Page 4 of Chains
“Is that where we’re going?The compound?”
“Yep.Safest place in the whole city.They have the most wonderful place for all us old ladies to hang out.They call it the Oasis, and that’s really what it is.”She smiled, and it struck me how genuinely happy my new friend was.There was a difference in how she was in public and how she was now.I got the impression she held herself back and was on her guard most of the time.Now she acted carefree.
“Really?”
“Oh, yeah.Whole place is fenced in.And there’s plenty of room for you to do all the spells you want to, no matter how much like ass they smell.”
I laughed.“I think you’re giving ass too much credit.Ass can’t hold a candle to that potion.”
“You’re right.”
Ten minutes later we rolled through the chain-link gate.I stared in awe at the place.“This is so freakin’cool!”
A series of warehouses formed neat rows.I have no idea how many there were, but the paths between them were covered in camouflage netting.The whole thing was surrounded by chain-link fencing with barbed wire at the top.It had a post-apocalyptic feeling going on but without the scary vibe.Which… sounded quite odd given the look of the place.I knew most of the guys here had done time in prison and maybe I should be afraid.But Carrie was a really sweet person and she and the guys from this club had literally moved me from my apartment and offered to let me stay here for an unspecified amount of time.They were going through a lot of trouble if their motives were nefarious.
I stepped out of the Bronco.My cats continued their symphony of displeasure from their carriers, probably plotting my demise for subjecting them to this travel nightmare.The compound looked even more impressive up close.The place might as well have been a fortress.Police or not, there was no one getting in this place they didn’t want to let in.There were several men and women about the area.Most of them wore leather vests like Knuckles and Hawk had on.The women were a mix of those with vests and those without.
“Holy crap, you guys have your own little city,” I murmured, craning my neck to take it all in.
Carrie laughed.“It’s the most wonderful place in the world.”
Before I could respond, the door to the main building swung open and a woman with a bright smile bounded down the steps toward us.Her blonde hair was pulled into a messy bun, and despite the tough-looking environment, she wore a floral sundress that somehow didn’t look out of place.
“You must be Ellie!”She grabbed my hands in hers, squeezing them warmly.“I’m Pippa!Carrie texted that you were on your way.We’ve got everything ready for you!”
I blinked, taken aback by her enthusiasm.“Um, thanks.That’s really nice of you.”
“Pippa’s our welcome wagon,” Carrie explained with a grin.“She makes sure everyone feels at home.”
“Which you absolutely will,” Pippa assured me, releasing my hands only to loop her arm through mine.“I heard about your little potion accident.Don’t worry, we’ve all had disasters.Though maybe not quite so” -- she sniffed delicately, her nose wrinkling --”aromatic.”
I felt my face flush.“Yeah, sorry about that.I’ll shower as soon as possible.”
Pippa and Carrie both grinned at me.“Don’t be sorry.What kind of witches’ brew isn’t smelly?”
“I was just practicing for Halloween.I like to make a bubbling cauldron and dress up and decorate.I just mixed up a couple things.I do it every year.It’s why I practice before I do it.”I grinned.If they didn’t like my Halloween spirit, they could all kiss my whole entire ass.“The kids in the park love it.”
“Wait a second.”Pippa’s eyes widened.“That’s you?You do that every year, don’t you?”
“I do.”I couldn’t help but smile and bounce a little with enthusiasm.“Halloween is my favorite holiday.I go all out.”
“I always love the festival in the park.Your area is always the best.Especially your witches’ brew!It seems to make the whole place smell like autumn.”
“It’s just dry ice and some spices.And it’s not like it’s anything to eat.I just like the smoke and fragrance.I string up lights and have cookies and cupcakes out.And hot chocolate.”I smiled.“Nothing like a Halloween sugar high!”
We shared the laugh while the men unloaded my meager possessions from the Bronco.Hawk carefully extracted two of the cat carriers, holding them at arm’s length as if they might explode.Knuckles rolled his eyes and took the other.The cats still hadn’t shut up.
“This way!”Pippa tugged me toward the main building.“The girls are dying to meet you!”
“The girls?”I found myself relieved to know there were other women in the place.Not that I thought these people would hurt me, but it was self-preservation.So far, they’d shown me nothing but kindness and acceptance.
“The other old ladies.That’s what they call the women who are with members of the club,” Carrie explained as we entered the building.
Inside, the main floor opened into a large common area that looked like a cross between a sports bar and someone’s living room.Pool tables, leather couches, a massive TV, and a well-stocked bar filled the space.Five women smiled as we entered, moving forward to meet us as the guys took my stuff on to wherever I was staying.I was kind of anxious to get my cats settled, but I wasn’t going to say anything to seem ungrateful to these people.I owed them.A lot.
“Everyone, this is Ellie!”Pippa announced.“She’s staying with us for a while.”
I expected cold stares or, at best, polite indifference.Instead, they all took my hand or gave me a hug of greeting as they introduced themselves.They didn’t falter even when they got a whiff of the stink.
