by Cheree Alsop
Tears began to burn in my eyes. I took a calming breath. “The little bird turned its head to the side and looked at me. I mean, really looked at me, as if it saw straight through me.” As Madelyn did, and as Zoey had always been able to. “It tapped on the window again, and I swear I saw Zoey in its eyes telling me to stop wasting my life and get out of my room.”
I turned to Madelyn and a tear leaked free. I wiped it away before anyone saw. “I walked out the door and ran straight into Mom. She sent me to Sparrow that day.”
“And I remind you of a Towhee?” she asked softly.
I nodded and pressed my forehead to the chair in front of us. “When I saw you for the first time in your yard, your dad was yelling at you and you took Buck running.” I saw the image clearly in my mind. “You looked so determined, like nothing could get through your walls. That look inspired me to fight and not give up, to live like Zoey’s little bird told me to.”
She hugged me tight. “I’m honored to be your Towhee.”
“That’s good,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. “Because the crows and ravens are taken.”
She laughed. “Black’s more your color.”
That brought a smile to my face. The bus pulled up to the middle school and I watched Cole and Jaren get off. The fact that Magnum’s younger brother was following so closely in his stead bothered me. I needed to do something to stop it before it got worse.
SCHOOL LET OUT, AND students hurried down the hallways to their buses and waiting rides. I tossed my books in my locker and headed to the closest exit. I had a hand on the outside door when commotion from a classroom caught my attention. A shout of protest was followed by a low laugh I knew well. Magnum. A sign on the door to the classroom said “Yearbook.” I gritted my teeth and pushed it open.
“I warned you to stop writing about the Black Rider,” Magnum said. He and the Bullets had several notebooks and were tearing out the pages. A skinny boy with blond hair and glasses stood in the middle of their group with two more notebooks clutched tightly to his chest.
I took a chance. “Martin, I’m late on that article you needed for tomorrow’s bulletin.”
Everyone turned, and Magnum gave a predatory smile. “Keldon.”
“Musket,” I replied with an amiable nod.
His smile turned to a snarl. He crossed the space between us and grabbed the front of my shirt. “What article are you working on?”
I motioned for Martin to get out of the room while the Bullets were distracted. He shook his head quickly and indicated the notebooks they held.
“About the Black Rider,” I answered. “He’s remarkable.”
“He’s a coward who hides behind a helmet,” Magnum replied in a growl.
“The world would be prettier if other people hid behind helmets,” I said. I nodded toward the bruised faces of several of his gang members, bruises I had given them.
His grip tightened on my shirt and he dropped the notebooks in his other hand. Martin darted forward and scooped them up. “You have very bad timing,” Magnum said.
I shrugged. “I suppose I should get a better watch.”
His gaze tightened as if he couldn’t decide whether I was being serious.
I shook my wrist and put it to my ear, but I had stopped wearing a watch years ago. “Yep. Definitely time to get another one,” I said.
He let out another growl and threw me into a pair of desks. I hit the ground with a groan that wasn’t quite faked. Martin paused by the door. I motioned for him to leave, and he ducked out with his notebooks in his arms.
Magnum grabbed me by the shirt and pulled me up again. A metallic taste filled my mouth. I must have bitten my lip when he threw me. “Do you enjoy picking on those who are weaker than you?” I asked quietly.
He glared at me. “I despise weakness.”
“So you make yourself look stronger by targeting those who can’t defend themselves,” I concluded. I shrugged, which was a bit difficult with my shirt still balled in his fist. “That makes sense, I guess.” I made a show of looking around. “So why pick on Martin in here where there’s no one to see?”
“His articles are biased,” a boy with a blue streak through his hair pointed out.
I made a show of thinking about his words. “I suppose, but you’re getting publicity anyway, even if it’s not favorable.”
“He doesn’t tell the full story,” Magnum said.
I realized Martin’s omission that Magnum had helped chase out Mitch bothered him. I tried to keep the surprise from my face. “He’d probably take it better if you sent him a letter. It’s hard to write with broken fingers, if you’re into the Mafia type of revenge.”
Magnum glared at me for a moment, “You’re pushing your luck,” he said in a dangerous growl. He shook my shirt the way a terrier shakes a rat. I wanted more than anything to punch him in the nose, but I kept my fists balled at my sides. He blew out a noisy breath, then let me fall to the floor again. “You’re not worth my time,” he said. He left without looking back. The rest of the Bullets filed out after him.
I watched them leave, then let my head fall back to the ground. I couldn’t decide if being the victim was easier than fighting back, but it sure hurt more.
I was straightening the desks when Martin came back in. He watched me for a minute, then helped finish the job.
“Why did you do that?” he asked.
“Glutton for punishment?” I answered.
He smiled, but it was clear my actions bothered him. “I saw you race.”
My heart slowed, but I kept my attention on the desks, moving them around slightly even though they were already straight.
Martin continued, “You destroyed Magnum’s bike. I know he hates you. Why put yourself in danger?”
I straightened slowly. He didn’t guess I was the Black Rider, but if I wasn’t careful, he would quickly come to that conclusion. “I didn’t really think it through,” I said as honestly as I could. “I heard him yelling and I’ve seen your articles. It’s obvious why he’s upset. So I thought if I made something up, he would leave you alone.”
