Page 1 of Steel

Chapter one

I’ve never really thoughtabout what it would be like to witness someone’s murder through the lens of my camera. I sure in the hell didn’t set out to capture it on film.

The way the sun shines through the trees to create beautiful halos of light along the moss-filled ground continuously calls to me. Since it’s been such a beautiful day, I know I’ll get some amazing shots as dusk settles into the sky. So, I grab my camera and trek through the dense cluster of trees to see what magic I can find.

Things that aren’t always visible to the naked eye can be caught with a quick press of my finger against the button.

Goosebumps break out across my skin as I clamber over a broken log, trying to catch the snake slithering along the damp fallen leaves. It pauses for a minute, as if striking a pose, giving me enough time to squat down quietly and bring the camera to my eye. I hold the button down so that it captures an image every two seconds, catching the beautiful little creature from his moment of stillness to his speedy escape.

Satisfied, I hang the camera around my neck and watch his long body wriggle back and forth as he slinks away.

As I venture deeper into the woods, the wind carries low-pitched voices to me. One trembles in fear, while the others are sharp with anger.

Stopping in my tracks, I cock my head, trying to get a feel for their direction.

A sense of hopelessness fills the air and presses down on me, unpleasant and heavy, until my lungs tighten, suffocating me with their distress.

What if this was the reason I was so drawn here today?

Carefully, I slide my hiking boots from my feet and place them off to the side to keep my steps quiet.

Man, I really hope my body doesn’t become food for the damn scavengers. That’d suck since there’s still so much I want to do with my life.

Bright green eyes tease my mind, but I shove them away when the voices become more enraged.

Dampness seeps through my socks as I skirt closer, the rising volume of the voices assuring me that I’m heading in the right direction.

The harrowing screams that rush through the forest raise the hair on my arms, and I pick up the pace while doing my best to keep my steps muffled. Unease coils through me—an ominous foreshadowing of my future demise if I continue this path.

Curiosity kills the fucking cat, Bailee.

“You know what happens to people who betray us, Swirly,” a chilling, dark voice barks.

“I didn’t betray you, Killer. Your head is fucking with you again, brother.”

There’s a huge tree about twelve feet in front of the men, and it’s wide enough that I can easily hide my small body behind it.

I check the shutter sound on my camera to make sure it’s off before I bring it to my face.

This is such a stupid idea.

My sharp inhale seems loud, but they’re so focused on causing the man damage, they couldn’t hear it even if it was.

I click away, capturing each moment in clear clarity. Zooming in on their faces until every detail is recognizable, I catch the rage and bloodthirst. The malevolence in their eyes dries my throat, and for one split second, I send thanks to whoever is listening that I’m not facing their cruelty.

Is there something worse than the devil? Because if there is, that’s what I’m witnessing now.

They’re wearing leather vests like the one Steel always wore when we were together. The skull on the back of theirs has a knife stabbed through each side with blood dripping off it.

Night Skulls MC.

I focus on the logo and snap a picture, making sure it’s identifiable if I make it out of this alive.

Why the hell did I think it would be smart to stick around after the first scream?

My brother, Reed, is always the first to point out that my soft heart and my damn curiosity is going to end up being my downfall.

Until now, I’ve laughed in his face and told him to go fuck himself.

---