A Road At Night

The night air was cool making Corrie pull her jacket tight against her. Her only company for days had been the crunch of her boots on the gravel. she wasn't even sure how far she'd walked, but she was thankful it didn't get too cold in California. She wasn't even sure where she was going, just away from that old bastard.

Though it was late, she wasn't scared. There was barely any traffic on this back road and she could take care of herself. She was determined to just find a place far enough away that he couldn't find her.

Opie Winston probably shouldn't have been driving that late at night after having a few stiff drinks out at his old man Piney's cabin. It had been a difficult life lately; death of his first wife, Donna, his kids barely wanting anything to do with him, his second wife, Lyla, deciding to follow through with a divorce. Such shitty luck could leave a man hard and bitter; taking stupid risks such as drinking and driving as some ill hope that maybe it'll be the one thing that brings him death and ultimate peace.

He sped up as the thoughts of rage raced through his head. The headlight careening ofer the blank canvas of road in front of him then suddenly a light hits the back for a redheaded girl, right in front of his dangerous path. He swore as he swerved out of the way and ended up laying the bike down in the ditch. He groaned out in slight pain as he stood up and looked at the nearly shocked girl, "What the hell are you thinking walking in the middle of the goddamn road at night?! Are you insane?!"

She glared at the tall man. Tall may even have been an understatement. He had on enough leather that he was probably no worse for the wear and he smelled like a distillery. The beard on him would have made a viking jealous.

"Me insane? Seems to me you're the one driving home enough whiskey in your belly for an army of Irish."

She moved closer and visually inspected him, "You ok?"

Opie groaned, thankful for the heavy leather that guarded him from the road burn. He cracked his sore back before answering the fiery sprite before him, "I'm fine...I should be asking the same thing. What the hell are you doing out here alone this late at night anyway?"

She sighed and crossed her arms, "I'm," she thought for a second, "kind of running away."

It had been two days of lonely walking, but no way could she stand to be in that house anymore. The cool breeze whispered between them. Fear should have been present, he was huge and very intimidating, but she wasn't scared.

Opie cautiously reached out to touch her arm, "If you don't mind me asking, from what?"

"I don't want to talk about it," she marveled at the size of his hands, "I guess I'm just going anywhere."

The thought of her step father made her feel ill. She closed her eyes tight for a minute and scrubbed a hand over her face.

"Why are you out here, besides the obvious death wish?"

Opie smirked, "I'm Pop has....had a cabin out here. Just came out for memory's sake. Do you need a ride?"

"To need a ride you need to know where you're headed," she laughed, "I have no clue where I'm going."

It had been so long since she genuinely smiled. It felt out of place on her face.

Opie smiled, "Charming, California miss."

She raised an eyebrow, "Guess I found where I'm going."

She watched him pick up the bike and inspect it, there was no real damage. He took off his helmet and handed it to her. Making sure her backpack was secure, she slid onto the bike behind him. Though she didn't even know his name, she slid her arms around him.

Opie realized this and chuckled, "I guess I should give you a name. I'm Harry Winston, but my friends call me Opie."

"Ope, huh?" She smiled, "My name is Corrie. Corrie DeSantis."

There was a knot growing in the pit of her stomach, though she had no idea why.

Opie smiled at her boyishly, "Well, Corrie DeSantis, I suggest you hold on tight." He kicked the engine of the bike to life, revving it a few times before driving off into the night.

Charming was a small town time seemed to have forgotten. by the time they pulled into a driveway it was late and she was exhausted. She stood and wobbled some, quickly righting herself. She'd have to get going if she was going to find a place to stay.

"Thanks," she said as she started to walk away.

Opie had thought long and hard during the ride; he imagined the girl had no place to go. With it being late and him having plenty of space for a second person in the house, the answer was clear. "Hey, need a placeto crash?"

She blinked in shock, "I do, but I can't. I couldn't do that to you."

She didn't want to draw him into all the hell she had around her. She was hiding, running, there was no reason to pull him into all of that.

Opie rolled his eyes, shaking his head, "Seriously, you should and you will. Come on, I don't bite. I have a room set up for my buddies to use to crash anyway. It won't be any trouble. Besides, I'm sure you are starving and tired. Come on,"

She thought of the scene she'd left behind and the vengeance that was surely on her tail and she shivered despite the warm air. He definitely seemed like someone who'd done his share of bad things in his life, yet there seemed to be, buried in him, a warmth. She rubbed her hands against her arms and nodded.

"Ok, Opie Winston."

He showed her through the house, clearly he had children though she had no idea where they were. The house was nice it had a big, open kitchen, a nice dinning room, a real family place. She wondered why he was in it alone. He showed her to the guest room and then went to make her something to eat. she took the opportunity to shower.

Her Step Dad had it coming, she had to keep reminding herself of that. He wouldn't see it that way, but it had allowed her to get away. He'd crossed the line for the last time so she'd finally snapped and beat him until he was on the floor, not moving.

No matter how she scrubbed she didn't think she would ever feel clean. She got out, dried off, and got dressed. Still, she stood staring at herself in the mirror on the verge of a breakdown.
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Opie came by her room a few minutes later, knocking softly. Since they got home, he had showered and changed into a tee and jeans. "Hey, I'm about to make some dinner. Want anything?"

She opened the door, "yea."
She followed him down the hall and sat at the breakfast bar. For a minute the room spun just from the surrealness of it all.
"You ever tried to outrun something you just can't?"

Opie paused as he looked in the freezer, thinking hard about her question and how it pertained to his life. He nodded, "Mostly my past."

She laughed bitterly, "I wish it was something like that."

She knew she'd probably offended him, but wasn't in the mood to care.

Opie sighed, "Ever had somebody you loved die because of the choices you made?"

She thought for a minute, "No. I don't have many people I love to affect."