Chapter 2 - Tasha
Stepping out into the fresh morning breeze, I inhaled deeply. Stretching my arms out into the air, I turned as I absorbed the life force surrounding me. To finally be allowed out and about was fantastic. After being cooped up, watched, and monitored for weeks, I had my freedom back.
I couldn’t help but smile as I walked to the new car Abram bought me. My bike was back home, and I couldn’t wait to return to my humble dwelling. I just wanted to catch up on work after staying in one of our safe houses for weeks.
Abram had insisted I use the car he got me, which worked in my favor today. I had to make a couple of stops before heading home. I wanted to upgrade my computer system and needed to get some components.
I only noticed the chill in the air as I got into the car. Trembling a tab from the cold, I turned on the air conditioner. As I started it, I could hear Alexandr’s voice in my head. “Be careful out there, all looks calm, but we never know,” he grumbled earlier as I called to let him know I was leaving.
Shaking my head, I pulled out and headed into town. I was relieved to be out of there and excited to get to the store. The roads were quiet, and I got to the computer store quicker than expected.
Entering one of my favorite tech stores, the teenager behind the counter spoke loudly. “Tasha, it’s been a while.”
Laughing, I replied as I moved towards the back. “Sorry, Lenny, been a little busy.” Lenny and his dad own the store. They have been my salvation for most of what I needed when it came to computers, software, and parts.
Pausing as I was about to disappear into the shelves, I glanced back at him as I spoke. “Do you know if your dad managed to get hold of that tablet software I asked for?”
Lenny grinned, and nodded his head, speaking in a lower tone as he responded. “You know it.” He was a special kid. “Let me grab it for you,” he added as he headed to the back of the store.
Moving down the aisle that held the screen cards, I spotted a new one. Looking at the specs, I noticed they were better than the current one I had. Grabbing it, I went back to the counter waiting for Lenny.
Lenny came bouncing through the aisle. He slid the flat package across the counter towards me. Placing my hand down, I managed to stop it from falling off the other side. Standing by the cash register, he leaned closer to me as he whispered. “This edition is customized as requested, my lady.”
“Alright,” I huffed as I leaned forward and pulled him closer into a quick hug. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Lenny’s face lit up as he pounced the keys of the register. “That’ll be a special price as well,” he added turning the little head on top towards me so I could see the price.
After paying, I slipped the items into the bag he was holding out. I waved to him as I headed out. There was another store that specialized in custom computers about a block down the road. Deciding to leave the car, I walked over to collect some other items I had placed on order before all the chaos started.
This was the second time I had used them and didn’t know the staff as well as Lenny and his dad. Entering, I quickly made my way to the counter on the left side. I felt like a child with new toys and wanted to get home as soon as possible to play.
Handing the woman my slip, I turned and scanned the shop. My eye caught a dark van slowly moving past. I could swear I had seen it as I left Lenny’s shop. Turning back to the woman, I shook my head. I was surely seeing things.
She handed me a bag with the parts and smiled as she spoke. “Here you go, have a lovely day.”
“Thanks,” I said nodding as I turned heading for the door. My mind was slightly brooding on the van. “No,” I told myself as I stepped out and glanced both ways. There was no van. It was all in my mind.
Halfway back to the car, I popped into the Luscious Café for an iced coffee. Sitting by the window, I stared out at the car just two blocks up. A dark van came by and pulled into a parking spot just past the car, but no one got out. It just sat there.
Feeling a lump suddenly growing in my throat, I swallowed hard. It looked a bit suspicious. Once my drink was done, I decided to walk past the car up the street. I had to see if anyone was watching me.
I passed and went into a grocery store about a block up. Standing in the window, I waited a while. There was no movement. I grabbed some muffins, cold drinks, and crisps. After paying I went back to the car.
This was a great day I told myself as I crossed the street. I’m just feeling the backlash of being cooped up for so long. Getting back to the car, I glanced around realizing that if the enemy hadn’t backed off, I would still be in that godforsaken safe house. Letting out a sigh, I tossed the bags onto the passage seat.
Glancing in the mirror, I saw the van was still there but there was no movement. Pulling out of the parking area, I drove down towards the park. I decided to take a detour just in case they were following me. As I was about to turn and head back home, I spotted the van two cars behind me.
My skin instantly turned hot and sweaty. Wiping my brow, I turned up a side street and lowered my foot on the gas pedal. I had to put some distance between us. Taking a quick right and then a left on the next block, I slowed down. I kept an eye out for the next four blocks but couldn’t see the van anymore.
Feeling relieved, I turned on the radio. One of my favorite songs was about halfway through. I cranked up the volume and sang along. “No, not I, I will survive,” taking a deep breath, I smiled as I drove down the long winding road that would lead me home. “I’ve got my life to live,” I screamed out the window. “I will survive.”
I felt vibrant and alive as I pulled into the garage and parked the car next to my Harley-Davidson. Switching off the engine, I checked the bags to ensure I had gotten everything needed for the upgrade.
After all, hacking files, surveillance, spying, and keeping tabs on the enemy were the one thing I excelled in. Smiling at myself in the rearview mirror, I had to admit, that I was more than just good at it. I was the best.
Comparing myself to my tougher siblings I have always felt I was lacking something. But looking at the components, I knew I excelled at what I did, and they couldn’t compare. Without me, many of the projects we took on would fail. Pushing any doubt out of my mind, I got out and went inside.
Every now and then, these feelings would rush me. I wish I could do more. But hacking came naturally to me. It was as easy as breathing. Locking the door behind me, I headed to the front room where I had set up my home system.
I considered calling one of them but decided against it. I felt sure it was just a coincidence that the van was around. If they knew, I would be back in the safe house within minutes. I had stuff to do and didn’t want to go back.
