Edge of Instinct: Rabids Book 1 (8 page)

“Why my business?” Amiel pushed the hood back and grabbed a strand of hair that had come loose, twisting it nervously as she watched him, debating.

“You were at my brother’s funeral.” This statement seemed to surprise the man. He nodded silently. “Why?”

“I wanted to pay my respects. From what I hear, he was a good man, fightin’ the good fight. I ain’t got nothin’ but the utmost respect for the men and women puttin’ their lives on the line for us every day. Don’t matter who their parents are.” Amiel swallowed hard against the tears.

“Thank you.” The words came out in a strangled whisper. Biker guy nodded.

“Sure.” His statement was simple, but not dismissive. He had shown up for Jaron’s funeral, despite the welcome he had to know he’d receive. He hadn’t known Jaron, just rumors and a job title. But it was enough for this man. That had to say something about his character, right? Amiel stepped forward with her plan.

“In response to your question; quite simply my mother has her hands in everything. If I stepped foot in a train station she’d know before my ticket was purchased. Which kind of goes against what I’m trying to accomplish here.”

“And what’s that, exactly?”

“Freedom.” The statement was simple enough, but it seemed to strike a particular chord with Biker Man.

“Freedom from your ma. That’s all you’re lookin’ for?” She nodded. He watched her in a way that told her he didn’t entirely believe her. “So you’re lookin’ for more than my hogs. You’re lookin’ for safe conduct across the Vasts to another city. Yeah?”

“Yes, sir. If I understand your sign and reputation correctly, you help people travel the less…
monitored
paths outside of the cities. That’s what I need.  If I am ever to be free of her I need to disappear, and it needs to be far away from here.”

He sighed, running a hand over his face
.
“Let’s say I help you out. Sell ya that beauty out there, and agree to help ya travel outside the cities. Then what? Y’all ain’t gonna get far when ya crash it a few blocks down the road.” She cringed at the truth of the reality behind those words.

“I know.” She nibbled her lip. “People can learn how to ride a regular bike easy enough. It can’t be much more complicated than that. Right?” His expression made it clear just how ridiculous she sounded.

“They’ve got classes for this sorta thing.”

“I don’t have time to wait for a class.” She hesitated. “Maybe…
you
could teach me the basics? Just enough to help me get on my way, and I will pay you extra for the help. Then I’ll just figure out the rest as I go,” she quickly reassured him. She shifted uncertainly under his gaze. “I’m a quick learner, I promise.”

He studied her for a long moment, before leaning back in his chair
.
“Ain’t really somethin’ I can teach in just a few hours.”

“I understand, sir, but I really don’t have time for a class. I only have five days at the most before I am discovered missing, and I need to be long gone by then.”

“It’s dangerous out there, honey. Even for the most experienced of riders. Y’all understand that, right?”

“Yes, sir,” she replied, her insides quaking.

“I really don’t think ya do. There are Cutthroats and Rabids, not to mention the landscape itself bein’ dangerous enough to kill ya on its own. It’d be dangerous for you, and it’d be dangerous for me takin’ someone as inexperienced as you.” She looked at her feet. She hadn’t considered the risks he would be taking on, bringing along a girl who had no idea what she was doing. And he hadn’t even heard just how far she wanted to travel yet.

“I understand. If you could just tell me what I need to do, and maybe give me a few lessons I can go on my own. I won’t ask you to risk yourself on my behalf.”

“And what kinda man would I be, sendin’ a lil thing like yourself out there to face it alone? Not somethin’ I’d be willin’ to do, either.” She nodded, fighting the tears that burned a threat in her eyes. His fingers smoothed over each side of his impressive mustache several times, eyes turning thoughtful and slightly uncomfortable.

