The Life of Her

Meeting the Shadow

A man with a mask covers something for himself. It’s a protection to those who wanted to know a secret, a crippling one from within. A mask to hide those earnest guilt and hopes scampering in his mind.

It served as a barrier from its true form, making it hard to know and read his actions. And in such pervasive manner, some have drawn nearer to the faux and not in what’s reality. What’s more enthralling, nerve-racking thing about wearing it, is when it’s an unscrupulous one – wrought into a menacing outcome.

And if looks could kill, then I should have killed myself first than taking his stare to mine. He was deviant and oppressive. Since when, did I let myself get into his way and his so called gang? I guessed destiny is f*****g itself with me, huh? It was toying around, that I just wished to vanish my own in such elusive interaction.

The foul smell from their shirts and jackets was fervent to my nose. I rubbed it slowly and sneezed. The four of them laughed while their leader was just standing still, eyes locked to mine.

“You’re like the others. Why do you sneeze when you’re around us?” The one in the middle, chomping his gum.

“It’s because you stink like those rats in the sewers.” Their leader promptly said.

The other four laughed and smacked him on his back.

“You surely stink, dude.”

He rolled his arms and elbowed his friend.

“Enough.” The man coldly stated. He moved himself to me and smiled.

“I didn’t expect to see you here. Did something happen in your way? You looked like you have seen something unusual.”

I stared at him, trying to calm the tides inside me. “I…was just in a hurry.”

“I see. I guessed you’re catching up something.”

“Maybe she’s going to a date, Shadow.” The man with a long beard spoken. He has a swollen pimple on his forehead. His hair was in small curls. He was dazzling with the large accessories on his body – skull necklace, rubber bands, rose earrings and piercings. He was the thinnest of them all, that I could see his jawline. I guessed he could fit through bars. His yellow hood was more alluring paired to his dark blue cargo pants.

“You’re wrong, Horn. She’s running away from something else. I watched how she moved herself in our post, covered with her sweat. As if someone is chasing her down to this pavement.” The other one with broad shoulders, oceanic blue eyes, silky black hair which was tied, fine jawline and luscious lips said.

He was wearing his glasses which I presumed that he’s the planner in the group. The one who’s intricate and loves to deal with data.

“No. I’m just catching my time. I have something urgent to deal with. I have to go-“

Just before I could finish what I was saying, the man held me on the wrist, holding it firmly.

“Save yourself and don’t let those hunting creatures snatch you directly.”

“Always keep your distance from him. He may appear like a cheerful man, but he’s in loons. You don’t prefer to negotiate with him. True.”

I shouldn’t have drawn myself to them. I should have turned my path before they have noticed a while ago. I wanted to slap myself out of frustration, but their shrilled grins were stopping me. I offered them a deep sigh.

“Don’t be too harsh with her. She’ll be a great use to us.” Shadow indicated.

He took another one from his box and lit it up using his member’s lighter. Thin, white smoke swayed upwards. “There’s a club over the distance. You should come with us.” He started to walk. “And I’m not offering you a choice.” He added.

His group pushed me, making me walk with them. Few were passing to us, looking over me. Shadow had noticed their looks and steadily stated,

“Walk silently and don’t look at them. You don’t want the others to draw their attention to us.”

I nodded and bowed down, focusing my sight on the ground. One of men held me on my right arm, assisting me on our way. It was getting darker as so do the alleys that we were passing by. I heard the pigeons flapped their wings and settled on those massive, swivelled wires.

Rushing vehicles drove all the way, not minding if an officer would be chasing them. We stopped by in one of the corners of the street. There was a signage of its name and it was named Hera Street. Vibrant lights from the distance caught our gaze and there we saw a building with its name Andy’s Night Club.

We heard shallow voices from within together the thumping beats of the music. I glanced over my watched, and it was still 5:30 in the afternoon, yet the club is working well. I guessed the strong willed, bad ass people are the ones who visited this place more often.

To think that the surrounding was covered with tall, thick bushes and redwoods, and the route in finding it is tricky, it’s spot is perfect to do forbidden transactions that are unpleasing to the eyes. They pushed me to continue my walk as I identified those grins on their faces. It was clearly seen that they’re excited to have fun for this evening.

“Brace yourself, lady. Because we’ll surely have some fun tonight.” Shadow said.