Opening the packet of crisps, I ate a handful as I started dismantling my computer. Turning, I walked to the radio on the shelf by the door. I needed some music to compliment my light mood. Turning it to my favorite station, I shook my hips as the lovely voice of Chuck Berry came blaring through.
I swayed my hips as I started assembling the new components. They had to be fitted correctly into my computer box. Removing the software from the package Lenny had given me, I smiled. He had inserted a pair of neon box stickers for me. They were of fields covered in sparkling flowers. He was sweet and knew I loved nature.
This wasn’t the first time he had done something like this. I appreciated it but he was still a child. I felt sure he had a crush on me. Yet, my interest in such things was on the back burner. I wasn’t ready for any such things, not even casually.
I was almost done when I caught a movement in the street. Up the road from me were four newly built houses. Only two had occupants as far as I knew. Staring at the dark van parked across the road I wondered how long it had been there.
Was this the same van? Had they followed me home? Walking to the window I closed the blinds. Opening it slightly with two fingers, I studied the van. “It could be,” I said out loud speaking to the empty room. Was this still just a coincidence?
Walking into the kitchen, I grabbed my bike keys and then stopped. They would see me leaving if I took the bike or the car. Placing them back down, I decided to head out the back. There was a small gate in the picket fence out back. It led to another road with more houses.
I wanted to get away quietly and quickly. I could call one of my brothers. Yet, if it wasn’t the enemy spying on us, I would end up back in the safe house for no reason. I would take a walk back to town and wait a couple of hours. If the van was still there when I returned, I would call Abram.
With my mind made up, I headed out. Peeking around the side of my house, I saw the van still sitting there. I truly hoped it wasn’t the enemy, and it was new neighbors moving in across the street.
Walking out the small gate at the back, I glanced up and down the street. The street was empty. Some kids were playing in their yard two houses up. A dog was barking a couple of houses down. Moving cautiously, I headed down the street and turned left onto the next one.
I would take one left and one right as I head to town. If anyone was following, I could notice before I got caught. As I turned on the next one right, I heard a motor. I stopped and stepped back between two trees. My breathing intensified rapidly as I felt my heart rate increasing.
Looking up at the street I had just turned out of, I saw the van passing slowly. No, I thought to myself. Why me? How could this be happening? Once I felt sure they were far up the side street, I walked briskly down heading to town. I needed to get there quicker than I hoped.
I saw nothing up or down the street as I peeked around the fence of the house on the corner. I sprinted across and headed up behind the houses on the opposite side. The roads here were single as I was nearing town. This one was a back road mainly used for rubbish bins. Glancing back as I walked faster and faster, I wondered if they would see me if they passed.
My heart was beating in my throat. I should have made that call. But I didn’t. My only objective now was to reach the town. I knew I had to get somewhere where there were lots of people. Once I was safe, I would call Abram.
I felt the stream of sweat running down my back. I knew this wasn’t only from running as my nerves were eating at my insides. Before me, I could see the first shops as the town came closer. Looking back over my shoulder, I was glad they weren’t there.
My lungs had started burning and my legs as well. I hadn’t done this much running in a long time. I hadn’t realized how unfit I was until now.
As I rounded the last corner the shops were within reaching distance. Glancing back, I instantly came to a full stop. It felt like I had hit a brick wall. I staggered backward rubbing my chin and looking at my feet. I saw a pair of large black shoes.
This is what happens if you run looking back, I thought turning my face up to look at the stranger before me. Lifting my hand to shield my eyes from the sun, my phone slipped to the ground. The tall handsome man stepped forward smashing it.
“I’m so sorry for bumping into you but that was my phone,” I uttered looking up into the mysterious guy's light green eyes. For a second, I couldn’t see his face clearly as the sun shone directly into my eyes. But those green eyes were hard to forget. Adjusting my stance so the late afternoon sun wasn’t shining into them, I realized I was right. I knew who he was. My legs felt like lead as I turned to run the other way.
But there was nowhere to go. I felt his big strong hands close around my arms as the van pulled up to the curb. Paralyzed with fear, I wanted to slap myself. Why didn’t I make the call? I’ve played into their hands by trying to do things my way.
They had anticipated my moves. I walked or rather ran into their trap. No, I ran into Vadik’s arms. He pushed me forward as the van doors opened. As I started to struggle, Vadik grabbed me around the waist. He placed his other hand over my mouth preventing me from screaming. Lifting me he walked with ease and got into the van.
The doors slammed shut before he let go and lightly shoved me forward. Stumbling to the ground between him and his brother, I felt like a little squirrel trapped between two big wild dogs. I grabbed the pendant around my neck. Alexandr had given it to me the day I moved into the safe house. It was fitted with a tracking device for just such an occasion.
Knowing there was no way out anymore, I squeezed the purple flower activating it. Not wanting to alert Vadik of what was coming, I kept my face solemn as I turned and sat in the corner. Marari tied my hands before sitting down opposite me. All that was left to do was to have faith that my brothers would come soon to rescue me.
I kept my mouth shut as the van drove up and down a couple of streets. The windows were dark, and I couldn’t see where we were going. But I was positive my brothers would find me before they could attempt anything. The drive wasn’t long. As the van stopped, I wondered what they planned to do with me.
Vadik placed a bag loosely over my head as the doors opened. He pulled me closer and lifted me out. I struggled trying to get his hands off me. But the more I moved, the harder he held. Easing up, I felt his grip loosen a tad.
I heard a door opening and then we moved inside what I assumed was the house they had shared with Nadia. As the door closed, Vadik removed the bag. Glancing around, I felt sure this was where Nadia had stayed with them. If I remember correctly, it was within the Chernyhk’s compound.
This meant it would be harder for my brothers to get to me. Yet, I knew they would move mountains if they had to. They would do whatever it took to rescue me.