I could get on a bus. Jason hadn’t disclosed the band that would be taking me next, but all I could do was hope that it would be the last bus.

Ricky slung his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him as we stared at the pixels on the screen. He sighed as I leaned into his shoulder. I looked up at his tired face. The guitarist hadn’t been getting very good sleep ever since the events of Friday afternoon.

“Ricky, you should go sleep.” I murmured to him, reaching up to touch a dark bag right under his eyes. He blinked and turned to me, holding my hand. He brought it up to his lips, kissing the back of it.

“I’m going to be fine.” He said. I pressed my nose into his neck, sighing in contentment. He was stubborn as an ass, but was always doing it for my sake. I loved the man but he had to take care of himself. Ricky yawned and stood up, going towards the kitchen.

“Go take a nap.” I said sternly. He looked at me with a slow smile. I walked after him, grabbing his hand and slowly dragging him to the bedroom.

“Noooo!” He whined, sitting down on the hardwood floors in protest. I looked down, looming over him.

“Yes, now come on, Horror. You need sleep.” I chuckled, pulling him behind me like a small doll. He eventually stood up and followed me to the bedroom. I made sure he fell on the bed, passing out immediately. After he started snoring, I closed the door behind me and went out to go watch TV again.

Neil Tyson, the guy who narrates the show Cosmos, was talking about the formation on the universe on the screen. I yawned as I leaned back into the cushions. I loved this show. Considering I wanted to be an astrophysicist or astronomer when I grew up, I had adored any TV show that had to do with space.

During a commercial break, I heard a car….no…three cars pull up in the driveway. My breathing hitched. Was Ricky expecting anyone? The man was still snoring softly from the bedroom. I clicked mute on the TV remote and stood up.

“Ricky?” There was a knock at the door as voices chattered outside. The doorknob slowly opened up. I bolted for Ricky’s room, closing the door behind me, nearly slamming it shut.

“Ricky!” I hissed and jumped on him. He let out a little screech. Crap. I rolled over, throwing my hand over his mouth. His eyes were wide.

“They’re here!” I whispered softly, terror filling my system. He cursed quietly and bolted out of bed, going to the door. I ducked on the opposite side of the bed, ready to run as fast as I could. My ankle throbbed from landing and my wrist ached. I was sore all over, but I had to ignore the pain if I wanted to get away.

“What the hell are you guys doing here!?” Ricky growled as the band came in. I bit my lip, holding my breath as I waited.

“We just came to talk to you.” Ryan reassured. No, they knew I was here. They were trying to get to me. They wanted to distract Ricky and one of them would find me, bringing me out of the house.

I won’t let them take me.

“Fine. Let’s all sit down out on my back porch.” Ricky relented. I knew that. He was trying to give me to time to run out of the house.

“It’s blazing hot outside! Can we please stay inside?” Balz whined. Ricky growled.

“Outside or not at all.” Ricky snarled. I inched towards the door, peering through the crack. The band was all looming around Ricky. Vinny’s eyes flickered everywhere. They were searching…for me. Everyone was taller than Ricky, and it didn’t help his argument one bit.

The hallway to the basement was just across from the master bedroom. If I could inch out of Ricky’s bedroom, I could swiftly go to the hallway, descend the stairs to the basement, sneak out the window, and then get out of the house. Perhaps I could slash their tires while I was at it?

“Come on, lets just talk.” Chris suggested, guiding Ricky to the couch. Ricky planted his foot firmly, not letting Chris push him any further.

“No. Get out. My vacation isn’t over yet. Just let me be.” He stated blandly, raising his chin to let them know he meant business. Chris chuckled darkly. Ghost moved towards the second story stairs. I had to make my move…soon.

“We all know that’s not why we’re here.” He said. I moved towards the frame of the door, eyeing the three foot space I’d have to cross to get to the basement hallway.

This was going to be tough.

I looked around the room, trying to find something to use as a distraction. Sliding over to Ricky’s desk, I sorted through drawers. Pens, paper, notebooks, a pack of cigs, and a slingshot.

I could use that.

I grabbed the slingshot, probably some little toy Ricky had bought for fun, and snagged a penny off of his desk by his wallet. Loading up the slingshot, I slyly slid into my spot and pulled back the slingshot. I sure hope this works.

Taking aim, I held my breath. Ghost was looking up the stairs, searching for life. Vinny moved towards the bedroom door, eyes scanning the hallways.

3…..
2…..
1…..

I let go of the pouch, letting the copper coin sail through the air. It hit Ryan’s forehead right on. Ricky looked shocked. Everyone whipped around as he moaned in pain. I took that moment to duck out of the bedroom and dash silently to the basement.

