Phase 35 Red Snow

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The bikers were worse than homeless destitutes. They never made any hiatus except at the intermittent pitstops. Money, food and water were on rations as they rode off the grid. Civilisation was a hypothetical question on their track. The canaries that sat on the rear view mirrors of the bikes, hoping to get a nut or two from the snickers were the menu for the night's barbecue. The riders were no racist in their appetite.

Like I promised, I never disturbed my partner and he seemed to be quite fine riding along with me. Mr Turner had promoted himself from intolerable to tolerably rude. Being his partner in the rally was more like walking over the December snow without a shoe. He was cold, simultaneously a irritating prick for the last twenty four hours, before I gave him a hand in fixing up the battery of his ride.

See.. I wasn't totally useless.

Burdened by my honor bound service, he stopped passing me those I know how to kick you out kind of looks. Thanks to Leo, if not for his constant nag to assist him repairing his rusty old Harley Davidson I wouldn't have felt home with these riders. Since last night, the riders were so very impressed by my mechanic skills and henceforth entrusted me with battery overhauling services.

We were in a limited recess at the Senecca falls before the final leg of the cross-country rally to Toronto. A Spaniard approached me giving a rib crushing hug ,"Mamacita! Will you get my ride done? Please please please?" he got to his knees.

People saw us in the wrong perception and before his girlfriend could be one among them I agreed to his request. He gave a quick peck on the side of my neck and bolted back to smooch behind the bushes.

"Yuck, why the men are so touchy touchy ?" I muttered to myself.

"Ain't our alpha too like that?" I judged it was Rob's voice. Without turning to him I sat beside the Spaniard's bike to recover it's battery.

You can assume Rob as Jake's bff. Rob was the only person who wasn't beheaded whenever he pissed the alpha. He harnessed the alpha's fluctuations in temper, so in the long run he was named the beta.

"If he ever got touchy, it was to kick me out" I replied, uninterested in the topic.

"He isn't such a meanie" beta defended the alpha.

"You say" I pondered, scratching my forehead. It was too late before I realized I had grease allover my face."Oh shit" I muttered.

"Wow, you look lube sexy " Rob appreciated.

"Do I look sexy only in lubricant?" I wiped the grease off my face with a wet towel.

"Nothing's wrong with that. Actually lube sexy girls are my ideal type. I'm waiting for Jake to ditch you, to be honest" he admitted.

I was helpless. Till then I was establishing my expertise in conjoining rejoinders, but Rob sounded way too serious a minute for me to speak. The jitters crept through my nerves and provoked my sleeping senses until I was open to the truth that I was being ridiculed by the beta.

I should have known better.

"Amy you are so gullible do you know that?" he clenched his stomach and laughed hard.

"Back off Chase" I figured a distinct silhouette nearing us with passion. If you're smelling atrocity in the vicinity it was definitely the alpha.

"Whoa Jake, don't be possessive already. I'm your senior, remember?" Rob pulled his A-card which was completely useless with Jake.

"Sorry mate, but I'm the alpha. My word is the law here." Jake held my shoulders and drove me away. I tried to wriggle out of his hold but his fingers were iron clamped.

"Screw you Turner. Why can't you leave me alone for a minute?" I screamed. He remained calm and opened the lid of a sealed water bottle. I thought he was gonna offer it to me for bringing my temper down.

"I don't want your stupid-" again, I was late. My apprehension didn't bloom at the right time and I had a douche of cold water hit square on my face. Everyone minus Jake had transfixed facial muscles freezing their contours.

I didn't open my eyes. I was too humiliated for that. The people who recovered from their shock started laughing at me. In the short span, I contemplated my decision of leaving home.

Before I could flail and fall to my knees, a wall of hard muscle stood guard before me. I buried my face in the crook of his neck and he didn't protest. Instead he grabbed the towel in my hand and wiped the grease off my face with intense care. Out of tantalizing curiosity I looked up to his face.

Not a surprise, it was the alpha himself.