I clenched my fist and bit my lip hard, until I could taste my own blood. This man is totally a jerk. That woman is right truly that I shouldn’t be getting in touch with him. As if I have a choice! I rolled my eyes. We stood still in front of the door. A shirtless man who is six feet tall hoisted from his stool. Crossing his arms, he had let us see his well developed muscles. His baldness was shining brightly with the lights. His eyes were sharp even they were small.

“Tickets please.” He gruffly stated.

Horn cuffed his pockets and snatched the tickets. The man counted it all and glanced over me.

“Nice girl you got there. Have fun inside.” He said and opened the door to us.

He suddenly slapped my butt, that it made me startled. I saw him smirked as he winked at me. I was about to give him a smack, but Shadow had pulled me by my collars beside him.

“Behave and you won’t see death tonight.” He warned me.

“As if you’ll let me escape you and your gangster shit.” I timidly said.

I heard him chuckled. He was surely having fun right now. The lights glimmered on top of us.

The poles in every corner were pounding the heat as the ladies who’re barely covered in cloth were spicily dancing around, gracefully swaying their bodies with the music. Round tables were around them, and occupied by those lecherous men who wanted enjoyment. They were laughing and teasing around.

One of the dancers gradually knelt on her knees, crawling to one of the customers as her eyes seductively looked to her prey. Her long, crimson hair was swaying. Her body was sleek and she had firm chest that any man would love to touch.

The man smirked as the lady moved towards her. His colleagues who’re sitting beside him cheered, clapping their hands up high, as they drink their glasses. I saw him took his money out from his pockets. He stood up and faced the woman, leaning himself near her.

Her long fingers trailed the man’s chest down to his belt.

Then, she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, grinding her body to him. The man with his black tuxedo and hat slowly leaned and inserted the money between her breasts. She giggled and gave a man a peck on his lips. She returned to her post and continued to entertain them just like the others.

Shadow had taken us in one of those tables from the corner, near the barstool. A young man probably in his twenties approached us and offered their menu. He was wearing a white collared shirt and black slacks.

He looked at me as if I’m not allowed to this place, obviously questioning my age. I smirked and gave her a wink which instantly made him pulled his sight from me. That’s right, mind your own business, boy.

Shadow told him to wait in his place and that we will just call him once we have finalized our orders. The man was left with no choice but to return to his area and wait. The club were now slowly getting occupied by their loyal clients. Every minute, the door opens and customers are going inside, individually or with their friends.

His group was making jokes to each other not until the man crossed his legs, intertwined his fingers and cleared his throat.

“Let me introduce ourselves to you.”

“I’m Shane Rhys Strode, the leader of the Black Wolves. You already know me…Shadow. The man over there at the right side, with noodled hair is Lorde Divine Paige known as Horn. The one sitting next to him who’s the most masculine among us is Cartley Will Luiz. We call him as Sharp. The one at your left is Jonah Michael Brahmans, known as the Stage. I guessed you’ll get along with him soon since both of you don’t like to talk that much or if you want a talkative one you can have some time with Horn. The last member is still coming. We should wait for her this time or she’ll come hissing again right through us. I don’t want to hear that mouth whimper like a baby again. ”

The man saluted me as everyone stared. And it was then, I just became their prey or maybe a soon to be ally.

Horn was more like the bobbly and talkative in the group. He has this strong personality and is eager to get the attention of authors which may infuriate someone with his own voice. Sharp on the other one has this cool looks. He’s body doesn’t have any tattoos but he surely into eyeliners.

His hair was colored burgundy and I should say he’s handsome. Stage was the most silent of them all. I guessed he has his own world to deal most of the time. One thing that he has to offer to anyone who will meet his graze is his dark glare that could melt. He has this reserved personality.

Horn called the man once again and this time he’s not looking at me. He gave him our orders which are a bottle of soda, beers and pizza. He took his tickler and left us to go back to his designated spot.

I should have been searching for a school right now.

But then, I was caught up together with them. It’s not my first time to go in a club, more like I am the top customer every night in our place. It was a simple doing back then – used to take my window as an escape path, take my best friend together with me and have some fun and might as well got the time to flirt with different guys. It became my daily routine in the past up until I found it tedious.

I sniggered a bit which made the others made contemptuous looks.

They reactions were hard to read. An urgent wail came all over the corners of the club when the door suddenly sprung wide. The beat was getting fast and vivacious. And there it came a woman in her tattered black jeans, high heeled shoes, leathered jacket with a yellow star on its pocket nad a long silky ombre hair. She was wearing her black shades.

