Forbidden Fate

by Vanessa James

  “You know, I never thought of that. She isn’t evil, but maybe it’s also that sometimes, people screw up, and you need to forgive in order to move forward,” I admitted.

  “Bingo. That’s the truth of it. That’s what you need to do. Learn to forgive, and it’ll help,” he said.

  I nodded, taking a swig of my drink. I began to feel a little bit dizzy as I finished it off. Maybe it was the alcohol, but I felt a strange feeling there.

  “Thank you, sir. I know this bar is helpful when I need it to be,” I said.

  “That it can be. We work to serve our patrons the best in alcohol, and help with their troubles as best we can,” he told me with a purr.

  I looked at him, realizing he looked oddly familiar.

  “You look familiar. Do I know you?” I asked.

  “Never seen you in my life,” he told me.

  There was something about that which screamed a lie though. I finished off my drink, excusing myself as I went to the bathroom. As I went down the hall, I realized that this whole place had a familiar vibe. The people working here all seemed familiar, and it made me feel the nagging feeling of dread as I looked around.

  Shit, why did I feel like this? I looked around the bathroom for a bit, and then, that’s when I realized it.

  “Oh no,” I said to myself, rushing to the sink and washing my face. As I did so, I looked around at the lettering on the walls, realizing what it said.

  The Skulls.

  Fear and panic crossed through my body as I looked about. Shit, I needed to get on out of here.

  I walked past the bathrooms, and over to the bartender. I gave him ten bucks, looking at him.

  “I-I gotta go,” I said.

  “Why? We were just getting started.”

  “No, we are finishing up. I need to leave.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  “Why … why not?”

  “Simple. You’re our prey.”

  Suddenly, I felt two knives against my back, and a gun right at my temple. I knew for a fact that this wasn’t good. As my breathing grew heavier, I looked around, and then over at this guy.

  “You’re the guy from that night,” I said, my eyes widening incredulously.

  “That’s true, my dear. That night I was supposed to rape and kill you. It’s what your father wanted, but that little bastard got you away from me. Well, that’s not happening anymore,” he said.

  Shit. I looked around, trying to figure some plan, but then I started to run. I got out of their grasp somehow and crawled underneath the different barstools. Gunshots echoed through the bar as I raced ahead on the floor. People were screaming, and I saw some bodies on the floor. They looked to be the lackeys with the knives and a couple of patrons and seeing this made me want to scream. But there was no way I was going to go back there. I could hear the sounds of footsteps behind me, and as I got up from under the table, one of the guys tried to swipe at me.

  I dodged out of the way, looking at them once more with fearful eyes before I made my way out of the bar. I wouldn’t look back until I was out of here. But, when I started to continue walking, I felt my body grow a bit weak. I don’t know what happened. I felt like I was walking like a turtle.

  Did the guy drug my drink? I didn’t know for sure. But then, I started to feel dizzy. I got to the end of the alleyway, almost to the center of the plaza where I could get some help. But it was no use.

  My legs gave out on me. I don’t really remember what happened after that, other than a group of guys all around me. I screamed, hoping that someone out there would hear me, but I honestly didn’t think anybody would help.

  Chapter 4: Caleb

  I don’t know why I felt it, but something was wrong with Mary. I looked at Zephyr, who nodded.

  “I’ll come with you. The Skulls might be tailing her,” she said.

  “Right. That’s what I’m worried about too. The quicker we make it to her, the better. I’m a little worried myself, but I know that it’s probably just my imagination,” I said.

  Though, I didn’t really believe that. I felt like it was something worse than I thought, and after I got to my bike, I motioned for Zephyr to come with me. But she shook her head.

  “No way, Kid. We’re taking my baby,” she purred.

  I looked over, and that’s when I saw it. It was the legendary bike, the one I’d heard about in the past, but never saw in real life.

  ‘So that’s your bike. I’ve heard of it.”

