Page 7 of Cheshire

Who’s that? My gaze locked onto one biker in particular. He had this mischievous grin plastered on his face. My heart picked up its pace as I watched him ride past, captivating me in a way I’d never experienced before.

As I watched him, I wondered if he was the one they called Cheshire. Something about this man had me hooked. My stomach twisted into knots as I kept staring, wondering what kind of life he led, if it was anything like the hell I was stuck in right now.

“Eliza!” I heard my father roar from downstairs, pulling me back to reality. “Get your ass down here!”

“Coming, Daddy,” I called back, dread churning in my gut. I tore my gaze away from the bikers, wishing I could hop on one of their bikes and ride away from this hell forever.

My thoughts remained on the bikers. Did they have their own code of honor? Or did they protect everyone equally? If I could just reach out to them… in their world, maybe I wouldn’t be a victim. I could be strong. Free.

Snap out of it Eliza! Stop dreaming.

“Eliza!” My father’s voice boomed again, making me flinch. The bikers, their engines still roaring, began to fade into the distance, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

“Maybe one day,” I murmured, clenching my fists as I headed for the door. “One day, I’ll find a way out of this mess.”

For now, though, I had to face the music. With a heavy heart, I stepped out of my room and descended the stairs, hoping that someday, I wouldn’t have to fear what lay beyond my own front door. Or on this side of it either, for that matter.

“Eliza, get down here!” My father’s voice echoed through the house. I knew I had to go downstairs, but my mind was still racing, filled with questions about Cheshire and the Underland MC.

Were they happy? Could they -- no he -- be my ticket out of this nightmare?

“So help me God, if your ass isn’t down here in the next three seconds, you’re going to regret it!” I trembled in fear as I hastened to my father’s side. Would I ever find the courage to escape? If I did, would the Underland MC be the key like Maria seemed to think?

* * *

The door slammed shut behind me, blocking out Daddy’s growls. My room was a mess, like always, but tonight it felt more suffocating than ever. Pain throbbed in my face as I made my way to the window. I needed something to take my mind off the hurt.

“Damn it,” I muttered, clenching my fists so tight my knuckles turned white. “I have to get out of here.”

You think you’re gonna leave? Daddy’s voice echoed through my head, making me shudder. You ain’t going nowhere, girl.

“Shut up,” I whispered, drowning him out with my own voice. “I’ll find a way.”

Stupid girl, he taunted, and I shook him from my thoughts, focusing on the street outside instead. I watched the empty road, hoping for some distraction -- but there wasn’t anything.

“Cheshire,” I breathed, remembering the biker who’d ridden past earlier. He had this air about him, like he didn’t give a damn about anything. Maybe he could help me… or maybe not. But it was worth a shot.

I knew if I stayed, I’d end up dead. But if I ran… yeah, I could die faster. Once my father caught me, he wouldn’t hold back. I’d gotten off easy after going to Maria’s. He’d threatened me, beaten the hell out of me, but I was still alive. I’d call that a win for now. Not that it felt like he’d held back at any time, but I knew differently. If he hadn’t, I’d have been dead long ago.

Maybe the sheriff couldn’t cover up the murder of his own daughter. Not when he was the one to blame. Most people didn’t know what he was like, but the ones who did… like Maria… maybe one of them would speak out against him if I died at his hands. At least Maria was safe for now. But if she helped me again…

The sharp sting of pain jolted through me as I shifted on my bed, the bruises from earlier screaming out a cruel reminder. Daddy always knew where to hit so it hurt the most. Lying on my back, I stared up at the cracked ceiling, letting my mind wander back to those leather-clad bikers riding past my window. It felt like they were reaching into my soul and awakening a long-lost hope.

“Maybe there’s more for me out there,” I whispered, my heart racing at the idea of breaking free from this hellhole. The thought made me shiver with a mix of fear and excitement, but I knew I couldn’t just walk out of here without looking back. Not yet, anyway. I had to be smart, patient, and find the right moment to make my move.

I closed my eyes and thought about what my rescue might look like. I’d hear a voice outside my window…

* * *

“Hey, kid,” a voice called from below, snatching my attention. “You look like you need a friend.”

My heart skipped a beat as I peered down and saw Cheshire standing there, smirking up at me. “What are you doing here?”

“I saw you watching me earlier. Thought I’d come back, see if you needed some help,” he replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, what’s the deal? You in trouble or something?”

“Something like that,” I admitted, glancing back at my wrecked room. “But there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“You sure about that?” Cheshire challenged, leaning against his bike. “I’ve been known to work a few miracles in my time.”

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