Her large round earrings were sparkling with the lights. She walked gracefully, swaying her curved tanned body in our direction. I recognized the smirk on Shadow’s face as he intently stared at the woman. As soon as she stood in front of us, she removed her glasses and her deep set emerald eyes were exposed. She smelt like roses. She smirked at everyone and sat on one of those red couches, across to me.

“It’s been a while boys. What do we have here?” She asked, sipping her wine and simply glanced over me.

“We have a new possible affiliate.” Stage said.

“I see. Where did you find this girl, Shayne?”

The man whimpered. “I told you already, don’t call me by my name.”

She chuckled. “But Shayne suits you more than the Shadow thing. Man, you shine in darkness yet you chose that silly endearment. Surely, Batman would be taking his time to mock you with that.”

Crossing her legs, she totally knew that she was teasing him and she was obviously getting in his nerves.

“Fine. Just do whatever you want. Well…” He suddenly laid his around on my shoulder, which made the woman’s face stiffened in a sudden.

“I found her in the woman’s apartment. Don’t you think it’s quite good to have someone who’s living in a place where the incident happened recently?”

The woman intently stared at me, examining every bits. “She doesn’t suit the position. Find another one.” She coldly stated.

Shadow slapped his fist on the round table. Gnashing his teeth, he said. “Do you think I’m playing this goddamn game with you again, Gabriella? I need her and the others agreed with it too –”

“But I don’t.”

“You don’t have to say yes. My decision is final.” The man firmly commented.

Shadow held my shoulder, almost piercing his sharp nails unto my skin. I winced and looked at him, but he didn’t nudge.

“Why do you think she will fit with us?”

“We saw with our own eyes how fast she is. She could be the Chase once again.” Horn answered and took a fine bit of his pizza.

“Is that it?”

I didn’t know what they’re talking about, but one thing for sure, they’re planning to get me in with the group.

“It was a nice track, isn’t it Amber?” Sharp cheered his glass in front of me.

A Flashback: Shayne Rhys Strode’s POV

“Where is she right now?” I held the phone firm as I smoked over the corner of Timestreet. How long will it take them to locate her? It’s been thirty minutes when we got out from those vile, foetid house. Sharp should have make his time in getting rid with those rats and their reeking feces.

That girl was really into something. I could totally sense it and that she’s new to our place. A chuckle just went out from my mouth. Man, I’m quite fascinated with how she’s acting, and somehow I thought that she would fit for a position in the group. Gabriella would surely be sticking out her butt to defend her opinion once again. But, I’m no human to consider her juvenile behavior.

A scratch was heard from the other line. “We found her.” Horn answered with a shallow voice, as if he just rested from pacing.

“Don’t let her get away from your sight. Where is she?”

“She’s currently talking with the old man. You know, Mr. Ole. I told you, we should try to visit his house.”

“That’s not our goal right now. And, obviously, I don’t want to deal with a man who’s connected with those grieving corpses and is in deed, possessed by them.” I shrugged.

“Fine. I’ll call you later and we’ll surely block her before this day will pass.”

“You should.” I timidly replied.

Horn turned off the call. A smoked escaped from me. I pulled it out from my mouth and threw it on the floor. It was my second one. I glanced over the box. I only got one left for this afternoon. I raised my head and mesmerized the clear blue sky. A crow just landed over the wires. It was hell huge. I grinned and slowly raised my hand and made a gun with my fingers, aiming it to the bird.

“Bang.”

I’ll be seeing you later, Amber.

___

So they have been following me since then that I took my feet in this place. I was their main target. A mere prey or forced ally to join forces with them. These people are crazy!

“You have followed me? Unbelievable! Just how cracked are you? I’m going to call the police-”

I stood up and snatched my phone from my pocket. Stage crossed his arms and looked at me blankly. His eyes were dead, telling me not to do any commotion.

“You don’t want to do that, if I were you.” He stated.

I looked at everyone and they were all in cold stares to me. I was slowly melting and it didn’t take me in seconds to put down my phone and sit back.

“You’re such a good girl.” Horn patted my head.

I glared at him but he didn’t twitched and rather continued what he’s doing.

“So what’s your plan? Anything to say, Gabriella?” Shadow asked.

I saw her lips curved into a smile. Clapping her hands slowly, she stood in front of me and offered her hand.

“Welcome to Black Wolves."