  “Figured you have. It’s a pretty nice bike, and pretty rare if I do say so myself. I’ll tell you right now that it’ll get way more speed than your little bike,” she said.

  “Well let’s get the hell over there then. I think I know where she might be. Go to the plaza.”

  “In town––you really think she went that way?”

  “There’s a bar near there––one run by The Skulls. I have a feeling she might be there. She did mention going that way once, and it was kind of near where I first found her,” I said.

  “Let me guess, you had to stop her from being jumped by his men?”

  “Yep. That’s exactly what happened.”

  “Well, Tiger, let’s get the hell over there then,” she said.

  “Right. Let’s go.”

  She started the bike, and I held on tight. Zephyr really was a speed demon, and as we tore through the streets, I wondered if I should do something about this. I wondered if I should tell her to slow down, but I feared it would fall on deaf ears. When we got towards the plaza, I looked to my right, and I saw a figure.

  “Go right!” I said.

  Then, out of the corner of my ear, I heard something. It sounded like a scream. I clutched onto Zephyr, hoping that Mary would be okay.

  “Holy shit”! Zephyr said.

  We stopped, and there were about five guys right in front of Mary. Mary was down on the ground, unconscious. I walked over, and I noticed that Zephyr was heading towards the guys.

  “Hey, punk, why you bothering her,” she said.

  “Why you here, you old fucking bitch,” the other guy said.

  The sound of a punch echoed in my ear. I raced over, and I saw one guy trying to put his tongue in Mary’s mouth. I kicked him in the balls, causing him to fall down and clench them.

  “What … the fuck was that for?”

  ‘Don’t you dare touch her,” I said to the guy

  I grabbed Mary by the arms and went over to the motorcycle. Zephyr stayed facing the guys, cracking her knuckles.

  ‘Stay with her! I’ll take care of this,” she said nonchalantly.

  I watched Zephyr with amazement. I wondered if Mary would be the same way if she overcame her fears and actually worked with us. She was kind of on our side, but she didn’t have the training that myself or her mother did. A part of me wondered if we could convince Mary, but I didn’t think that would be right. I watched as Zephyr continued to attack, each and every single hit landing with finesse. She used some sort of tranquilizer to take them out once they were on the ground.

  One of the guys tried to come up behind her to strangle her, but Zephyr was too quick and she threw the other person down on the ground, whistling as she finished the job. She wiped her hands, and then looked at both Mary and me.

  “Alright, you two?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Holy shit,” I said.

  “Well, let’s get her back to the base. I know that there is a medical ward in the basement, and they’ll take care of her. Is she drugged?”

  “I think so. Roofies,” I told her.

  ‘Motherfucker. Of course they’d roofie her. Anyways, she’s going to need to sleep that off before we do any talking,” she said.

  I agreed with that. I held Mary there as Zephyr pulled onto the highway and brought her back to the hideout. I looked at Mary, seeing her completely unconscious in my arms. I can’t believe that this happened to her and that it was all going like this.

  I needed to save her, even if it was the last thing that I
did. I heard the screeching of brakes, and that’s when I looked over.

  We were back at the hideout. Zephyr stepped off her bike, looking at me with a smile and motioning to Mary. I got her, pulling her out of my arms and into the hideout. Suddenly, I heard my father race down the stairs.

  “Holy shit, what happened?”

  “She got jumped while at the bar. I’ll take care of this,” I said.

  “Good. We can’t waste more time. If they’re attacking Mary here, this is going to get worse. The thing is, if Mary sticks with us, we can go after her dad, and we’ll win. She’s got the power that we need. If we properly train her, she’ll be a valuable adversary. But she needs to understand why you did what you did Zephyr,” my dad said.

  “I know, Harold. I know why you’re doing this too. You’re worried as well,” she said.

  “I am. We can’t waste more time. The plan of action will go into place very soon, and we should take the time that we must to prepare for this,” he said.

  ‘” Right. I’ll talk to Mary when things settle down, and Caleb needs to discuss the future with her as well,” Zephyr said.

