23-Crow
1192 Words
The next few days were a whirlwind of preparation. We stockpiled weapons, set up surveillance around the mansion, and dug up dirt on Snake and his gang. I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread in the pit of my stomach. This wasn't just about the drugs or the territory anymore. It was personal.
And then, the moment we'd all been dreading. The call came in from Grizzley, his voice frantic. "They've got Leo," he said, his words barely coherent. “My informant says they're taking him to the old warehouse on the edge of town."
My blood turned to ice. "f**k! What about Oceano?" I hissed, slamming my fist on the table.
“She’s okay, just shook all to hell. They broke into the mansion,” Grizzly stated.
"Keep her safe," I growled, then hanging up the phone, I looked at the others snarling, "Get the bikes ready. We ride."
The roar of the engines echoed through the night, a battle cry that resonated with the very core of my soul. The Renegade Riders rolled out as one, a force of nature that could not be stopped. My heart hammered in my chest, each beat a reminder of the promise I made to Oceano and to myself.
Oceano... I couldn't let her down. The thought of Leo in Snake's clutches was unbearable. She'd come to me for help, and I'd be damned if I didn't deliver.
We tore through the streets, the wind in our faces a contrast to the storm brewing within. The old warehouse grew closer, a looming beacon of danger and despair. We had to be ready for anything. As we pulled up, I could see the flicker of torches and the silhouettes of the Serpents scattered around the building. The tension was heavy, a living entity ready to snap at the slightest provocation.
Rouger was white-knuckling the bars of his bike, his eyes locked on the warehouse. "We've going to get him back," he murmured, his voice steely with determination.
"We will," I said. "But we go in smart, not reckless."
We dismounted, the sound of our boots on the pavement like the march of the damned. The Riders gathered around, their eyes on me. They knew the score—it was all or nothing now.
I nodded to Ryder. "Take the north side. I'll go in with Rouger through the south."
He gave a curt nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Crow," he said, "be careful."
"Always," I replied with a grin that didn't quite reach my eyes.
Rouger and I approached the warehouse, our steps silent. The sound of a struggle reached our ears, and I knew time was running out. "Stay close," I whispered to Rouger. "We do this together."
As the doors swung open, the scent of oil and metal met us as we slipped inside the building, ready for anything that came our way.
The screech of tires and shouts filled the air—we'd caught the Serpents off guard, but there was no hesitation in taking up arms against us; bullets flew, a symphony of chaos that painted the night with a crimson hue.
Through the chaos, I caught sight of Snake, Leo held before him with a knife to his throat.
Raising my gun, my hand steady, I snarled, "Let him go, Snake."
Snake's eyes narrowed, the blade pressing closer to Leo's skin. "And what do I get in return?"
"You get to live," I said, my voice cold as the steel in my hand.
Snake's eyes flickered between Leo and me. I could tell he was weighing his options. Finally, with a snarl of rage, he threw Leo to the ground and bolted towards the back door.
Rouger and I exchanged a look, and without a word, I gave chase as Rouger went to Leo.
~~
"f**k!" I inwardly ranted, realizing a block away from the warehouse that Snake had given me the slip. The roar of a motorcycle taunted me from a distance, a declaration of victory that had me gritting my teeth.
With a low growl, I turned and began retracing my steps.
When I finally made it back inside the warehouse, it was a mess, but the most important thing was Mel had taken Leo home.
The place looked like a tornado had hit a gun shop. The smell of gunpowder and gasoline hung in the air, mixing with the metallic tang of blood. The Renegades were checking on each other, patching up wounds, and securing the perimeter.
I couldn’t shake the image of Snake’s taunting grin from my mind as I stomped through the debris. "f*****g sneaky piece of s**t," I muttered, my hand tightening around my gun.
Rouger appeared beside me, his expression grim. "We need to put an end to that bastard," he hissed, his voice low, "before he causes any more damage."
I nodded in agreement, my eyes scanning the room. The Serpents had retreated, leaving behind only chaos and fear. Finally locating Ethan Vincent, or Sarg, my Sergeant at arms, I told him, "Leave nothing behind."
At his nod, I turned to Rouger, ordering, "Let's Ride."
The engines of our bikes rumbled to life, the vibrations resonating through my bones. We sped through the deserted streets, the wind whispering secrets of the night in our ears.
The ride seemed to take forever, before finally the mansion loomed ahead, a bastion of safety in a world gone mad. As we pulled into the driveway, the headlights danced off the chrome of other parked bikes, a silent testament to the brotherhood that had gathered to protect what was ours.
Rouger and I dismounted, the weight of the night's events heavy on our shoulders. The mansion's doors swung open, and the warm, golden light spilled out into the darkness, wrapping around us like a comforting embrace. Inside, the mansion had been turned into a fortress, each member playing their part in the defense.
Entering the kitchen, I found Oceano at the table, Leo clutched tightly in her arms, had his head resting on her shoulder, his blanket pulled up around his chin, his eyes closed in sleep.
"How is he?" I asked, the sound of the door snicking shut behind me seemed to echo through the room.
Oceano looked up, her eyes red-rimmed from crying. "Physically, he's okay," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "But emotionally..."
I nodded, understanding the unspoken words. Leo was a kid, thrown into a world of gangs and violence, it was bound to take its toll. "We'll figure this out," I assured her, the warmth in my voice belying the turmoil in my chest.
"What happened with Snake?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
"He got away," I said, the admission bitter on my tongue. "But we'll find him. And when we do, he's going to pay for all this."
Her eyes searched mine, looking for the truth. I could see the fear and uncertainty in them, but also something else, something that made my pulse quicken. Was it hope?
"I believe you," she said finally, and with those words, I felt a weight lifted from my shoulders.
- Writer
