Shivering on the the pavement out the back of the bar I willed myself to stay just a little longer. Rubbing my arms in an attempt to them warm brought back the pain. Glancing down I pulled up the long sleeves of the shirt to reveal the start of the bruises. I didn't want to go home. I didn't want to stay here either but I was probably safer on the streets.

"Whatcha doing out here?" A rough voice knocked me out of my thoughts. I quickly pulled my sleeves back down to cover my deepest secret. Tilting my head up I faced a guy in about his early thirties staring down at me. First I was scared, why would someone his age come up to a fifteen year old girl he doesn't know.

"I, uh, I just finished work." He frowned and looked around.

"You work here?" His face was familiar but I just couldn't place it. I was hesitant to answer him. I didn't know him and he sure as hell didn't know me.

"Yeah, what of it?" I snapped trying to make him go away. Being hostile seemed the easiest way to go right now. Holding his hands up in defeat he back up a couple steps.

"A mans just trying to help. You need a lift?" Hugging my knees to my chest I thought about his offer. I suddenly knew who he was. He was the older Dixon brother thought I couldn't quite remember his name. Sooner or later I would have to go home and it was a good twenty minute hike. In the darkest hours of the morning it was scary, not only people were out that late but animals too. Wild ones. I could see he was going to leave and had to make a split second decision.

"Sure. That'd be cool." He grinned and held out his hand to help me up. I had come to the conclusion that I would rather take my chances with someone I thought I knew than waiting longer for someone I didn't. Ignoring it I pulled myself off the concrete ground and followed him to what I thought would be a car. Instead I saw a shiny black bike.

"On second thoughts, I think I'll walk." Crossing my arms in an attempt to ward off the cold and stomped my feet to get feeling back into my toes. Georgia weather hardly ever got this cold but tonight was the one exception and I wasn't very prepared for it.

"I just don't wanna see a kid like you alone in no place like this." I cast my eyes down knowing he was more than right.

"Alright. Thanks." He took off his leather jacket and handed it to me. It seemed to be the only protection he had for the monster of a bike. A thin smile showed my gratitude as I slipped it on.

"Where we going, Darcy?" I scared wide eyed him.

"You know my name?" He chuckled and hoped onto the bike indicating for me to get in behind him.

"I've lived here since you were born, small town I guess." That's all I heard before he revved the bike, I awkwardly held onto him so I didn't fly off, and he peeled from the parking lot into the street. I suddenly remembered his name, Merle. Merle Dixon.