Page 5 of Property of Legend

Hell, if it ain’t startin’ to feel like I left myself.

Then one morning, the door opens and in walks the last person I expected.

Mike Welles.Legendary Mike, with a belt buckle that says so.

My fucking old man.

Longer hair, new tattoos, leather cut over a faded tee that says,“Ride Free or Die Tryin’.”

He lights a cigarette right there in the hallway, nods at the deputy like he’s in charge, and spits on the floor.

“What the hell?”I mutter.

He looks at me.“You ready to get outta here?”

“What about the charges?”

He grins.“What charges?Ain’t no judge in this county botherin’ with petty horse theft.Jail’s closin’ down, anyway.”

“What?”

“Town moved the courthouse last month.Over by the strip mall, next to the gun shop.New jail’s two counties over.This place?It’s just here for tradition and mold.”

Stepping out, I breathe in the air like it's the first time in ages.I make two tight fists.I'm as mad as a hornet.

“They kept me here for nothin’.”

He shrugs.“Not nothin’.They were makin’ a point.”

“Who?”

“Who else?Montgomery’s.”He spit again, this time with a burning rage.

My eyes burn.“Sophie…”

“Girl, turned you in, I heard.”

I nearly vomit.I should’ve known she wasn’t serious about me.

He tosses me a helmet.“C’mon.Put on this brain bucket.Got your ride out back.”

Outside sits a black and chrome chopper, loud and gleamin’.

“Where the hell you been all these years?”I ask, holding back all the pent-up anger.Him disappearing, me stuck with the town preacher, nut case.

He throws a weathered arm over my shoulder.“California.With a guy named Big Daddy.We’re startin’ somethin’ new.A chapter here.Hell needs kings, son.You ready to raise some fucking hell?”

I stare out at what used to be my town, Paradise, already half abandoned, signs fading, half of it turned into a revival tent.

And I know there’s no going back.

Sophie’s gone.

So is Hudson Welles.

I take the helmet.

“Let’s raise some fucking hell.”I flinch for a moment, for the blow that doesn’t land.Talkin’ like that in front of the Reverend would’ve earned me a sharp slap across my mouth.

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