“She’s here!” Chris snarled. Everyone split up, looking for me. I heard someone’s footsteps come towards me. I turned around to see Balz turn the corner. If he was this close, I wouldn’t be able to make it to the basement window on time. I made a quick decision and charged towards him. My sudden direction change took him by surprise. He slowed down just long enough for me to slide under his arms and keep on running as fast as I could with my sprained ankle. I winced from the pain.

“She’s in the living room!” The keyboardist hollered as I skidded into the living room. I turned the corner, seeing my exit directly in sight. Chris had his arms out, instantly entangling me. I managed to kick him in the shins and he dropped me just as quick as he caught me.

“GET HER!” The screamer commanded. Ricky dashed around the corner, body slamming Chris into the wall. I looked back quickly, making sure he was okay. He kept on running after me, making sure to help me escape.

“Go!” He yelled as I paused at the door. Doing as I was told, I made my way out of the door, slamming it behind me. It was opened soon after. Weaving between the cars, I made my way down the street. Engines revved up behind me.

I just kept on running.

The poem ran through my mind. Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night. If it got me this far, it could carry me further still. I recited it over and over, falling into an even pace. I could almost imagine my mother’s voice sweetly crooning to me.

A car sped up. Chris was driving. Balz was in the passenger’s seat. They stopped the car, blocking my path. I took a sharp turn around them, hearing footsteps pound out behind me. I didn’t feel fast. My ankle was killing me. I wanted to curl up into a little ball and die.

A hand brushed my shoulder and I did a diving roll out of the way. How I suddenly managed a diving roll evaded me, but it hurt like hell. I got to me feet quickly and took a sharp turn through someone’s back yard.

The cars were constantly in the background, but I went on moving.

A half hour later, I puked in the alley behind a bakery. Actually, it was more of dry heaving, not really puke. I fell to my knees, sobbing out in pain and fear. The cars mingled together, creating a blur of noise in my mind.

I just need to get out of here. I can’t go back to Ricky. All my safe places have been destroyed. If I went to Zack, Ricky, or Austin, I would be in danger. No matter what, I was in danger.

I let the tears fall to the pavement. I have no place left to go. Home seemed like a forever away.

I started to walk out towards the street and going towards the edge of town. I kept on walking for an hour, hyperaware of everything that was going on around me. I looked around, making sure none of the vicious cars were nearing me.

After an hour, I was on the edge of town on a lonely stretch of road that wound around hills and edged a forest. I kept on walking on the side of the road in the black jeans and shirt I had from Ricky. All my stuff, including their numbers, was in a bag in Ricky’s house. I had nothing anymore.

“Hey, sweetheart. Are you alright?” Someone on a motorcycle pulled up, stopping beside me. I was too worn out to run. I had been limping for the past while and my body was in flames.

“Not really, sir.” I responded politely to the man on the motorcycle. Two other people stopped behind him. They must be riding together.

“Alright, miss?” A younger man asked. He leaned forward lazily on his motorcycle. A woman was on the third bike, sitting there silently. I favored my left ankle slightly, touching the bandages on my left wrist as well.

“No, sir.” I responded quietly. No cars passed us by. The road was quiet. The three bikers parked their bikes. The older man, the one with a grey beard. Looked in the little back compartment of his bike.

“Grey, can you please get this young lady some water?” The other man asked.

“Sure thing, Howler.” The young man, about twenty years old, called Grey answered. He opened up his bike compartment and grabbed a bottle of water. I stood there, partially frozen by fear and helplessness. Grey trotted up to me. He was obviously a pretty boy with his tattoos on his right arm. He had a sleeve filled with beautiful inked pictures.

“Thank you.” I smiled up to him. He nodded, chocolate eyes soft and warm.

“What’s your name?” He asked me.

“Rory.” I answered simply.

“I’m Grey. That’s Howler and the woman is Regency. We’re part of the Screaming Angels bike club. We were just on our way to a meeting. Are you lost?” Grey asked me kindly. I thought for a moment, nodding. The wind gently kissed my skin, encouraging to keep moving. It was only a matter of time before the boys found me.

“Yeah, a little. I just came from back in town and I had a little run in with trouble to I kind of, well, escaped out here. I’m not from California. I have no idea where I am.” I asked honestly. Grey nodded, eyes full of sympathy.

“If you need a ride, kiddo, we’re just going east towards Nevada for a conference. We’re stopping at a town called Ravensdale. It’s a small town, but if you get there, you can figure out where you need to get to next.” The woman, Regency, offered. I started to relax, feeling all the tension ease out of me. Okay, okay, I could do this. I don’t think they would try to kidnap me, and besides, I didn’t exactly have a choice. I couldn’t just keep on walking! I would probably die of exhaustion before I ran into another person again.