  “Indeed. Both of you have your objectives. Right now, she’s going to need to settle down and relax, and overcome the pain she’s in herself. Once she’s conscious though, you need to talk. You need to reason with her and make her understand what it is that’s happening. Please do this,” he said.

  I knew that this was the only way to do it. I nodded, and so did Zephyr.

  “You know, Harold, you always did seem to understand how to approach this kind of thing,” she said.

  “Only because I know for a fact that if we don’t do this quickly, things will definitely get worse,” he replied.

  “Right. Well, I guess we should wait and see what happens then,” I said.

  “We should. You go with Zephyr over to the infirmary though. I think this is something that you two will need to discuss with Mary alone. If she does refuse… we’re going to need to send her off to the Brig,” he said.

  The Brig? Zephyr shook her head.

  “No, I’m not letting her go down that pathway. That’s final. I’m sorry, Harold, but if you suggest that to her… I’m going too, and you’ll lose me as an ally,” she said.

  “Fine. Just do what you need to in order to fix this. Both of you. I don’t want to have to worry about this anymore,” he said.

  “I know. But you have to understand who we are dealing with too,” she replied.

  “I know. Now go see to her.”

  We walked over to the doorway, but before we went in, I spoke to Zephyr.

  “What’s the Brig?”

  “It’s a land far away, where I’ll never be able to see Mary again, and neither will you. It’s for people who don’t want to deal with the life of the MC, this kind of life, and I know that this is something that even the progeny of leaders may have to go through. Have you thought about it?” she asked.

  “I… I have. I’m sticking around to take down her father. Once that’s over I’m… I’m going to shut down the MC,” he said.

  Zephyr laughed. “You sure? I’ll be out of a job,” she replied.

  “I don’t care. I’m sick of always seeing people hurt, people dying, and general pain. I just want to be happy again, you know?” he said.

  “I know. I do applaud that you know. You’re not just some punk kid. Would you excuse me though? I’d like to speak with Mary alone for a bit. I think it’s best if we start off this way,” she said.

  “Alright. Good luck.”

  “Thanks. But I don’t need luck for this. I’m going to fix things up with her,” she said with a grin.

  I nodded, listening to her. She was a wonderful woman, and I wondered if Mary would one day be similar. But, at the same time, I also wondered if subjecting her to this was the right thing to do as well. I couldn’t get into the nuances of this. For now, it was important to just help Mary recover, and take down that bastard, no matter what transpires next.

  I’d do whatever it took to help Mary, to make her happy, and I know that, even with all the shit happening, things would eventually be okay for all of us.

  Chapter 5: Mary

  When I woke up, I looked around. I had no idea where the hell I was, but there was someone familiar nearby. I felt something attached to my body. Was it a wire? I didn’t know anymore. I began to move but then felt like a million bricks hit me.

  “What the—”

  “There you are. You’re awake,” a familiar voice said. I knew exactly who it was. I turned, and sure enough, there was Zephyr—my mom. She sat there with a smile on her face, but I didn’t know whether to smile back or figure a way out of here.

  “Why are you here?” I asked.

  “Is that the way to greet your mom?” she teased.

  “You barely count as a parent.”

  “Don't’ be like that, Mary. I want to talk to you. About the truth. Do you know what happened the other night?”

  The other night? I just fell asleep, right? I looked at her, shaking my head.

  “I don’t. I’m being honest here,” I said.

  “You didn’t just fall asleep. You were drugged. And almost raped by the Skulls,” she said.

  Is that why I can’t remember a damn thing? I tried my best to figure it all out, and I know that something happened, but I didn’t know what.

  “How did it happen? I thought I just went to the bar.”

  “That bar is run by them. They drugged your drink. It was a very foolish decision to go alone Mary,” she chided.

  “Well gee, I thought I’d get off the hook for once. I thought you might just let me do what I want.”

  “I’ll let you do what you want when it doesn’t involve harming yourself, and potentially others,” she said.

