Post by emt on Apr 24, 2017 21:19:14 GMT
(link to the formatted version in the title. Will update this one tomorrow)
Twilight Of The Innocents
The black limousine was waiting for him right outside the JFK International Airport in New York, just like Lara said. Like in a fucking movie. To be fair, all this messed up situation was starting to look more and more like a spy story. Things took a sudden twist in the last couple of days, following his trip to Russia for Unleashed #1. While Ethan immediately flew back to Las Vegas to make his debut for Proving Grounds, Nadja went back to New York. And that’s when all kind of shits happened.
She just moved from her apartment, scene of the recent aggression she suffered, to a new hidden location. Taking a run in the park with her dogs seemed like a good idea to release some stress… Did you ever have that weird gut feeling, an overwhelming sense of impending doom? That was exactly what happened to Ethan then. And unfortunately, his instinct was once again right. Murphy’s Law never fails. Two men were following her. Something’s fishy, it’s too fucking soon.
That was Ethan’s first thought, while texting instructions to Nadja and, at the meantime, informing Lara on what was going on, telling her to send help. Nadja eventually entered a cafe, the closest thing to a safe haven she could find while waiting for the rescue. The two guards sent by Lady Chambers were quick enough to pick up the tattooed concierge and bringing her back to the apartment.
To safety.
Bullshit.
It’s not easy to keep someone safe when you are a thousand miles away. All you can do is reading the signs, and act as a consequence. He failed once, when his mind refused to accept the idea that his father was walking down a dangerous path that eventually lead to the abuses he committed on Heidi, despite the young girl gave him a series of sparks that, in hindsight, he should have read better. Possibly saving her those indelible scars in her soul.
That night, he did worse. He knew, from the first moment that guy, Damian, replied to a text he sent Nadja that something wasn’t right. He’s supposed to watch over her, not looking into her private stuff. He thought. Then Lady Russia started feeling sick, her head was heavy, her stomach all queasy. Was it something she ate? No, she told him she didn’t eat. She just drank a coke, gently brought to her by Damian.
Color me fucking surprised…
His next text was to Lara, informing her about this horrible suspect, asking for help. The Queen Of The Cage wasn’t in town, celebrating her victory with a couple of friends. But she knew someone who could help. Dorian Rampage. The owner of Steel Bones Wrestling was quick to get on the scene, ready to move Nadja Ivanov somewhere safe. By any means.
Ethan instead pulled the break, having another plan in mind. It was clear as the sun to him that Damian was one of the bad guys, A small fish. And Ethan Thompson wanted the big shark already.
Never underestimate the idiocy of a common thug.
That’s something he learned that night. He can’t be so dumb to expose himself this soon, right? Wrong. Instead of doing the smart thing and following Ethan’s instructions bringing Nadja to a trusted doctor, he blew up his cover, driving her to her apartment. Thankfully, Dorian was able to rescue her.
How could I’ve been so dumb? I played poker with her life, I put her in danger.
The car entered the massive decorated gate, slowly traveling the long path to the entrance door. That’s why he was here today, instead of with Nadja. He realized his mistake, and the reason why he made it. He got too close, too involved. And he lost sight. Perception is a bitch.
Sometimes you can only see the tree in front of you, ignoring that you’re lost in the fucking forest.
Lara could keep an eye on Lady Russia, Ethan was going to meet the rest of the Ivanov family. Her sister Leila. Leila was the younger but equally beautiful sibling. And, most importantly, she thought Nadja died after they moved from Russia, following the murderer of their parents. Now it was almost time for the lost sisters to rejoin. Whenever the older one felt ready.
The fancy Villa had some impressive security system. Cameras were placed at every corner of the surrounding park, patrolled by armed guards. At least one of them is safe… As the limousine stopped and the chauffeur opened his door, he was met by a thirty-something attractive female, with long black hair. She welcomed him in, shared a couple of drinks and then, finally, she lead him upstairs, where Leila was busy studying. A quick, cold introduction and the young girl went back to her books.
“Nice to meet you Ethan. What brings you here?” She was really good at hiding her real feelings behind a wall of courtesy and kindness. It could have fooled everyone. Everyone but Ethan Thompson. He saw over that wall, realizing that the young girl wasn’t being completely honest.
“I am just a family friend.” He had to play it safe, stay vague and not give her more informations than what was strictly needed.
She looked up at him, her eyes so similar to Nadja’s , but yet different. Lighter. “That’s what my godmother said. But why are you here?”
“You told me she was curious, Shania. But this… I would say it’s impudent” He said, looking at the host. He eventually looked back at Leila, forcing a smile. “I had a very stressful 48 hours day.. Can’t you cut me some slack?”
She stared at Shania, ignoring him completely. “Can I go back to my studies Shania?” She waited for her to nod, before sitting back behind her desk. “Have a nice stay Ethan.”
A tough cookie. He definitely needed a different approach. “What are you studying?”
“History and art. I’m in my last semester.” Her concise answers weren’t helping the case, considering that Ethan was never famous for his oratory.
Shrugging, he replied. “Can’t say those were my favorite subjects.”
“Well, they are mine.” She said, picking up her books and giving him an arrogant grin.
“But then again, I wasn’t a big fan of school to any degree.” He sat on a chair, right in front of her.
“You look more like a fighter. I’ve seen people like you. Violence disgust me.”
“Well you sure are quick to judge, aren’t you? But you're right, I am a fighter. I have always been, even before making a career out of it, even before joining the army.” He turned way more serious now, the smirk on his face faded. “Do you believe in fate Leila?”
“Should I? My fate is a test tomorrow morning. What is yours?”