“Now don’t go getting’ mush-eyed on me girl, let’s just think this through.” she nodded feeling the walls of her plan caving in around her. “Y’all said ya got five days. Is that includin’ what’s left of this one?” She nodded silently. “That would give me less than three days to teach ya and get ya on your way soon enough to have a head start on your ma.” He eyed her carefully, as though sizing her up. He shook his head. “Ain’t lookin’ good, honey.” It wasn’t. Yet the need to run burned so deeply it felt like a caged animal clawing its way to freedom, shredding her from within. No matter Biker Man’s answer, she couldn’t stay. Shoving the tears back, Amiel met his gaze with as much strength of determination as she could.  She stood, forcing her legs to stand solid.

“Thank you for your time, sir. I will simply have to find another way.” He sat forward, eyeing her cautiously.

“Y’all ain’t experienced on a bike, doubt you’re packin’ the proper food and water supplies, and I’m willin’ to bet y’all ain’t armed neither. Ya won’t get too far with the Rabes and Cuts out in droves like they are, a little runt like yourself all alone out there.” She grimaced at his description of her, earning an apologetic grin. “No offense, honey, but you are just a lil ol’ thing.” She sighed heavily. She really wasn’t
that
short. At 5’5, she liked to think of herself as average. But to a man of his stature she would definitely seem tiny and there was no use arguing it.

“I know.”

“There ain’t no other reputable travel service round here neither, ‘sides the trains or personal convoy,” he added.

“Yes sir, I’m aware, thank you.”

He sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Still gonna do it, ain’t ya?” His tone left little doubt as to his knowledge of her intent.

“If there is one thing I have learned from my mother, it’s that nothing is impossible with the proper administration of strength, determination, and perseverance.”

His eyes widened before he burst into a boominglaugh
.
“Y’all sure are a piece of work, honey!” She wasn’t quite sure if that was an insult, or a compliment.

“Desperation is the word I believe, sir.” He grunted in agreement.

“Alright, alright, sit yourself down girl.” He waited until she slumped back into her chair, relieved that she might not have to find another way out of the city.

“So ya learn how to ride the bike in that amount of time. What then? Where exactly ya gonna go? Where ya headed? You got plans past the here and now?” He leaned forward, persisting. She toed the duffel on the floor, before voicing her decision.

“I’d like to go to Texas—Dallas, to be exact.” His back went ramrod straight, eyes wide with something she wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to understand.

“Texas! Hells bells girl! You’ve got a death wish, ain’t ya? Don’t ya know Texas is right in the pot of ‘em all? It’s real warm down there, just like them Rabes like it. They mash up in there like a buncha rats on fresh meat.” She couldn’t repress the shudder at the visual his words sent flashing through her mind. He frowned, rubbing at his mustache again. “Why Dallas?” She took out Greysen’s business card and slid it toward him. She had nothing to lose, and he’d made it clear he didn’t care for liars.

“The man that gave me this was my brother’s closest friend before his death. Alexander told me that if I ever needed anything, I could count on his help. But he’s clear in Texas, stationed around the Dallas outskirts. My destination has to be far enough away that my mother can’t easily reach me, and somewhere big enough she can’t easily find me.” She shrugged uncomfortably. “It just seemed like the place to go.” He watched her with those soul searching eyes. She was afraid of the
how
to get there, but she knew that
there
was the right place to be. She couldn’t explain it, but Dallas held an unseen pull for Amiel, calling her to it. Besides, the pieces of the puzzle fit, so she felt no need to ignore that pull. It was the perfect place to be in case she needed a friend like Alexander in her corner. But most importantly, and in a way that she wasn’t entirely ready to admit, it would be a way of feeling closer to her lost brother. Amiel once again denied the tears entrance into the world as they threatened to surface and break down the strong front she was trying so desperately to keep in place. Though she never voiced the thoughts, Biker Man seemed to understand her reasoning.

“Losin’ a loved one ain’t ever easy.” She smiled thinly, taking his gruff condolences with a sense of appreciation. He sounded like he was personally familiar with the loss of loved ones, and it didn’t feel contrived or forced like it did with everyone else in this town. Given the current plight of the world, it would be hard to believe that he
hadn’t
lost anyone to the war of Humanity verses the Rabids. Everyone had lost someone. It was a relief to hear true heartfelt condolences. Yet as much of a relief as it was to hear, she hoped he wouldn’t press the matter too fully. Her feelings concerning her brother were still too raw to delve into deeply, no matter how kind and understanding he was on the subject. Again he nodded as though he understood and moved the subject forward.

