Morning Shadows

Restlessness woke Sawyer up from his sleep as he found it a battle to stay asleep. He groggily rubbed his eyes and grabbed his phone which was next to him bed. Thursday, May 4th, 4:23 his phone read. He quickly in a split of rage slammed his phone back on his bed. He let out a heavy sigh. After tossing about in bed and trying to go back to sleep for the last twenty minutes he decided to hop out of bed and go to his closet.

He grabbed a black hoodie and tucked away in his closet he had black slim cargo pants armored with thigh and knee protection. He grabbed them and tucked away on the floor with all his shoes, he had black racing boots which he donned. He threw black chest armor over his hoodie and walked out the living room. He grabbed his keys,  black helmet, and gloves, and headed down the steps to his motorcycle. 

His attire was different from usual, but so was his mood, it seemed darker than usual, and hint of something else lied beneath it. He twisted his key into the ignition and fired the motorcycle right up. He shut his tinted black visor and drove off away from his apartment complex. 

A bug's life, when it ventures onto the open road, becomes a fleeting existence, almost predestined to meet its end. The road, a vast expanse of asphalt, serves as both a pathway and a final resting place for these tiny creatures. It is as if the road offers a solemn solace, a quiet sanctuary where their brief lives are gently extinguished. The melancholy beauty of this truth lies in the inevitability of their fate, a poignant reminder of life's fragility.

Sawyer slid a squeegee across his visor from top to bottom, removing the remnants of the unfortunate bugs that had crossed his path. The motion was methodical, almost meditative, as he wiped the visor with napkins and discarded them in the nearby trash can.

As he filled his motorcycle's tank with gas, the familiar scent of petrol mingled with the crisp morning air. The tranquility of the moment was soon disturbed by the distinct rumble of three approaching exhausts.

Three motorcycles roared into the gas station, each gliding up to an empty pump with a grace that belied their power. Sawyer, taken aback, found himself momentarily oblivious to the riders atop them.

Directly across from him, a VRM Vesuvio Inferno 1100 gleamed under the gas station lights. The motorcycle's stock matte black fairing exuded a menacing elegance, its angular design cutting through the air like a predator on the hunt. The fairing bore the Vesuvio logo, a proud emblem of its Italian lineage, subtly highlighted with the colors of the Italian flag. Fiery red accents traced the contours of the bike, while metallic silver edges added a striking contrast, making the design pop vibrantly against the dark background.

His gaze lingered on the narrow LED headlights, which glowed with an intensity that reminded him of a predator locking eyes with its prey. The custom high-performance exhaust system, a seamless blend of titanium and carbon fiber, ended in a dual outlet. The dark smoke windshield merged effortlessly into the front fairing, creating a streamlined silhouette.

This was one of the dream bikes Sawyer had often fantasized about owning—the pinnacle of Vesuvio's craftsmanship and performance. The motorcycle featured a racing clutch and custom brake handguards. Beneath the lightweight aluminum frame, optimized for agility and stability, a roaring 1100cc V4 engine lay in wait, promising unmatched power and acceleration.

The full-color TFT dash provided a wealth of information at a glance, from multiple riding modes to traction control and wheelie control. The fully adjustable suspension system, with front forks and a rear shock absorber tailored for aggressive riding, was fit for both street and track riders. Every detail of the Vesuvio Inferno 1100 screamed perfection, a blend of raw power and refined engineering that made Sawyer's heart race with longing.

The person opposite to him had another bike of beauty, a brand renowned for its reliability and performance. The EMS Phoenix 1000RR stood as a testament to Japanese engineering and design, a superbike that was both sleek and aggressive.

The front fairing was a marvel of modern aesthetics, featuring dual LED headlights, these headlights were integrated into a menacing visage, accentuated by a tinted windscreen that flowed seamlessly into the bike's sculpted body. The striking paint scheme combined a deep metallic blue with bold white accents and subtle red highlights, creating a visual masterpiece that drew the eye.

The muscular fuel tank and sharp tail section added to its aggressive stance. The tail section, complete with a sleek LED taillight, contributed to the bike's streamlined appearance. The Phoenix 1000RR sat on lightweight, matte black alloy wheels, which not only enhanced its visual appeal but also contributed to its performance. These wheels were perfectly complemented by high-performance Aero brakes, ensuring the bike could stop on a dime.

Crafted with a fully adjustable suspension, it was a superbike that not only looked stunning but also performed exceptionally on the road.

The last person had a motorcycle strikingly similar to Vail's, though it sported sleek fairings in black carbon fiber, coupled with a titanium custom exhaust. The carbon fiber fairings gave the bike a stealthy appearance, while the titanium exhaust hinted at its raw power.

Sawyer was mesmerized by the elegance and performance of these bikes, his eyes tracing every curve and detail with awe. It was only after he managed to pull himself out of the daze that he noticed the feminine figures of the riders. The woman across from him, lifted her visor. Her eyes met Sawyer's.