“Same as yours, same as everyone else’s. Six feet under.” He could see her startling, maybe because of what he said, maybe for the way he said those words. “I may be blunt, but that's the only certainty in our lives. What some people call fate is a direct consequence of the choices we, or someone else, made. Sorry to burst your bubble, but your test... That's not your fate.”
For the first time her defense slightly cracked. The hidden truth in those words hit her hard, like a punch in the stomach “Why would you do such weird talking? We have only met and you're not very friendly.”
He nodded before speaking again, staring again in her eyes. “I am never friendly when I am studying, dearie. And that’s something we have in common.” The bluff was over, time for the two of them to show their cards.
“Why would I tell you anything when you are the one approaching me?” She got up. “Are you one of them?”
The gullibility intrinsic in that question made him laugh. And he didn’t try to hide it at all. “Do i look like one of them? Do you think Shania would let one of them in? Sit down please…”
“I like to stand. Those that approached me last time, they didn't look bad either.” She looked out of the window. “Who is Natalie?”
Natalie. Natalia. Nadja. She knows. What the fuck? His expression stayed unchanging, despite the surprise coming from her dropping Nadja’s real name. He moved closer to her, avoiding the question. “I didn't approach you. I was invited here, i am a guest. Do you think Shania would let someone dangerous getting so close to you?”
“I am no idiot. You might not be dangerous, but you know things. So I repeat, who is Natalie?” She didn't move.
“I know things, but I know no Natalie.. What I know is that you're scared, and that you're looking for answers.”
She was disappointed, and she wasn’t trying to hide it. “And you Ethan are the worst liar in the world. I won't tell you anything if you don't play with open cards. You can be as badass as you want. I may be scared, but I don't like lies..”
“I am not lying. I don't know any Natalie.” He was staring in her eyes, without batting an eyelid. His voice was firm “You are a smart kid, you figured out why I'm here already. You want me to tell you? FIne then, the reason why I'm here is you Leila”
“To do what? You're not my type man. If you wanna ask me out.” She looked back at him. Her body was tense. He grabbed her arm trying to calm her down but she immediately rejected, pulling away. “Take your hands off. As I just said, you are not my type.” She stepped back to her seat.
Ethan couldn’t help but laughing. “ Of course, I mean look at me... I purposely showed up here looking like shit to ask you out.” He sat back in front of her “You know why I'm here, you know who I am. Anything else you want to know?”
“Just the one question you keep avoiding”. Reaching inside her bag, she pulled out her phone, walking closer holding it before his face. “Will my sister join us too? Or is it dinner for two Ethan Thompson?”
Finally. “Do I look like I have a fucking clue dearie? That's her call only. And I'm glad you dropped this facade, things are a lot easier now”
“Talk like a normal human being, darling. I ain't your dear. You can speak freely, is she doing... well?”
“She is safe. That's all I know.”
“Well, I am safe too. So now that you know, you can leave.”
“No not really. I can’t really leave.” He was shaking his head. “Why would you want me gone anyway?”
“I got no reason for you to stay. I don't know you and on top I don't like you very much. Is that enough?” She took her belongings.
“What you like or don't is not of my concern Leila. So no, that's not a good reason for me. How long do you know about her?”
“Almost a month. But how is this your business?”
He grinned. “It wasn’t but thanks for answering nonetheless. How did you find out?”
There was no point in holding any information back. Leila had to admit that to herself, somehow Ethan won this round, being able, in the end, to have her telling him the whole story, giving her little to nothing back. “They came to my college. Three guys. One Latino, two Caucasian.There was also a fourth man, with an eastern european accent. Polish I think. But he was waiting aside for some reason.”
“Any name you can remember?”
She shook her head no. But suddenly, a memory crossed her mind. “The latino, called one of the guys Damian...”
He rolled his eyes hearing that name, one day too late. “Of course… So they just came to you asking about your sister? And what did you tell them?”
“At that point I didn't know anything about her. So I couldn't tell shit. But what I tell you is this, they are not after me. They are after her.”
She was right, and wrong at the same time. “I really hope you're not that naive to think that this makes you safe. Do you really think they won't use you to get to her? You wanted me to be honest with you Leila? You're a liability. Am I still speaking weird now?”
“No you finally speak up.” Not anger or frustration. Awareness and resignation were the dominant emotions coloring her voice. “Don't be funny. I don't think I am safe. I just told you she is their focus.”
They talked a little longer, mostly about Nadja, about how, according to Leila, he should stay close to her while Ethan was still thinking he could protect her better from a safe distance. Until the young girl went to bed, leaving Ethan on the couch alone with his trusted friend, Jack. The perfect set-up for another sleepless night.
These guys are amateur. The assault at her apartment, the failed attempt in the park, how they easily gave up a name when approaching Leila, Damian exposing himself… All sloppy jobs. Only a desperate man would hire these kind of laborers. And that’s not necessarily a good thing.
He had so many things to consider, so many moves to plan. And this was all he got to start with. A name, some vague descriptions and the awareness that people like them make mistake, leaving traces he could follow. This was his environment, this was where Ethan Thompson worked at his best. Alone, detached. But still he was perfectly aware that no matter how hard he tried, no matter how much distance he would put between them, they would never be apart. The bond was already too deep, stepping back and pushing her away wasn’t going to change that fact.
Finally, his body and mind gave up, with a little help of half a bottle of whisky.
