by Rimmy London
“Uh… no. You’re no bother, I really don’t mind.” His face became more serious as he pulled some papers from a side drawer, setting them across his desk impressively and scribbling across the top.
“So, this is a nice place. Have you worked here long?” I turned my attention to my fingernails and clicked them together distractedly.
“I’ve worked here for three years now, it’s a great job. Really a classy company.” His English was perfect, flawless, and I doubted his native language could be anything else.
“It sure looks like it,” I said excitedly, doing my best to look impressed. “You must go to some pretty amazing places with this company, right? I bet it deals with countries all over the world!” Smiling back with wide eyes, I waited anxiously for his response. He paused, swiveling back and forth in his chair and glancing quickly over one shoulder before answering.
“Well, just between you and me,” he leaned forward secretively. “I’m headed to California next week.” Looking very proud of himself he sat back in his chair, winking. My mouth dropped open a little too late, but I trusted he was too pleased to notice it.
“You’re kidding! Do you think you’ll meet any movie stars?” I kept the smile plastered across my face. He nodded instantly.
“Oh, I wouldn’t doubt it. I’m sure there are a lot of important people attached to this organization. With the cash it pulls in, there’s no other explanation. It’s a beast, that’s for sure.” I shook my head slowly, glancing back at him with a little bit of envy.
“That’s amazing. How did you ever get in with CGI in the first place?”
He shrugged the question off casually, leaning in again. “I’m sure you’ve heard that it’s all in who you know?” He stopped, waiting for me to nod. “Well, in this company it’s not who you know, it’s who you are.” I stared back. “I just have the right relatives, I guess. My uncle came to me one day with a career opportunity, and I’ve been trying to prove myself to him ever since. I think this trip might finally be a sign that I’m ready to move up to better things.” My face fell slightly, concern for the boy creasing through my smile. He caught it instantly, sitting up stiffly in his chair and glaring back at me as the woman had done. “What, don’t you believe it?” he challenged.
I disguised my feelings quickly. “No, no, don’t get me wrong. I’m just wondering how I can get a job like this, that’s all.” He sunk down in his chair. “So it’ll just be you and your uncle, then? That’s exciting.” Shaking his head, he glanced back at me cautiously.
“Well, no. You see, Uncle Marco has been in California for a long time - for years actually. I don’t think he’s ever coming back, but despite what people say I’m hoping to see him while I’m out there.” Sure my face had faded to a pasty-white I nodded politely and hoped to look distracted as I reached for my phone again. Comparing the time with their clock on the wall I narrowed my eyes, looking down at the small illuminated screen on my phone.
“Should he be here by now?” Swiveling back, I came face to face with a familiar glare. Her pale blue eyes were icy cold, and staring right through my façade. I shook my head, unable to conjure up another phony smile.
“I guess it’s not as obvious a landmark as I thought.” Shrugging my shoulders, I stepped toward the door. “Thank you for letting me wait. I appreciate it.” With that I flipped my phone open, pushing random numbers before holding it to my ear. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her reach for the phone on her desk, her long fingernail clicking lightly as she selected one button. The sliding doors didn’t seem to open fast enough, and I hesitated an inch in front of them, my legs beginning to shake. As soon as the gap had widened enough I stepped through, taking my longest strides to the lone car in their small parking lot. Once inside I closed the door behind me, locked it, and reached the key into the ignition. Only then did my eyes flicker up, and I twisted the key immediately, watching two suited and well-built men come around the side of the building. Stopping when they saw me, they looked terribly out of place as they stood at the corner of the brick sign. Their heads turned in unison when I pulled out onto the road and gunned the engine.
Hoping these streets followed the normal rules of one-way travel I cut across in the opposite direction. The number flickered on the car’s small digital clock, making it an exact sixty minutes since I had left the restaurant. Pulling alongside a row of cars, I ignored the rude gestures and impatient honks behind me as the traffic navigated around my obtrusive vehicle. Snatching my phone up I dialed his number with shaky hands. Beep…beep… What could be taking so long? Hearing a click as the line connected, I interrupted his greeting.
