Read Online The Risen: Dawning by Marie F Crow - Free Book Online Page A

laughter. Her blue eyes shined with the promise of sexual innuendos that everyone knew was just a false hope to be had. We were our normal playful selves when the flip was switched, but when we turned to one another, all laughter faded from our eyes and conversation.
    Her outfit was just as damning as mine when she had arrived. Her hands trembled as she poured the drinks, giving hints to her unspoken words with punctuated clarity, and no one had the courage to press the matter. Nor did either of us ask the other in private when we showered and changed in our employee area about any details. Her body shook with silent sobs at the pictures taped to her locker as she suffered in silence. I could fill in the blanks with enough imagined horrors on my own. I did not need her confirmations.
    Now, as a majority of our bond-formed family is gathering around static screaming TVs and radios, we look to J.D. for answers. If this rag-tag of a bar-formed motorcycle club were to answer to a leader, it would be him.
    His calm exterior is always holding back a force to fear that takes only a moment to ignite. His eyes hold the depth of someone always watching and weighing, not only your actions, but also your words. His stillness is not of nonchalance, but of preparedness. One spark and he could spring into action without hesitations, no matter the dark depth of the needs to obtain his goal. His smile could melt your heart or freeze your blood with only one space of wording. He could change the room with a simple adjustment of his body or face, making you always aware of him without really having to noticing him.
    For most of us, he has become the Father that life has neglected to give us, with his strength that allows him to not only control, but also comfort such a diverse collection of souls. We form our self-value around his approval. He feeds us our daily bread of encouragements and our wine of confidence. Among all of us, no one is this more true for than our Lawless.
    He and J.D. sit huddling together at a table, trying to appear calm in their whispering debate. With false smiles lingering in their conversation, they are attempting to reassure those watching. J.D. is doing a better job than Lawless. His eyes are darting too quickly from table to table around them, keeping notice of every motion made. The muscles of his honey-tinted arms are twitching with every sudden sound while he plays with the flame of his metal-encased lighter. The two of them are as confused and lost as the rest of us, but the only difference is that they are will not admit it. To do such a thing would unleash a wave of doom across the already nervous tensions of the people in the bar. We all go about the day as if it is a normal “open for business” situation, minus the bloody torn clothing, the silent stares, and the room-filling feelings of defeat.
    Lawless’ deep brown eyes keep mine for short seconds of time. My heart drops with each connection at the depths of their sorrow staring at me. It is heart-breaking to see Lawless so broken. His boyish grin and one-liners sync well with his laid back attitude. He causes all those around him to smile and forget their own troubles when he is near. There is nothing he will not do for those he cares, and if the dare is big enough, for those he knows.
    He flirts with Danger as if she is a favorite lover. He knows just where her breaking point is, but encourages her anew each day with ease. The sound of his Harley makes women melt from miles away just knowing who is rushing towards them on that blacked-out machine of his. I have watched married socialites primp at the roar and mock pose as he drove past them. At most, they only earned a smile or wink from him for their efforts. Life is a game for him and they played well together until today. Today life has broken the rules.
    He runs his hands along the path of his dark, close-cropped mohawk as he stares up at the ceiling before sliding from their shared table. He