“They’re good guys.I’ve seen them around town and interacted with them in various businesses.You could definitely do worse than staying with them.How long have you been taking pictures?”he asks, looking at the used camera I have in my hands.
“A few years.I’m not exactly sure how old I was.If I’m being honest, I don’t remember how old I am now.I just know it’s been a few years.This camera was my mom’s.I found it in a trunk of her things one day and instantly fell in love with it.I haven’t even erased the old pictures she has on the memory card because I don’t want to lose anything from her,” I whisper as I keep my eyes locked on the ground in front of me, just past the flower I was attempting to take pictures of before this man came over.
This man doesn’t look at me with pity filling his eyes as I’ve seen at the clubhouse by those I’m not close to.The women there are worse than the men though.They stare at me with pity in their eyes and can’t believe I’m in their clubhouse and living on the floor with the officers instead of downstairs with them.It’s almost as if he understands the secrets I’m hiding and knows not to push me for any reason.Like he’s worked with people the same as me or something.There’s a gentleness to Roger I only see with Kreed.He seems to be letting me answer the way I want to without demanding anything more while also prodding answers out of me in a way that doesn’t seem as if he’s being a jerk.
“That’s an older camera.Have you thought of upgrading to a new one?”he asks, causing me to flinch because this is an answer I don’t know how to give.
“Well, I don’t really have the money for that right now.I’m not working and can’t afford anything if I’m being honest.Everything I have is borrowed with the exception of this camera and a few books I have with me.Those were all my mom’s before she was killed.I’d love to get a new camera so I don’t accidentally erase her pictures or something, but it won’t happen any time soon,” I tell him as my voice breaks more than once because it’s really the most I’ve talked in a long time.
“You let me know when that changes and I’ll work with you.Some cameras can take time to get used to working with.I’ll answer any questions you have and show you some tips if you’d like,” he says, causing me to smile at him because I can tell this man shares the same passion for photography as I do.
“I’ll take you up on that offer if I ever get a new one,” I say as he moves slightly closer to me and starts giving me a few tips while helping me line up my shot of the purple flower.
I watch intently as he changes a few settings and explains what everything does to me.Roger points out a few different things on the small screen of the camera and I instantly understand what he’s talking about.His words simply make sense and don’t confuse me.I lose track of time as Roger and I work together as the light from the sun fades to dusk and I realize I have to head home.Just as I have the thought of going home, I hear the rumble of bikes filling the air and turn toward the road behind us.Roger stands up and walks away after giving me his card.I tuck it into my pocket while standing up and looking at the bikes parking in the lot beyond the playground.
Kreed removes his helmet and gets off his bike after shutting it off.I walk slowly toward him, wondering if he’s angry with me for being gone so long and not having any way to contact him.
“You okay, Pixie?”he asks, his attention on Roger as he walks across the park in the opposite direction from us.
“I’m okay.He was teaching me about the camera and pictures,” I inform Kreed as he looks down at me.“I’m really sorry if I upset you.”
“I’m not upset, Pixie.I was worried when you didn’t come back and it started gettin’ dark.You can do whatever you want.There is one thing we’re gonna change though.I’m gettin’ you a phone of your own so this doesn’t happen again.I want you to be able to call if somethin’ happens.If you weren’t here, I don’t know what I would’ve done, Annistyn,” he says and I can hear the fear in his voice as he continues to look down at me, showing me the truth of his words.
I don’t bother fighting because I already know there’s no point.Kreed usually gets his way and he’ll go buy a phone without me there and it will somehow end up in my room at some point.That’s what happened with all the clothes I have.The toiletries, fluffy towels, soft blankets, and everything else I’ve been given over the months have come from Kreed and just showed up in my room because he knew I’d never accept things any other way.
“Can we go back to the compound now?I’m really tired,” I ask him, not sure I’m ready to ride on his bike.
“Yeah, Pixie.Cali’s got the SUV here.I’ll walk you over and we’ll follow the two of you back.Dinner’s ready and waitin’ for us when we get back to the clubhouse.I’d like you to eat before showerin’ or anythin’ else.I doubt you’ve eaten anythin’ today and you need somethin’ before goin’ to sleep,” he says, not demanding I eat, but making a suggestion I agree with.I am kind of hungry now that I think about it.
After getting in Cali’s SUV, we head back to the compound.She asks about my day and if I had a good time.I answer her but leave anything about Roger out.I’m sure she saw him and is dying to ask me who he was but she leaves it alone.Cali knows when to ask me things and when to ignore it.Her and Kreed have that in common and right now I’m grateful she’s not trying to figure out who Roger is or what I was doing with him.All I want to think about is eating some food and then going to bed.I’m trying to stay up longer during the day so I can sleep at night.So far, it’s not really working.I’ll be lucky to get an hour or two of sleep before I’m up the rest of the night.Something to worry about tomorrow I suppose.
Chapter Four
Link
ANNISTYN WAS GOINGinto town for the first time today.Since bringing her to the clubhouse after the auction, she hasn’t left the compound for any reason.Cali and I have tried to get her to go to the store or just for a ride with us and she always refuses.The second we even start talking about leaving, fear enters her eyes and she starts to shut down.If you haven’t spent any time with her, you wouldn’t notice anything.Cali and I have though.So has Viper.He’s been in a similar situation so it’s easy for him to realize what’s happening on a personal level none of us will ever understand.When she came to me last night and mentioned wanting to go to a park Cali had mentioned taking the kids to, I was all for it.When I suggested going with her, she immediately shut the idea down and said she wanted to go on her own.To prove to herself she could do something for herself without someone holding her hand.I respect her need to do things for herself so I didn’t put up a fight or say anything to her about going.It did take everything in me not to go talk to the Prospects and have one of them follow her to ensure she was safe and nothing happened to her.Annistyn deserves the right to live her life and make decisions for herself because it’s never happened before.
