Chapter Seven:
Claire pulled her jacket thin sweater tightly around her shoulders and watched numbly as her breath formed a cloud of steam
just centimeters from her nose. Thinking now, she realized that it was foolish to have chosen such thin material to wear against the
autumn chill. Her red spiked heels lay beside her feet, forgotten, just looking at them made her toes and heels throb in a dull, aching
pain. How she had been able to stay in them for two hours was a mystery. Pulling her knees up to her chin, she massaged her
raw feet and tried to keep her eyes dry. It was completely dark in this area of the parking lot and the broken street lamp left much
to be desired but Claire didn't think she could find the strength to move.
She desperately wanted to crawl up into a ball and die. After debating in the freezing corridor for nearly fifteen minutes, she
replaced the phone on it's cradle and hobbled back to where she had left Steve. She stopped short when she was nearly seven
meters away, hidden by a tall mall tree. Steve was still sitting where she left him, his shirt was stained a chalky pink but that seemed
the furthest thing from his mind. Sitting beside him, gazing at him adoringly were the two teenage girls who had passed by them
earlier. Claire felt indignation flare up in her cheeks, this proved her point exactly. No sooner did she turn her back did Steve go
looking for someone new. Then again, maybe she shouldn't have chosen such harsh words.
No, she wouldn't let Steve make her feel like the bad guy. Heading towards him unsteadily and caught the last part of their
conversation. One of the girls, the one wearing the turqoise halter leaned over Steve and smiled.
"Trisha and I were going out to a club." She twirled Steve's auburn hair around her finger. "Want to come?"
"Depends on what type of coming you mean." Steve said slyly. The girls began to giggle convulsively before Steve agreed. They
got up and headed in the opposite direction. Claire's temper began to flare and she spun around and stomped away, nearly knocking
a security guard into the reflecting pool.
Hot tears spilled over Claire's eyes and clashed with the cold air and she stood up. Maybe she'd better head to a well lit area
so that Leon would find her more easily. As she walked, the concrete slapping agaisnt her bare feet, she sighed deeply and tucked
her hands against her sides so that they cradled her elbows. Why hadn't she confronted Steve? Told those little whores off? Ripped
someone's head clean away? Was she being weak or had she really not wanted to? Deep down in her heart was she really that
happy to be rid of him?
A broken black car appeared beside her and the tinted windows rolled down.
"Hey baby," A sleazy bearded man whistled at her. "I'm kind of lonely and you look like you could use a ride."
"Sorry if I look interested." Claire smiled disgustedly. "I'm not."
A frown appeared on the guy's face. "You don't have a choice bitch. You HAVE to be interested."
Claire rolled her eyes and turned away, flipping her hair over her shoulders in defiance. The man growled fiercely before climbing
out of his car, grabbing Claire's arm and yanking her back.
Before he could do anything more, a loud thundering roar sounded from the side. A gorgeous Harley appeared from the
darkness and did an abrupt 180ยบ turn then stopped short, the driver barely jolted forward. Claire glanced at him closely and saw
that it was Leon... In one cool, sweeping movement he hopped off the bike and started for them. Leon's eyes swept over her
and pulled her into him with one arm.
"Beat it pal," Leon said without even looking at the man. "She's going with me."
"What are you talking about? I got her first." He protested vehemently.
Leon whipped around and glared at him. He released Claire and stepped up menacingly to the man. "I tell you, she is going with
ME."
The man was about to protest again when Leon grabbed his arm. "Maybe I didn't make myself clear the first and second time."
Leon forced him to a dark corner so that Claire wouldn't see them but it was painfully obvious from the moans of torture what
was going on. After a few moments, Leon reappeared and headed for her.
"So, how are you doing?" Leon asked as he dusted himself off.
"I'm just peachy keen." Claire said bitterly, trying to be brave but her voice cracked and she placed her hand over her mouth.
Leon stared at her sympathetically for a moment before shrugging off his leather jacket and putting it on her shoulders. "Come
on. We'll talk somewhere."
Claire didn't move right away, it was almost as if she were rooted to that very spot, as if her legs didn't trust Leon's intentions. She
didn't trust anyone at this point.
"Claire?" Leon asked, his eyebrow raised.
Claire shook her head. "No. I'm sorry, Leon. I shouldn't have called you down here. I can get home by myself."
"Don't be stupid, Claire." Leon said, shaking his head. "I can't just leave you here."
"Yes you can--"
"No, I can't--" He disagreed.
"YES, you can--Steve did!" Claire interjected before Leon could finish.
She blinked back any tears that had started to form and crossed her arms under her breasts. Leon's hand pressed against the
small of her back and massaged it reassuringly.
