New Beginnings

A wave of relief washed over Sawyer as he extended his hand to meet Vail's. "I'm Sawyer...!" he replied, a tentative smile gracing his lips. Ezekiel, over in the corner, beamed with satisfaction as he witnessed the exchange.

With a casual gesture, Vail draped his arm around Sawyer's shoulder, guiding him toward the nearest table. "Two beers..!" he called out to the bartender, who promptly set about fulfilling his request. In the blink of an eye, two frosty glasses were placed before them, the condensation glistening in the dim light of the bar.

"So you're friends with Ezekiel, huh?" Vail said, laughing lightly under his breath. He watched Ezekiel boldly hitting on two women who were much older than him, his confidence radiating like a bull in mating season.

"Yeah… he saved me… I owe him my life…" Sawyer replied, his voice trailing off into a chuckle, the last part spoken so softly it was almost inaudible. He stared at Ezekiel and raised his glass in a silent toast. Ezekiel, catching sight of the gesture, responded with a devilish smirk, acknowledging the unspoken bond between them.

Vail's eyes flickered with understanding. "Ezekiel has a knack for finding people who need help," he said, taking a sip of his beer. "He's got a good heart, even if he doesn't always show it."

"So, what type of bike do you ride?" Vail asked curiously, leaning in with genuine interest.

"It's an SSW 300! I love her, she's my life!" Sawyer exclaimed, his enthusiasm so intense that it felt like the roof could barely contain it.

Vail laughed heartily, the sound resonating through the bar. "Hahaha… my first bike, and even the one I have now, has always felt like that to me," he said. His tone shifted slightly, a hint of something deeper and more somber underlying his words. "I'd be happy knowing it was doing something I love..."

Sawyer's eyes flickered with sorrow, not understanding the full meaning of Vail's underlying words. An uncomfortable silence settled between them for a moment, but Vail quickly broke it. "Can I see her?" he asked, finishing his beer with a smooth, easy motion.

"Sure!" Sawyer responded excitedly, his mood lifting instantly. He led the way outside toward his bike, the anticipation clear in his steps.

His bike was parked near the end of the lot, away from the more heavily trafficked areas. He happily presented it to Vail, his pride palpable. "Here she is," Sawyer said, his voice brimming with excitement. "My baby."

Vail took a few steps closer, his eyes widening in appreciation. "Wow… what's her name?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over the sleek lines and polished metallic silver of the motorcycle.

"Kamina!" Sawyer shouted, his excitement infectious. The name echoed with personal significance.

Vail crouched down, inspecting Kamina with a discerning eye. He noted the meticulous care given to every detail, from the spotless fairing paint to the finely tuned engine. "She's beautiful, I'll give you that," he said, standing back up and meeting Sawyer's eyes with a smile of genuine admiration. "You've done a fantastic job taking care of her."

Sawyer beamed with pride. "She means the world to me. Every scratch, every upgrade, it's all a part of our journey together."

"What's the top speed on one of those again?" Vail asked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "It's been a while since I've used that brand, let alone used a 300…" He chuckled nervously, clearly reminiscing about his own experiences.

Sawyer, still marveling at Kamina's beauty, responded with enthusiasm, "Around 185 km/h. She has a good and responsive throttle and can reach around 178 pretty easily."

Vail's eyes gleamed with appreciation. "She's nice, I'll give it to you. Might be one of the best 300s I've seen in a while." He slapped his arm around Sawyer's back joyfully, a broad smile spreading across his face.

Sawyer, encouraged by Vail's approval, continued to talk about his bike. "I've put in a lot of work on her. The fairing is custom-painted, and I've tweaked the engine a bit to get that extra responsiveness."

Vail nodded, clearly impressed. "You've done a fantastic job. A bike like this, especially any bike honestly, requires a lot of dedication to keep in top shape. It's obvious you love her."

"Wanna see mine?" Vail asked, a mischievous glint in his emerald eyes.

"Of course!" Sawyer responded eagerly. The sparkle in his eyes, which had ignited when he began speaking with Vail about bikes, had only grown brighter. His enthusiasm was palpable, and Vail couldn't help but smile at the younger boy's excitement.