Children of Dawn
Chapter 2
Ashley’s POV
January, 28th 2003
In a town of two hundred people, there’s not a lot to do. Unless you like sitting on the porch and talking to old people, or walking through the corn fields. It was Missouri, what else could you do? I decided that I only had one nineteenth birthday, so I was going to enjoy myself. I just hadn’t figured out how yet. My party was happening, and boy was it happening. The whole town was invited, so my small house was packed to the brim with people inside and outside. There was everything from little kids to grandparents shuffling around with walkers. My best friend Damion had been within my view at one point, but his short and stocky form had been lost in the crowd. Wherever I turned there was someone waiting to shake my hand and congratulate me for making it nineteen years. Everybody brought food, and everyone who could afford it brought me presents.My two favorites where a sticker from my four year old neighboor, Eva across the street, and the promise of my first tattoo free from my aunt.
“You’ve done a good job, boy,” Mr. Edwards, from down the street said, shaking my hand in his old withered one. He smiled his kind, old, and wrinkly smile and then shuffled away through the crowd. I was making sure no one knocked him over when I felt a firm slap on my shoulder. I turned around to see no other than Aunt Beth. I bent down so she could talk in my ear.
“Why don’t we get out of the crowd, I’ll take you upstairs and give you that tattoo I promised,” She yelled in my ear over all the talking.
“Right now?” I shouted back.
“You heard me, boy. Let’s give you a break from talking to people,” She grabbed me by the forearm and pulled me through the crowd. We slipped up the stairs and she pulled me into the hallway bathroom. The tattoo gun was already set up, all black ink, she knew what I wanted.
“You still want the black stars on that skinny little shoulder of yours?” She teased.
“Of course that’s what I want, I’ve been wanting that tattooed on me since I was like ten,” I said rolling my eyes.
“Well, if an idea lasts nine years it’s probably a good one right? Alright sit down put your arm up on the counter, it won’t take long,” She said, patting the bar stool that had been moved up to the bathroom.
*******
She was right, it didn’t take long. Fifteen minutes of pain later and she was telling me to hang on, she was almost done. Watching the process take place in the mirror, I definitely liked where it was going. Suddenly there was a rap on the door.
“What do you want? We’re tattooing in here,” Aunt Beth shouted turning back to face the door. I let out a small chuckle, the knock was familiar to me, I could almost guess who it was.
“Damion?” I shouted through the door.
“Yeah man. Can I come in?” He called.
“Sure,” I said. He pushed the door open and Aunt Beth went back to tattooing me. Damion bent his neck so that he could get a nice look at the tattoo.
“That looks killer dude,” He said nodding in approval.
“Well thank you, I try my best,” Aunt Beth said with a hint of sarcasm. Damion laughed a bit, they didn’t know each other well. Sure he’d seen my aunt a few times while at parties and such but they’d never talked other than being introduced.
“So I have your present for you, but it may have to wait until you’re done,” Damion said looking at my aunt out of the corner of his eye.
“Why?” I asked.
“Well… um, I… Well you’ll understand when you get it,” He said nervously. Aunt Beth rolled her eyes.
“What? Is it something illegal?” She asked. Damion began to stutter out an excuse, “Hey look, I don’t care as long as it’s not going to get either of you boneheads hurt,” She finished. Damion looked at me for approval.
“It’s fine, she won’t tell,” I said. Damion considered for a moment, I could see him deciding. His apprehension made me excited. What could he have possibly gotten me that made him so nervous?
“You want it now?” He said.
“Yeah, where is it?” I asked. Instead of answering he reached into his back pocket and pulled out what I thought was a credit card. I took it with my unoccupied hand. As I flipped it over to the other side I began to question Damions sanity. It was my driver’s license.
“Thanks?” I said. Damion shook his head.
“Look closer, dude. Read the information,” I glanced through everything, and it seemed to be normal until I got to the birth date. The year was two years earlier than it should have been.
“With that in hand, you are legally twenty one years old.” Damion said, a proud grin growing on his face. Aunt Beth sighed and wiped the last bit of blood off my arm. I got the sense from her body language that she didn’t approve.
“You’re not going to tell are you?” I asked. She shook her head, with her lips pursed and her forehead creased.
“Great! So tonight you are going to get on your motorcycle, we’ll tell your parents that you’re staying at my place, and you can go and have a good time. Maybe pick up a girl,” Damion said, Aunt Beth was gently wrapping my arm in plastic wrap.
“Wait, you’re not going with me?” I asked.
