New Dawn

Chapter 4 | Scrambler

Long, purple shadows extended over the flat, orange ground. The sunset painted the sky with burning flames that licked the horizon, spreading behind mountain tops, reaching far and wide. Playful sun rays danced through the air, turning the dry dust that floated across the ground into veils of copper and gold.

While dusk was settling in, they reached the garage at the far end of the trailer park. A wooden sign above the doors spelled out COX AUTO REPAIR SHOP in capital letters, the red paint in a desperate need of a refill.

To Owen's surprise, they found themselves alone as they stepped into the large, open hall. Repair tools covered the walls, neatly sorted and organized while two pillars, surrounded by work desks and more tools, supported the roof. A small office was revealed to the left behind large, glass windows that faced the car hall. The hoods of three cars stood open, the repairs clearly put on hold during the party that seemed to grow ever louder outside.

"What's the celebration?", he asked as Audrey led him past one of the cars, toward the back area.

"Nero was released today", she replied, her voice filled with sudden contempt.

He didn't need to ask any further. He knew everything he needed to know about Nero to know that Audrey would rather talk about nucleonics than talk about him. So he decided that it was best to leave the subject and followed her through the door that led to the back of the garage taken up by American muscle and Harley's. They passed a 69' Ford Mustang, a 65' Chevrolet Impala and a 1946 Harley Davidson Knucklehead. The bright strip lights reflected upon the shining paint of the vehicles, the bright red of the Mustang lighting up like a gemstone in a dark cave. The Impala glistened like a dark night sky next to the equally well-maintained motorcycle. Sunlight found its way in under the gap of the lowered garage door, casting its copper light upon the rims, making them sparkle beneath the soft light.

He couldn't help but to stop next to the red Mustang, whistling quietly while meeting Audrey's amused expression.

"Dream on. It belongs to Mad Eye", she said and crossed her arms.

"Mad Eye? That old cyclops doesn't know what to do with this car", Owen snorted and walked around the aggressive chassis, admiring it from its side.

She walked closer, peered over his shoulder and whispered into his ear: "You know where the red comes from?"

He tried to ignore her sweet breath tickling his neck, goosebumps spreading over his skin, while his ears waited for her words with anticipation.

"It's painted with the blood of smartasses. I heard him talking about getting a refill", she said and placed a hand on his upper arm as if to insinuate further what she had meant.

He swallowed, hoping that she couldn't feel how his muscles tensed up beneath her touch. As to subtly escape the grip of her hand, he laughed and turned to face her.

"We both know I would do myself a hundred times better in that car compared to that one-eyed barrel", he said, with what he thought to be a clever smirk.

She smothered a laugh while he was suddenly aware of the short distance between them. His heart felt as if it was going to beat out of his chest and break his aching ribs in the process. It was almost as if she was aware of how cornered he felt, and took great pleasure in seeing him suffer.

"So, eh, you wanted to show me something?", he said and broke the silence that she so willingly clung to.

Her green eyes studied him intently, biting her lower lip to conceal a smile. She took a short breath and nodded. "This way."

He followed her to the far side of the garage where a two-wheel figure was partly hidden beneath a dusty sheet. Dropping the backpack next to a lonely toolbox, she walked around the bike and removed the sheet, revealing a Ducati Scrambler beneath.