You Aren't From Around Here

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

****I own anything you don't recognize! I also took liberties with my town of Charming, the motor inn and joes bar could be further down the block from the ice cream parlor, it's that kind of street...****

Driving down the highway, my eyes are weary, I'm falling asleep. I just want to put a little more distance between where I was and where I am. To get as far away from the insanity that has become my life. Even though it is doubtful that I will get far enough away from everything that has been following me. Hopefully Seattle is far enough away this time, but I'm so sleepy I must stop at least for a little while. I said a silent prayer "just give me a sign where I should go!" Then I saw it, the sign that would change my life forever. It was a big wooden sign declaring I was entering the town of Charming, the name says it all. Wow, if that wasn't a sign, I had to go check it out. There it was next exit Charming. I was so tired, even though it was only 2pm. I get to the exit, and pull off I mean who wouldn't want to spend the night in Charming.

As I pull off the exit I see a sign for the "Charming Motor Inn". I turn up the quaint Main Street and find and follow the road to a three story red clapboard building with a cute sign handing out, looking like something out of a movie the Perfect a place to stay, I pull into the parking lot and walk inside.

It definitely was not what I was expecting it was in a downtown strip, it was not the east coast motor court I was expecting. Once inside I am even more surprised it is beautiful inside looks like any modern hotel lobby across the country, a bored middle age man is seated behind a modern reception desk. He assures me they do have an available room and quickly checks me in. I run out to my car and grab my backpack, that has my toiletries and a few changes of clothes. Glancing up and down the street it's a quiet street. Across the street was what looked like a small restaurant and bar. The downtown street was pretty deserted for being midday. I locked the doors on my well worn Honda and walked back inside. Once in my room i triple lock the door then I quickly unpacked some of my stuff, just the stuff I would need for my 2 night stay. I sit down on the bed intending on just reading my book for a few minutes and instantly fall asleep.

When I woke up it was dark and I was hungry, I went downstairs intending to ask the man at the desk if he could tell me where to go eat, but he was not there. I walked outside and noticed the restaurant across the street again, the lights were on the windows lit up with neon beer ads. There were 3 motorcycles parked at the curb. Right in front of the door is a chalkboard sign advertising a steak and fries dinner special. I walked across the street and walked in to Joe's as it said in faded letters on the glass. I open the door and walk in.

It's dark inside the owners of the bikes are obviously sitting at the bar, they were definitely bikers, they are all wearing some kind of leather vests with some kind of weird grim reaper on the back. The first one was a large gray haired man his hair was shaggy and long, it looked like he never met a meal he didn't like. next to him was a guy with long wavy black hair he leered at me. The final man was the tallest of the group with long red hair pulled into a low ponytail and matching beard.

About this time a bouncy blonde with a very small tank top and very short jean shorts came walking over "can I help you?" She asked

I'm still looking around taking in the one wall lined with worn booths, an few sparse tables, an area that may be considered a dance floor and a pool table in the back with a few stray video games. "I was looking for something to eat." I replied. She smiled and said "sit anywhere"

I walked to the row of booths and find a seat. The waitress came smiling back up, "so you definitely aren't from around here. I'm Katie, so what brings you to Charming?" "Just passing through when I saw the sign and decided I needed to stop, so can I get a glass of Merlot and a menu?"

She laughs. I must have gotten a strange look on my face. "You really aren't from around here. I think we may have a menu around here somewhere, and I can promise you there's no merlot probably in the whole damn town. I can find you liquor or beer but our clientele aren't wine drinkers, it's a mill town mainly. So what brings you to Charming?"

"I'm just passing though, headed to Seattle, I think. I saw the sign and how can you pass up the opportunity to stay a night or two in a town called Charming? So how about a Knob Creek neat?"

"That I can do" Katie replies

She hurries back over the the bar. The bikers ask for another round and kid around with Katie as she refills their beers. Next she reaches behind the bar picking up several bottles before she finds a bottle of Knob Creek. She pours my drink, has a few words with the bikers who have been looking over at me. She puts my drink on a tray from the bar and comes back over to me. Putting my drink down in front of me. The bikers are still stealing glances at me, the dark haired one not trying to hide it as he continues to leer at me in a way that makes me feel like he is undressing me with his eyes and it's not a good thing.

"so I couldn't find a menu, but i can keep looking." Says katie.

"Ok so I'll just have that dinner special, medium." I reply pulling out my book; The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, opening it to the bookmark and begin to read.

Katie is back loitering by my table, a sheepish grin on her face. "So the boys want to know more." Katie says gesturing towards the bikers, who have taken an interest in me. They are talking amongst themselves and I'm sure whatever they are saying I would rather not hear.

"I'm just passing through, wanting something to eat why should my story matter to them, why would I share my personal..." my sentence is cut off by the sound of more motorcycles pulling in, the appear to be parking then the engines cut off.

I must have had another weird look on my face. Katie says "it's just a local motorcycle club, most of them are harmless, besides the Sons do a lot of good stuff for our little town here," turning on her incredibly high heel she says "let me go check on your food"

She hurries over to the bar, using the mirror behind the bar to smooth her hair and touch up her lipstick. Then she readjusted her tank top revealing even more cleavage that was already showing. She looks towards the door expectantly.