Trapped in his cage

Chapter 10

Matthew
The first meters are silent. I take the speed to the allowed limit, so as not to bother her. Especially since she holds me as if I was covered with deadly poison. Her fingers hover on the fabric of my jacket, her arms do not cause direct contact with my waist.

On the day of the party, I could feel her body on mine and the warmth between us that insulated us from the cold outside. I could feel her confidence and her relaxed muscles clinging to me.

However, this time it's all very different, and I don't know which way to take the situation. I clear my throat stopping at a red light, straightening my back to stretch a little, she does the same, which causes her to pull away from me and rest her hands on the rear grips.

I raise my helmet visor, turn my neck a little and open hers. Her eyes meet me expectantly at what I'm about to say.

"You're not going to die if you touch me."

"Bet" she replies, and gives me a smug smile.

God, this woman is impossible.

"Don't be proud Mellany, it's important to hold on tight. This may not be your life's dream, but remember I'm helping you."

"You're doing this for yourself. Or rather for my brother."

I bite my tongue to avoid saying an impulsive response that might break the dry atmosphere around us. I sigh.

"That doesn't take away the fact that it benefits you as well. So please relax. You know you don't hate me, so stop trying to pretend you do" I lower my helmet visor and wait for her to do the same before I start up motivated by the green light illuminating.

I'm surprised when "Mrs I don't take orders from anyone" tightens her grip on me. It's not exaggerated or overbearing, it's... quiet. But confident. I smile a little, taking a turn. Her body and mine lean to the same side, she doesn't move too much, just sticks to me and lets go.

"Where are we going?" she asks after five minutes of exhausted silence. She has rested one hand on the engine of the bike while still clinging to me with the other. She claps her fingers on the black metal.

I wonder if she's cold, I've increased the speed a bit, but she doesn't seem to mind. The low temperature air hits my legs and arms, despite being covered I can feel that coolness on my skin.

"You'll see"

As we walk I notice how her mood is improving. From time to time she holds me with only one hand to extend her free arm to the side. She still doesn't speak to me, but I'm not surprised.

I still wonder what is the reason why she is so reluctant to me, I know it has to do with the fact that when she was 15 we almost kissed but in the end nothing happened. Weeks later she sent me a message where she said, "when did we finish the kiss we started the other day?"

I couldn't believe it, I was too confused, pissed off with Ethan because of an argument we had and most importantly: I had a girlfriend.

So I saw that occasion as the perfect way to make amends for the mistake I made trying to kiss her. It was stupid, but I had been sleeping at her house for three days because of a fight I had with my father, and when we were alone I instinctively went for it. She pulled away and I instantly regretted it.

And that's it, that's the only story Mellany and I have. So I don't understand why on earth she avoids me at all costs, she may always be like that.

When we arrive at the place, I park in the middle of the asphalt that makes up an empty and abandoned parking lot.

I have brought her to the place where every year, for the Fourth of July, they held a fair. But due to the great disturbances that occurred during those nights of celebration, they closed it. There is a huge Ferris wheel set up in one corner of the grounds, filling the space are several empty and rusty stalls. Abandoned and full of cobwebs. There are a few more attractions scattered all over the place. Everything is protected by a fence surrounding the facilities and the fairground is located in the middle of the city but so laterally located that it seems to be in the middle of nowhere. Everything is strategically thought out so that the people who live in that area cannot complain about the noise.