Ethan’s rest didn’t last long. A couple of hours later an almost imperceptible swish woke him up. The only reason why he didn’t react with a punch was that scent he immediately recognized as Nadja’s. They just reached them at Shania’s place, much to Ethan’s surprise. And, at the risk to sound blunt, he made sure they knew it. They all were tired, physically and mentally exhausted by the heaviness of the last few days and, as it always happen in these situations, tension inevitably risen, to the point that Ethan was almost leaving. But in the end, they worked it out, Leila joined them and they ended the night on a high note with a few drinks.
The morning after, Ethan woke up early, sneaking out of the bed careful not to wake up Nadja and went downstairs. Leila was waiting for him, sitting at the table laden with all sort of food, from cake to bacon, from fruits to eggs. Shania’s hospitality was definitely top notch. “Good Morning dearie. Ready for your test?”
Obviously the test was a code. Ethan had something else in mind and even if Leila didn’t knew what it was, she could tell it was something he felt very important, if he had to keep it secret from her sister. After the rough start, they developed quite a complicity last night. Nonetheless the pet name she seemed to hate stuck to her. But at least she found one for him too. “I wasn’t expecting you up so early, machoman”
That nickname always made him smile. They had breakfast, their first and last one together, as the youngest Ivanov was set to leave the day after, for obvious safety reasons. At some point, Ethan’s mood seemed to change suddenly. “I am sorry Leila.”
“What for? You haven't done anything Ethan. Or am I missing something?” She smiled up at him.
“I am sorry for what I am asking. It won't be pretty dearie.” He lifted the cup of coffee to his mouth once again, emptying it. “I need you to look with me at the footage of your sister's aggression. I will save you the worst parts. Stay focused on the men face, see if you recognize one of those who approached you one month ago.” He stared in her eyes. It was a damn long shot, but most likely their best chance to find somewhere to start.
Leila nodded slowly. She made her hands into fists even though her face remained calm. “We might move to the winter garden. Don't want her to get disturbed, yes?”
Ethan moved his hand over her closed fist, talking with a soft and almost reassuring tone “It's... Disturbing Leila. I won’t sugarcoat it. It's something that stings. But there's one slight chance we can make some progress. Can you be strong for Natalie?”
“Of course. She’s been strong for me all those years.” She smiled at him. The tension leaving her body. She squeezed his hand a moment before letting go. “I am thankful for you Ethan. Thankful you are strong for her. So let's do that.”
She moved towards the corridors as if she always had lived her. Opening the huge doors to the salon and the winter garden. Ethan was right behind her. Leila sat at the round table and kicked a chair out for him. “Are you having problems with weed?” She asked out of the blue.
“I don't smoke.” He gave her a serious look, almost admonishing. But he didn't add a word. Instead he turned the laptop on, leaning against the chair.
“I know that look.” She laughed. Her eyes were focused on the screen, waiting for it to start. Struggling to keep herself calm.
“If that helps, suit yourself.”
“We will see. Don't tell my sister please.” Her eyes were glued to the screen. Every now and then she would swallow hard. Covering her mouth even. She sat through the whole piece without saying a word.
Ethan skipped certain parts, the most brutal and those where the assailants faces were not in frame.He also saved her that last, desperate scream, stopping the footage when they left. Leila was obviously shocked. Ethan hugged her to calm her down. “It's over dearie.”
“I am fine.” She got out of the hug, but not ungrateful. She looked at the screen, the paused image now showed the men and their faces. “The one with the slick, black hair was one of the guys coming to me.” He had been the worst one considering the scenario.
Ethan took a screenshot and zoomed on the guy's face, sending the resulting image to his smartphone. He waited for a moment, pondering what to do. One quick look at Leila and he made up his mind, deleting the image from Lara’s laptop. “We tried. Such a shame you couldn't recognize anyone.”
“Of course. What a shame.” She got up, rubbing his shoulder a moment. She stepped outside sitting down in the sun. Ethan quickly joined her. “Is it bad you have this brotherly vibe to you?” She took out a joint, looking a little sorry but still lit it.
“I am a brother so I guess that explains it.” He looked at her with a light smile despite he clearly didn't approve the fact that she was smoking.
“But you ain't no brother for my sister.” She winked at him, dragging in some smoke. “I will miss you too machoman.”
He saw her phone popping out from her pocket. He grabbed it and typed something before giving it back to her. “Keep your head down, low profile and don't fuck up. But if shit happens, call me immediately”
“I will behave Ethan. And I can leave without worry now, knowing that you are in her life.” She smiled and showed him a picture she had taken last night. Of him and Nadja, when she walked down the steps. “I take my two favourite people with me.”
“Really now? Because I'm sure I heard you saying you didn't like me... More than once actually.”
“Oh shut up. I didn't wanna like you. And I didn't till 4 am this morning. Seeing that other face.” She poked him in the waist. Ethan was laughing.
She started calling him her adoptive brother. Which he found funny, considering how he was starting to reconsider his brotherly skills. Things with Heidi weren’t going as planned, with more downs than ups. For some reasons, everything seemed a lot easier with Leila. His two “sisters” were so different, and yet somewhat similar. Both young, both lives ruined because of their families. And Ethan Thompson swore to himself that he would ease those young girls’ pain, giving them back the lives they deserved. Joyful, carefree, the kind of lives teenagers are expected to live, instead of finding themselves trapped in this twilight of the innocents.
Hunt is a game of planning, patience and precision. That’s what almost every kid in Montana gets taught since tender age. Elks, Mooses, Bisons even bears. It doesn’t really matters, the three Ps golden rule would still apply.
PLANNING: study your prey, his habitat, his habits. Know his movements, how it acts when in danger. Follow the tracks, careful not to alert him.
PATIENCE: Rush is a hunter’s worst enemy. It may take a lot of time to find the prey, and even then, you might have to wait for the right moment to strike.