  “Whatever. So what happened?”

  “I saved you. Well, you can thank Caleb for the rescue. He had a feeling you were in danger, and he went over to save your butt. He said he was quite worried about you. I fear that if we hadn’t been there that… a lot worse would’ve happened,” she admitted.

  Was I really that in danger? I wanted to fight this, to tell my mom to quit being a bitch, but I shrugged.

  “Thank you. For doing that. Neither of you had to,” I said.

  “We wanted to though. Mary, you don’t realize it, but you have a lot of people who love you, who care about you, who want to see you do well in life. It’s too short to continue this mindset. I know I hurt you in the past, but I’m also here to apologize for that,” she said.

  “You mean it?”

  “Of course. Why wouldn’t I? Mary, you’ve helped me so much, and you’ve done so much for me, that I don't’ really know what else I can do. I mean, you did help Caleb a lot, and we’ve discussed it. I do approve of him. I know I’m just the parent who left you at the wayside, but I’m happy you ran into him. But it also does involve talking about the truth, the truth about your father and I,” she said.

  I listened to her. I didn’t know what to think anymore. On the one hand, I know that my mom means well, and she probably is just doing this to protect me, but I also don’t want to have her hanging around. I still struggled with forgiving her after what she did to me back in the day. Leaving me with my dad.

  “I still don’t like that you left me with him. If I’m going to be honest,” I said.

  “I know, Mary. I don’t like it either, but I had to do what I could do in order to make sure you were kept safe. If he kept you under his control, then there was less risk of me finding you six feet under because you came with me one day.”

  “But did you ever think about how I felt? How I was used by him, abused by him on multiple occasions and just… hurt like that?” I asked her.

  “I didn’t. And I’m so, so sorry, Mary. I really am. I don’t want you to feel unsafe any more. I want to do something about it. That’s why I’m going to protect you now. I know that I came into the picture late, and I know I’m a shitty parent, but I�
��m… I’m trying my best.”

  I listened to her. I wondered if she meant it. One look in her eyes and I felt that she wasn’t bullshitting me for once. I then took a deep breath, sighing and trying to find the words to say to her.

  “I forgive you,” I muttered.

  “What?”

  “I do forgive you, Mom. I don’t like what you did, but I understand why it was done. Why you… you left. You wanted to protect me.”

  “Yes. The Skulls have hurt me many times in the past, and I’ve also struggled with trying to let go of it all. But I know for a fact that you want to be in my life, and I’m not going to shelter you from the truth anymore. I don’t feel it’s right, Mary.”

  “I don’ think it is either, which is why I appreciate this. I really do, Mom.”

  “Good. I am happy to make you happy, Mary.”

  “I feel his. Say, Mom. Can I tell you something that is a little bit embarrassing,” I asked her.

  “Sure. What is it?”

  I thought about this for a long time. It was my relationship with Caleb. I thought about what it might mean for me if I decided to just be honest with her, and honest with myself.

  “I know you married my dad a long time ago. I wasn’t sure if it’s for love. Have you ever been in love though?” I asked her.

  “Yes. I have. I’ve met a few people I’ve fallen for, but I kept them away for the purpose of protecting them from the unknown,” she said.

  “What if I told you that I feel this way about someone. It might be Caleb, it might not be,” I said.

  “I think it’s best if you do what your heart tells you. You’re an adult, I can’t shelter you. I don’t want to shelter you. Just make sure you’re doing the right thing in every single case. I don’t want you to regret this,” she said.

  I nodded. I didn’t feel regret when I thought about my feelings regarding Caleb. Instead, I felt that it was right.

  “Well, the truth is, Mom… I love Caleb. I want him to do what makes him happy. I feel that the MC isn’t what makes him happy, and I want him to be honest with himself. That’s part of the reason I’ve learned to forgive this. Even though, I don’t really approve of this type of thing I… I feel like forgiving is the best course of action,” I told her.