The Curse Of Spring (Book Two of The Seasons Trilogy)

Chapter 2

Cole

"Dammit!" I cursed, kicking at the dirt next to my broken down motorcycle, a cloud of dust formed and made me sneeze in response.

The black Suzuki had sputtered and coughed a few times before it lost all power and came to a stand still in the middle of bloody nowhere. I'd hoped it was going to be a quick fix, but once I'd eliminated all of the obvious issues, I knew I was going to need help with this one.

I swore in every single language I knew, feeling better once I had got my frustration out of my system.

I wasn't going to get to the church today, that was for sure. Emily would be worried though, and since I couldn't exactly call her, I'd have to find another way to get the message to her that I wasn't going to make our bi-annual meet up - the one she insisted on just to make sure I was still alive. Not that she'd call the cops if I didn't rock up - that was too risky by half - but she might reach out to Alana and Rhett to try and find me and that was just unnecessary.

Alana was like me, cursed. We were two of four children who were basically created by the military to become super soldiers. Only their plans went haywire when the power we wielded became too much for our bodies, and in response, we ended up spending three quarters of the year asleep, only to wake up for a single season. Alana's was Summer, and mine was winter. That all changed when we met - and kissed - our soul mates.

Rhett had been that person for Alana, managing to help her control her unnatural powers within her. She'd burned down a few things accidentally when she had got worked up, but with a single touch from Rhett she was able to reign her power in and the flames disappeared, leaving soot and cinders in their place.

Now they were on the run, hiding from the military just like I had been from the day I'd turned 17. I'd packed up my meagre belongings, kissed Emily goodbye, and drove away from the orphanage without looking back.

With Alana found, only August and April were left. I burned to find April most of all. You see, she was my soul mate.

Shaking my head to stop my mind from entering the dark places it always took me whenever I thought of April, I looked around me, hoping to catch sight of some indication that civilization was nearby. All I could see was a wall of maize, effectively squashing any hope of a quick rescue. Dammit!

With a loud sigh, I kicked away the stand and began the long walk to freedom, pushing my bike in the sweltering heat until sweat soaked through my navy v-necked t-shirt and made it stick to my body, defining the muscles I proudly wore. I'd put enough effort into keeping my body in tip-top shape, never knowing when I'd need to use the strength and discipline I'd carefully cultivated over the last few years. My life was always in danger, and it would be stupid of me to forget that for a second.

"Hey, need a ride?"

Fukk! I'd been so focused on my problem at hand that I hadn't noticed the busted pickup truck pull up beside me, the driver hanging out the window as he called to me.

I let the potential consequences run through my mind for a second before I nodded and pushed my bike toward the back of the truck. The driver helped me get the heavy bike onto the back, and then we both settled up front, huffing and puffing from exertion.

"There's a motorcycle garage the next town over, I'll drop you there before I get on my way," the man - probably in his mid thirties with blonde hair - told me, chewing the gum in his mouth in a way which reminded me of a cow chewing cud.

"Thanks, man. I appreciate it," I responded, grateful that the truck's air-conditioning worked.

"Name's Grayson, everyone calls me Gray though," he continued the conversation despite my terse reply. "You just driving through or are you visiting these parts?"

I inwardly sighed, conversation not being my strong point - especially when I was so used to keeping details about my life secret.

"Cole, and I'm just passing through. I'm road tripping across the country."

I guess that was the most honest answer I could possibly provide.

Grayson chatted aimlessly about farming, comparing tractors and machinery that I had no idea about, and yet he was happy to chatter away without need for my input - probably a good thing too. Eventually, farm land gave way to forests, imposing trees towering above us until we drove into a clearing where a town lay. Grayson pulled up outside a house on the outskirts of the town, a garage that seemed bigger than the tiny house next to it.

"That's it, just be aware of the pricing. The owner is a good guy, he just knows how to smell a sucker from a mile away and isn't afraid to rip them off."

With those parting words of wisdom, Grayson drove off and left me outside the garage.

"Dammit! I should have borrowed his cellphone," I grumbled aloud once he had driven out of view.

I was going to have to make another plan. Perhaps there was a diner in this town that would let me borrow their phone to let Emily know I wasn't coming.

With a huff, I pushed my bike to just outside the garage doors, kicked out the kickstand and propped it up. I then took note of my surroundings before I walked toward the centre of the quaint town.

Surely someone in this forsaken place would let me borrow their phone.