PRECISION There’s only one shot, one opportunity. Zero chances to miss. Aim was a gift he discovered as a teenager, and the main reasons why his old man, that piece of crap, started bringing him during his Big Game hunts. The kid was ice cold, unafraid to pull the trigger and, most importantly, he never missed a shot. His ability to focus and keep the aim was extraordinary, a skill that turned very useful in his days in the army.
But Ethan Thompson soon discovered how that dogma didn’t only work in the Montana wilderness, but it applied to perfection even for manhunt in the New York City slums. He reached the Big Apple the night before, discovering why it’s called the city that never sleeps. Something we have in common. Hiding in plain sight, going unnoticed was an art he perfected through the years. Same could be said for obtaining answers. It didn’t take him long to give that face a name and an address.
Jimmy was nothing peculiar, the perfect stereotype of an up and comer street thug. Dumb, quick-tempered, armed.
Ethan followed him the night before, less cautiously than he was used to. Not that his guy required particular care anyways. He was so high when he left his place that it was a miracle he even made it to the nightclub. A couple of drinks, a few talks before leaving with a girl. Always the same. That’s what the barman told him after a generous tip. And just like any given night he took her out for a dinner before heading back to his apartment. The douche fell in love with a hoe. He waited, not too long to be honest, for them to be done and followed the girl back to the club, unnoticed. Dealing with hookers was always Ethan’s favorite part of any job. Not to mention the easiest. No need for violence, threats or anything else but paying their usual fare. Saying that Lisa, that was her name, was confused when Ethan left without even touching her was probably the understatement of the year. He took her in a motel room and said just a few words. “Tomorrow night. You won’t see a thing.” He then simply walked away.
Those cryptic words suddenly made sense when she recognized him as the hooded guy that just slammed the car’s door on Jimmy’s head. He saw him reaching for his gun, but the stranger was quick enough to grab his wrist before the fingers could wrap around the grip, almost as if he knew exactly what her chaperon was going to do. He bent his hand in an unnatural way, Lisa could swore she heard the sickening sound of a cracking bone anticipating a dreadful scream of pain that pierced the quietness of the night.
She almost felt sorry for that stranger, knowing that Jimmy’s bodyguards would have been there soon, and they don’t take an assault to their boss lightly. But surprisingly, nothing happened. He planned everything to the smallest detail. Ethan was dragging him out of the car, wrapping his arms around his neck, choking him from behind. Jimmy stared at her while grasping for hair, struggling, fighting, begging for help.
Lisa ran away, leaving Jimmy to his faith. Tragic, probably, but definitely deserved. To those who will ask her, she would tell she was too drunk, and couldn’t remember what happened.
It was a short ride from there to the place Ethan set up in the afternoon, an empty warehouse in the docks area. He’s heavier than he looks. Nonetheless, Ethan dragged him to a corner of the room, tied his arms and secured them to a hook hanging from a beam. It was now time to wake up the sleeping beauty, a bucket of cold water instead of the canonical fairy tale kiss.As Jimmy was abruptly awaken from his forced nap, trying to realize where he was and what happened, Ethan started pulling the chain he was hooked to, forcing him to a standing position. He walked in front of him, never taking his eyes off the ground, never saying a word.
“Who the hell are you?” He shouted.
Ethan raised his head, staring at him for the first time. With his eyes still glued on one of the men who assaulted Nadja, he started taking off his shirt, in spite of the cold New York night.
“The fuck are you doing? You want to fuck me you perv?”
He got punched in the ribs for his troubles. Not even the groan of pain he let out changed Ethan’s expression. “March 26th. What did you do that night?”
Scornful he replied. “I banged your mom!” He instantly regretted his choice, as a heavy right hand connected on his jaw, knocking a tooth off.
“She’s dead you asshole.” That obviously called for another fist. He felt a certain pleasure hearing his groan, watching his face writhing in pain. “You, Damian and another guy busted into a girl’s apartment… Her name is Nadja”
“Yeah the russian bitch…” It was the nose this time. A shooting pain, followed by the warmth of his own blood dripping on his lips. He hated that ferrous taste.
“Nadja, as I said. She’s a friend, and that should explain why we are having this conversation.” Looking around he notices a thin steel bar, leftover of some construction work. Pacing very slowly, he covered the short distance, picking it up and walking back to Jimmy. Ethan poked his swollen and bleeding nose with the rod. “Think of it of a remake of that night. With you on the role of Nadja. Obviously, like all the remakes, it will be much worse than the original.” Relentlessly he pushed the rebar inside his nostril. The frightful scream of agony that followed sounded even more sinister after bouncing against the walls, echoing in the empty warehouse. Ethan pulled the foreign object away from his nose, cleaning the bloodied tip with a filthy piece of cloth. “I have all night Jimmy. The ball is in your court”
“Fuck you man!” He felt his left leg buckle before his brain could process this new source of pain. The right knee, precisely where he got his LCL repaired, almost as he knew. And of course he did, getting these kind of infos was at the base of the first P in his golden rule.
“It was you, Damian and a third guy. Help me with his name…”
“I don’t know, I never met him before! Damian just called him Nieidvjev or some russian shit. Look man it was all his idea. Damian is the one who should be hanging here, not me!!”
This is why torture will never be a one hundred percent reliable source of information. A man scared would say everything and anything just to put an end to his suffering. Luckily enough, Ethan could always count on his ‘gift’. And on the fact that he already knew more than he let Jimmy think. “Bullshit.” Showing no emotions at all, he limited to swing the rebar again, leaving a deep bruise on his cheek. “But nice try. Easy question now. This Niedvjev, was the guy that drove you and Damian to the college where you approached her sister, Leila?”
