5. Melody
MELODY
The atmosphere changes as fast as if lightning struck the middle of the party. A surprised, short scream escapes me, and the guys spring into action. We scramble for our clothes. All I can think of is getting my shoes on as fast as possible so I can run if I have to.
“W—was that nearby?” I ask, terrified. I’ve been in active shooter drills before, but I’ve been lucky enough to never need it. How do you even secure a field?
Rebel’s pulling his pants back on, keeping low. He scans the darkness with the intensity of someone prepared for violence. “Came from past the food area.”
There are a couple more gunshots, and then the more muted sounds of yelling and fighting. People are streaming past us, running from the source of the shooting, but not everyone. Quite a few of the bikers are heading into the mess.
Mad Dog, Rebel and Riptide are quick to get dressed and form a shield around me. Their phones all go off at the same time. They glance at whatever the message is and a dark look passes between them.
“What happened? What’s going on?” I whisper, crouched down to the ground and clutching the little backpack I’ve been using as a purse today. My shirt is on inside out, and I can’t find one of my socks, but I’d rather end up with a blister than a bullet in my skull.
“Don’t know yet,” Mad Dog growls. “But someone broke the rules, and we’ve been called in.”
“Oh, um, okay. What do I do?” The fact that I never looked for my father after ditching Red is starting to feel like a stupid decision. I’m alone in a dangerous situation with three guys who seem fine, but are really total strangers.
“We’re gonna find out what’s happening, and you’re gonna stay the fuck out of the way,” Riptide orders.
Rebel nods. “See that camper over there?” He points to a dark shape past the bonfire near the edge of the gathering. “Get over there, stay down and even crawl under it if you have to. Give me your phone. You said you ditched the guy you came with, do you have anyone else you can call?”
I dig my phone out of my bag, not mentioning my lack of coverage. “Maybe.”
He takes it and plugs in his own number. “We’ll come back to look for you, but if you get out before that happens, send a message as soon as you can.”
“Yeah, okay. Right. I’m good.” I’m sweaty and gross, a far cry from how I felt just a couple minutes ago, but adrenaline is making me jumpy, and my skin feels clammy.
All I want right now is to get out of here.
Uncle Clutch and Dad are probably freaking the fuck out.
Even Red must be wondering where I am, if they haven’t kicked his ass for losing me already.
Riptide grabs me by the arms and kisses me hard before pushing me in the direction Rebel said to run. “Counting on it.”
Mad Dog looks back at me over his shoulder one last time before they jog into the chaos.
At first I do what I was told, heading to the edge of the rally, but I would rather find my family than huddle under a camper hoping for the best. I skirt around the perimeter, and it’s pure luck that I see a Devil’s Brigade logo on the back of someone’s jacket.
It’s nobody I know, but it’s better than nothing. I follow at a distance.
Something rams me from behind, and I hit the ground hard, scraping up my hand.
The biker who runs into me doesn’t even glance down.
He’s too busy running from a small mob. I roll out of the way and force down my scream by squeezing my torn-up palm.
The pain temporarily pushes back my terror.
How do you tell the good guys from the bad guys? Or maybe there’s no way to know.
I send a prayer into the darkness, hoping there’s someone to hear it. “Please let everyone I know be okay.”
The Devil’s Brigade member I was following is long gone, but I spot another one and scramble to my feet. It isn’t until I’m a little closer that I realize who it is. I’m not used to seeing him in his full biker gear, but even with a bandana tied over his hair, I recognize my father.
“Dad!”
He stops and stands still, head cocked like he’s trying to figure out if he just heard what he thought he did.
“Dad! It’s me! Melody.”
Whirling on the spot, he scans the crowd looking very confused. Maybe Red didn’t tell anyone he lost me? He slides his hand into his jacket and breaks into a run. “Melody? What the fuck?”
“I was—”
He grabs me by the arm and drags me along with him, not stopping until we’re behind a tent. “What the hell are you doing here, girl? How the fuck did you even end up here?” He looks around, making sure we’re alone. “Did you come on your own? Who brought you?”
“What do you mean?” I’m so confused. “Red said he was told to bring me. He made it sound like you knew. Didn’t you?”
“No, of course I didn’t fucking know. I didn’t keep you out of this shit for nineteen years just for you to shove your own fucking nose in it.” He winces, and that’s when I realize that his arm’s bleeding.
“You’re hurt!”
“I’m fine. Shit.” He looks around again then holds out his hand. “We’ll talk about this later. I need to get you the hell outta here. Come on.”
Still confused, I grab his hand and follow. This is his world, after all. He’s pulling me so hard it’s a wonder my shoulder is still in its socket, but I’ll give him a pass considering it’s literally a life or death situation. “Which way do we run?”
“Not we. You. I’ll make sure no one comes after you.
” He spins me around and fiddles with my backpack.
“Okay, this is what you’re going to do. Get the fuck outta here.
Keep your mouth shut about seeing me. You don’t know me.
You don’t know the Brigade. Shit’s going down and I need you to keep a low profile until I contact you.
Is that clear?” His expression is scary.
He’s never been the soft, cuddly kind of dad, but right now he looks more like a killer than the man I know.
“Until when?”
“Until whenever the fuck I get in touch. Don’t look at me like that, Dee. It’s for your own fucking good.”
“What is? How am I supposed to get home?”
He looks like he can’t tell if he wants to tear out my hair or his own. “You’re not an idiot. Look for groups. Older guys with their old ladies. If you run into one of the Crones, even better. Make up a sob story and just get the fuck out of here.”
Got it. “I’m going, I’m going. Don’t… don’t die.”
That actually gets a gruff laugh out of him. “I’ll do my best. Now fuck off.” Gentle parenting is for other kids. I nod and run in the direction he pointed. “Melody!”
I stop and look.
“Stay safe, or I’m gonna fucking kill you myself.” Then he heads the other way, the night swallowing him up.
Is it stupid that his threat makes me feel a little better?
Dad might be an asshole, but he cares. I think.
Obviously, he’s involved in something, but just as obviously, he’s not interested in including me in whatever it is.
And honestly, I don’t want to be involved.
I just don’t want him hurt. Despite everything, he’s still my dad.
I keep going, dodging behind trucks, bikes, and anything else I can find for cover.
There are fewer people now, a lot already long gone.
I see a group that probably matches what Dad was thinking, but it seems safer to go back to where the guys told me to wait and tell them I couldn’t get in touch with anyone.
At the very least, I’m pretty sure they’d give me a ride to the city. I’m too busy figuring out a plan, and not paying as much attention as I should.
I pass a van and catch the movement of a tall figure in the shadows. There’s no time to figure out what’s happening before pain explodes in the back of my head, knocking me forward. I barely get my hands out to catch myself before I end up on the ground again.
With a pained groan, I roll over, tasting blood in my mouth.
“Wha…” I’m seeing stars, but if I squint, I can make out a shape looming above me.
Two shapes? I don’t know if I’m seeing double.
My head fills with static, and the blackness creeping in from the sides of my vision isn't just because of the late hour.
There’s a raspy voice speaking, but it sounds like it’s a million miles away, and then everything goes black.