Free Freya's Quest by Julian Lawrence Brooks Page B

chance.
    Overwhelmed with shock, I pulled over at the entrance to a farmer’s field for a breather. I watched them zoom off into the distance. One skidded to a halt, did a U-turn and returned to where I was parked. The rider flicked up the helmet visor.
    It was Emily!
    ‘Hi,’ she said, smiling. ‘Recognized the car. Didn’t think Dylan’d let you drive it, though. Hope we didn’t scare you too much!’
    I scowled at her.
    She lit a cigarette, chuckling.
    She was dressed in full leathers, yet they appeared a lot more scuffed and worn than before. There was also a picture of a gremlin’s face emblazoned on the back of her jacket. She saw me regarding it and turned her back towards me so I could get a better view. ‘Do you like it?’
    I shrugged.
    ‘I’m a fully fledged member of the chapter now. I’ve been earning my right to wear their motif all week. They’ve been setting me lots of zany stunts. I’m sorry you had to get mixed up in one of them by mistake!’
    I shrugged again, lost for words.
    ‘Follow me.’ She didn’t wait for an answer, simply flicked down her visor, kick-started her machine into life and took off up the road.
    When I realized her pace was very sedate, I pulled out and followed along as she’d asked. She made me drive into a car park near the Jaws of Borrowdale. She then assisted me in pulling up the roof of the car. I locked up and we sauntered over to the Bowderstone. Emily told me the huge boulder was an “erratic” dumped by an ancient glacier, and had been a tourist attraction since at least the eighteenth century. We sat down and watched some climbers bouldering on its face. She produced a flask from inside her jacket and we shared her coffee.
    ‘I’m going away soon, Freya.’
    ‘Oh,’ I said. ‘That’ll be sad. I’m only just getting to know you. You’re the only potential friend I’ve got round here.’
    ‘I’m sorry….I like you, too….It’s just time for me to move on.’
    She wriggled uncomfortably on the rock we were perched on, placing her hand upon her right buttock.
    ‘Are you getting cramp?’
    ‘No, you’ll see soon enough. I’m in the middle of a process, you see. The tattoo and piercing parlour’s nearly finished work now. One final touch from them and the hairdresser tomorrow. Then I’ll be ready for him.’
    ‘Who?’
    ‘Dylan, of course.’
    ‘What!’
    ‘Oh, don’t worry,’ she quickly added. ‘It’s not what you think. Anyway, I’ve got Judd now.’
    I was about to ask more, but she was pulling me to my feet. ‘Come on, let’s go. We’ve got one last afternoon together. Let’s make the most of it.’
    I trailed behind her. When I arrived back at the car park, she was already straddling her bike, revving it for effect.
    ‘Come on, on you get,’ she called, holding out her helmet for me to put on.
    ‘Oh, no. I’m not getting on that thing with you again.’
    ‘Look, I promise to go slow.’
    ‘What about my car?’
    ‘You can pick it up later.’
    Her bewitching smile sealed it. After all, I had nothing else to do. I climbed on board and donned her helmet.
    ‘What about you?’
    ‘I’ll be all right. Shouldn’t get any cops out here.’
    Before I could answer, we were away.
    ‘Hang on tight!’
    And I needed to as well. I should’ve known I couldn’t trust her. She picked up speed immediately and we gathered momentum throughout the journey towards Keswick. I gripped her slender waist so tightly I could hear her rasping breath. I kept my eyes shut, feeling her long, silky hair caressing my face. I hadn’t had time to pull down the visor. Now I was happy I hadn’t, as her hair had a soothing influence upon me. She slowed down only as we approached and went through the town. I was happy for this little respite. Once on the open road again, she gunned the engine and let out one of her banshee cries.
    I was frightened, yet exhilarated.
    I opened my eyes only when the bike wheels screeched as she did a large turn off to