Page 11 of Cheshire

The light of a flickering streetlamp cast eerie shadows on the pavement as I stood by my bike, waiting for Park. The bastard had finally texted saying he was ready to meet. The wind howled through the empty streets. My gut churned with anticipation and a grim determination that gnawed at my insides.

“Cheshire,” Park called out, his voice cutting through the darkness. “You got something for me?”

“More than you’re ready for,” I replied, handing him a folder filled with damning evidence. His eyes widened as he flipped through the photos, his face pale and sickened.

“Jesus Christ,” he whispered, disbelief etched in his features. “This is… this is beyond fucked up.”

“Tell me about it,” I muttered, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on my shoulders. “But we’ve got a plan. We expose that bastard Holmes to the public, make sure every Goddamn person knows what he’s been up to.”

“Count me in,” Park said without hesitation. “What do you need me to do?”

“Keep your eyes open, watch our backs. We’re making moves, stirring things up. Holmes’ goons will be out for blood.” My gaze met his, a silent plea for trust and understanding. I knew he was a deputy, and as such siding with us could be badif the sheriff had even an inkling of Park’s involvement.

“All right.” He nodded, determination hardening his expression. “Let’s bring this fucker down.”

I briefed Park on our strategy, every calculated move designed to corner Sheriff Holmes and dismantle his criminal empire. Even though I trusted him for the most part, I wasn’t sure I wanted to fill him in on everything yet. Being told the mayor’s office was part of this shitstorm might be more than he could handle right now. With each step, I felt the noose tightening around the monster who’d terrorized our city for far too long.

Carpenter and Rabbit joined us. I could tell they weren’t sure how to feel about Park being included. I couldn’t blame them. Here we were trying to take down the sheriff and now we had one of his deputies lending us a hand. I could admit it seemed like a horrible idea, but in my gut, I knew we could trust Park.

“Ready?” I asked my brothers, their faces set with resolve.

“Born ready.” Rabbit smirked, cracking his knuckles.

“Let’s do this,” Carpenter chimed in, revving his engine.

We rode through the night, our bikes roaring like thunder, hearts pounding with adrenaline. We knew what was at stake, and failure wasn’t an option. As we neared a hideout where crucial evidence was rumored to be stashed, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up -- something felt off.

“Watch out!” I shouted, just as bullets ripped through the air, narrowly missing us as we skidded to a stop and dove for cover.

“Shit!” Rabbit cursed, his eyes wild with fury. “Holmes’ boys were waiting for us!”

“Stay low and move fast,” I ordered, my mind racing with strategy and tactics. “We need that evidence!”

As the firefight intensified, we darted between crates and dumpsters, our lives hanging by a thread. I could feel the heat of the bullets whizzing past my face, but fear had no place in this fight.

“Got it!” Carpenter yelled, clutching a black duffel bag tightly to his chest. I wasn’t going to question how he’d managed to grab it so fast. Not right now at any rate. “Let’s get the fuck out of here!”

“Go, go, go!” I barked, leading the charge as we sprinted toward our bikes. The sound of sirens filled the air, drowning out the gunfire and chaos around us.

Thanks, Park. I had no doubt he’d called in the deputies. Hopefully the good ones, like him.

“See you in hell, you bastards!” I shouted over the roar of our engines, knowing we’d struck a fatal blow against Sheriff Holmes and his criminal operation.

With every mile we put between us and that nightmare, I felt a fierce satisfaction burning inside me. No matter the cost, I swore we’d bring justice to those who’d suffered under Holmes’ reign of terror.

And I’d die before I let anyone stand in our way.

Chapter Five

Eliza

The room spun as I cowered in the corner, my arms protectively covering my head. Glass shards flew through the air. My father’s rage was a tornado, leaving destruction and chaos in its wake. I should stop replacing the breakable items in my room, but since I spent so much time here, I liked having pretty things around me. It made my prison a little more bearable.

“Please, stop!” I whimpered, tears streaming down my face. But there was no mercy to be found in his cold eyes. He loomed over me, his fists clenched like steel hammers. I didn’t know what happened, but he’d come home furious.

“Shut up!” he snarled, striking me hard across the face. Pain exploded through my skull, and I tasted blood in my mouth. My head slammed against the wall, stars dancing in my vision.

I could feel my body trembling, the urge to scream clawing at my throat. But I held it in. Screaming only made him angrier.

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