He never imagined the poor bastard could get any scared than this. But it happened. Whoever the Polish was, he must have been one tough son of a bitch. “No.. No fucking way.. That guy.. He’s a crazier motherfucker than you!”
“It’s never smart to call the guy swinging a steel bar crazy.” The sudden impact with his abdomen was so hard that cut his breath. He coughed some blood, wondering if it was coming from the busted nose or if it was symptom of some internal damage. Some droplets from that red mist landed on Ethan’s chest, but he didn’t seem to mind. “Who was that guy?” Another shot to the flank, right in the intercostal space.
It’s hard to talk when your chest is burning in pain. Jimmy was realizing it, but his persecutor demanded an answer. “I… I don’t know… Him…” He was taking a deep breath when he noticed through teary eyes that the guy with no name was ready to strike again. His instinct told him to squirm, trying to get away from him. Not the brightest idea when you have some bruised ribs. This time though, he was telling the truth. “And what about the latino? You knew him, right?”
Ethan was pointing the bar to different parts of the body, deciding on the next target. The chest, the right knee again, the left one, the abdomen… He stopped on the crotch area, with a sinister grin on his face. “Wait… Wait.. Rodrigo Garza… His name is Rodrigo Garza!! Jesus Christ let me go now! This is all I know…” He was almost crying, overwhelmed by the diffused pain and by the sense of impotence in front of the inevitability of his fate. Jimmy closed his eyes, his mind going to that happy place in the vain hope it would save him the incoming torture. The next noise he heard was the sound of the steel bar hitting the concrete floor. With a new found hope, opened his eyes. “Are.. Are you letting me go man?”
“I thought I made it clear. You are going to suffer just as much as Nadja did. We only just got started.” Before he realized, Jimmy turned into a human punching ball. Ethan’s fists hurt almost as much as the steel bar, all the rage and frustration that didn’t transpire from his face and body language was focused in his hands. He eventually grew tired, picking up once again the piece of metal, and beating him up, until the pain was too much to withstand, and his body gave up. That was then, as if it was the most normal thing to do in a situation like this, he picked his phone from the pocket and took a picture of the unconscious Jimmy, and sent it to Leila.
He couldn’t help but notice the funny smell of his hand while he was typing on the screen. Intense. Metallic. Rusty. Of blood and steel.
Twilight Of The Innocents
New York City
April, 2nd
She just moved from her apartment, scene of the recent aggression she suffered, to a new hidden location. Taking a run in the park with her dogs seemed like a good idea to release some stress… Did you ever have that weird gut feeling, an overwhelming sense of impending doom? That was exactly what happened to Ethan then. And unfortunately, his instinct was once again right. Murphy’s Law never fails. Two men were following her. Something’s fishy, it’s too fucking soon.
That was Ethan’s first thought, while texting instructions to Nadja and, at the meantime, informing Lara on what was going on, telling her to send help. Nadja eventually entered a cafe, the closest thing to a safe haven she could find while waiting for the rescue. The two guards sent by Lady Chambers were quick enough to pick up the tattooed concierge and bringing her back to the apartment.
To safety.
Bullshit.
It’s not easy to keep someone safe when you are a thousand miles away. All you can do is reading the signs, and act as a consequence. He failed once, when his mind refused to accept the idea that his father was walking down a dangerous path that eventually lead to the abuses he committed on Heidi, despite the young girl gave him a series of sparks that, in hindsight, he should have read better. Possibly saving her those indelible scars in her soul.
That night, he did worse. He knew, from the first moment that guy, Damian, replied to a text he sent Nadja that something wasn’t right. He’s supposed to watch over her, not looking into her private stuff. He thought. Then Lady Russia started feeling sick, her head was heavy, her stomach all queasy. Was it something she ate? No, she told him she didn’t eat. She just drank a coke, gently brought to her by Damian.
Color me fucking surprised…
His next text was to Lara, informing her about this horrible suspect, asking for help. The Queen Of The Cage wasn’t in town, celebrating her victory with a couple of friends. But she knew someone who could help. Dorian Rampage. The owner of Steel Bones Wrestling was quick to get on the scene, ready to move Nadja Ivanov somewhere safe. By any means.
Ethan instead pulled the break, having another plan in mind. It was clear as the sun to him that Damian was one of the bad guys, A small fish. And Ethan Thompson wanted the big shark already.
Never underestimate the idiocy of a common thug.
That’s something he learned that night. He can’t be so dumb to expose himself this soon, right? Wrong. Instead of doing the smart thing and following Ethan’s instructions bringing Nadja to a trusted doctor, he blew up his cover, driving her to her apartment. Thankfully, Dorian was able to rescue her.
How could I’ve been so dumb? I played poker with her life, I put her in danger.
The car entered the massive decorated gate, slowly traveling the long path to the entrance door. That’s why he was here today, instead of with Nadja. He realized his mistake, and the reason why he made it. He got too close, too involved. And he lost sight. Perception is a bitch.
Sometimes you can only see the tree in front of you, ignoring that you’re lost in the fucking forest.
Lara could keep an eye on Lady Russia, Ethan was going to meet the rest of the Ivanov family. Her sister Leila. Leila was the younger but equally beautiful sibling. And, most importantly, she thought Nadja died after they moved from Russia, following the murderer of their parents. Now it was almost time for the lost sisters to rejoin. Whenever the older one felt ready.