“By making yourself a target?” he asked.
I grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, that was the part I didn’t think through.”
He smiled, and the relief in his eyes showed that he bought it. “Well, thanks. Even if it was stupid.”
“It was definitely stupid,” I agreed. I glanced at the clock on the wall. “I’ve gotta catch my bus.”
“See ya around,” he said. When I reached the door, he called, “Keldon?”
“It’s Kelson,” I corrected with a wry smile. “Magnum never gets it right.”
He grinned. “I’m not surprised. Too many blows to the head, I think.”
That caught me by surprise. “You mean from his dad?”
He nodded. “My father runs the Sage. Apparently Mr. Fisher’s a mean drunk.”
My visit to Magnum’s house had proved as much. I leaned against the door frame and folded my arms. “That’s too bad.”
Martin’s eyebrows rose in surprise. He pushed up his glasses. “You really think so? I feel like someone who beats on others has it coming to him.”
“Maybe he beats on others because it’s the only thing he can control,” I replied.
Martin thought about it for a second, then shook his head. “Man, you should go into psychology.”
I smiled. “I’ll consider it if I survive high school.”
He nodded in empathy. “The way Magnum treats you, that’s not a sure thing.”
“Tell me about it,” I said. There was a deeper truth to that than he realized.
Martin set his notebooks on a desk and began straightening them. “Anyway, thanks again for distracting him. The Bullets were going to flush all my notes down the toilet.”
“No problem. I figured you could use a distraction.”
“Too bad there’s no one there to distract him from you,” Martin replied.
I shrugged. “I’ll try to be
more careful.” My shoulders ached rebelliously where the edges of the desks had no doubt left bruises. I glanced at the clock again. “I’ve gotta go. The buses will be leaving. Be careful what you write. The Bullets are a bit touchy.”
He laughed, and I raised a hand before disappearing around the corner.
JAGGER CAME OUT JUST as I finished with a small pile of gas caps and a much larger one of doors. “I got pulled over last night,” I said.
Jagger laughed. “Sheriff Bowley caught up with ya, huh?” He glanced at the motorcycle that waited by the four-wheeler in the lean-to. “He didn’t impound ol’ Blackie?”
I shook my head. “It was actually an informative visit. He needs my help.”
Jagger sputtered in shock. “Your help? What’s he gettin’ in ‘is mind?”
“Apparently Magnum’s mixed up with a couple of bad gangs. There’s a drug drop that’s supposed to take place in a few days and the sheriff asked me to keep an ear out.”
Jagger nodded. “Go ta the Sage.”
“The bar?” I asked, confused. “Why?”
“The Bullets hang out there. Roger don’t seem ta mind their company long as they don’ drink.”
“Glad to see someone knows what’s going on.”
Jagger winked. “Might be nice ta ‘ave inside information if’n you’re the Black Rider.”
I laughed and grabbed my helmet. “It just might.”
WHEN I REACHED THE Sage, the Bullets were nowhere to be seen. I went inside anyway in the hopes that the bartender would be as amiable as he was the night before.
Only a few men and one woman sat in various booths around the bar. It was still a bit early for the regular customers. Roger was at the till running numbers on a pad of paper. He looked up when I came in, and his eyes tightened slightly at the sight of my helmeted face.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“I’m looking for the Bullets. Have you seen them?”
He gave me a frank look. “Not sure. Are they gonna end up like that molester from outta state?”
“Your son shared quite an opinion in his articles, I hear,” I replied wryly.
He nodded. “He’s a good writer.”
“He might stretch the truth a bit.”
He chuckled. “Like every good journalist. I hear you have a pretty impressive following.”
I nodded. “Not sure if that’s good or bad.”
“I guess you get to decide that.” He gave me a moment to think his words over, then tipped his head. “The Bullets were here, but Magnum sent them home for the night. That’s unusual for him.”
I was quiet a moment, debating whether I could trust the bartender. I gave it a shot. “Off the record,” I said, winning a smile from him, “Magnum’s in some deep water and I’d like to get him out of it.”
“With your fists? Dad showed me his tape from the store. You have some skill.”
I shook my head. “I’d rather take a more persuasive route. I’m getting a bit tired of violence.”
He smiled. “That’s the wisest thing you’ve said tonight.” He leaned his elbows on the bar and spoke in an undertone. “I overheard Magnum say something about a friend he had to meet at the Res.”
“The Res?”
“The reservoir just south of town. There’s lots of scrub trees and cover. It’s a good place to meet someone you’re not too keen on the rest of the town knowin’ about.”
I held out a gloved hand. “Thanks, Roger. I appreciate it.”
He shook my hand. “When you decide to take off that helmet, you’ll be welcome here anytime.”
I didn’t reply, but his words sent a surge of warmth through me. Maybe his son writing the articles wasn’t such a bad thing.
