Silent Warriors II

Chapter One

             Clara Wilson looked around the bays filled with vehicles and bikes as she held onto the hand of her five year old daughter, Sylvie. Nervously, she looked over at Ash who had exited the Cadillac and was unloading her suitcases. Tightening her grip on the back pack, she cleared her throat and walked them over to where Ash stood waiting for them. He led them inside a surprisingly clean bar where a few bikers in leather casually waved or looked on.

          She gave a small smile as Sylvie happily grinned up at all the gruff looking men they passed before finding themselves in an over sized bedroom. A large canopy bed stood against one wall with a bureau adjacent and matching night stands on either side of the king sized bed. Moss green walls were complimented by dark wood furniture and a window sat opposite of the doorway.  A small attached bathroom could be seen that Sylvie was already running towards.

           "I have to pee, Mommy." Clara dropped the back pack to race after her daughter while she heard Ash chuckling behind them.

          "Great job, Sylvie. It's okay to keep those words in here next time, okay sweetie?" Clara tapped her own head as Sylvie nodded in response, concentrating on the task at hand with her face scrunching up in serious thought.

         Clara loved her daughter and would do anything to make her happy and keep her safe. Seeing her giggle as she used the toilet, proud of herself and learning so quickly made Clara want to keep her like this forever. She didn't want her growing up and finding out how terrible of a man her father was. Or growing apart from her as she found her own way through life that Clara knew could be so hard to navigate.

     Finished in the bathroom, she ushered them back out to see Ash standing next to the suitcases and his arms crossed, waiting. His stern exterior had her on edge as it reminded her so much of Nick, her husband. Soon to be ex-husband. She had left behind signed divorce papers with a custody agreement giving her sole custody of Sylvie. If he didn't want the taped evidence of what Clara had walked in on in her daughter's bedroom sent to the police than he would sign.                   Tears pricked her eyes at the thought of why she had run with her daughter and she wished for the thousandth time she had left sooner.
          "So you both can stay in here, no one will bother you and I can show you where the kitchen is. It's usually stocked with plenty of food." Ash led the way to the kitchen as Sylvie chattered away and asked questions without pause.

        "Sorry, she usually isn't so talkative but it's been a long couple of days. I'm sure she's just been bundled up with too much energy." Clara looked down at her daughter's head, smiling warmly.

        "It's fine. I have to get back to the garage so if you need anything just ask anyone here." Ash waited for her nod before marching out the front door.

              She looked down at Sylvia as she ran a hand through her curls. "Well, shall we make something to eat? What would you like?"
          "Sgetti and balls!" The pasta dish was Sylvie's favorite and she always had so much fun making the meatballs.
           "Spaghetti and meatballs it is." Grabbing items from the fridge and cupboards, Clara set to creating the sauce and was happy to find everything she needed. She always made a huge portion and figured it wouldn't go to waste around here. It wasn't long before the smell had someone popping their head in.
            "That smells delicious!" A young, blonde man poked his head into the kitchen as Sylvie and Clara finished making the last meatball.
             Clara looked up and smiled as Sylvie excitedly responded.
           "It's meatballs time! We're making sgetti and balls!" Watching her mother place them in the oven she clapped her hands and yelled tada!
        "Great job! You must be Clara and Sylvie. I'm Wyatt." The young man held his hand out to Clara but she held her own them up in protest.