“Thank you so much. I sprained my ankle a little while ago and I don’t think I could keep on walking much further.” I said. Grey went to his bag strapped to his bike and opened it up. I followed him. As the other two kicked on their bikes.

“We’ll meet you at the crossing three miles ahead, Grey. We’ve still got a while to go before we hit Ravensdale, so don’t dally too long.” Howler reminded the man. Grey nodded as the other two started up. Their engines revved loudly as they passed by. I stepped next to Grey, the engine fumes tingling my nose.

“Okay, so here’s a leather jacket and a helmet. I had to pack spares, and hopefully these fit you.” He tossed them to me. The black helmet reflected the light. The polish seemed to be perfectly shined. A visor dropped down. Grey adjusted his own helmet as he zipped up his leather jacket. I slid mine one. The sleeves were a little big, but otherwise it fit nicely. I looked kind of like a serious biker chick. I blushed under my helmet as Grey smiled.

“Ready?” He asked. I nodded. He got on the bike. I straddled the seat behind him. Kicking my feet up into place, he gunned the engine, not quite moving yet.

“Hold on sweetheart.” He chuckled over the noise. I wrapped my arms around his toned chest and held on for dear life as he slowly started the motorcycle. We cruised along the road, smoothly riding over every little crack and indent in the tar.

“Ever ridden a motorcycle?” Grey turned his head and yelled over the wind.

“NO!” I yelled back in fear, resting the helmet against his shoulder.

“Don’t be scared, sweetheart. I’m an expert!” He yelled back as we slowed down. True to their word, Howler and Regency were waiting at a four way crossroads.

“Glad you caught up!” Howler laughed.

“Someone’s never ridden a motorcycle before.” Regency chuckled along with the older man. I guess I was a little obvious because I was hanging onto Grey for dear life. I felt Grey hum in laughter.

“Get used to it, kiddo. We’ve got a good fifty miles until we hit the town!” Howler called. The line formed again as the bikers set off again.

The ride was smooth. We didn’t stop, we just kept going. I soon became accustomed to the drone of the motorcycle and the feeling of going fast without anything protecting you from the elements. It was nice to wear the leather jacket to protect my body against the wind. Grey talked a little, but otherwise focused on the road. He would occasionally look back, as if he was looking at me. I couldn’t tell through the tinted visor.

Fifty miles later, we entered a small town called Ravensdale. The bikers pulled off by a tattoo parlor, one of the only seven buildings in the town. We all got off. Grey helped me to my feet as I wobbled off the bike. Taking off my helmet, I smoothed out my hair and handed him the headpiece.

“Thank you so much for the ride.” I said, smiling from exhilaration. Grey laughed.

“It was no problem! We were stopping here anyways, so it was no issue.” He put the helmet back into the pack on the back of his bike. I started to zip down the jacket.

“Here’s your jacket back…” I started.

“Oh no, keep it. You look pretty good in it anyways.” Grey winked. I blushed and looked down, hands shoved in the pockets. It was windier in this town. The sun was starting to kiss the edge of the horizon. It had to be about four in the afternoon or so. Darkness would fall within the next couple of hours. We stood in awkward silence for a moment before Howler called for Grey to suit up again. Grey motioned for him to hold on before reaching into his back jeans pocket.

“Rory, if you need another ride, just call this number. It the phone for the Screaming Angels. Ask for Grey and I’ll be there.” He winked. I bit my lip and grinned. He was so sweet! I took the card and put it into my pocket. He gave me a quick hug before going back onto his bike.

“Thanks for everything, Grey!” I waved to him. He flipped down his visor, obscuring those chocolate eyes that reminded me of too many people.

“It was my pleasure, Rory! Good luck getting to wherever you need to get to!” He called as he kicked up his bike. I watched as the trio disappeared into the distance.

I hoped that it wasn’t the last I’d see of him.

Notes

So hello again everyone! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I decided to introduce the cute biker Grey ;) I hope you all loved him! Will it be the last time that Rory ever sees Grey, or will he reappear? You'll just have to find out!

Anyways, update on my previous notes: I just wanted to thank those of you who have been super supportive of my stories. You guys really do make me smile. I enjoy getting the little comments about how much you love this story and how you don't want it to end. I don't want it to end either, but I will keep my promise that if more people continue copying my story, I will delete it.

Another big thanks to a few of you who I saw have commented on the stories that have copied my plot and have been asking them to stop it/alter their story. Thank you all for being courteous and respectful. I don't want to start fights or arguments, so I appreciate you not being rude to those authors.

Please, if you see a story that has been copying my plot/someone else's story, please let me/the author know immediately with a message. Thank you!