Chapter 9: Uncanny HeroicsThe Back Alley, Earl's Diner, Temperance, South Dakota... Grey eyes met those of terrified blue only briefly as Brick found himself quickly approaching the scene where Layla Quinn found herself held at knifepoint following her decision to get some much-needed air outside the nearby diner after attempting to sort through feelings that seemed to spring upon her out of the clear blue sky shortly after coming into contact with Brick for the very first time. The fury that filled the newly arrived werewolf had been so intense that his grey eyes shifted into a glowing red as he rushed over toward the distressed Layla catching the knife-wielding psychopath off guard and ramming him via his neck into the dumpster and proceeded to pound the already thin frail man into the ground with raging fists. He had not recalled much aside from the blood oozing from the bastard who had dared to attempt a robbery, and the sheer terror that was filed across the face of the youn
Chapter 10: A Sea Of Confusing ThoughtsThe Quinn Residence, Backwoods, Temperance, South Dakota... Finally making it home after the long day she had and the events of the diner, Layla had not been surprised to see that Jarrett left the house a complete mess for her to have to spend hours cleaning despite everything she'd already had to do at work and school before she even got to finish her homework. She sighed as she stepped inside the stuffy old yellow house and began her long-labored task of cleaning it before her father returned from his rare job appearances. He had let the rottweiler out into the backyard and tied him up to his dog house, a small favor if ever there was from him. He knew that Layla had a lot to clean and that she and his dog had not been best friends. His desire to see the house cleaned trumped his need to make his daughter feel uncomfortable about bringing anyone over while he'd been away. For once Layla was glad of it after everything that happened wi
Chapter 11: Making Something Out Of NothingThe Local Bar and Grill, Temperance, South Dakota... Brick Kenneally sat alone at the bar while his fellow gang members enjoyed their respective drinks and time with the ladies who had taken a liking to them. His mysterious grey eyes were intently focused on the dark brown liquid that swirled about in the fat round glass he clasped so tightly in his right hand. A thick layer of white smoke filled the place due to the constant addition of various cigarettes that had been lit all around him. The neon glow of the signs did little to combat the semi-darkness that filled the place and the soft echo of the music from the nearby jukebox played in the background mostly ignored by all aside from those closest to it in a range that could hear the song. Everywhere there was chatter and people hugged one another kissing and so forth. Brick continued to stare down into the bottom of his glass as he thought back to the afternoon in the alley behind
Chapter 12: A Dreamer's HeartThe Backwoods, The Quinn Residence, Temperance, South Dakota... Alone in the house, as night began to overtake the last lights of the afternoon sun, Layla Quinn found herself in her bedroom with many a textbook and notebook spread along her bed as she lay back against the pillows with her pencil having dropped from her grasp and onto the nearby floor following her dozing off after finally completing the last of her homework. She'd finally finished her English essay when sleep caught up to her and remained so for several hours as the day gave way to night and there was still no sign of Jarrett coming home despite the house being cleaned from top to bottom. Layla found herself awakening after being startled by her dream as once more she found herself back at the diner with the older man clad in a biker cut, she seemed to have memorized all of his patches and then some as he pressed her up against the nearby wall their tongue's warring as if both of th
Chapter 13: The Price Of A CollarThe Sheriff's Office, Temperance, South Dakota... Folded fingers moved through the loops of Brick's jeans as he awaited the arrival of the county Sheriff following up on the events of the previous night when he brought in the junkie who had attacked the young waitress from the diner. Brick leaned against the nearby wooden wall, his cut against the grain, and his heavy black boots dug at the heels into the hardwood floor as he waited for the sheriff to make an appearance following a previous call to an emergency. He had not been as patient as most who had visited the office and was more than anxious about being there due to his checkered past of sorts, but he needed to make sure the junkie would be held accountable after what he'd done to the young waitress. Sheriff Marian Tillman seemed to have seen better days as he approached the station with a grim expression filed across his dazed and frown-driven face. He was a lawman of average size with
Chapter 14: The Pros And Cons Of An Unconventional RelationshipForest Lake High School, Temperance, South Dakota... Layla was fortunate that her father had not returned from the previous night out and that she didn't have to worry about having to clean up the house after his insistence upon making it a mess every chance he got. She'd gone to school and suffered through the most mundane aspects of her day before finally getting to have a break via lunch. Casey had been busy with cheerleading practice once again and couldn't join them, but everyone seemed to understand that her life had been pulled in different directions ever since they made it to high school. As they sat and chatted about events from the past and what was to come with the new school year due to the one they were in was only a few months away from coming to an end, Layla seemed more or less preoccupied and her friends had immediately taken notice. "Something on your mind Layla?" asked Derrick already going
Chapter 15: Rallying The BoysThe Outskirts Of Temperance, South Dakota... Much like always, Brick Kenneally revved the engine of his bike, getting the attention of his club mates as he ordered them rather wordlessly to ride in formation just as they pulled out of the sleepy little South Dakota town. Rooster had been puzzled as to why Brick was in such a hurry to leave when they were still awaiting a package that had been a ways off. Brick explained that they had a detour to make due to a personal favor from Sheriff Tillman. Rooster had been none too keen on doing favors for a cop no less but he trusted his godson's judgment and rode with him anyway. The rest of the boys followed suit eager to see what kind of new trouble they could stir up once they reached their destination. Despite being in the middle of a retrieval assignment, Brick found himself doing a bit more reflecting once they had crossed state lines and headed toward Iowa. He couldn't help but feel a pang of something h
Chapter 16: An Almost Full DisclosureThe Backroom, Earl's Diner, Temperance, South Dakota... Layla moved as slowly as ever when her shift at Earl's Diner had finally winded down. She had not been feeling too enthusiastic about her day ever since a strange feeling washed over her and she felt as if she'd been losing something. Her young heart seemed to ache for something she couldn't fathom and try as she might, the sadness only continued to build as the day passed and she settled back into her familiar routine. Phoebe entered the back room confused as to why Layla had seen sop out of sorts as of late. She deduced it had something to do with the previous day and had been quite adamant about hounding her for the answers to the numerous questions she had about what transpired. Layla had been in less of a mood to answer them as she had previously but knew Phoebe wouldn't let up until she told her. "So..." said Phoebe, as of this were a casual conversation, as she walked over to