The fancy Villa had some impressive security system. Cameras were placed at every corner of the surrounding park, patrolled by armed guards. At least one of them is safe… As the limousine stopped and the chauffeur opened his door, he was met by a thirty-something attractive female, with long black hair. She welcomed him in, shared a couple of drinks and then, finally, she lead him upstairs, where Leila was busy studying. A quick, cold introduction and the young girl went back to her books.
“Nice to meet you Ethan. What brings you here?” She was really good at hiding her real feelings behind a wall of courtesy and kindness. It could have fooled everyone. Everyone but Ethan Thompson. He saw over that wall, realizing that the young girl wasn’t being completely honest.
“I am just a family friend.” He had to play it safe, stay vague and not give her more informations than what was strictly needed.
She looked up at him, her eyes so similar to Nadja’s , but yet different. Lighter. “That’s what my godmother said. But why are you here?”
“You told me she was curious, Shania. But this… I would say it’s impudent” He said, looking at the host. He eventually looked back at Leila, forcing a smile. “I had a very stressful 48 hours day.. Can’t you cut me some slack?”
She stared at Shania, ignoring him completely. “Can I go back to my studies Shania?” She waited for her to nod, before sitting back behind her desk. “Have a nice stay Ethan.”
A tough cookie. He definitely needed a different approach. “What are you studying?”
“History and art. I’m in my last semester.” Her concise answers weren’t helping the case, considering that Ethan was never famous for his oratory.
Shrugging, he replied. “Can’t say those were my favorite subjects.”
“Well, they are mine.” She said, picking up her books and giving him an arrogant grin.
“But then again, I wasn’t a big fan of school to any degree.” He sat on a chair, right in front of her.
“You look more like a fighter. I’ve seen people like you. Violence disgust me.”
“Well you sure are quick to judge, aren’t you? But you're right, I am a fighter. I have always been, even before making a career out of it, even before joining the army.” He turned way more serious now, the smirk on his face faded. “Do you believe in fate Leila?”
“Should I? My fate is a test tomorrow morning. What is yours?”
“Same as yours, same as everyone else’s. Six feet under.” He could see her startling, maybe because of what he said, maybe for the way he said those words. “I may be blunt, but that's the only certainty in our lives. What some people call fate is a direct consequence of the choices we, or someone else, made. Sorry to burst your bubble, but your test... That's not your fate.”
For the first time her defense slightly cracked. The hidden truth in those words hit her hard, like a punch in the stomach “Why would you do such weird talking? We have only met and you're not very friendly.”
He nodded before speaking again, staring again in her eyes. “I am never friendly when I am studying, dearie. And that’s something we have in common.” The bluff was over, time for the two of them to show their cards.
“Why would I tell you anything when you are the one approaching me?” She got up. “Are you one of them?”
The gullibility intrinsic in that question made him laugh. And he didn’t try to hide it at all. “Do i look like one of them? Do you think Shania would let one of them in? Sit down please…”
“I like to stand. Those that approached me last time, they didn't look bad either.” She looked out of the window. “Who is Natalie?”
Natalie. Natalia. Nadja. She knows. What the fuck? His expression stayed unchanging, despite the surprise coming from her dropping Nadja’s real name. He moved closer to her, avoiding the question. “I didn't approach you. I was invited here, i am a guest. Do you think Shania would let someone dangerous getting so close to you?”
“I am no idiot. You might not be dangerous, but you know things. So I repeat, who is Natalie?” She didn't move.
“I know things, but I know no Natalie.. What I know is that you're scared, and that you're looking for answers.”
She was disappointed, and she wasn’t trying to hide it. “And you Ethan are the worst liar in the world. I won't tell you anything if you don't play with open cards. You can be as badass as you want. I may be scared, but I don't like lies..”
“I am not lying. I don't know any Natalie.” He was staring in her eyes, without batting an eyelid. His voice was firm “You are a smart kid, you figured out why I'm here already. You want me to tell you? FIne then, the reason why I'm here is you Leila”
“To do what? You're not my type man. If you wanna ask me out.” She looked back at him. Her body was tense. He grabbed her arm trying to calm her down but she immediately rejected, pulling away. “Take your hands off. As I just said, you are not my type.” She stepped back to her seat.
Ethan couldn’t help but laughing. “ Of course, I mean look at me... I purposely showed up here looking like shit to ask you out.” He sat back in front of her “You know why I'm here, you know who I am. Anything else you want to know?”
“Just the one question you keep avoiding”. Reaching inside her bag, she pulled out her phone, walking closer holding it before his face. “Will my sister join us too? Or is it dinner for two Ethan Thompson?”
Finally. “Do I look like I have a fucking clue dearie? That's her call only. And I'm glad you dropped this facade, things are a lot easier now”
“Talk like a normal human being, darling. I ain't your dear. You can speak freely, is she doing... well?”
“She is safe. That's all I know.”
“Well, I am safe too. So now that you know, you can leave.”
“No not really. I can’t really leave.” He was shaking his head. “Why would you want me gone anyway?”
“I got no reason for you to stay. I don't know you and on top I don't like you very much. Is that enough?” She took her belongings.
“What you like or don't is not of my concern Leila. So no, that's not a good reason for me. How long do you know about her?”
“Almost a month. But how is this your business?”
He grinned. “It wasn’t but thanks for answering nonetheless. How did you find out?”
There was no point in holding any information back. Leila had to admit that to herself, somehow Ethan won this round, being able, in the end, to have her telling him the whole story, giving her little to nothing back. “They came to my college. Three guys. One Latino, two Caucasian.There was also a fourth man, with an eastern european accent. Polish I think. But he was waiting aside for some reason.”
“Any name you can remember?”
She shook her head no. But suddenly, a memory crossed her mind. “The latino, called one of the guys Damian...”
