Page 14

Sighing, Vanessa replies, “Because once I was that woman who needed help. A lady I didn’t know helped me, and since then I’m paying it forward. I truly believe women need to help women when it is honestly needed.”

“I personally don’t need help. I am not in any threatening situation. If my stepsister Geri is with the bikers willingly, I’ll leave her to it. If she’s not, then I will get her away from them, one way or another,” I respond, fully meaning every word.

“They will come through here, as we are on the primary route through this area of the state. You can bet they’ll stop to eat, to drink, and probably stay in the abandoned warehouse as they leave town. If we get you settled in before they reach us, they’ll have no idea you are checking them out, but do not let your stepsister see you if she is with them willingly. It could cause them to drag you away with them.”

Nodding, knowing that what she was saying was true, and nobody would know what would happen, or had happened to me once they had me away from watchful eyes. “I’m...”

The door flies open, and a teenager bolts into the diner. Looking around frantically, he runs over to Vanessa. “Van, there are bikers heading this way. A lot of them. Do you want to close the doors?”

“Yeah, let’s put a notice on the door that we are closed until morning.” Everyone in the diner who had watched and heard jumped to their feet. Picked up their dishes and brought them to the counter. They also placed their chairs upside down on the tables, showing that the place is closed. All without a word, mind you. Then left the diner, the last one closing the door quietly behind them.

“Okay, Shall, lock the doors,” Vanessa states, and jumps to her feet. “Come on, let’s get these dishes out of sight, and let the place look closed.”

I follow Vanessa, grabbing dishes as I pass into the kitchen. The lights to the dining area are switched off, and the teenager rushes through to the kitchen. We and a man who is clearing the kitchen stand and listen as bikes are drawing closer.

“What’s your name?” Vanessa asks.

“I’m Miri.”

“Is that short for Miriam?” Vanessa gives me a raised eyebrow.

“No, it’s just Miri. No idea where my mother came up with it.”

“My name is Zack, but my sister,” pointing at Vanessa, “calls me Shall.”

Vanessa smiles. “Well, he was one of those kids that was constantly saying, ‘Shall I do this? Shall I do that?’ So, it stuck, and he is Shall to me.”

“I’m Trace, and yeah, that’s my name.”

“My car is out front in the lot. My stepsister will recognize it.” I suddenly realize.

“Trace put the car into the garage around back, but hurry,” Vanessa snaps. I hand Trace the car key, and he rushes out of the kitchen door.

“Come on Shall, turn all the lights off.” Once the lights are off and Trace is inside the kitchen, locking the door behind him, we all quiet down when the bike sounds draw closer.

The bikers pull into the diner’s parking lot, and Vanessa points at a door on one side of the kitchen. I follow her along with Shall and Trace inside what is a huge pantry. Vanessa pulls the door closed enough that it’s cracked, and she’s looking through it.

“Don’t want anyone to know we are here,” Vanessa whispers.

We are all straining our ears to hear whatever we can. I jump when I hear voices around the back of the diner, getting closer to the back door.

“You locked the door, Trace?” Vanessa whispers to Trace.

“Of course, I fucking locked the door...” Trace snarls quietly.

“You owe the swear jar five bucks,” Shall says as he rubs his hands together.

“For fuck’s sake!” Trace snaps.

“That’s another five,” Shall smirks.

“Shh,” Vanessa shushes them both. I am feeling my legs going to Jell-O from fear as the back door rattles.

Trace picks up a large rolling pin from a shelf. Vanessa picks up a large baking sheet. Shall looks around and gets a spray can of sunflower oil. I look around and see nothing to use as a weapon but pick up a large potato in each hand.

Trace smirks when he sees what I’m holding. Shall wrinkles his nose at me, and Vanessa gives a huge smile. “Good girl, are you good at throwing?”

“I’m not sure, but we may find out.”