The Biker and Me

Chapter 2

Danny POV

Now I was fourteen, and I could do some cleaning at one of the restaurants where I regularly got food at the back door. I have been going there for so many years now that if they have leftover food, it's ready for me. It was nice not to have to beg as I did at the beginning, and most people around me, or those in the places I frequent, know my situation. I know they feel sorry for me, raising my brother, like I am, but no one can do much about it. Social services are almost nonexistent in our small town, and too many live in the slums; I doubt anyone who could afford to would want two kids from the slums. Most who can help look the other way.

I have arranged for Sam to go to Cheryl's place on Saturdays to play with his best friend while I work in the mornings, cleaning the large walk-in fridge, throwing out old food, and scrubbing the floors and walls. My first day will be this Saturday. I was looking forward to earning my food instead of feeling like a beggar, but I had to do it for my brother.

The bell rang, signalling us to return to class just as I finished collecting my books from my locker. Pain shot through my side as I walked down the hallway toward the lockers. Clarisa was only fourteen and still in the grade below us. Clarisa was mad to know I was in most of Talon's classes and could be sitting with him; all I knew was that Clarisa had been trying to get one of the class to tell her who he sat with or talked to in class, but they shut her down. They fear Talon more than they do her.

Talon was the local biker club president's son; he was one of six sons, the oldest, and, to me, the best-looking, and he was kind. He would stop and help others, not a bully as most would expect, but he didn't tolerate idiots, and Clarisa was one. She tried several times, pretending to fall to get his attention and have him help her up, but he saw through her game the second time she fell and kept walking past her. Clarisa was fuming that he didn't fall for it the second time, so she tried other methods, and they all failed. It made my day to see her fail again and again to get his attention.

This class was math, one of my stronger subjects.

When we have homework, you have to submit it online; no excuses are accepted for not submitting it. The library had several computers for us to use, and so many of us were from the slums that getting your own laptop was virtually impossible. In my case, I wouldn't be game to take it home; my mother would hock it for another fix. No, it wasn't worth getting one when the library computers would do.

Talen sits next to me in this class; it was my favourite, and one we often competed in.

I was the top student; he was second, and we regularly worked together on projects. We both had our strengths. Having him beside me, working together, only fuels my obsession with him, which I hope I am hiding well. He had never tried to come on to me, so I guess it was because he had a girlfriend; I presumed it was his girlfriend. She was with him all the time. However, I had never seen him kiss a girl, hold her hand, or show any sign she was his, so I stayed cautious and kept my distance; I didn't need my name added to the list of girls chasing him. Watching from afar was enough.

Talon was way over my league.

He leaned over as if reaching into his bag.

"Happy Birthday," Talon whispered, and handed me a card and a small gift.

"Thank you, I didn't know you knew." Talon just smiled and went back to his notepad.

Today was my best day ever. I put the card and gift in my bag to look at later when I was on my own.

The rest of the day flew by. I didn't see Clarisa again that day. I spent an hour in the library after school, like I do every day, completed my homework and uploaded it, and did some more of my assignment. I have a thumb drive, the only expensive item I allowed myself to buy; it wasn't that expensive, but with no income, it felt like a lot. All my cans-and-bottles money went to ensure Sam had everything he needed, and I hid the rest for emergencies.

After my time in the library, I stopped to put my books in my locker before pulling out the card.

It was one with one rose on the front, and inside, in Talon's neat handwriting, was: 'Happy fourteenth birthday, sweet Danny. Hope you have a great day. Talon and friends.'

Who was 'and friends'? I hadn't known anyone knew my birthday; this was incredible.

The best gift ever.

Not that I had ever had that many gifts over the years; my parents never gave us any. Only Cherryl and a few close friends, all from the slums, meant the gifts were usually handmade or from the second-hand store, and tidied up.

I opened the gift carefully, hoping I could salvage the wrapping and use it myself. It was pretty paper, too good for me.

The gift was a small silver bracelet with charms, a book, a pencil, and a sharpener. It was beautiful, so I slipped it onto my wrist right away.

When I made it to Cherryl's, I was excited to show her my gift.

"Look what I received today!" I showed Cherryl my bracelet, and she gushed over it, saying it must have cost a fortune. I didn't want to think about the cost; guessing at the cost of a gift to me seemed rude.

Sam came rushing in, puffing from playing with his friend. We left, waving goodbye. Tonight we were going to have a good meal and another two cupcakes that Cherryl made.

In the kitchen, I heated the meal in the microwave, gave Sam a portion, and started plating one for myself when the front door burst open and heavy footfalls echoed down the hallway.

Our father was home, and he sounded drunk.

What happened for him to be home so early?

He never comes home before dark.

"Where's your mother?" He slurred, yep, drunk, as always.

"Next door, getting her fix for the night," Sam replied, which surprised me; Sam never says anything because of Dad's anger. Sam faced me with a big grin, and he couldn't see how angry Father was.

Before I could react, Dad pulled his arm back and hit Sam so hard that I heard the c***k, and Sam flew off the chair and into the wall with an ugly thud. He was slumped on the floor, his head at an odd angle, and blood pooled around his head and in his hair, his eyes open and staring blankly out at me. I knew right then without a doubt that my brother was dead.

I must have screamed, but I don't remember doing it, because the next thing I knew, I was dangling in the air, Dad's hand around my throat, shaking me. My dad was over six feet tall; he might be a drunk, but he was still strong from his work at the mine.

"Where is your mother?" I couldn't answer; his hand was too tight around my throat, cutting off my air supply. I thought this was it, the day I died. The day I stopped struggling to stay alive for Sam; now he was gone. What reason did I have to live?

'Wait for me, Sam. I will join you soon.' I thought.

Dad threw me away, my back hitting the stove, the knobs digging into my back, causing pain that reached higher than any I had ever had before. I landed on the floor, and Dad started laying into me with his boot.

I heard voices coming down the hall. I thought it was Talon's voice, but that wouldn't be right; why would he be here in my home?

I couldn't move; my legs wouldn't work, and my hands covered my face as I tried to protect it.

Dad stopped kicking me; men were dragging him off me.

My Dad was now fighting someone I didn't know; I heard the scuffle and saw blurred shadows.

The face of my crush was suddenly in front of me.

I raised my hand and touched his face.

"My guardian angel, come to my rescue, are you going to take me to be with Sam?" I choked out, my throat raw, my head pounding. My hand dropped, and I slowly let the darkness consume me.

"Stay awake, Danny, please, stay with me." I heard him say, his voice pained.

Then silence; darkness found me.