He rolled his eyes hearing that name, one day too late. “Of course… So they just came to you asking about your sister? And what did you tell them?”
“At that point I didn't know anything about her. So I couldn't tell shit. But what I tell you is this, they are not after me. They are after her.”
She was right, and wrong at the same time. “I really hope you're not that naive to think that this makes you safe. Do you really think they won't use you to get to her? You wanted me to be honest with you Leila? You're a liability. Am I still speaking weird now?”
“No you finally speak up.” Not anger or frustration. Awareness and resignation were the dominant emotions coloring her voice. “Don't be funny. I don't think I am safe. I just told you she is their focus.”
They talked a little longer, mostly about Nadja, about how, according to Leila, he should stay close to her while Ethan was still thinking he could protect her better from a safe distance. Until the young girl went to bed, leaving Ethan on the couch alone with his trusted friend, Jack. The perfect set-up for another sleepless night.
These guys are amateur. The assault at her apartment, the failed attempt in the park, how they easily gave up a name when approaching Leila, Damian exposing himself… All sloppy jobs. Only a desperate man would hire these kind of laborers. And that’s not necessarily a good thing.
He had so many things to consider, so many moves to plan. And this was all he got to start with. A name, some vague descriptions and the awareness that people like them make mistake, leaving traces he could follow. This was his environment, this was where Ethan Thompson worked at his best. Alone, detached. But still he was perfectly aware that no matter how hard he tried, no matter how much distance he would put between them, they would never be apart. The bond was already too deep, stepping back and pushing her away wasn’t going to change that fact.
Finally, his body and mind gave up, with a little help of half a bottle of whisky.
Ethan’s rest didn’t last long. A couple of hours later an almost imperceptible swish woke him up. The only reason why he didn’t react with a punch was that scent he immediately recognized as Nadja’s. They just reached them at Shania’s place, much to Ethan’s surprise. And, at the risk to sound blunt, he made sure they knew it. They all were tired, physically and mentally exhausted by the heaviness of the last few days and, as it always happen in these situations, tension inevitably risen, to the point that Ethan was almost leaving. But in the end, they worked it out, Leila joined them and they ended the night on a high note with a few drinks.
The morning after, Ethan woke up early, sneaking out of the bed careful not to wake up Nadja and went downstairs. Leila was waiting for him, sitting at the table laden with all sort of food, from cake to bacon, from fruits to eggs. Shania’s hospitality was definitely top notch. “Good Morning dearie. Ready for your test?”
Obviously the test was a code. Ethan had something else in mind and even if Leila didn’t knew what it was, she could tell it was something he felt very important, if he had to keep it secret from her sister. After the rough start, they developed quite a complicity last night. Nonetheless the pet name she seemed to hate stuck to her. But at least she found one for him too. “I wasn’t expecting you up so early, machoman”
That nickname always made him smile. They had breakfast, their first and last one together, as the youngest Ivanov was set to leave the day after, for obvious safety reasons. At some point, Ethan’s mood seemed to change suddenly. “I am sorry Leila.”
“What for? You haven't done anything Ethan. Or am I missing something?” She smiled up at him.
“I am sorry for what I am asking. It won't be pretty dearie.” He lifted the cup of coffee to his mouth once again, emptying it. “I need you to look with me at the footage of your sister's aggression. I will save you the worst parts. Stay focused on the men face, see if you recognize one of those who approached you one month ago.” He stared in her eyes. It was a damn long shot, but most likely their best chance to find somewhere to start.
Leila nodded slowly. She made her hands into fists even though her face remained calm. “We might move to the winter garden. Don't want her to get disturbed, yes?”
Ethan moved his hand over her closed fist, talking with a soft and almost reassuring tone “It's... Disturbing Leila. I won’t sugarcoat it. It's something that stings. But there's one slight chance we can make some progress. Can you be strong for Natalie?”
“Of course. She’s been strong for me all those years.” She smiled at him. The tension leaving her body. She squeezed his hand a moment before letting go. “I am thankful for you Ethan. Thankful you are strong for her. So let's do that.”
She moved towards the corridors as if she always had lived her. Opening the huge doors to the salon and the winter garden. Ethan was right behind her. Leila sat at the round table and kicked a chair out for him. “Are you having problems with weed?” She asked out of the blue.
“I don't smoke.” He gave her a serious look, almost admonishing. But he didn't add a word. Instead he turned the laptop on, leaning against the chair.
“I know that look.” She laughed. Her eyes were focused on the screen, waiting for it to start. Struggling to keep herself calm.
“If that helps, suit yourself.”
“We will see. Don't tell my sister please.” Her eyes were glued to the screen. Every now and then she would swallow hard. Covering her mouth even. She sat through the whole piece without saying a word.
Ethan skipped certain parts, the most brutal and those where the assailants faces were not in frame.He also saved her that last, desperate scream, stopping the footage when they left. Leila was obviously shocked. Ethan hugged her to calm her down. “It's over dearie.”
“I am fine.” She got out of the hug, but not ungrateful. She looked at the screen, the paused image now showed the men and their faces. “The one with the slick, black hair was one of the guys coming to me.” He had been the worst one considering the scenario.
Ethan took a screenshot and zoomed on the guy's face, sending the resulting image to his smartphone. He waited for a moment, pondering what to do. One quick look at Leila and he made up his mind, deleting the image from Lara’s laptop. “We tried. Such a shame you couldn't recognize anyone.”
“Of course. What a shame.” She got up, rubbing his shoulder a moment. She stepped outside sitting down in the sun. Ethan quickly joined her. “Is it bad you have this brotherly vibe to you?” She took out a joint, looking a little sorry but still lit it.
