Fury

Chapter Four

Clara
I must have fallen asleep on the bus because I was woken up by someone shoving me awake. Stepping off the bus, I breathed in the fresh air and looked around. Everything still seemed so familiar but at the same time, it had been such a long time.
My stomach rumbled. "Alright, I'll feed you, hold on!" Strolling through town, I came across Maple Bakery and the pure scent of bread and all things sweet drew me in.
Whilst admiring all the beautiful cakes, I sensed the striking red head I noticed when I walked in looking at me.
"You running away or what?"
"Err, I'm sorry, what?" I was slightly startled by the abrupt manner of the question.
"I asked if you were running away, because you know, the bags... you look lost and you keep looking over your shoulder?"
I could feel the panic start creeping up my body. Just breathe, Clara, you can control this, you knew people would ask where you came from. Just breathe.
"Oh erm, no. I'm actually just stopping through but I couldn't help but come in here when I smelt all this delicious food"
She eyed me for a few moments and then stuck her hand out.
"I'm Kelsey, I part own this bakery with my Aunt Mabel"
"Oh, hi, I'm... Clara" There was no point in making up a new identity. I'd already gotten in too deep by coming back here in the first place. I was starting to feel more uneasy by the minute. What was I doing?!
"Why are you so nervous and shifty?" Kelsey asked. Clearly she had no issues with social etiquette.
I tucked my dyed brown hair behind my ear. I had thought by dying my long blonde hair I could go unrecognised for a little while. I didn't know if anyone I knew previously from Maple Valley was still here anyway.
Alex. I didn't know if Alex was still here. I knew the likely hood of him joining the Dark Valley MC was high but that had been a long time ago.
"Hello... anyone in there?" Kelsey waved her hand in my face.
"Oh erm, sorry, what did you say?"
"Eurgh, never mind, what did you want? The cookies were freshly baked this morning."
"Okay, I'll have one of those and a black coffee please"
"Sit down, I'll bring it over" and then she scurried away. I couldn't help but look at her, she oozed confidence with her long, dark, red hair. She had to be at least five foot eight. She had tattoos up one arm and she was wearing tight leather trousers and a red crop top. Slightly strange for working in a bakery, but she worked it really well. I could only dream of looking like that. I was five three just and I'd put weight on recently from all the comfort eating. That was something else Charles used to like to pick at me about. I shuddered at the thought of him. I wonder if he had gone to my father yet? Had they sent the search party out?

Kelsey came and sat down in front of me.
"So, what brings you here anyway?"
"Erm, well I actually knew this place a long time ago, I haven't been back in years and I thought that since I'm on the road it wouldn't hurt to stop through" I was hoping I sounded casual and convincing.
"Right... and why exactly are you on the road?"
I must have hesitated because she cut in again.
"Look, ignore me, I'm a self confessed nosey bitch. I'm interested in people that's all. And to be honest I haven't seen a new face round here in like, forever" She rattled on.
"When you're ready, you can tell me whatever you want" She gave me a kind smile.
I was about to thank her when the door to the bakery swung open and in walked a huge man, dressed head to toe in leather. He had to be a least 6'8. With his striking blue eyes and short blonde hair, I couldn't help but stare. He was formidable. He suddenly looked over and I quickly glanced back at my coffee.

"Hey Red, it's been a long time! Have you been avoiding me?"
I looked up and the huge man was suddenly leaning on our table staring straight at Kelsey with the biggest grin on his face.
"Fuck off, TJ" Kelsey dramatically flicked her hair away from her face.
"Oh no, come on baby, is that any way to speak to a paying customer? You wouldn't want me to tell Mabel now, would you?" He continued to grin at her.
Suddenly, Kelsey pushed away from the table and glared at him. "What do you want?"
"You know my usual"
"No I don't. I don't care to remember what people like you want!" She spat at him.
I was suddenly feeling slightly awkward. I had only just met her and clearly there was something going on here. I was about to discreetly leave when he turned his gaze to me.
"And who do we have here? I'm sure I would have remembered a pretty face like that" he winked at me.
Before I could speak, Kelsey cut in. "She's none of your business, TJ. This is Clara, my new friend, she's staying with me for a while and before you ask, no she's not interested in you or that horrible thing between your legs. Go and find some whore to entertain"
TJ's face was a picture of fury. I doubt many people disrespected him like that in public.
"This is not finished, Red" he growled and stormed out.
Feeling like I should ease the tension, I quietly asked "Are you okay? That was pretty intense"

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. He just likes to think he can throw his weight around and click his fingers and get any woman he wants. I am not that woman" she breathed heavily.
"Oh... okay. Erm also, you mentioned me staying with you. That was a lovely gesture, but honestly it's okay, I won't be staying long anyway so I'll just find a hotel for the night" I really didn't want to start building friendships with people when I didn't know how long I was going to be around for. It was easier not to be attached to anyone.
"There's no good hotels for miles round here and you look scared shitless, so I'm not taking no for an answer"
"Erm, well..."
"Look, Clara, this might surprise you but I don't have that many girlfriends, however I do know the look of someone who needs help. I'm just trying to be a good person. Recognise when someone is trying to help you." Although we had only met a few minutes ago, I was beginning to understand that beneath her abrupt posterior, she was actually rather caring. If I was sticking around long enough, I think we would have been friends.
Sighing, I decided it wouldn't be worth it to argue and I had no energy from the travelling.
"Okay, well just for the night, thank you"
"Good, well that's sorted then!" She clapped her hands together. "I'll just finish up here and then I'll walk you over to the apartment"

A little while later we left the bakery. As we stepped outside, I heard the rumble of motorcycles. Turning around I saw at least eight men stop and park up opposite. Each taking off their helmets, my breath caught. Standing there in all his glory, was Alex. I would never mistake those piercing dark eyes and dark gelled hair. He had clearly been working out since I last saw him and he'd definitely gained a few new tattoos, well more than a few, he was covered. His T-shirt was stretched across his front, clinging onto his muscles.
"Clara, are you okay? You're breathing really weird" Kelsey came into my peripheral.
"What? Oh yeah I'm fine, can we go now?" I started walking away picking up my pace. She followed my train of vision and glanced towards the bikers.
"Oh don't worry about them, they're everywhere in this town. Surely you must have heard about them from when you were here before? They've been around for years. I mean, yeah they're all nice to look at but they're man whores. Although I will admit they throw a good party."
I was stuck on two words. Man whores. Was she talking about Alex? A sharp pain went through my gut. I had no right to feel this way, I'd got married, but still... it hurt.
"Erm was that guy in the bakery earlier, was he part of them?"
"Yeah, TJ's been around here for a while now. Eurgh, he annoys me so much!"
I couldn't help but think she wasn't telling the whole truth.
"Right anyway, lets get you back to the apartment so you can settle in and then I'm thinking you need to relax, lets go to a bar!"
"Oh, erm, no that's okay. I'm pretty wiped out from the travelling today. I'll just head to bed and then I'll be out of your hair early tomorrow morning"
I saw a flash of hurt cross her face.
"Are you trying to be ungrateful? I'm not forcing you into anything, I just want to loosen you up, it looks like you haven't had a good night out like... ever" she snapped.
Thinking about it, I couldn't remember the last time I'd really let my hair down. I couldn't afford to slip up.
"Okay, maybe just one drink"
Kelsey laughed "Yeah okay, just one". Something told me that this definitely was not going to be just one.