Free The Risen: Dawning by Marie F Crow Page A

they have already done.
    The bell does its sharp tinkling of sound signaling their entrance into the shop. Lawless, never removing his deep tinted glasses, steps in front of the man he has trusted his care to for so many years now. One foot following the other, as his mind falls blank, knowing what he is about to do. A silent prayer repeating itself is the only thought process to him now.
    “Man, we are closed. I know you think you need a gun, but there are not enough guns to help you handle your shit in here. Not many have the balls to shoot their own families and neighbors anyway. Try the church, man. That’s what we all need now to get us out of this shit.”
    A lanky man wearing his normal flannel plaid shirt jokingly tells them as he steps out from behind a stock room door. A moment passes before the man recognizes the men standing before him with their silent acknowledgment. A moment that costs him everything as two bright flashes spark before the pain tears through him.
    They say the Devil laughs when he collects his debt. They speak of how he will tempt you and seduce you into taking the fall. They warn you that he will wait forever, watching and waiting for you. Laughter is now filling every inch of the store and it is the song that sings this man’s farewell.

Chapter 14
    T he sound of their motorcycles leaving the lot sends a wave of shocking disbelief through the room. The depleting sound sends most standing as if they can watch them leave through the thick walls. Some it sends deeper into their excited conversations. Most though, it just sends looking to us for answers.
    With false determination to remove unseen spots, Aimes cleans the glass in her hand. “I hear Florida is nice this time of year.” Even as she is avoiding their gaze, I can hear the disappointment in her voice.
    Her emotions open the door for others’ emotions, also. Emotions from those that have come here for help that are now left stranded without answers. Their confusion pours out like a flood around us. Some begin debating their next move, wondering if J.D. and Lawless are coming back or if they are taking the coward’s way out, leaving so many behind. Some begin to argue when such an insult is presented, as anger is always an easier emotion for men to admit to than the fears they may be feeling. The women sitting around the area begin blending further in with the walls around them as voices rise and finally the tension breaks. It crashes over the crowd in angry words and threatening innuendo-filling sentences.
    The results cause some to slink out with fears for their own safety while others just leave soaking in self-absorbing worry about what is to become of them. Marxx and Rhett take up their normal mantel of enforcers, removing the most hate-filled patrons with glee. They strip the deserters of their vests in the process. Daddy might not be home, but his rules are still violently felt. No loyalty. No vest. No protection.
    When the waves finally calm, it is just a handful of us left amid the debris from the storm. Rhett, with his smiling enjoyment of the fight, stands guard over the back door. Marxx stands with his silent glare at the front, daring any to attempt to come back. Chapel sits in a back booth. He has been watching the whole event while sipping on his frosted mug, never bothered by the drama or bothering to help stop it. He sat watching it all and now sits waiting for whatever is next with the same lack of interest. Aimes and I stand behind the large oak bar playing rock, paper, and scissors to figure out who gets to clean up what, with our own lack of care. Regardless of how each of us is feeling about what has just happened, we never would’ve wished upon them what was about to happen.
    It is Bridget’s screaming that brings us running to the large tinted windows first, even as other feminine screams slowly join in her chorus. The monsters have found us, and they are surrounding the lot with shuffled steps and grunts