“That’s an awful long ways to go, honey, especially for an inexperienced traveler like you.” His eyes shifted to just over her shoulder. Slowly turning around, she realized there was a giant sized map of Texas plastered above her head. She frowned, leaning closer for a better look. Dallas had been circled in red ink. Apparently Biker Man was a fan of Dallas, too. Seeming to sense the direction of her thoughts, he spoke.

“I’m a Dallas man myself, born and raised. I was actually plannin’ on closin’ business down here and goin’ back there in a few months. Family’s still down there and I don’t like bein’ separated from ‘em.” That was something she could completely understand. It had been tremendously difficult having so much distance between her and Jaron the last seven years. It was funny that Dallas held the key to both of their families. She shifted her attention from the map to the rough biker in front of her, struck by a sudden thought. The man with the key to her salvation just happened to be Texan, born and raised in the one city she wanted to escape to. She laughed in quiet irony, letting her head fall back against the seat. It was all too much. The stress, the exhaustion, the sorrow were all piling on top of each other, and her mad little giggle had taken on a life of its own, refusing to be ignored. The man’s brow quirked, watching her cautiously.

“Somethin’ funny, honey?”

“Oh, I’m sorry!” She took a deep breath, trying to get a grip. “I swear I’m not crazy. At least I don’t think I am.” She wiped at a tear running the track of her cheek. “I’ve just had a lot of coincidences and surprises today.” She shrugged. “It feels too easy, yet completely impossible at once. Guess I’m just waiting for the other shoe to fall, is all.”

“Ain’t no such thing as coincidence, honey. Just a person’s destiny and the path they’re meant to follow. Maybe you’re just finally followin’ the right path.” The man watched her carefully, gauging her expressions.

“Maybe so, Biker Man.” She nodded sagely, fighting the urge to giggle again.

“Biker Man?” He grinned crookedly at her.

“I’m afraid I don’t know your real name. Mother always referred to you as…well, as names not worth mentioning, and I’ve not had proper opportunity for introduction.” She smiled, holding out her hand. He laughed that big laugh of his, eyes twinkling, and shook her hand with zeal.

“Tandy Coaver, Travel Escort Extraordinaire, at your service.” He held her grip for a moment longer than handshake policy dictated, gauging her with those careful eyes of his before finally nodding. “Alright, honey. Here’s my deal. If y’all can learn how to ride and do whatcha need to do to travel the Vasts in that short amount of time, I’ll take ya. But if ya don’t make the mark and I feel the danger’ll outweigh the benefit, y’all go home to your ma and figure somethin else out. Freedom ain’t worth gettin’ yourself ate up five miles outside the gates. Deal?”

She smiled, feeling a giddy sort of triumph rising in her stomach
.
“We have a deal, Mr. Coaver.”

He interrupted her with an upraised hand
.
“Tandy.”

“Tandy, then.” She released a gush of air that mimicked something dangerously tipping toward excitement. “Well! I’m ready for my bike, and a quick driving lesson. How do we start.” He shook his head, rubbing his eyes like he had a headache, though he was smiling.

“Well, honey, ain’t ya even gonna find out how much it’s all gonna cost ya first?” She returned a wry smile.

“The pricing won’t change my decision any, so I figured I’ll just have to hope you don’t clean me out.”

“We’ll start with the price of the motorcycle. Y’all got $12,000 on ya?” She nodded, and his brow rose in surprise. “Really?” He obviously wasn’t expecting her to say yes.

“Well, it’s not
on
me, but I have access to it.”

“Good gravy, honey, I thought y’all were carrying all that cash around on ya!” He released a relieved sigh.

“I may be naïve, Tandy, but I’m not stupid.” She couldn’t help the smile that quirked the edges of her lips. He didn’t need to know that she actually did have that much and more on her right now.