Black Fuel and Bikes

Chapter Six

It took some time before Talia stopped looking over her shoulder everywhere she went. Of course, it helped knowing she always had someone watching her back wherever she went. At first, it was hard to get used to, but hey, she figured it beat always being scared out of her mind.

Shannon had convinced her to keep working at Black Fuel. It wasn't a hard decision to make since she did love her job there. Also, it made her feel less of a burden on Shannon knowing she could help with the bills.

As time went by, it was easier to trust Shannon and to open up to him. The first week was the worse. The nightmares kept plaguing her. They got to a point where they were so bad she would wake up screaming.

She smiled, looking over at Shannon laying beside her on the backyard grass. They had been staring up at the sky, watching the shapes form in the clouds. They had been playing the shapes game but had fallen into a pleasant silence for some time now.

He had his eyes closed, breathing softly. If she didn't know better, she would say he was fast asleep. She smiled once again as a memory came into her head.

Shannon had been nothing but respectful. She had been having nightmares for almost a week now. She figured she must've been doing a good job at not waking up screaming because Shannon hadn't seem bothered by them. Either that or he could sleep through a hurricane.

She sat up, combing her fingers through her hair. It came softly, so softly she wasn't even sure she heard it. There it was again, a gentle tap at her door.

She cleared her throat before saying "Come in."

Shannon opened the door slowly, peeking his head in. "I didn't mean to bother you, but I heard you scream." She sighed, patting the bed beside her. Shannon crossed the bedroom, sitting down next to her, holding on to her hand. "You all right?"

She took some breaths to calm herself, before answering him. "Yeah..." She whispered. "I'm sorry I woke you."

He shook his head, pulling her into a hug and laying back down. "It's not the first time I heard your screams, you know? I just figured I would give you some space." He said, his arms squeezing tighter. "Wanna talk about them?"

"Not really..." She whispered, cuddling into him.

"Want me to go?"

She shook her head. "No, stay... please." He smiled down at her, kissing her forehead. They were silent for a while before she blurted out. "I used to sneak out of the orphanage at night when I was little to go visit the catacombs." Shannon smiled down at her, prompting her to continue. "I remember I used to steal a flashlight from the utility room and just slip through a gap on the side of the building. I don't know I always managed to sneak down into the catacombs, but I liked it there. They gave me peace. Have you ever been there?"

"No, but I've seen pictures."

"Is it creepy I found it peaceful there?"

"A bit..." Shannon chuckled. "But then again I understand how that place must have felt to you."

Talia nodded, laughing. "It felt quiet there. I used to look up at the bones in the walls and make up stories in my head how their life had been, you know?"

"It was an escape."

"Yeah." Talia whispered. "It also made me brave enough to have the courage to dream. Every night I went there, I felt something growing inside of me. Hope. When I made it to the states, the first thing I did after I bought my bike was learn everything I could at whatever job they assigned to me. I started working as an assistant to this girl. I was supposed to keep track of her schedule. In turn, she taught me a lot about computers and some accounting." Talia looked up at Shannon, staring up into his eyes. "I threw away the money I stole from the organization. I dumped it the moment I got a job and I never looked back. I was hoping to never hear from them ever again..."

"You won't have to, sweetheart. Trust me, I'll keep you safe." Shannon said, hugging her to him.

She smiled, sighing and laying her head on his chest, closing her eyes for a moment. Before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

She felt Shannon shift beside her, prompting her out of the memory. "Hey..." he whispered and she felt his hand caressing her cheek. "You awake?" She hummed, nodding and opening her eyes to look up into his. "It's getting late. Jared will be here soon. Wanna come help me start dinner?"

She nodded and he pulled himself up, helping her up too. She pulled him into a hug, kissing his cheek and heading inside, leaving him stunned, rooted to his place.

She still amazed him to this day. It had been a little over three weeks since she had been staying with him. It felt good to see the shift in her. He liked to see her carefree and happy. Of course, it helped when they found out Adrian had fled the country. He sighed, shaking his head at the sour memory.

Hopefully, that guy stayed away for good. Now it was time to focus on dinner. He had introduced Talia to his band a week ago, she seemed shocked when she found out he was a drummer.

She had hit it off with both Jared and Tomo right away, easing Shannon's nerves a bit too. Of course, it helped when she gave him permission to talk to his brother about her past. Jared was sympathetic, offering to help however he could.

He found himself watching her as Talia helped prepare dinner, something tugging at his heart.

Talia noticed Shannon watching her, smiling, the butterflies in her stomach doing somersaults. She couldn't help but be drawn to him as time passed, realizing she had never felt this way before. She was happy.

* * * * * * *

All the way across the ocean, Adrian sat in front of two burly men. Their bodies were covered in tattoos, clad in black clothing, earpieces in and sunglasses in place despite being inside.

He jumped as the door shut hard, his so-called boss making his way to the table. "Ah, Adrian, I was beginning to wonder where you had run off to..."

"I'm sorry, boss. I had some business to attend to out of the country."

The fat man sauntered over to him, leaning forward and gripping his collar. "You still owe me the missing money. How are we on that front?"

Adrian could feel the sweat beading on his forehead. "I have it right here..." The man pulled back, chuckling and sitting behind his desk. Adrian pulled the zipper open on the black bag, emptying it out on the table. The man started counting his money. "It's all there... and some more money." The man stared up at him, raising a bushy eyebrow. "I need a few man."

"What for?"

"I want to take back what's mine from someone who stole from me." Adrian said.

They were quiet for some time as the man in front of him counted his money. When he was done, he sat back, a satisfied look on his face. "Very well. I'll lend you some of my men."

Adrian smirked, reaching to shake his hand. "Thank you, sir." He made his way towards the door. He was gonna get her back, or he was gonna die trying.