“I’m here!” I shouted, turning in my seat and checking the traffic piled up behind me. The other end of the phone was silent, and I was about to yell it out again when the restaurant’s glass door swung open. Givanni rushed to the car with the others two steps behind. He jerked his head at me and I pushed the gear shift into park, hurdling into the passenger’s seat. The rest of the group crowded into the car behind us, and we pulled out together within seconds. I had forgotten if there was any plan past this. The only thing I could think of was the last thing the boy had said - ‘Uncle Marco, in California… not ever coming back.’ What were the odds? Even though I hoped it was just a terribly ironic coincidence, I could feel it in my twisting stomach. That was impossible, and somehow I had to tell Givanni.
“So what happened?” Givanni breathed, his eyes never leaving the road. I pulled the small recorder from my purse and held it out. He took it in his hand and left it suspended between us as it played. Feeling increasingly nervous I sat back in the seat, looking at Givanni’s face as he kept his attention on the recorder. With the last few sentences, his head jerked to the side, his wild eyes staring at me in disbelief.
“What did you - ” He stopped, the woman’s cold voice cutting him off. Shaking his head, he threw the recorder into my bag. “Things have changed.” He turned sharply, the tires squealing. “We can’t leave.” He glanced behind as Senic followed suit. “Whatever Marco’s involved in, it has to do with CGI. We need to get into that building.” Keeping the fear under control on my face, I couldn’t stop it from pounding in my heart. We wound through the city streets at speeds I doubted were legal, and finally pulled into a small, quaint garage. “This is a safe house,” Givanni said in a rush. “You’ll be fine here.”
“Whoa, hold on,” I objected, waving one hand in front of him. “You’re going back now?” I asked, my voice sounding whinier than I had wanted. “Givanni, did you hear that woman’s voice? I didn’t just walk out there with them smiling and waving at me. She was onto something, and when I pulled out of the parking lot there were a couple of burly men in suits coming at me who didn’t look too pleased either.” I stopped, letting that sink in. Satisfied that he at least had not interrupted me, I continued. “If you go back now, they’ll already be on guard. Can’t you wait? Even if it’s just until tonight?” Givanni looked like he was ready to jump into action, both hands lingering on the steering wheel. But his face was discouraged, and after a few minutes, he sank back in his chair.
“I think you’re right. It’s just that the thought of staying here any longer than necessary is… disturbing.” With that, he twisted the keys in the ignition and stepped out. The other car followed, three equally disappointed-looking men throwing wary glances at their leader. I stepped out last, trailing up the small stone steps and into the rather shabby-looking house.
Sunk into the closest musty couch, I was grateful for the tiny bit of comfort it provided. The rest of our party seemed content to stand silently. A hollow ache in my stomach had me wrapping my arm around it, hoping to subdue the hungry growl that was building. “Givanni,” All heads turned to Falen’s calm voice. “We cannot stay here long.” Givanni crossed half the room before answering.
“Yes,” he spoke to everyone. “We go inside tonight. I will lead, give me a two-hour window and then follow.”
Falen’s eyebro
ws twitched. “Why the break off?” he asked quietly, curious looks being shared by almost everyone else in the room.
“Because it’s necessary,” Givanni answered, offering up no other explanation.
Falen’s eyes narrowed, but Maxium spoke up. “Then we follow the same strategy as before?” His attempt at distraction was a little obvious.
“Yes,” Givanni replied, his voice overbearing. “We will search their database and paper files and then get out. As soon as we clear the building, we leave Ragusa.” Murmurs of agreement came from everyone, including me. Leaving Ragusa had been number one on my list since I had first set foot in that strange building. The conversation apparently over, Givanni and Senic wandered to the kitchen. Pulling out a few boxes each, they handed out a variety of crackers and chips. Sitting down on the opposite end of my small, dusty couch, Givanni handed me a box of crackers. I opened them quickly, not even caring if they were stale as I shoved a handful in my mouth. The crisp, salty squares tasted surprisingly fresh, and I chewed appreciatively. Conversations had started in two small groups around us, but I kept my voice lowered.
“I’m worried about tonight,” I started, hoping he would cut in and explain, but he lowered his eyes instead, saying nothing. “Why do you have to go alone?” I wondered if I already knew the answer. “Because of the…” Watching mild alarm build in his eyes I stopped, deciding to reword. “Because of what you heard last? At the end?” His nod was one quick jerk of the head, and I gave up on continuing. But after only a moment his hand rested on my hair, his whisper hard to make out.