"Come on, you shouldn't be alone right now." He insisted.
"O-okay." Claire said, hicupping hard.
His hand still on her back, Leon led her to his motorcycle and helped her on. As she slid onto the smooth leather seat she felt
the familiar rush of adrenaline flood through her veins, this was the first time she had been on a motorcycle in years. Leon handed
her an extra helmet and climbed on.
"Hang on tight." He told her.
Sliding forward Claire wrapped her arms around his waist and held onto him securely. She felt Leon tense for one or two
seconds before he started up the engine and they took off. Instinctively, Claire sat up straighter, taking pleasure in the wind that
whipped around her and secretly wishing she could dispose of the helmet to let it flow through her hair. It provided a temporary
relief from the stress and problems and as Leon sped up the small smile on her face was now a satisfied grin.
After she had had her feel of freedom Claire leaned her head on Leon's shoulder, suddenly exhausted. They pulled into a gas
station that had a small chain for Burger King in it.
"You hungry?" Leon asked her as they parked in a well-lit area.
Claire shrugged and Leon got off and went inside. Claire slid back and wrapped herself in his jacket as she waited and watched
as people filled up their gas tanks and then went on their way. Five minutes later, Leon returned with a bag in his hands which he
promptly put in the alfordja on his motorcycle.
Claire had no idea where he was taking her but at the moment she didn't care. They drove for about twenty minutes after that
before they pulled into an old dirt road and a cliffside parking spot that overlooked the Bay bridge and the bright city lights of
San Francisco. There were two cars parked there also but it seemed like the couples inside were already in a passionate embrace
and completely dead to the world.
Leon stepped off and pulled out a blanket which he laid on the ground then pulled out the food that he had bought earlier. Claire
got off the bike and with some hesitation sat on the blanket next to him. This was sweet of him and all but it made loud alarms and
a DANGER sign go off in her mind. But even though her heart pounded through all of this, she sat down willingly.
For awhile they didn't speak, just stared out at the glowing lights until they became blurred and hazy. Finally, Leon turned to
her and sighed. "So, why don't you tell me what happened?"
"And then I walk back and see Steve talking to these two little sluts that are just hanging on his every word..." Claire said as
she stuffed her burger in her mouth.
Leon gingerly ate a fry and nodded. For the past hour and a half he had sat and listened as Claire poured her soul out to him telling
him about the private hell she had been living in for the longest time. She didn't speak for the longest time, just chewed furiously
on her food and looking out at the city lights.
Swallowing finally, she looked at him, her eyes watery.
"Where do you think I went wrong?" She asked him. "I mean, did I DO something to make Steve so...miserable? So that he
would start drinking so much or cheating on me?"
The hurt in her voice was so all-in that Leon felt angry at Steve and at himself. Why hadn't he been here to help her get through
all this pain before? To rescue her? And yet, if he had, would it have made any difference?
Leon sighed and scooted closer to her, he raised his hand and cupped her cheek. "You didn't do anything."
"Then how did all of this happen?" She asked, suddenly bursting into sobs.
Leon felt moved to say something, anything, but realized he didn't know the words. He just pressed his lips together and took
her into his arms and let her cry. Her shoulders rose and fell quickly as her sobs heightened in their intensity. Every time they
seemed to slow down, they picked right back up again. Almost as if she stopped crying about one thing then started on another.
It seemed she would never stop but soon enough her sobs receded to sniffles then died completely, leaving her with a terrible
hiccup.
Pulling out a napkin, he handed it to her so that she could wipe her eyes and blow her nose. She used up five more. She
took a few deep breaths then swallowed largely before looking at him right in the eye.
"Thanks." She said, her voice cracking slightly but still audible.
"It's okay." Leon told her gently.
Claire forced a weak laugh and sighed. "I feel so stupid." She looked down at he lap and started to twist one of the napkins
in her hand. "You must think I'm the most idiotic person in the world."
Leon shook his head. "No, I don't."
"Well I wouldn't blame you if you did. I don't know why I've stayed with him so long." She looked down in embarrassment. She
started to say something but every time she started it seemed she had second thoughts. Finally she just blurted out, "I think the
love in our relationship died a long time ago....Right along with me."
Again, Leon shook his head and lifted her chin. "I don't think you did. You could never die. You're too strong. Too much
of a survivor."
"You've always believed too much in people, Leon. Even when they've screwed up majorly." Claire said sadly then looked at
him. "Thank you."
Before Leon could reply, Claire leaned into his arms and gave him a big hug.
"I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here."
Leon couldn't speak to answer her, his throat caught and he couldn't utter one sound. He was too scared that Claire would be
able to feel the beating of his heart through his shirt.
