Unity

The Reckless Rebels

We stayed like for as long as possible before Diesel called from outside Mels and the thought of having to look at that place again made me feel sick to my stomach. My legs felt like jelly as Axel helped pull me to my feet, he kept his arm around my shoulders as we walked to meet Charlie and the Inferno gang.

I couldn't even bring myself to look at Charlie. This was his business, it had been in his family for years. I couldn't imagine how he felt and I couldn't help but blame myself for it all. If I wasn't Axels little sister then maybe none of this would've ever happened, Ace and Diesel never would've sat in that booth. Those rebels never would've even thought about stepping foot inside that place.

I was surprised to see him shaking hands with Ace. Charlie looked a little sad but not devastated. He nodded at me and smiled at me a little before disappearing back inside of the diner. I sighed as my head began to pound and rubbed my puffy eyes. I bet I looked a mess.

All of the men looked at me sympathetically before Axel pushed me towards his bike, handing me his helmet. "Let's get you home." He told me. "You look rough as shit." I knew he was joking but I believed him anyway, I was covered in blood, sick and god knows what else.

I climbed into the bike, not caring about my skirt and wrapped my arms around my brothers waist, pressing my face against his leather and finding comfort in it just like I had not even two hours ago.

Ace caught my eye as he climbed onto his bike and he nodded at me, his eyes full of concern. I smiled at him sadly not being able to bring myself to actually smile properly. In all fairness I think both him and Diesel had, had enough smiles from me today.

Aces bike was the first to thrum with life and the rest followed after, everyone waited for Ace to speed off first before they followed behind him closely. I closed my eyes, finding comfort in the wind that blew in my face. Even the sound of the Harleys sounded soothing as they all blended together into one sweet harmony.

The journey was quick and we were pulling into the clubhouse parking lot into no time. Ace was already off of his bike, helmet in hand as he leaned against his bike with a cigarette placed loosely between his lips. He puffed a cloud of smoke as I climbed off my brothers bike.

I didn't speak a word as I raced inside to the bar, all I wanted was a shower and to get into bed. It was all I needed. Maybe I even needed to cry. I don't know just yet, I didn't know if I had any more tears in me.

Tahlia was sat in the bar on a stool braiding Rylees hair as she spoke to her father on the other side of it. She halted when she noticed me race through the room isn't my head down, trying not to attract too much attention. "Ava!" She called, dropping her sisters hair before racing after me.

I'd made it into the corridor before she finally caught up to me, she grabbed onto my hand and spun me round. She gasped at my bloodied face. "Shit Ava, what happened?"

"It's not mine." I told her, trying to keep my voice from cracking until her face softened and I begun to sob. "It was so bad Tahlia, there was so much blood."

She didn't say anything but pulled me against her shoulder and stroked my hair softly. "It's okay." She cooed. "You're safe now, your back at the clubhouse."

"Tahlia." A deep voice called from the bars doorway causing us to pull away and look up unison. "Can I talk with Ava please?"

Tahlia nodded before patting my shoulder comfortingly. "Come find if you need to talk, Kay?" She told me and I nodded as she walked away. Waiting for Ace to move before she completely disappeared. "Ava." He breathed before pulling me into his arms. I hadn't expected him to do that but I didn't mind either and I melted into his embrace.

"It's okay." He told me. "They won't ever get anywhere near you again."

I nodded against his chest before pulling away and swatting at the traitorous tears that rolled down my cheeks. "I'm fine." I told him, my voice unconvincing. "I just need to shower."

He looked at me warily before nodding. "Okay," he spoke. "Come find me once you're done. We need to talk."

His words had my mind whirling with questions as he walked away, what could he possibly want to talk about? What was there to say? How did you manage to stab that man in the eyeball I sarcastically thought as I dragged my feet along the carpeted floor in the direction of my brothers room.

I currently stood in the shower watching the last of the pink water disappear into the drain by my toes and I closed my eyes in relief. I placed my head against the cold tiles and let the hot water wash away all of my troubles, all of my horrors from today. I could still hear my music from inside my brothers room, right now 'Changes' by Black Sabbath was playing and I could think of a better son to describe the way I was feeling.

The song had been interrupted by a knock on the bathroom door. "Ava!" Axel shouted through the door. "You okay in there?"

"Yeah." I called back, shouting over the running water.

"You've been in there nearly an hour now, are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Well Ace told me to come and grab you, he's waiting in the parking lot."

I sighed realising that I'd have to get out the shower and turned off the water. "I'm getting out now."

"Okay, I'll be in the bar." He shouted back through the door. I grabbed the towel beside me wrapping it around my head before grabbing the larger one to wrap around my body. My feet met the fluffy bath mat and I wiggled my toes at the softness. I wiped the mirror above the sink, revealing my fresh appearance.

I was thankful that the blood no longer stained the right side of my face and that you'd have no idea of the trauma I'd been through today. I ran the tap and threw the cold water over my face, pulling the towel from my head to dry my face.

I towel dried my hair and left it To hang limply, not really caring how it looked. I'd lost a lot of energy and just felt completely drained. I walked into the bedroom door tutting at my brother leaving his bedroom door open, anyone would think he had a girl sharing his room.

I turned back to the wardrobe and picked at some of the clothes I'd packed with me. I decided on an avenged sevenfold baggy T-shirts and paired them with some black ripped slinging jeans.

After tying my laces I set off to go and find Ace. I came into the bar which seemed deserted compared to what it had been like the day before. Tahlias parents stood behind the bar laughing with one another as they polished glasses. Some bikers lingered around the pool table but apart from that it was empty.

A door opened beside me, revealing the grim face of Ace. His expression changed once he realised I was stood in the bar. "Thought you was in the parking lot?" I asked.

"Yeah but Axel said you was in the shower so I called a meeting." He told me. "You ready to go?"

I furrowed my brows. "Go where?"

"On a ride." He smirked devilishly.