The green in his eyes threatened me to the pit of my stomach, "Listen carefully, because I don't like to repeat myself. You, are my date, only mine. You can't go giving services to any beggar out here. I can't let anyone treat you like some kind of whore, do you understand?" I thought he was advising me, but when I saw the people around me nodding their heads, I had other ideas.

When everyone turned silent, he violated the space between us. I was shook to the toe by the mere thought.

When did we switch genres from action to romantic comedy?

I felt his rapid breathing across my skin. I barely mouthed the word 'No'. A snowflake fell on my cheek where his gaze turned. As an imperfect gentleman he is, he swooped down without intimation and sucked the flake. I would've been grateful at the moment to have invisibility powers.

His lips moved to my ear,"Meet me by the boulevard at eleven" he hissed sharply, like a snake hunting its prey. He didn't wait for a response and left me stranded amidst the cheering crowd.

"Looks like I've got a competitor for the alpha's beta" teased Rob.

I found a problem in Jake's decision, "When do we reach Toronto?"

Rob came up with a immediate solution, "Guys, we lie low for the night. Don't move away from the group and don't get busted. We start at dawn."

Majority responded with disapproving sighs.

I shrugged casually, concealing my intimidating excitement to meet Jake at the boulevard.

________________________

First rule when it comes to men: Expectations leads to misery. And I overrode the prima facie. Oblivious as I was, I expected our meeting to take place in a fancy restaurant.

Well, it wasn't my fault to be born with a golden spoon.

I had this hunch when he didn't mention any particular location in the boulevard. But never did I think he would make me wait in the open before a food truck. My coat didn't help me against the teeth clattering chillness caused by the continuous snowfall. I moved close to the crackling fire beside the truck and created friction between my palms to keep my fingertips from turning blue.

Jake came back with two subs overflowing with sausage and cheese and offered me one. My high society life taught me a nasty trait called etiquette which included refusing food from strangers. But my stomach grumbled in accusation as I've been starving it, making me live with a pack of snickers that I sneaked from the fridge back at home and an acceptable dose of my toffee.

Memories about home made me feel gutted. The only person whom I felt sorry for leaving was Leo. He took a break from studies and hung around me, treating me like a fragile thing so that I didn't get broken. I lasted for two years in the house only because of him. He must've been disappointed with me for leaving like a coward.

But others weren't as forgiving as Leo. My parents expected me to be a normal human being but I belonged to this particular category called special kid. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and heaven alone knew who induced the thought to the Hamiltons that being abusive would be my cure.

The definition of abuse doesn't limit itself to physical harassment. Amidst four siblings, I was ignored. Ignorance, not in its phase where people don't talk with you for a week or so. To me it was in a whole new level where anyone who visited our home would think the last child of the Hamilton's was actually dead. Ignorance was my abuse.

I came out of my elongated trance when Jake's thumb stroke my chin, "Don't cry. Your tears will freeze"

He wasn't kidding. I felt the tightness on my face from the freezing tears, "Thank you" I rubbed the trail of my tear.

"Pleasure's mine" he continued munching his sub.

Jake looked different from our last meeting. Back with his friends, he wore the cape of alpha under the pressure of which he pounced like a wolf anytime at anyone. Out here he appeared to me as a carefree teenager. Unconsciously I stared at him more than the legal limit.

"Is there something on my face?" he asked, getting uncomfortable by my gaze.

"Uh..Err..Mmm..Nothing. That is.. actually.. Nothing" That was my first time stammering. Normally I was a versatile actor and somehow or other I make up for my errors. Before Jake my acting itself became a error.

After a few minutes of prolonged awkward silence I opened my mouth, "Why did you buy me food?"

Jake's expression said he was waiting for me to ask that question, "I wanted to repay for getting my battery done. I knew you weren't having much of an appetite so I thought I could buy you food."

His reply made me smile, "Know something? I like Jake better than the alpha"

His jaws became taut on my comment, "Don't call me Jake. Let that be the last time. Just call me alpha" he turned to his old self. I regretted passing the stupid comment.

"Why what's wrong with Jake, Jake?" with devious intentions I offered my head to the guillotine. I was a schizophrenic after all.