Claire pulled her jacket thin sweater tightly around her shoulders and watched numbly as her breath formed a cloud of steam
just centimeters from her nose. Thinking now, she realized that it was foolish to have chosen such thin material to wear against the
autumn chill. Her red spiked heels lay beside her feet, forgotten, just looking at them made her toes and heels throb in a dull, aching
pain. How she had been able to stay in them for two hours was a mystery. Pulling her knees up to her chin, she massaged her
raw feet and tried to keep her eyes dry. It was completely dark in this area of the parking lot and the broken street lamp left much
to be desired but Claire didn't think she could find the strength to move.
She desperately wanted to crawl up into a ball and die. After debating in the freezing corridor for nearly fifteen minutes, she
replaced the phone on it's cradle and hobbled back to where she had left Steve. She stopped short when she was nearly seven
meters away, hidden by a tall mall tree. Steve was still sitting where she left him, his shirt was stained a chalky pink but that seemed
the furthest thing from his mind. Sitting beside him, gazing at him adoringly were the two teenage girls who had passed by them
earlier. Claire felt indignation flare up in her cheeks, this proved her point exactly. No sooner did she turn her back did Steve go
looking for someone new. Then again, maybe she shouldn't have chosen such harsh words.
No, she wouldn't let Steve make her feel like the bad guy. Heading towards him unsteadily and caught the last part of their
conversation. One of the girls, the one wearing the turqoise halter leaned over Steve and smiled.
"Trisha and I were going out to a club." She twirled Steve's auburn hair around her finger. "Want to come?"
"Depends on what type of coming you mean." Steve said slyly. The girls began to giggle convulsively before Steve agreed. They
got up and headed in the opposite direction. Claire's temper began to flare and she spun around and stomped away, nearly knocking
a security guard into the reflecting pool.
Hot tears spilled over Claire's eyes and clashed with the cold air and she stood up. Maybe she'd better head to a well lit area
so that Leon would find her more easily. As she walked, the concrete slapping agaisnt her bare feet, she sighed deeply and tucked
her hands against her sides so that they cradled her elbows. Why hadn't she confronted Steve? Told those little whores off? Ripped
someone's head clean away? Was she being weak or had she really not wanted to? Deep down in her heart was she really that
happy to be rid of him?
A broken black car appeared beside her and the tinted windows rolled down.
"Hey baby," A sleazy bearded man whistled at her. "I'm kind of lonely and you look like you could use a ride."
"Sorry if I look interested." Claire smiled disgustedly. "I'm not."
A frown appeared on the guy's face. "You don't have a choice bitch. You HAVE to be interested."
Claire rolled her eyes and turned away, flipping her hair over her shoulders in defiance. The man growled fiercely before climbing
out of his car, grabbing Claire's arm and yanking her back.
Before he could do anything more, a loud thundering roar sounded from the side. A gorgeous Harley appeared from the
darkness and did an abrupt 180ยบ turn then stopped short, the driver barely jolted forward. Claire glanced at him closely and saw
that it was Leon... In one cool, sweeping movement he hopped off the bike and started for them. Leon's eyes swept over her
and pulled her into him with one arm.
"Beat it pal," Leon said without even looking at the man. "She's going with me."
"What are you talking about? I got her first." He protested vehemently.
Leon whipped around and glared at him. He released Claire and stepped up menacingly to the man. "I tell you, she is going with
ME."
The man was about to protest again when Leon grabbed his arm. "Maybe I didn't make myself clear the first and second time."
Leon forced him to a dark corner so that Claire wouldn't see them but it was painfully obvious from the moans of torture what
was going on. After a few moments, Leon reappeared and headed for her.
"So, how are you doing?" Leon asked as he dusted himself off.
"I'm just peachy keen." Claire said bitterly, trying to be brave but her voice cracked and she placed her hand over her mouth.
Leon stared at her sympathetically for a moment before shrugging off his leather jacket and putting it on her shoulders. "Come
on. We'll talk somewhere."
Claire didn't move right away, it was almost as if she were rooted to that very spot, as if her legs didn't trust Leon's intentions. She
didn't trust anyone at this point.
"Claire?" Leon asked, his eyebrow raised.
Claire shook her head. "No. I'm sorry, Leon. I shouldn't have called you down here. I can get home by myself."
"Don't be stupid, Claire." Leon said, shaking his head. "I can't just leave you here."
"Yes you can--"
"No, I can't--" He disagreed.
"YES, you can--Steve did!" Claire interjected before Leon could finish.
She blinked back any tears that had started to form and crossed her arms under her breasts. Leon's hand pressed against the
small of her back and massaged it reassuringly.
