The Iron Predators, Part IV [SAMPLE]

Chapter 4

KNUCKLES

The next day, I decide to work on my bike in the garage. It's good therapy. I've got the garage door open and some low music on. I'm sitting on a stool, changing the spark plugs. This is just what I need, some service for my baby and she'll roar even better. Makes my pants tight just thinking about it.

I look down at my crotch.

So, now you decide to work, you motherfucker.

I chuckle sarcastically to myself. At least it's not totally broken.

While sitting there in my own little world, I suddenly hear pitter patter outside on the driveway. I sit up straight and listen closely.

Fuck, I think it's Penelope...or some other kid they dragged here. It's starting to become a fucking daycare center.

I quickly shut the music off, hoping she won't see or hear me in here. I walk to the wall that's closest to the clubhouse and stand in the shadows to hide in case she runs by the garage door.

Suddenly, I hear a thud, then Penelope crying.

Of course she ran around and stumbled on her little drunken gnome feet. I groan and run my hands over my face. I can't stand the crying.

The thing is that the crying won't stop. I peek my head outside and see her sitting on the ground with her bunny in her hand, head leaned back and the tears are rolling down her small cheeks.

Where the fuck is everyone? Isn't anyone keeping track of the kid?

I sigh and mumble some curse words, hoping to God that someone else will hear her...but they don't.

Fuck!

"Hey, you okay there?" I say, walking hesitantly toward her.

She's sitting there crying and holding her knee.

"Blood," she cries and holds her hands up for me to pick her up.

I look around again, but no one else is around.

Double fuck!

I carefully pick her up and hold her under her armpits with my arms straight out. No way in hell that I'm gonna hold her against me.

I walk her like that to the garage and sit her down on the workbench. "Can you stay here while I get something to clean it with, without falling off?"

She nods and sniffles, still holding on to her bunny. I quickly find the first aid kit that Doc put here, then go back to her.

"I have to clean it a little so you don't have any dirt left in there. It's gonna sting a little, but I'll get you an ice cream if you're good, okay?"

She nods.

She flinches a little when I clean the wound. It's only a small scrape wound, but it's a little dirt in there. I pat it dry and put on a band aid.

"There, all good to go."

"Mommy has bunny band aids," she says and looks at it.

"Well, we don't have that here," I say and lift her down from the bench.

Luckily, she stopped crying.

She wraps her little arms around my leg. "Thanks, Nucklis."

"It's Knuckles."

"That's what I said," she says and puts her little hand on her hip.

A sassy little kid.