I followed Roger’s directions and parked a quarter mile from the Res, then jogged through the darkness toward moonlight shining on liquid in silvery ribbons. It smelled mossy and stale as if the water had sat for a long time, but across the reservoir I could see a bonfire and hear the laughter of students. Apparently they didn’t mind the water quality as long as it gave them somewhere to hang out.
I headed southwest around the curve of the reservoir. My footsteps were met by silence interspersed with the chirrup of night insects. I had just about decided I had picked the wrong direction when the moonlight reflected on a glossy blue surface. A closer inspection showed Magnum’s motorcycle parked among the bushes. I walked quietly toward the water and was rewarded with the sound of voices.
“. . . any cops. If we see anything suspicious, you’re through. You understand?”
“Of course,” Magnum replied, his voice a bit tight. “I’m not an idiot.”
I wanted to disagree, but kept silent.
“The water tower on Friday. You sure it’ll be empty, with this harvest thing going on?”
“Everyone goes to the Festival. It’s the best time for a drop. Even the sheriff will be occupied with traffic and all that.”
“Okay. Seven o’clock.”
“We’ll be there.”
“You guys coming armed?”
“No.” Magnum sounded a bit concerned. “Do we need to?”
Footsteps crunched in the leaves. “Only if we need to worry about trouble. Do we?”
“No.”
“All right. We’ll see you and your little gang on Friday. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too,” Magnum replied, but he didn’t sound very convincing.
I hid in the shadow of a tree as a form passed me. I couldn’t make out anything more than a dark-colored jersey and tattoos on his arms. I waited until he reached a car next to the road and drove away.
Magnum stood near the water with his back to me. The silence around him was deep and tense. I debated whether to stay silent. I had been asked not to interfere, but Sparrow was in trouble. Things had become complicated riding under the guise of the Black Rider. I felt it was my duty to do whatever I could to protect the town. “You sure you want to do that?” I asked. I stepped just far enough toward Magnum that he could see my silhouette in the moonlight.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded.
“Just ensuring you’re not making bad decisions that’ll involve the citizens of Sparrow.”
Magnum snorted. “This won’t affect Sparrow.”
I kept my voice calm. “You really think making this town a drop-off point for drugs won’t affect it? How about when gangs start fighting? Do you want your family caught in the line of fire?”
“You keep my family out of this,” he growled, taking a few steps forward.
I put my hands up. “Look. This is a bad idea and you know it. I think you just got in too deep and don’t know how to go back.” I lowered my voice. “I’m offering you a way out.”
He was silent for a few minutes, and his gaze followed the path the other man had taken. “How?” he asked quietly.
Grateful that he was at least open to talking, I replied, “We have two options. The first involves the sheriff.”
Magnum shook his head. “Uh-uh. No sheriff. If you try to involve him, the Verdos will burn this city to the ground.”
“Okay, then we’ll just have to be straight with them.”
“You mean tell them we don’t want Sparrow to be the drop point?” Magnum said. “Why would they listen?”
“Just tell them the sheriff’s been asking questions. It would be in their best interest to change locations.”
Magnum looked troubled. “And if that doesn’t work?”
“We’ll figure something else out.”
He looked at me closely. “Why are you in this fight?”
There were a hundred answers: because the sheriff was worried about his late son’s friends, because the town still cared about their students and understood what they were going through, because everyone deserved a second chance even if there wasn’t always one available, because the past didn’t have to dictate what someone became. I let out a breath and said, “Because Sparrow is worth saving.”
“I’ve made worse decisions,” I said. At his look, I gave a grim smile inside my helmet. “Trust me. Mine went too far and it will haunt me for the rest of my life. Hopefully we can stop yours before it does the same.”
He was silent for a moment. “So you’ll be there Friday?”
I nodded. “The water tower at seven.”
He let out a loud breath. “I guess it’s worth a try.”
I left him in the dark with the hope that he wouldn’t change his mind. I wished somebody had given me a chance to second-guess my decision before it cost my sister’s life. Maybe I could give the chance to someone else.
AUNT LAUREN PICKED US up after school Thursday so we could shop in the city for the Senior Ball.
“I hope you don’t mind missing time with your friends,” she apologized. “It’s the best day to go, especially with the Harvest Festival tomorrow.”
“It’ll be perfect,” Cassidy said. She hadn’t stopped smiling since she told Jeremy yes.
I didn’t mind missing the races at the factory. It would probably remind Magnum about his motorcycle, and I could use fewer bruises. I shifted uncomfortably and leaned against the truck door. “I’m not sure I’m a tuxedo guy.”
Aunt Lauren smiled. “You’ll look great. I have a few stores in mind that I think will have everything we need.”
“I’m thinking something in green, or maybe purple, or red, or burgundy, or pink,” Cassidy began.
“This is going to be a long trip,” I said.
They both laughed.
“Don’t worry,” Aunt Lauren reassured her daughter. “We won’t leave until we find the perfect dress.”
Cassidy gave her mom a quick side hug. “Thanks, Mom. I’m so excited.”
Aunt Lauren practically shone at the love from her daughter. I realized then that I had never seen Cassidy hug her mom out of the blue like that. They always hugged good night, but I think that was routine. Her mom definitely could use a little more appreciation for everything she did around the house and farm.