So many thoughts went through her head as she rode, she was surprised when she ended up at the home she had grown up in. There was yellow tape hanging haphazardly across the walkway. Turning her bike off she stared at what was left of the house she grew up in. It seemed like forever when Blaze had set it on fireafter they had cleared it of firearms and anything else the Iron Drakes and her father had stolen.
Getting off the bike she walked to the edge of the tape, then stepped over it. Her eyes seeing what it used to look like before it burned. She could actually hear the music in her mind as it blared out into the neighborhood. The mind and memories were a cruel reminder of where she came from. Closing her eyes, she sighed. No matter how far she ran she would always be soiled with this life, the life she was born into. She would always be Kat. Today in the compound kitchen proved that. Katrina never would have stood toe to toe with the Warriors, but Kat would have and did just that.
She shivered as she opened her eyes. Once again, she saw the burned-out home. Turning her head, she saw the huge hole that opened up to the underground storage her father had used to hide his illegal dealings. Walking that way she stood staring into the abyss. Nothing remained. Everything was gone...but her.
Hearing a sound, she looked up to see an owl staring down at her from a tree that had survived the fire. They stared at each other like old friends. Lifting her arm the owl didn’t hesitate as it flew down and landed on her arm.
“I don’t think you’ll find any fat mice in this mess.” She whispered with a sad smile. “Nothing but rot here.”
The owl ruffled its feathers then looked around before staring back at her. Hearing another noise, she saw three coyotes approaching from the back of the property where the woods stood in the darkness. Her father only picked places that were backed by thick woods so if they need to escape it would be harder for the police to track everyone.
Not caring that there was no grass, but dirt she slowly sat down. The coyotes came closer before laying down around her. She moved her arm and the owl hopped onto her knee where she sat cross-legged. Soon more animals began to show up. She greeted each of them like old friends.
“I’m sure you guys have better things to do than sit here with me.” Katrina said, then reached her hand out to one of the rabbits who sniffed her fingers then allowed Katrina to rub its floppy ears. “I’m not very good company tonight I’m afraid.”
Hearing a footstep, she noticed the coyotes intently watching something behind her and then stood quickly ready for her command.
“Friend or foe?” She asked without turning around. “If you’re not a friend I will give you one chance to walk away now.”
“Friend,” Kent’s voice had her sighing in relief. She really didn’t feel like anymore confrontations tonight. “Thankfully.” He added when the coyotes growled in unison.
“Down.” Katrina commanded softly. Then glanced up at Kent who walked closer. “Blaze put an APB out on me?”
“Not yet,” Kent grinned, then sat down across from her, but eyeing the coyotes. “They going to eat me?”
“Depends,” Katrina ran her hand over the owl’s soft feathers. Kent had apologized to her for being such an asshole to her through training. Katrina being nice Katrina of course accepted his apology, but she still didn’t know about him. He seemed distant most of the time and yet, there was something about him that she couldn’t quite put her finger on.
“Can you clue me in on what it depends on because sitting this close to coyotes who will eat me at your command makes me a little nervous.” Kent continued to eye the one closest to him.
“You’re safe,” She gave him a small smile when he glanced her way. “So, what are you doing here?”
“I followed you after you left.” Kent said, then added when she frowned at him. “In a non-creepy way.”
“Glad you cleared that up.” Katrina cocked her eyebrow at him.
“Listen, I agree with what you said in the kitchen,” Kent said, surprising Katrina. “Adam told me about your life with the Iron Drakes, and well, I come from the same world. Not to the extent you have, but—yeah.”
Katrina was shocked, but remained silent, letting him get his thoughts together as he sat there. She figured he needed to talk to someone who knew what it was like, and she knew that feeling all too well. Plus, she was very curious. Kent was pretty much a mystery to them all.
“My mom was a whore for a gang.” Kent looked from the coyote to Katrina. “I was raised by a few of the women who stayed around because my mother didn’t give a shit about me. All she cared about was laudanum, opium, whiskey, and whatever protection those bastards offered her. It wasn’t much of a life, but to her it was better than having nothing.”
Katrina didn’t say a word, but understood Kent a little better after that bit of information.
“I left when I was fifteen after my father beat me nearly to death while my mother stood there and watched.” Kent’s jaw tightened, but he kept his eyes on the coyote. “If it hadn’t beenfor the leader’s main woman, I would’ve died that day. She found me after he was done, nursed me back to health, dropped me off at a town, and left.”
Katrina frowned, seeing Kent in a whole new light. She and her mother had taken care of a few children whose mothers wanted nothing to do with them. It had broken her heart for those kids. Then his words finally clicked.
“Wait a minute.” Katrina narrowed her eyes. “Laudanum? Opium? When in the hell were you turned? The 1800s?”
Kent chuckled, but there wasn’t much humor in it. “I didn’t say motorcycle gang, and yes.”
“Holy shit.” Katrina’s eyes widened. “You were in an outlaw gang?”
“Guess you could say that.” He grinned, then looked around. “So, what is this place?”
Katrina also looked around. “Used to be my home, or at least my room was my home. The rest of the place was a den of evil. Blaze burned it down.” Katrina looked back at Kent. “Why did you feel like you needed to tell me this?”
Kent sighed, checked his phone, and typed something before looking up at her. “Honestly?”
