Fires of Fate

Chapter 6: Finding Sara

angel

The train rattled beneath me as I sat in a corner, trying to blend into the worn upholstery. My heart raced not from excitement but from the adrenaline still coursing through my veins. Just hours ago, I had fled my home-no, my prison-after the debt collectors had come knocking. They were looking for me, and I had no intention of letting them find me.

I had thrown my phone away in a moment of panic, watching it disappear into the depths of the trash at the station. It felt liberating and terrifying all at once. No calls, no messages, no reminders of the life I was running from. But it also meant I was truly alone, cut off from the only person I could count on-Sara.

After a long journey, the train finally rolled into the city, and I stepped off, feeling the pulse of a new world around me. I didn't know what awaited me, but I had to find Sara. She was my only lifeline, my only chance at escaping the nightmare that was closing in on me. Her family was deep into the biker scene, and while I wasn't sure what that would mean for me, I hoped it would be enough to keep me hidden.

As I navigated through the crowded streets, I took in the sounds of the city-the laughter, the music, the distant rumble of motorcycles. I didn't know exactly where Sara lived, but I remembered the way she had described her family's home, and I set off in that direction.

It wasn't long before I found myself standing in front of a large house, the sounds of revelry spilling out from the open door. Bikers milled about in the yard, their laughter ringing out into the night, and I felt a mix of anxiety and determination. This was where I would find Sara.

I stepped inside, the atmosphere overwhelming yet strangely comforting. The air was thick with the smell of grilled food and the unmistakable scent of leather. Music pulsed through the space, and I felt momentarily lost in the chaos. I searched for a familiar face, my heart pounding as I pushed through the crowd.

Just then, I spotted her-Sara, chatting animatedly with a group of friends. She looked radiant, her laughter brightening the dimly lit room. I felt a sense of relief wash over me as I made my way toward her.

"Angel!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up when she saw me. She rushed over, pulling me into a tight embrace. "why are you here "

"I needed to get away," I said, forcing a smile despite the unease swirling within me.

"Are you okay?" she asked, concern creeping into her voice. "You look a little pale."

"I'm fine," I replied, trying to shake off the memories of the collectors chasing me. "Just a bit overwhelmed, I guess."

"Let's get you a drink. You need to relax," she suggested, leading me to a quieter corner of the party.

As we moved away from the tgroups of people, I felt a mix of gratitude and guilt. I didn't want to burden Sara with my problems, especially not on what was supposed to be a night of celebration for her family. But the tension in my stomach grew as I remembered why I was here. The collectors had made it clear that I couldn't go back, and I needed to stay hidden.

"I'm really glad to see you," I said, trying to push my worries aside. "I've missed you."

"Me too! You'll love my family-they're crazy, but in the best way possible," she laughed, her eyes sparkling. But then, her expression shifted slightly, as if she sensed the heaviness I was carrying.

"What's really going on, Angel?" she asked, her voice serious now. "You can tell me."

I hesitated, the weight of my situation pressing down on me. "It's... complicated," I finally said, looking away. I didn't want to reveal everything, not yet. "Just some stuff back home that I needed to escape from."

"Alright, but you know you can talk to me, right?" she reassured me. "Let's find a quiet spot where we can catch up."

We made our way through the crowd

"Angel, you okay?" Sara's voice broke through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.

"Yeah, just... I think I need some air," I said, my voice shaky. I didn't want to stay where I could see him, where the memories of our night together came flooding back.

"Let's step outside," Sara suggested, guiding me toward the door.

Once outside, the cool night air hit me, providing a welcome relief from the chaos inside. I leaned against the railing, trying to steady my breathing. The sounds of laughter and music faded slightly, allowing me to collect my thoughts.

"I know you're not fine," Sara said gently, crossing her arms as she leaned against the railing beside me. "You can tell me anything."

"I just... I've been through a lot," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "The debt collectors came looking for me. I had to leave everything behind."

Sara's eyes widened with concern. "Oh, Angel. I had no idea. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I left a voicemail. I thought if I came here, I could escape it all," I said, the words tumbling out in a rush.

"Well, you're safe here. You can stay as long as you need," she reassured me, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "But you need to take care of yourself, too. Are you feeling okay?"

That was when the nausea hit me again, and I quickly turned away, needing to fight against the rising tide of sickness. I didn't want to worry Sara further, but the thought of the debt collectors and everything else was overwhelming.

"I'm fine. Just a little... nauseous from the train ride," I lied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

"You sure? You can rest if you need to," she said, looking skeptical but caring.

"I'll be okay," I insisted, my voice firm. "I just need a minute."

We stood there for a moment, the cool air calming my racing heart.

"Let's head back inside," Sara suggested, pulling me from my thoughts. "I bring you to my room so you can rest "

As we turned to walk back, I needed to focus on the present and not let the past or the debt collectors creep back into my life.

I was here now, and for better or worse, I would face whatever came next.

Alexander's POV

I leaned against the wall, feeling the weight of the night settle on my shoulders. The party was in full swing, and the laughter of my family surrounded me, but I felt detached from it all. I had indulged a little too much in the drinks, my head spinning and the world blurring around the edges. I needed air.

I pushed myself away from the wall and stumbled toward the backyard. That was when I caught a glimpse of someone familiar, standing just outside the door. It was her. Angel.

My heart raced, and for a moment, I thought I was imagining things. Maybe the alcohol was playing tricks on my mind. I blinked, willing the vision to clear, but she was still there, standing with Sara, looking as radiant as ever.

But as quickly as I felt that rush of hope, it dissipated. I shook my head, taking a deep breath to steady myself. No, it couldn't be her. I was drunk. I was seeing things. She was gone, far away from here, and I was just another face in the crowd.

I turned back toward the party, trying to shake off the feeling. Maybe I just needed another drink to dull the edges of reality. But the image of her lingered in my mind, a bittersweet reminder of a night that felt like a dream-a momentary escape that had slipped through my fingers like sand.

"Alex, come join us!" one of my cousins called, breaking me from my thoughts. I forced a smile and moved toward the laughter, but in the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen something real, something that shouldn't have existed in this haze of whiskey and memories.