He pulled me by the collar of my coat, close to his face, "Haven't I said I didn't like to repeat myself? Jake is no more. He is a pathetic wimp for a man. Being the alpha is the only way for a teenager as myself to survive amidst a pack of gangsters." he proclaimed.

I gave up to his stupid prestige problem, "I know how it feels to have an alter ego. It ain't healthy but I don't give a damn about you anymore. Shall we forget what I said and go back to our sub?"

He inclined towards my suggestion and let my collar loose. "Why did you come with us?" he pretended to be indifferent for knowing my reason.

"I didn't like it back at home. So I ran-" My words got blocked in my throat when I looked at the alley intersecting the boulevard.

A familiar sedan of metallic silver came to a stop and the door opened. The driver was someone I knew but I couldn't get myself to remember him. By a simple guess I could tell he was in the middle of forties. He had a wavy jet black hair and a horizontal white scar over his crooked nose. His suit was the one worn by the chauffers at the Hamilton Mansion.

It dawned on me why I couldn't remember him well. He was Nick's chauffer who worked only part time when Nick was at home for holidays. I cowered behind Jake so that he wouldn't see me.

A warning bell rung in my head.

Run away. He is here to take you home. He is here to lock you up in the prison. Don't let him get you.

"We need to go" I beckoned Jake and walked towards the opposite side of the alley.

Jake didn't like to be commanded, "Wait. Where do you think you are going?"

"My legs. They are freezing. I need snow boots" I acted like my life was dependant on it, where it actually was, and it effectively worked out on Jake.

"Let's hurry then" Holding my wrist he dragged me through the snow covered street.

_______________________

Mistletoes and lights, cream and cake, trees and truffles made the Christmas eve of the store. The salesman made me try variety of snow boots whilst I kept vigil at the entrance. If I walked out, I would be as good as dead so I took cover inside the shop by declining all brands that were presented to me.

"What's wrong with this one?" The salesman burst out at last.

My eyes at the entrance, yet I managed to bargain professionally, "These are all black and white. Bring me some exotic colors"

He snorted and while coming back he brought a pair of neon green shoes that could attract a predator fifty miles away if you were in a forest.

"No no no.. " I waved it away. Jake was tired by my demands.

"You are buying these" He shoved me over a nearby stool and held me in place. Kneeling by my leg, he wore the boots on my feet.

"How dare you! Leave me you bastard" I screamed, thrashing his shoulder.

"If you wanna continue in the rally stay quiet or else go home" he threatened. The word home made me purse my mouth shut. In the mean time he tied the lace of the boots. "You are good on these" Jake lied blankly so as to get me out of the shop.

He never knew I could be a stubborn ass.

While he was paying the bill, I walked towards the jacket section and picked everything my hand could fetch.

"Whoa.. Whoa.. What are you doing now?" Jake's expression was priceless when he saw the bunch of coats and other stuff I picked from the store.

"Man, it's colder than the everest out there. I need something to keep me warm" I rubbed my palms to add spice to my acting."Wait a sec, I'll try all these and tell which one is fitting" I made my move at a calm pace whereas Jake's irritation kept climbing each minute that I kept delaying.

"How about this. I hope it'll make you warm." said a bold and sharp voice, that set my insides off in a melee.

I know the voice.. I know the voice.. Oh shit! Let it not be him.

I took my own time in turning around, like encountering a ghost of the Friday night. It was Christmas eve but definitely he wasn't my Santa.

It was Nick's chauffer.

Does that mean even Nick is here?

The chauffer stood with my fur coat in his hand. I was dejected not to see Nick with his chauffer. At the end of the day, I knew he never cared about me.

"Tyler, what are you doing here?" Jake went forward to talk with him, while my knees trembled against each other on considering the aspect of going home.

"You.. You knew him?" My mask of nonchalance wore thin as droplets of sweat appeared at my forehead without my permission.

"He is Tyler Chase, Rob's father." Jake muttered to me and swept his head towards Tyler, "You work for the Hamiltons, don't you?"

I could've given anything to read what was going inside Jake's head when he glanced at the coat in Tyler's hand and back at me. This action continued to and fro before he comprehended the truth.

