Chapter 3: The Mechanic

Rosalia covers her fear of Ryker by gripping her shirt. "Take the screwdriver or just walk to the bar you're talking to on your feet and forget your bike."

Not only Ryker, but all the Iron Fang members were shocked. Because so far only Rosalia had dared to give Ryker an order. Especially while putting on an annoyed expression. Because all this time Ryker had always been respected and no one spoke harshly to him because he's not that kind of patience when he heard harsh words.

But there was something more surprising, which was that Ryker still did what Rosalia said. He pulled the screwdriver out of the wall and gave it to Rosalia.

"You're a customer so you should be polite. In my garage there's no such thing as customer is the king. Sit there and let me do my work in peace."

This time Rosalia was very firm and Ryker complied.

She repaired his bike. She showed her skills were greater than ever. Make no mistake, Rosalia was an engineer so she knows about machines and other things.

"You can answer me later. But I want to ask you now. Why did you move here? Judging from your look, you look like a big city girl. This is a small town. So I'm curious why you chose to open a garage here because with your title you can get a job in a big office."

Rosalia's hand reflexively stopped. The question was difficult for her to answer.

"There's not much variety of jobs here. You're still young. It's strange that you're suddenly moving. Not to mention all the gossip about this town. I'm very curious about your reason for choosing this town."

There was nothing more frightening to Rosalia right now than answering that question. Because that question had opened a wound that she was trying to cover up.

"I'm curious too," she said. "Do you think a fresh graduate like me who studied a good major in the city should work in the city too and become an employee instead of opening my own business?"

"I don't think so. You are free to choose your career. It's just that you're unique. You've chosen a different path compared to other people at your age."

Rosalia smiled wryly. "You also chose a unique path. You became a biker gang leader instead of having a steady job."

This time it was not Ryker who was heated by Rosalia's words, but Jeff. "He doesn't work but he employs others. All the hotels in this town belong to him. The bar we're going to was founded by him. He's also into research. He's an archaeologist when he's not on the road with us."

Rosalia opened her mouth so wide that she dropped the bolts she was about to install. Which made Ryker smile slightly.

"You're so cute."

Ryker helped Rosalia collect all the bolts and put them in the box.

"You baited me first. So don't blame me if I say something like that."

"I don't mind it. Jeff also had no intention of embarrassing you. He just likes to explain myself to new people."

Still it was embarrassing for Rosalia to underestimate someone who turned out to be greater than she thought. "I moved here because I wanted to escape the noisy city. I wanted a new atmosphere, a quieter place."

Rosalia finally put in the last bolt. "And I plan to rebrand this garage. I'll give it a new name, GhostRider. I want to start my new life here. Will that answer make you stop wondering about me?"

"Yeah, that's enough for now. If you need help opening your garage, I'm ready to help."

Rosalia tossed her glove to Ryker which he caught well. "Thanks for the offer but I can still do it by myself."

"You can still ask me for help if you need someone."

Rosalia returned after washing her hands. "Everything costs 213 bucks. But since I haven't officially opened it yet and you're my first customer who doubts my skills. I'll make it free. You've seen my skills so that's enough. Next time I'll add another f*e if you bring your bike here again."

"What if I pay for it with drinks at the bar? As a newcomer it would be better if you mingle with the others."

"What can I find there?"

"A lot. Everyone is gathered there."

"All right. I will take it," Rosalia replied without hesitation. This would help her to get to know the people well as it was part of her plan. Hence she didn't refuse but instead was challenged and even more curious about what she could get.

*****

Rosalia ended up in Ryker's back bike seat. He led the way as his gang members followed in the back.

"You gotta think you're cool. For a moment I could feel it too," she said innocently.

Ryker turned his head briefly. He knew being this close to Rosalia on a full moon night was bad for him but he did it instead. "We are one entity."

"Like family?"

"Yes, close like family and best friends."

Rosalia tapped her hand on her thigh. "What have you found during your time as an archaeologist here?"

"Not too much yet but some of it contributes to the contents of the museum. Jewelry, ancient hunting weapons like spears and arrowheads, and bones."

The last word caught Rosalia's attention. "What bones, human?"

"Unfortunately there are only animal bones here."

It was at this moment that Rosalia finally realized the great potential she could get from Ryker if she got closer to him. Not just the help, but also the information she was looking for and needed.

"If you had found human bones, would you call the police?"

Ryker chuckled. "It wasn't a corpse, so I didn't report it to the police. Besides, if I find human bones, they're ancient human bones. So I'll report it to the archaeologist's center or publish it through newspapers and journals."

"But how can you tell the difference between the bones of a murder victim and those of an ancient human?"

Rosalia's question made Ryker slow down the bike. He was staring straight ahead with an eye color that was slowly changing. From blue to pitch black. "I have the ability for that. I studied it."

Rosalia's attention turned to the sky when she accidentally looked into the rearview mirror that reflected the shape of the moon up there. "It's a full moon night. The moon looks pretty big and the streets are very bright." She raised her hand in the air and blocked the moon from her view but still she could not block out its light.

"What's with the full moon?"

"Nothing, I'm just talking."

Ryker's eyes returned to the normal color. "Do you know the story of the full moon? The story that everyone here is talking about so much."

"Of course I don't know. I'm a newcomer."

Ryker smiled secretly. He glanced at Rosalia through the rearview mirror then suddenly increased the speed of the bike which made Rosalia scream and reflexively hug him.

"What are you doing! I almost fell because of you!"

"I just want us to arrive soon because the residents said that there's a mysterious creature that likes to roam around on full moon nights. And everyone is hiding at home right now. So we should seek shelter immediately."

"Don't you scare me, I don't believe in such things. You're also a human being so if the story is true then you will hide earlier instead of going to the bar."

"What if I'm not a human? What if I'm the mysterious creature that's being talked about?"

"You're just full of crap. I'm a logical person. I only believe in evidence not stories."

As if to confirm the truth of Ryker's story, there was a very long wolf howl, overpowering the sound of their bikes.

"What about that?" asked Ryker.

"It's just wolves. They won't attack us because we're moving together."

"But wolves have packs too. They move in packs."

"You and your friends can fight them. You guys have big muscles so I don't think it'll be a problem."

"You're so confident that we'll help you? Is it because you feel rewarded for fixing my bike?"

Rosalia had no more answers. She released her grip on Ryker's shirt and pulled her body back to get some distance from that man. But Ryker pulled Rosalia forward again and placed her hands on his waist.

"You need to hold on so you don't fall. I'm going to speed up because I'm gonna protect you from those wolves."

But what Rosalia needed to be afraid of was not the wolves, but the man currently riding in front of her because he was more dangerous than an ordinary wolf.