"Come on, you shouldn't be alone right now." He insisted.
"O-okay." Claire said, hicupping hard.
His hand still on her back, Leon led her to his motorcycle and helped her on. As she slid onto the smooth leather seat she felt
the familiar rush of adrenaline flood through her veins, this was the first time she had been on a motorcycle in years. Leon handed
her an extra helmet and climbed on.
"Hang on tight." He told her.
Sliding forward Claire wrapped her arms around his waist and held onto him securely. She felt Leon tense for one or two
seconds before he started up the engine and they took off. Instinctively, Claire sat up straighter, taking pleasure in the wind that
whipped around her and secretly wishing she could dispose of the helmet to let it flow through her hair. It provided a temporary
relief from the stress and problems and as Leon sped up the small smile on her face was now a satisfied grin.
After she had had her feel of freedom Claire leaned her head on Leon's shoulder, suddenly exhausted. They pulled into a gas
station that had a small chain for Burger King in it.
"You hungry?" Leon asked her as they parked in a well-lit area.
Claire shrugged and Leon got off and went inside. Claire slid back and wrapped herself in his jacket as she waited and watched
as people filled up their gas tanks and then went on their way. Five minutes later, Leon returned with a bag in his hands which he
promptly put in the alfordja on his motorcycle.
Claire had no idea where he was taking her but at the moment she didn't care. They drove for about twenty minutes after that
before they pulled into an old dirt road and a cliffside parking spot that overlooked the Bay bridge and the bright city lights of
San Francisco. There were two cars parked there also but it seemed like the couples inside were already in a passionate embrace
and completely dead to the world.
Leon stepped off and pulled out a blanket which he laid on the ground then pulled out the food that he had bought earlier. Claire
got off the bike and with some hesitation sat on the blanket next to him. This was sweet of him and all but it made loud alarms and
a DANGER sign go off in her mind. But even though her heart pounded through all of this, she sat down willingly.
For awhile they didn't speak, just stared out at the glowing lights until they became blurred and hazy. Finally, Leon turned to
her and sighed. "So, why don't you tell me what happened?"
"And then I walk back and see Steve talking to these two little sluts that are just hanging on his every word..." Claire said as
she stuffed her burger in her mouth.
Leon gingerly ate a fry and nodded. For the past hour and a half he had sat and listened as Claire poured her soul out to him telling
him about the private hell she had been living in for the longest time. She didn't speak for the longest time, just chewed furiously
on her food and looking out at the city lights.
Swallowing finally, she looked at him, her eyes watery.
"Where do you think I went wrong?" She asked him. "I mean, did I DO something to make Steve so...miserable? So that he
would start drinking so much or cheating on me?"
The hurt in her voice was so all-in that Leon felt angry at Steve and at himself. Why hadn't he been here to help her get through
all this pain before? To rescue her? And yet, if he had, would it have made any difference?
Leon sighed and scooted closer to her, he raised his hand and cupped her cheek. "You didn't do anything."
"Then how did all of this happen?" She asked, suddenly bursting into sobs.
Leon felt moved to say something, anything, but realized he didn't know the words. He just pressed his lips together and took
her into his arms and let her cry. Her shoulders rose and fell quickly as her sobs heightened in their intensity. Every time they
seemed to slow down, they picked right back up again. Almost as if she stopped crying about one thing then started on another.
It seemed she would never stop but soon enough her sobs receded to sniffles then died completely, leaving her with a terrible
hiccup.
Pulling out a napkin, he handed it to her so that she could wipe her eyes and blow her nose. She used up five more. She
took a few deep breaths then swallowed largely before looking at him right in the eye.
"Thanks." She said, her voice cracking slightly but still audible.
"It's okay." Leon told her gently.
Claire forced a weak laugh and sighed. "I feel so stupid." She looked down at he lap and started to twist one of the napkins
in her hand. "You must think I'm the most idiotic person in the world."
Leon shook his head. "No, I don't."
"Well I wouldn't blame you if you did. I don't know why I've stayed with him so long." She looked down in embarrassment. She
started to say something but every time she started it seemed she had second thoughts. Finally she just blurted out, "I think the
love in our relationship died a long time ago....Right along with me."
Again, Leon shook his head and lifted her chin. "I don't think you did. You could never die. You're too strong. Too much
of a survivor."
"You've always believed too much in people, Leon. Even when they've screwed up majorly." Claire said sadly then looked at
him. "Thank you."
Before Leon could reply, Claire leaned into his arms and gave him a big hug.
"I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here."
Leon couldn't speak to answer her, his throat caught and he couldn't utter one sound. He was too scared that Claire would be
able to feel the beating of his heart through his shirt.