"Amy are you perhaps.. perhaps.." The words struggled to get out of his mouth and I gave him a hand over there.

"Amelia Hamilton" my voice quivered.

And there came the moment of betrayal disclosed by Jake's disappointment. One moment I was standing next to him and the next moment I was being forcefully tugged by Tyler.

I didn't want to go home.

I cried out to Jake for help, "Jake, help me! Help me!! I didn't hide my identity with intentionally. Please understand me. I'm scared. Please help me. Please." I begged with all the voice and soul I could find inside myself. He was my last glimmering light of hope and I didn't want it to be extinguished. The distance between us widened and still he stood like a fixed pole.

My hope was being bitten away little by little when Jake reacted, "Tyler, leave her alone. She may be a Hamilton but now she's my date. Till the rally gets over she's mine."

Tyler smirked at Jake, "Kid, talk about things that exist. Rob rang up to me now. Your riders are busted for smuggling Marijuana. Cops found a bag or something with loads of it."

Crap.. The bag was mine.

There was no chance for Jake to know about it, but it was another blow in the gut for him from my part.

He can't give up on me for this right? Right?

Our eyes met. Jake spoke first. "Have a safe journey back home, Amy"

"No Jake. No. Please don't give up on me." I begged falling to my knees. Him turning his back on me and rushing to his pack of riders happened like a dream as my vision blurred with tears and I didn't see most of it.

Sheer terror haunted me. Tyler literally carried me like a bag of wares and loaded me at the back of the wagon. I madly battered at the window to get help, all in vain. The sedan embarked its journey home.

I desperately didn't want to go home. I had one chance. If I jumped out through the door and still managed to get myself to my feet, I may escape. But Taylor drove the car faster than Jake could ride his motor bike.

Yet my desperation transformed into resolve and gave me the courage to execute my plan. The vehicle took a right with a drift where I unlocked the door and dived into a heap of snow. Except a truck that emerged from the left, no one would've possibly seen my stunt. I heard Taylor growling like a lion at my recklessness.

The snow supported my landing, being soft as a pillow. Except for few scratches at the elbow and chin, I was totally fit to make a run for my life. The car screeched at a distance of fifteen yards.

I dashed into a dimly lit three storey apartment complex. I felt Taylor at my heels. There was elevator on the left and service stairs at my right. The elevator would easily give away my location, so I took the stairs. While getting the stairs I banged at all the doors on my way so as to hold Tyler up.

By the time I reached the stairwell, an angry mob was ready at the first floor. I was out of breath, in spite of that my legs clambered up the steps. Climbing two floors I was completely exhausted. I gripped the railing and gasped for air. The railing was so rusted that it cut my hand. I blew over it to reduce the sting.

The bleeding in my hand became secondary when I heard the clopping of boots at the first floor. I peaked through the railing and saw a figure in black headed towards me. With blood pounding in my ears, I held my breath and tiptoed to the rooftop.

To my fortune, the door to the rooftop was unlocked. Taking another gasp, I stepped out and my nimble fingers shivered while locking the door.

Alas! I was safe.

That too became a disgusting understatement. The door vibrated with a shower of blows from the other side. Unconsciously I stepped backwards till I reached the edge that was secured by the same corroded railing. Three more blows, the door became a traitor and gave away.

Giving a stunning entry must be Taylor if my guess was right, but Christmas had new surprises for me. The young and handsome guy standing at the threshold, dressed all in black was none other than my second eldest brother Finnick.

My fists released the railing and I took a step close to him. Suddenly I wanted to believe him. He never had words for anyone but his eyes were enough to tell everything. They didn't lie. That's why he never had eye contact with anyone but now he fearlessly made with me.

Another step close to him, the disaster struck.

There were these incoherent screams in my head of which nothing I could figure. I sealed my ears to keep them away. Instead they were more loud.

Don't believe him.

He is not your brother.

He'll torture you just how the others did.

He is a threat.

The set of warnings that probably belonged to Iris, kept ringing in my head in a cyclic movement. A wave of agony swept over me. It was the first time I felt such a pain in my life. It was more than my capacity to handle and I was no longer awake.

______________________

I kept struggling with my

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