The Rotting Flesh Book 1: Escatology
Chapter 15: Strong bonds

“What, can i get the blind fold off already” Theresa said as her insides were churning with curiosity

“Patience pays” Tom said as he led her through the store they were crashing in

“I hope its not of those lame excuses for surprises” she commented

“Ah that breaks my heart, when have I ever been lame.” he said holding his chest “we are here” he added

They stopped and Theresa slowly removed her blindfold. The smile on her face quickly faded and she gave Tom an irritated look

“Dude!! What the fuck” she burst out

In front of her was a pink small bike with small training wheels. Tom always did this too her, she hated how she kept falling for it. She narrowed her eyes at him her face slowly turning red, her insides were already beginning to boil.

“Now for the grand finale” Tom said but she turned and began walking away ignoring him “hey wait” he called

She gestured with her middle finger and kept walking. As she was about to go out of sight she heard a foreign but familiar sound. Vroom! It went, she tried hard to resist turning to see what it was.

It couldn’t be, where would he have gotten it she thought and stopped in her tracks

Vroom! It went again.

He’s playing tricks on you don’t turn but her neck refused to corporate

Her eyes watered as her eyes gazed upon it. It was all her favorite colors. Pink with royal blue flowery designs. It had red handles, tires and the seats. It was just like his but much more colorful.

“Walla behold i present to you the one and only KTM 450 SX-F aka Lil monster” Tom said with a large grin on his face

She was speechless, he finally took her serious for once. Unable to hold it in a scream escaped her lips as she tan back to Tom. She jumped onto him he lost balance and fell.

“Woah take it easy there, you’ll damage the pretty face” he joked

She cried lying on his chest.

“I knew you was a cry baby” Tom teased but she couldn’t contain the tears

She got off him and went to the bike.

Wow its the real thing she touched it

It smelled of fresh paint even though the paint job was perfectly done.

“Yeah leave the poor boy lying on the ground where he can be attacked” Tom said standing up and dusting himself

“Tom” she said looking at him with a genuine smile on her face

“Yes thats my name”

“Thank you so mu mu mu” her lips shook

“No need we are family” he walked to her and hugged her “happy birthday my lil monster”

“You are the best brother I ever had” she said burying her face in his chest knowing he would start teasing her

After a while like that Tom suggested

“How about you take it for a test drive”

“Okay but”

“Ill be there don’t worry” he assured “I’ll be back in two” he added and left the store

She watched as he walked away. She never thought after all the things she had gone through she would ever be this happy. Meeting him in that dust road a month ago she never saw both of them living this long.

Dad, I found him, just like you said a single tear escaped her right eye

“Right I have returned!!” he reappeared carrying four pairs of shoes

“What are those?” she asked noticing how they were stuck to each other

They were shoes of different sizes, a smaller size for her and ones that could fit Tom. The bigger shoe’s front was stuck to the smaller shoe’s back.

“How the hell are we gonna wear that?” she asked

“Don’t rush cumon, let me show you” he signaled for her to follow him to the bike

He lifted her up and got her onto the bike then put the shoes on her. After getting onto the bike her slid his feet into the bigger pair.

“Hold the handles here” he directed her hands

“This feels wierd” she said feeling how stuck together their legs were

“I know right, it sucks, my dad used to do it when he taught me……i hated it” agreed Tom “especially having someone breath in the back of your neck”

She giggled “i wonder how you looked as a little boy, i bet you were a cry baby” she commented

“Not as much as you though” he teased her “right remember you always wondered how its like when i ride, now is your chance” he added and cranked the handle

The bike roared causing Theresa’s heart to skip a beat and her fear kicked in

“Wait I I changed my mind, I wanna get off” she yelled

“Too late” Tom laughed and stepped on the pedal

The back wheel spun creating smoke because he was holding the brakes then without warning he let go. The bike took off at high speed

“Tooooom nooooo”

Theresa’s scream filled the whole room. Tom maneuvered the bike and left through the back door into the high way. He rode with Theresa as tense as a dead person. She tightly gripped onto the handles and shut her eyes biting her teeth together hard.

“Hey, Terry” Tom said “relax, don’t be so tense I’m here”

“No no no, I wanna get off” she protested as the two wheeler roared through the highway

“Trust me” he assured

She slowly opened her eyes and could feel the wind blowing against her eyes forcing them to water. The more she opened them the more she realized how amazing it felt being Tom’s shoes causing her to relax.

“You got it now crank the handle” he instructed gently

She did so and immediately the bike front wheel lifted in the air. Another scream escaped her lips but this time Tom also screamed along with her

“Oh yeah, this is what we call it The stand of salvation!!” he said “you felt how i moved my legs right!” he added

“Yesss” she replied as wind filled her mouth

“Great, should I stop now?” Tom asked

“No, go faster” she refused

“Be my guest”

She put the bike in third gear while still holding down the clutch. With her right hand, accelerated the bike gently. Slowly loosening her left hand from the clutch, at the same time the bike throttled forward with greater speed. Tom smiled noticing that she was paying attention all that time he explained how to ride a bike. He moved his hands from the handles to let her have free reign on the bike and held on to her stomach just like an ordinary passenger. Theresa smiled as she felt how awesome riding a bike was

Thank you Tom, thank you so much