“I have to go alone, because if what your boyfriend at CGI says is true…” I rolled my eyes. “If it’s true, then I have a protection the rest of you don’t. Marco…” His breath hissed in my ear. “He’s somehow safe from all this - him and I have been the protected ones. It’s you and the rest of the team who are in danger. After all, it’s all in who you are, right?” He leaned away, standing and stretching before returning his unopened bag of chips to the cupboard.
As darkness closed in, things began to change around me. Everyone was on their feet, with some pacing but mostly just standing at attention in random locations throughout the room. I felt a little conspicuous still settled on the couch, but without any other idea of what to do, remained where I was. The only sound was that of Givanni re-packing his bag in the other room, made more ominous by the silence that filled the rest of the house. When he returned, he was cinching a black strap around his waist. “Remember, a two-hour window. Enter from the back of the building. Get any relevant information, and you’re out in an hour’s time the same way you came in.” There were nods from around their small circle, but no one spoke. It wasn’t until the garage door slid closed that the entire group erupted.
“We can’t wait long!” Maxium yelled, already on his way into the other room. He returned holding a duffel bag and stuffing it with equipment. The rest of the group scrambled through the house, opening drawers and cupboards and pulling stashed equipment from every corner. Senic shouted in Italian from somewhere in the house. “He knows we won’t give him a window,” Maxium replied. Finally catching sight of the confusion on my face, he stood from his partially filled bag and crossed the room in hardly more than two steps. “You can stay here, Loriel, it will be perfectly safe.” His gaze was on me, waiting for an answer. I nodded glumly and he took off, shoving another box of ammunition into his bag before zipping it shut in one quick swipe. “Time’s up!” he bellowed, his unexpected shout making me jump. “Grab whatever you’ve got and go!” Loud thumps came from the back room as bags were tossed into the hall. Falen, already on his way out, darted to the small pile and lifted two more bags onto his shoulder before sprinting to the garage door.
Before I knew it, the door had closed behind the entire group and I was left alone. My eyes wandered around the house as I wondered what to do with myself. I had hardly taken one step when the door swung open, slamming against the wall. Senic charged through, skidding to a stop in front of me, his stringy hair almost touching my face as it swung out in front of him. I stumbled back.
“The others do not know I am here. They believe you are sav, that this house is sav. I disagree and could not leave you here without giving you the option of coming.” His pause was too short for me to formulate any type of answer. “But I am no saying you will be sav with us either. I jus beleeve it would be a wiser choose. That is all. You can stay or come. What is your choose?” He turned a fraction, ready to sprint out the door, and I tried to think through the pounding in my ears. Hesitantly, I nodded. Clamping his hand around my wrist, we ran to the garage.
* * *
The lack of conversation as we sped through the dark city didn’t surprise me, and I doubted I would hear another word unless it was absolutely necessary. It took a shorter time than I remembered to reach the familiar street, and I turned just in time to see the shining glass doors of the restaurant fly by. Senic didn’t drive the complete distance to the clashing brick building but instead turned two blocks down. I stepped out of the car uncomfortably, not liking the idea of having our ‘escape vehicle’ so far away. Senic didn’t seem to think twice about it and tilted his head down the alley. I tried to be as silent as him, but somehow any noise that came from our movements inevitably came from me. After crisscrossing alleys we reached the end of our shadowy cover and looked out on a wide-open lot littered with sprawling storage units. Senic’s hand had flown out behind him, stopping me in my tracks while he glared out at the numerous massive containers. When he did move it was in slow motion, melting back into the shadows and cupping one hand over my ear. “You stay here. I will be gone no longer than ten minutos. Count the time. If I no return, leave Ragusa.”
My head jerked to the side in surprise, and I looked back at his dark face, not liking the idea of abandoning my severe friend. But there was no arguing with the look in his eyes. I began counting the minute he turned. He ducked behind the nearest storage unit and was lost from my view. The counting in my head increased, and when I reached the end, I started over, knowing that ten minutes couldn’t possibly have passed. Reaching six hundred for the second time, I stared desperately into the cluttered lot, willing him to appear.