“Nope, my parents are making me watch my sister tonight. So you’re on your own for this endeavor,” Damion said, but he looked disappointed. My heart sank, it wouldn’t be the same without him.
“Okay, Ash. You’re done. Put the ointment on that or it will be really uncomfortable for you,” She said.
“Great! All you need is to wait for the party to clear out, and then we’ll talk to your parents and then you can go have your adventure. Just go towards the big city and you’re bound to find a bar or two on your way,” Damion said, fist pumping. We started to get up when Aunt Beth stopped me with a hand on my arm.
“I need you to be careful, Ashley. You’re going to be alone in a new place and you’re going to be drinking. Someone could try to take advantage of you. So be careful. Don’t drink too much or you’ll get alcohol poisoning, watch your drinks, make sure no one drugs them. If a girl says no, she means no, don’t force anyone to do anything that you even think that they don’t want to do,” Aunt Beth said sincerely with a hand on my elbow.
“I know all these things,” I said.
“I know, I know, but you’re a good kid, and I wouldn’t want you to ruin it by doing something stupid. Just stay the night in a hotel, put my card number on the tab, pay me back later. Don’t you dare try to drive home even slightly drunk. I would never forgive myself if I let you do this and you ended up in jail, or worse in the hospital,” She said, I could see that she was trying to keep a cool face, but her eyes revealed that she was in fact very worried about me. I nodded and left the room.
The party seemed to drag on for hours after that. I was so excited to go. I was polite though, and I showed my tattoo and answered as many questions as the townspeople could throw at me. I even talked to the sixteen year old girl from down the street who always giggled and blushed whenever I waved to her when I passed her house. I managed to sneak in my own question to my parents, if I could spend the night at Damion’s place while his parents where out of town. They quickly agreed. Damion left the party then. Then it was just a waiting game. Gradually the crowd thinned and the room felt more breathable. Eventually the last guest trickled out the front door. Right away I grabbed my keys and shouted a rushed goodbye to my parents.
As I pulled on my leather jacket the cold nipped at me. It was freezing and getting dark very fast. I patted my pockets and made sure I had cash to pay the bar tab and the right ID. I climbed onto my motorcycle and backed out of the driveway. Before long I was off down the road. I drove fast, but not fast enough to be pulled over. The roads where close to desolate. No one wanted to be out on a night that was so freezing cold and windy. I imagined them all at home wrapped in blankets. For a moment that sounded better than going illegally out into the cold. I almost considered turning back. Unfortunately the sight of the city lights appearing in the distance changed my mind. My excitement bubbled inside me like a frothing drink. My thoughts of turning back where left behind on the highway. As I rode signs flashed past, I checked them as well as I could for the right exit, none of them advertised bars though.
Finally I saw the sign “Exit Now For Columbia Missouri” it boasted in bright white letters. I merged onto the exit ramp, slowing down as a few other cars began to share the road with me. We curved down the ramp and I felt like I was riding on air. The well maintained roads were like glass compared to the old run down paths at home. I could feel myself grinning within the foam of my helmet. I was going to get laid, and nothing was going to stop me. I’d have to thank Aunt Beth when I got back for letting me use her card for the hotel room that I was going to be staying in. The road that I was on thinned to a city street. It was vacant, aside for a few unlucky souls walking home from a late night at work. They were bundled from head to two in coats and hats, I’d barely noticed the cold for the entire ride. I slowed down even farther and looked around, I didn’t see any bars or signs of them. No stumbling drunks, no topless fluorescent girls, I clicked my tongue and drove on. I guessed I was in the business side of town. I needed to find my way to the food district. I hadn’t the slightest clue where that might be though, so I rode on.
Buildings zipped past me blue and black rectangles that screamed boring at me. I sighed, surely I was going to be all sweaty underneath this helmet, and helmet hair was not cute for anybody. My legs were starting to cramp, I was about to stop just to stretch out the knots and then I rounded a corner and bingo, I saw it. Tonic Tavern shone in bright green letters across the roof of a small building. Sitting outside I could see people making out and smoking cigarettes. It didn’t seem very classy, but it wasn’t complete trash either. It was just like me. I rolled into the parking lot, a few people outside looked up at me. I ignored them swinging gracefully off my bike. I took off my helmet and shook out my hair. A couple of girls sitting on a bench giggled at me. I nodded at them and smiled. It was going to be a night to remember.
