13-Crow
1153 Words
As the days turned into weeks, my feelings for Crow grew stronger, despite the unspoken tension between us. Our stolen glances and lingering touches were a secret we both guarded fiercely. It was a dangerous dance, one that could lead to either salvation or destruction. But as the chorus of "I Need You" played on repeat in my mind, I knew I couldn't walk away.
One evening, as the bar was closing down, Crow approached me. His eyes were tired, lines etched into his face from the weight of his responsibilities. He leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear. "Oceano, I need you to understand something."
My heart hammered in my chest. "What?"
He took my hand, his voice a whisper. "This life isn't easy. It's filled with darkness and pain.”
"I'm not going anywhere," I whispered, my eyes meeting his.
The air grew thick with unspoken emotions, the bar's neon lights flickering like stars in the night sky. We stood there, two lost souls finding solace in each other's presence.
But the serenity was shattered by the roar of bikes outside. The Serpents had arrived, their malicious intentions clear. The song in my heart turned into a battle cry, and I knew that this was a fight we couldn't ignore. This was our life now, a never-ending dance on the edge of a knife.
As the Riders filed out to face our enemies, I watched Crow, his back straight, his eyes filled with determination; he was a force of nature---a man who had been through too much and still had the heart to keep fighting.
The words of "I Need You" echoed in my mind, and I realized just how true they were. I needed him, not just for Leo, not just for myself, but for the hope he brought into the lives of everyone who stepped into the Murder of Crows.
The jukebox played a sad tune that matched my mood of the night, and as I leaned against the counter, my thoughts raced. The lyrics played on repeat in my head, and I couldn't let the words be our story---I had to find a way to bridge the gap between our worlds, to show Crow that love could be found within darkness.
Mel looked at me, her expression a mix of worry and admiration. She knew what was happening between Crow and me, the forbidden feelings that could either save or destroy us. She offered a small nod, her silent support the only comfort I needed. We had to stand together, to face whatever the night had in store for us.
The door swung open, and the cold wind brought with it the sound of boots on gravel. The Serpents had come for more than a chat. The song in my head changed to "Pray for Me," by Sam Smith and Logic. It was a cry for redemption, a plea for a chance to change the course of our fate. I knew that I couldn't just stand by and watch as the men I cared about bleed for a war that wasn't entirely theirs.
With a deep breath, I stepped out of the bar, the neon lights painting my skin in shades of blue and pink. The air was charged with tension, the smell of leather and gasoline a potent reminder of the world I'd been thrown into. I didn't have a bike, didn't have the strength to throw a punch, but I had something else. I had the fire, the same fire that burned in Crow's soul.
The Riders turned to me, surprise etched on their faces. "What are you doing?" Crow barked, his hand on his weapon.
"I'm fighting for what's mine," I said, my voice strong and clear. "For Leo, for you, for all of us."
And with that, I stepped forward, joining the line of men who had become my family. The night was a blur of action, of fighting and shouting, of love and fear. But through it all, I could feel Crow's eyes on me, his belief in me giving me the strength to stand tall.
The battle raged on, the air thick with the smell of burning rubber and the acrid scent of gunpowder. Yet, amidst the chaos, there was a strange sense of unity. We were all fighting for something greater than ourselves, for the promise of a better tomorrow.
As the sun began to peek over the horizon, the fight came to an end. The Serpents retreated, leaving us to tend to our wounds and count our losses. The silence was deafening, the only sound the distant hum of the highway. I searched the crowd for Crow, my heart racing. I found him standing within the c*****e.
The battle had left us all bruised and bloodied, but as we stood there, the first light of dawn kissed our faces. We had each other, and together, we could face the shadows of the world. The war wasn't over, but for now, we had won a small victory.
And as the Riders picked themselves up, as Mel rushed to my side, as Crow pulled me into a fierce embrace, I knew that no matter what the future held, we'd face it together. Because love didn't care about gangs or rivalries. It was a force more powerful than any bike, more unstoppable than any feud.
The sun rose, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, a contrast to the bruises and cuts that marked us. But as the light grew, so did my resolve. I was Oceano Hampton, daughter of Phoenix, and I was going to change the course of my story.
Later that afternoon, Mel called from the kitchen, a hint of a smile in her voice. "You're playing that tune again?"
"Sure am," I answered, walking into the kitchen, the rhythm of "Outlaw s**t" by Struggle Jennings filling the room. "It's kind of our anthem now, right?"
"I guess it is," she said, her eyes meeting mine. We both knew the gravity of what the song meant to us now—it was about being true to yourself, even in the face of adversity.
The days passed, each one a blur of work and worry. But every time that song came on, it was a reminder of who I was and who I wanted to be. The lyrics spoke of freedom and rebellion, but to me, they were a declaration of intent. I'd fight for what was right, even if it meant going against the very gang that had become my family.
One afternoon, as I was wiping down the bar, Crow strolled in, his eyes on me like a hawk watching its prey. "How you doing?" he asked, his voice low and gruff.
"Not too bad," I said. "This place is growing on me," I teased.
He slid onto a stool, his gaze never leaving me.
- Writer
