Rebel Knights

Chapter 5

2 months later -

I've learned how to ride Roman's motorcycle, and he's promised to help me rebuild the one I found at the junkyard while wandering around with Christian and Jaxson for parts for Jamenson's 1964 Chevy Camaro. When we are out with the group, I ride on the back of Roman's motorcycle and Christian rides with Gabriel, I still want my own for instances when Roman isn't around to take me somewhere.

Today, though, I'm taking Roman's second Harley out for a drive by myself while Gabriel and Christian are at the Golden Knights having lunch for a date, and will be gone for several hours. I'm bored stiff, as I didn't want to third wheel on their date, and I've finished my schoolwork for today. Besides, they deserve to have alone time, and now is a great time to take the Harley out for a drive on my own.

Grabbing my house key, wallet, and cell, which I place in my pockets of my leather jacket that Roman gave me - it's an old one of his, which is fine since it smells like him. I lock the door behind me, and head into the garage where Roman is keeping the bike, since this is the one he is teaching me on, and I open the garage door to back the bike out and then shut the garage door before climbing on.

Starting the bike, I take off down the paved road, just cruising along and enjoying the moment with the wind blowing around me causing me to smile brightly. This euphoria only last for a few more minutes - a dark green pickup truck drives into my lane and side-swipes me when I try and avoid the truck. 

I don't remember anything after the truck hitting me on my left side, except little snippets here and there; a woman with curly blond hair that looked like the sun, who was talking to me even though I could only see her mouth but no sound. I notice that I'm lying flat on my back on a board, but my body feels numb, except for my left arm - which feels as if it's on fire. My eyes close despite my attempt to keep them open.

The next time I wake, I know several hours have passed, as the sky outside the room I'm in is darkening. Taking in the room I'm in - it has white walls, medical equipment, four wooden chairs and smells of disinfectant and death. Sitting in the chairs are Roman, who is at my head on my right side and Gabriel is sitting next to him with my brother on his lap, and Jaxson and Jamenson are sitting on my left with Jaxson at my head.

Realizing that Gabriel is speaking, I internally freak out since I cannot hear him - I notice his lips are moving but I can't hear any sound. Slapping my right hand agains the bed, I effectivly gain their attention, and all five are on their feet immeditly - all of them look relieved that I'm awake, but Roman and Gabriel look pissed, too.

Roman leans down over me as he speaks, but I still cannot hear his voice. Tears blur my vision as I become frustrated, confused and scared shitless that I can't hear him at all, or anything for that matter. He realizes something is wrong when I feel him swipe my black hair away from my eyes, as tears pour down my cheeks and my chest heaves in fear. Roman continues to run his fingers through my hair with his left hand as his right hand wipes my face clear of tears. Once I'm calmer, Roman pulls back but stays within reach to hand me a pad of paper and a pen. 

Quickly taking both items, I write down; 'Why can't I hear? What happened?'

Handing the pad back to Roman, he quickly reads it before showing the others, the entire time I'm starring at his face to see if he'll give away anything. His gaze flicks back to mine, as he smiles sadly at me, as he writes something down before showing me; 'You damaged your inner ear of both ears when your head hit the pavement, even with the helmet on. The doctor isn't sure if your hearing will return or not, so we wait and see. Are you in any pain?'

Taking the pad, I write; 'I'm fine and okay about my hearing.'

Leaning my head back onto the uncomfortable pillow, I close my eyes as I'm suddenly tired - no, I'm exhausted as I process this. I may never hear again because of my stupidity. I also probably ruined Roman's bike, and I'm sure he'll never forgive me for this either, not that I could blame him.