January, 28th 2003
In a town of two hundred people, there’s not a lot to do. Unless you like sitting on the porch and talking to old people, or walking through the corn fields. It was Missouri, what else could you do? I decided that I only had one nineteenth birthday, so I was going to enjoy myself. I just hadn’t figured out how yet. My party was happening, and boy was it happening. The whole town was invited, so my small house was packed to the brim with people inside and outside. There was everything from little kids to grandparents shuffling around with walkers. My best friend Damion had been within my view at one point, but his short and stocky form had been lost in the crowd. Wherever I turned there was someone waiting to shake my hand and congratulate me for making it nineteen years. Everybody brought food, and everyone who could afford it brought me presents.My two favorites where a sticker from my four year old neighboor, Eva across the street, and the promise of my first tattoo free from my aunt.
“You’ve done a good job, boy,” Mr. Edwards, from down the street said, shaking my hand in his old withered one. He smiled his kind, old, and wrinkly smile and then shuffled away through the crowd. I was making sure no one knocked him over when I felt a firm slap on my shoulder. I turned around to see no other than Aunt Beth. I bent down so she could talk in my ear.
“Why don’t we get out of the crowd, I’ll take you upstairs and give you that tattoo I promised,” She yelled in my ear over all the talking.
“Right now?” I shouted back.
“You heard me, boy. Let’s give you a break from talking to people,” She grabbed me by the forearm and pulled me through the crowd. We slipped up the stairs and she pulled me into the hallway bathroom. The tattoo gun was already set up, all black ink, she knew what I wanted.
“You still want the black stars on that skinny little shoulder of yours?” She teased.
“Of course that’s what I want, I’ve been wanting that tattooed on me since I was like ten,” I said rolling my eyes.
“Well, if an idea lasts nine years it’s probably a good one right? Alright sit down put your arm up on the counter, it won’t take long,” She said, patting the bar stool that had been moved up to the bathroom.
*******
She was right, it didn’t take long. Fifteen minutes of pain later and she was telling me to hang on, she was almost done. Watching the process take place in the mirror, I definitely liked where it was going. Suddenly there was a rap on the door.
“What do you want? We’re tattooing in here,” Aunt Beth shouted turning back to face the door. I let out a small chuckle, the knock was familiar to me, I could almost guess who it was.
“Damion?” I shouted through the door.
“Yeah man. Can I come in?” He called.
“Sure,” I said. He pushed the door open and Aunt Beth went back to tattooing me. Damion bent his neck so that he could get a nice look at the tattoo.
“That looks killer dude,” He said nodding in approval.
“Well thank you, I try my best,” Aunt Beth said with a hint of sarcasm. Damion laughed a bit, they didn’t know each other well. Sure he’d seen my aunt a few times while at parties and such but they’d never talked other than being introduced.
“So I have your present for you, but it may have to wait until you’re done,” Damion said looking at my aunt out of the corner of his eye.
“Why?” I asked.
“Well… um, I… Well you’ll understand when you get it,” He said nervously. Aunt Beth rolled her eyes.
“What? Is it something illegal?” She asked. Damion began to stutter out an excuse, “Hey look, I don’t care as long as it’s not going to get either of you boneheads hurt,” She finished. Damion looked at me for approval.
“It’s fine, she won’t tell,” I said. Damion considered for a moment, I could see him deciding. His apprehension made me excited. What could he have possibly gotten me that made him so nervous?
“You want it now?” He said.
“Yeah, where is it?” I asked. Instead of answering he reached into his back pocket and pulled out what I thought was a credit card. I took it with my unoccupied hand. As I flipped it over to the other side I began to question Damions sanity. It was my driver’s license.
“Thanks?” I said. Damion shook his head.
“Look closer, dude. Read the information,” I glanced through everything, and it seemed to be normal until I got to the birth date. The year was two years earlier than it should have been.
“With that in hand, you are legally twenty one years old.” Damion said, a proud grin growing on his face. Aunt Beth sighed and wiped the last bit of blood off my arm. I got the sense from her body language that she didn’t approve.
“You’re not going to tell are you?” I asked. She shook her head, with her lips pursed and her forehead creased.
“Great! So tonight you are going to get on your motorcycle, we’ll tell your parents that you’re staying at my place, and you can go and have a good time. Maybe pick up a girl,” Damion said, Aunt Beth was gently wrapping my arm in plastic wrap.
“Wait, you’re not going with me?” I asked.
“Nope, my parents are making me watch my sister tonight. So you’re on your own for this endeavor,” Damion said, but he looked disappointed. My heart sank, it wouldn’t be the same without him.
“Okay, Ash. You’re done. Put the ointment on that or it will be really uncomfortable for you,” She said.