A faint whisper of sound had me whipping my head to the right, just catching a movement among the shadows before it froze. I kept my eyes glued to the spot where the shadow had vanished, knowing that if it moved again I would catch it. I hoped it was Senic but suddenly stepped back, feeling a little too exposed. The shadow moved with me, continuing its advance even after I had frozen. I could tell this figure was not Senic… the shoulders were more built. After a few more steps the figure reached the end of its shadow and walked into the pale moonlight without a pause. My shoulders sagged in relief when I instantly recognized Givanni. His pace quickened, and I took one step forward but froze when he did, both of our attention drawn to the familiar sound of a shoe scuffing the concrete. Givanni’s hands looked like they had simply flinched when suddenly he held a gun out in front of him. I swallowed convulsively. Not sure where the sound had come from, my eyes darted back and forth. I saw nothing, but in the next instant, Givanni’s hands came up and he spun around.
“What are you doing Enrica?” Givanni’s voice echoed. My eyes darted to the small area of faded grey, and even as she stepped out of the cover of darkness, I could hardly believe it. She had a gun lifted, her posture identical to Givanni’s. As she moved forward, he stepped back, both of them slowly pivoting until they were evenly spaced out in front of me.
“I could ask you the same,” she answered.
“You know full well what I am doing here,” Givanni hissed. “And I am giving you this chance to explain yourself. Your opportunity will not last long.” His threat hung heavy in the air, and the minutes dragged on. Finally, Enrica’s arm dropped to her side.
“You’re wrong, Givanni. I don’t know why you’re here. But you’re not the only one to take a business opportunity when it is presented to
you.” Her soft voice had risen just enough to hear the bitterness it held. “I’m simply here doing my job.” With that Givanni’s arms lowered, and I felt my heart rate respond, dropping slightly now that no one had a gun pointed at their chest.
“That doesn’t exactly clear things up.” He looked back at Enrica, waiting for more of an explanation. I watched his shoulders lift and drop, his sigh too soft to reach my ears. “I guess what I need to know is…” He took a couple steps forward, testing his limits. Enrica didn’t move. “Can I trust you?” he asked quietly.
Enrica took a step forward. “I can’t help you,” she said quietly. I saw Givanni’s silhouette nod.
“I’m not asking for your help. What I am asking is for you to stay out of my way.” With that Givanni stashed his gun and stepped back. Enrica’s gun was swept behind her as well.
“You won’t see me again,” she said, her voice hard. She spun around and sprinted into the darkness. Givanni shook his head at me before disappearing between the tall metal walls. I rocked back on my feet, wondering what to do. If I listened to Givanni, then I should stay put. If I listened to Senic, then I should have driven halfway home by now. With a groan, I charged into the wide-open lot. I ran until reaching the first shadowy container. My breath refused to calm as I pressed myself against the cold metal. There were three more giant metal boxes between me and CGI. Sprinting from the first container, I didn’t stop until I had reached the last. The CGI building was just ahead. I could see a slanted loading dock with its door partly open at the bottom. Reaching it quickly, I flattened my body to the ground and slid under. The moonlight was immediately missed, and my eyes struggled to adjust.
I heard a quick whispering of voices and picked up on Maxium’s. Even in Italian, the word ‘no’ was easily recognized, and I could tell that whomever Maxium was talking to did not agree with him. Waiting until their voices had silenced I inched through the door and stepped into a small storage room, coming face to face with Marco. He reacted, pulling a gun from his perfect Italian suit and pressing it to my forehead. With a gasp, I froze. His face had changed to a twisted glare, deep red color seeping up his neck and into his cheeks. All I could do was stare back in shock. Finally looking into Marco’s eyes, I saw something startling, the sight bringing me an infinitesimal amount of courage. It was fear. His eyes were widened with it. He looked absolutely blind with fear. I watched Maxium bark fiercely into Marco’s ear. Finally, the bulky gun began to lower, pointing at my chest and then my hips, and continuing on until it was directed at the floor. My eyes hadn’t strayed from Marco’s face, and I watched his own expression change into a more coherent look.
