New Dawn

Chapter 28 | For glory, for revenge

The night was still young when Audrey Cox stood in the small backyard behind her trailer. Like pearls on a thread, fairy lights traveled from its roof to the branches of the birch that grew beside the small house. She watched the moon rise large and yellow over the mountains as she took a small breath. The thick air did not allow for much more.

A drop of sweat trickled down her back. It was hot, and a strange tension had hung in the air ever since the eclipse. Still, it was rare to find the trailer park silent. With no music playing and no engines revving it was almost eerie.

Everyone had left and headed to Mile's Hill to witness the race.

It was absurd.

If her father was here, Nero would never had dared to take his place. Not only had he sold his own father to the law for the sake of his own freedom, but he had put Owen in the hospital.

The last thing that her father wanted was for the club to be steered in the wrong direction. He wanted them to earn their living lawfully, not by selling guns and drugs.

It had only brought pain and loss, and she saw it as her duty to protect her father's legacy. Not only for his sake, but for Bill's and hers, too. With their mother gone and their father in jail, they only had each other.

She sighed as she tore her gaze away from the skies.

Before her, a sleek shape was hidden beneath a dirty sheet. It had been years since her father last drove it, and when she pulled off the cover she couldn't help but to feel her fingertips tingle with excitement.

The stars reflected almost solemnly upon the hood of the black Mustang. Packing nearly 410 horsepower it had the right to carry its aggressive front with pride. It was bold, and she hoped that it would be enough to beat Nero across the finish line.

She brushed some dust off her leather jacket before she stepped into the car. The V8 saluted her with its infamous roar as she turned on the ignition. She stroke the wheel and felt a powerful sense of sentimentality come over her. Her father was with her, and so was Owen. She only wished that they were beside her, and not only in spirit.

If not for herself, she would win the race for them, and take back what was rightfully theirs.

***

She was the last to arrive to Mile's Hill. It loomed over the desert like a bad omen, its peak crowned by the moon. The club stood gathered, the frames of motorcycles and cars reflecting the light of stars.

When she stepped out of the Mustang a dingo could be heard howling through the night. Perhaps it howled in warning, she thought when she saw Nero standing by his car. A phoenix, painted in venomous green, spread its wings across the hood of the Pontiac Firebird. It was obnoxious, very much like its driver.

She searched for Bill with her eyes as she stepped into the crowd. People who she had known her whole life grew silent upon her approach. They only stared at her, and she knew exactly why.

A faint smile spread over her lips when Bill joined her side.

"You better not lose, Audrey. Not in that car", he said quietly and embraced her.

She hugged him tightly. "Not tonight I wont."

"Be careful. Knowing Nero he wont be playing by the rules", he muttered and moved away, still holding her by the shoulders.