"I like your bike," she said, her voice carrying an undertone of genuine appreciation.

Sawyer, momentarily taken aback, managed to smile. "Thanks," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of the admiration he felt for their machines. . 

"It's great, but I don't think it can compare to the machine you have," Sawyer said, letting out a small laugh at the end.

The woman giggled softly. With a fluid motion, she removed her helmet, followed by the balaclava mask that held back her hair. Cascading down to her shoulders, her light brown, curly hair framed her face perfectly. The contrast of her deep shade of lipstick made her emerald grey eyes even more striking, capturing the light and reflecting it in a way that made them seem almost otherworldly.

Her curvaceous figure was accentuated by the tight-fitting clothes she wore, each curve subtly outlined against the sleek fabric of her riding gear.

"I'm Lily," she said, holding out her hand as she approached him.

"Sawyer," he replied, meeting her hand and giving it a friendly shake. The warmth of her touch was unexpected yet comforting amidst the cool air of the morning.

The other two bikers removed their helmets in unison, revealing two more ladies. With her flowing ginger hair cascading down her back, possessed a fiery charm that matched her vibrant looks. With her light blonde hair reaching halfway down her back, exuded a soft radiance.

Lily introduced them with a gesture, "This is Diana," she said, pointing to the lady with the red hair, who offered a friendly smile in return. "And this is Amilla," Lily continued, pointing to the lady with the blonde hair, who nodded in acknowledgment.

Sawyer removed his helmet and shook his hair, the tousled locks falling into place. "Nice to meet you all!" he said, a smile dancing upon his face. The warmth in his expression reached his eyes. "What are y'all doing riding this early?" he asked, a tinge of concern etched in his voice, mingling with his natural friendliness.

Lily tilted her head slightly, her eyes twinkling with a mix of amusement and understanding. "Probably the same reason you're up riding right now," she said, her tone light yet knowing.

A chuckle escaped Sawyer's lips, the sound blending with the ambient noise of the gas station. "Touché," he replied, his smile widening. "I'm just riding, trying to clear my head." His voice softened slightly.

"Well… there's no better time to ride than in the morning when there's nothing but clear roads ahead," Lily said, her gaze drifting towards the horizon, where the first rays of sunlight kissed the empty streets. The early morning light cast a golden hue, making the deserted roads look almost magical in their serenity.

"Lily…" Diana interjected, her voice gentle but firm as she held up her phone, the screen displaying the time—6:21 AM.

Lily's expression shifted, a mix of disappointment and understanding. "Sorry, I gotta go," she said, a hint of regret in her voice. She reached into her right pocket, pulling out her phone. "But I can get your number and we can talk later," she added, her tone brightening.

Sawyer put his number in and handed her back her phone. "I'll text you later then," she said, Sawyer watching as she tucked her phone back into her pocket.

"Yeah…" she replied, a slight smile gracing her lips. The early morning light caught her eyes, making them shimmer with a warmth that seemed to draw Sawyer in, as if an invisible thread connected them.

"Nice meeting you, Sawyer," she said, her voice carrying a gentle melody. In that moment, a radiant glow seemed to ignite in her eyes, a sparkle that captured Sawyer's attention and held him in its grasp. It was as though her eyes had a magnetic pull, drawing him into their depths, making him momentarily forget everything else.

As they drove off, the sound of their exhausts reverberated through the morning air, echoing even miles away from the gas station. Sawyer's heart began to beat faster, adrenaline coursing through his veins. He had never experienced anything quite like this encounter.

He took a moment to calm himself, breathing deeply before hopping back on his bike. Donning his helmet again, he shut the visor and drove back home. The drive was filled with palpable excitement, his emotions translating into a wild and exhilarated ride. The early morning light seemed to blur around him as he weaved through the streets, the thrill of the encounter still fresh in his mind.

As he pulled into his parking spot at the apartment complex, he pulled his phone from his pocket. The lock screen displayed the time: 7:03 a.m. He turned off the engine, the sudden silence almost deafening in contrast to the roaring ride. Entering his apartment, he removed his motorcycle gear with deliberate slowness.

He headed into the bathroom, the cool tiles beneath his feet grounding him. Turning on the shower faucet, he let the water run, the steam gradually filling the room.

Sawyer walked over to the mirror, his reflection betraying the excitement sprawled across his face. He couldn't contain the thrill that had gripped him, his eyes shimmering with a newfound energy.

"One step closer," Diana said to Lily, her voice firm as she hopped onto her bike.

"One step closer," Lily echoed, the same determination mirrored in her eyes as she mounted her motorcycle.

Behind them, a building was engulfed in flames, the roaring fire casting a hellish glow on the surroundings. The flickering light played across their faces as they revved their engines, ready to leave the scene behind. Echoes of faint voices, trapped within the inferno, struggled to break free, but the fire consumed them swiftly, silencing the whispers until they were nothing more than memories carried away by the wind.