“Great! All you need is to wait for the party to clear out, and then we’ll talk to your parents and then you can go have your adventure. Just go towards the big city and you’re bound to find a bar or two on your way,” Damion said, fist pumping. We started to get up when Aunt Beth stopped me with a hand on my arm.
“I need you to be careful, Ashley. You’re going to be alone in a new place and you’re going to be drinking. Someone could try to take advantage of you. So be careful. Don’t drink too much or you’ll get alcohol poisoning, watch your drinks, make sure no one drugs them. If a girl says no, she means no, don’t force anyone to do anything that you even think that they don’t want to do,” Aunt Beth said sincerely with a hand on my elbow.
“I know all these things,” I said.
“I know, I know, but you’re a good kid, and I wouldn’t want you to ruin it by doing something stupid. Just stay the night in a hotel, put my card number on the tab, pay me back later. Don’t you dare try to drive home even slightly drunk. I would never forgive myself if I let you do this and you ended up in jail, or worse in the hospital,” She said, I could see that she was trying to keep a cool face, but her eyes revealed that she was in fact very worried about me. I nodded and left the room.
The party seemed to drag on for hours after that. I was so excited to go. I was polite though, and I showed my tattoo and answered as many questions as the townspeople could throw at me. I even talked to the sixteen year old girl from down the street who always giggled and blushed whenever I waved to her when I passed her house. I managed to sneak in my own question to my parents, if I could spend the night at Damion’s place while his parents where out of town. They quickly agreed. Damion left the party then. Then it was just a waiting game. Gradually the crowd thinned and the room felt more breathable. Eventually the last guest trickled out the front door. Right away I grabbed my keys and shouted a rushed goodbye to my parents.
As I pulled on my leather jacket the cold nipped at me. It was freezing and getting dark very fast. I patted my pockets and made sure I had cash to pay the bar tab and the right ID. I climbed onto my motorcycle and backed out of the driveway. Before long I was off down the road. I drove fast, but not fast enough to be pulled over. The roads where close to desolate. No one wanted to be out on a night that was so freezing cold and windy. I imagined them all at home wrapped in blankets. For a moment that sounded better than going illegally out into the cold. I almost considered turning back. Unfortunately the sight of the city lights appearing in the distance changed my mind. My excitement bubbled inside me like a frothing drink. My thoughts of turning back where left behind on the highway. As I rode signs flashed past, I checked them as well as I could for the right exit, none of them advertised bars though.
Finally I saw the sign “Exit Now For Columbia Missouri” it boasted in bright white letters. I merged onto the exit ramp, slowing down as a few other cars began to share the road with me. We curved down the ramp and I felt like I was riding on air. The well maintained roads were like glass compared to the old run down paths at home. I could feel myself grinning within the foam of my helmet. I was going to get laid, and nothing was going to stop me. I’d have to thank Aunt Beth when I got back for letting me use her card for the hotel room that I was going to be staying in. The road that I was on thinned to a city street. It was vacant, aside for a few unlucky souls walking home from a late night at work. They were bundled from head to two in coats and hats, I’d barely noticed the cold for the entire ride. I slowed down even farther and looked around, I didn’t see any bars or signs of them. No stumbling drunks, no topless fluorescent girls, I clicked my tongue and drove on. I guessed I was in the business side of town. I needed to find my way to the food district. I hadn’t the slightest clue where that might be though, so I rode on.
Buildings zipped past me blue and black rectangles that screamed boring at me. I sighed, surely I was going to be all sweaty underneath this helmet, and helmet hair was not cute for anybody. My legs were starting to cramp, I was about to stop just to stretch out the knots and then I rounded a corner and bingo, I saw it. Tonic Tavern shone in bright green letters across the roof of a small building. Sitting outside I could see people making out and smoking cigarettes. It didn’t seem very classy, but it wasn’t complete trash either. It was just like me. I rolled into the parking lot, a few people outside looked up at me. I ignored them swinging gracefully off my bike. I took off my helmet and shook out my hair. A couple of girls sitting on a bench giggled at me. I nodded at them and smiled. It was going to be a night to remember.
Notes
Hey Guys!! What's up? I'm so glad I had time to post this. There will be death and destruction within the next two chapters so be warned I haven't the slightest idea when they'll be up though, so I'll just keep you in suspense. Anyway thanks for reading I hope you enjoyed and I'd love to read what you think so far in the comments.
@Merelan
It's my goal to get it up early. It's already partially writ
1/23/17