Bikers, Chains and Bad Boys

Chapter 17

I gasped, jolting up. I panted, heart beating erratically as my eyes flickered frantically around my bedroom. Slowly, as awareness creeped back in, my heartbeat slowed as I slumped back in bed. I wiped my face, closing my eyes. I was drenched in sweat. Peeling the covers off me, I crawled out and made my way to the bathroom.

I splashed cold water on my face and took a few calming breaths, bracing my hands on the sides of the sink. I couldn't get that image out of my head, like it was seared into my brain. And the screams. They echoed around my head. I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head, as if that would dislodge them from my brain. No luck.

As I made my way back into my bedroom, I swiped a t-shirt from the armchair in the corner and threw it on, followed by a thin sweater from the closet and leggings from the floor. I quickly made my way down the stairs, stopping just long enough to slip into some running shoes before I slipped out the door. I plugged my headphones into my ears as I hurried down the steps, setting my playlist and shoved my phone away, taking off down the street.

I didn't want to think, I wanted that image out of my head. As my feet pounded against the pavement, my hand slid into the pocket of my sweater, turning up the volume to drown out the scream resounding in my head. I was too distracted to notice the car across the street with two sleeping figures in it.

I kept a steady pace, close to a sprint. When I started, it was still dark, the sun not quite breaking the horizon. I pushed myself, shoving every thought out of my head. I didn't want to think. If I started to think, the thoughts would consume me, and I'd break.

My ribs had started to hurt a few miles back, but I pushed through it, the pain a welcome distraction. It gave me something else to focus on. I stopped in front of the shop, panting and bent over with my hands braced on my knees.

When I finally pulled myself together, for the most part, I straightened and made my way inside the open shop door. The clock on my phone said it was three minutes until nine. I'd run for over three hours. I sighed as I slipped my phone back into my pocket and made my way over to clock in. I used the elastic band around my wrist to pull my damp hair up and out of my face. I turned the music off on my phone and made my way across the room to the office to start work.

As I pulled the clipboard off Andy's desk and turned to leave the office, I slammed straight into someone. Andy caught my arm to help as I caught my footing and righted myself. I mumbled an apology as I slipped around him and got to work.

I'd kept to myself most of the day, keeping quiet as my mind drifted through millions of thoughts. I'd finally gotten the scream out of my head, but when I stopped thinking about other things, the image of them in the corner as the fire engulfed their bodies flashed back into my mind. I tried to distract myself and keep myself as busy as possible. I'd counted every single item we had in the shop and took care of every single customer we had at the desk.

Someone dropped off pizza for lunch, but my stomach rolled at the thought of eating, so I continued what I'd been doing. It was half past two when Andy called me into his office. He pointed to the chair on the opposite side of his desk as I stepped in. I closed the door behind me and perched myself on the laminate chair and looked at him. He stared at me for a while before he spoke.

"What's wrong?" My brows shot up at his question, before coming together above my eyes. I cleared my throat as I shifted on the seat.

"Nothing." I said. "I'm fine-"

"Cut the bullshit." He cut me off. I shut my mouth and swallowed thickly. I looked away, out the window of the office for a few minutes. He sat patiently, waiting with his hands clasped atop his desk for me to talk. I sighed when my eyes met his and I realized he wasn't going to let it go and slumped back into the chair.