“I am a brother so I guess that explains it.” He looked at her with a light smile despite he clearly didn't approve the fact that she was smoking.
“But you ain't no brother for my sister.” She winked at him, dragging in some smoke. “I will miss you too machoman.”
He saw her phone popping out from her pocket. He grabbed it and typed something before giving it back to her. “Keep your head down, low profile and don't fuck up. But if shit happens, call me immediately”
“I will behave Ethan. And I can leave without worry now, knowing that you are in her life.” She smiled and showed him a picture she had taken last night. Of him and Nadja, when she walked down the steps. “I take my two favourite people with me.”
“Really now? Because I'm sure I heard you saying you didn't like me... More than once actually.”
“Oh shut up. I didn't wanna like you. And I didn't till 4 am this morning. Seeing that other face.” She poked him in the waist. Ethan was laughing.
She started calling him her adoptive brother. Which he found funny, considering how he was starting to reconsider his brotherly skills. Things with Heidi weren’t going as planned, with more downs than ups. For some reasons, everything seemed a lot easier with Leila. His two “sisters” were so different, and yet somewhat similar. Both young, both lives ruined because of their families. And Ethan Thompson swore to himself that he would ease those young girls’ pain, giving them back the lives they deserved. Joyful, carefree, the kind of lives teenagers are expected to live, instead of finding themselves trapped in this twilight of the innocents.
New York City
April, 10th
Hunt is a game of planning, patience and precision. That’s what almost every kid in Montana gets taught since tender age. Elks, Mooses, Bisons even bears. It doesn’t really matters, the three Ps golden rule would still apply.
PLANNING: study your prey, his habitat, his habits. Know his movements, how it acts when in danger. Follow the tracks, careful not to alert him.
PATIENCE: Rush is a hunter’s worst enemy. It may take a lot of time to find the prey, and even then, you might have to wait for the right moment to strike.
PRECISION There’s only one shot, one opportunity. Zero chances to miss. Aim was a gift he discovered as a teenager, and the main reasons why his old man, that piece of crap, started bringing him during his Big Game hunts. The kid was ice cold, unafraid to pull the trigger and, most importantly, he never missed a shot. His ability to focus and keep the aim was extraordinary, a skill that turned very useful in his days in the army.
But Ethan Thompson soon discovered how that dogma didn’t only work in the Montana wilderness, but it applied to perfection even for manhunt in the New York City slums. He reached the Big Apple the night before, discovering why it’s called the city that never sleeps. Something we have in common. Hiding in plain sight, going unnoticed was an art he perfected through the years. Same could be said for obtaining answers. It didn’t take him long to give that face a name and an address.
Jimmy was nothing peculiar, the perfect stereotype of an up and comer street thug. Dumb, quick-tempered, armed.
Ethan followed him the night before, less cautiously than he was used to. Not that his guy required particular care anyways. He was so high when he left his place that it was a miracle he even made it to the nightclub. A couple of drinks, a few talks before leaving with a girl. Always the same. That’s what the barman told him after a generous tip. And just like any given night he took her out for a dinner before heading back to his apartment. The douche fell in love with a hoe. He waited, not too long to be honest, for them to be done and followed the girl back to the club, unnoticed. Dealing with hookers was always Ethan’s favorite part of any job. Not to mention the easiest. No need for violence, threats or anything else but paying their usual fare. Saying that Lisa, that was her name, was confused when Ethan left without even touching her was probably the understatement of the year. He took her in a motel room and said just a few words. “Tomorrow night. You won’t see a thing.” He then simply walked away.
Those cryptic words suddenly made sense when she recognized him as the hooded guy that just slammed the car’s door on Jimmy’s head. He saw him reaching for his gun, but the stranger was quick enough to grab his wrist before the fingers could wrap around the grip, almost as if he knew exactly what her chaperon was going to do. He bent his hand in an unnatural way, Lisa could swore she heard the sickening sound of a cracking bone anticipating a dreadful scream of pain that pierced the quietness of the night.
She almost felt sorry for that stranger, knowing that Jimmy’s bodyguards would have been there soon, and they don’t take an assault to their boss lightly. But surprisingly, nothing happened. He planned everything to the smallest detail. Ethan was dragging him out of the car, wrapping his arms around his neck, choking him from behind. Jimmy stared at her while grasping for hair, struggling, fighting, begging for help.
Lisa ran away, leaving Jimmy to his faith. Tragic, probably, but definitely deserved. To those who will ask her, she would tell she was too drunk, and couldn’t remember what happened.
It was a short ride from there to the place Ethan set up in the afternoon, an empty warehouse in the docks area. He’s heavier than he looks. Nonetheless, Ethan dragged him to a corner of the room, tied his arms and secured them to a hook hanging from a beam. It was now time to wake up the sleeping beauty, a bucket of cold water instead of the canonical fairy tale kiss.As Jimmy was abruptly awaken from his forced nap, trying to realize where he was and what happened, Ethan started pulling the chain he was hooked to, forcing him to a standing position. He walked in front of him, never taking his eyes off the ground, never saying a word.
“Who the hell are you?” He shouted.
Ethan raised his head, staring at him for the first time. With his eyes still glued on one of the men who assaulted Nadja, he started taking off his shirt, in spite of the cold New York night.
“The fuck are you doing? You want to fuck me you perv?”
He got punched in the ribs for his troubles. Not even the groan of pain he let out changed Ethan’s expression. “March 26th. What did you do that night?”
Scornful he replied. “I banged your mom!” He instantly regretted his choice, as a heavy right hand connected on his jaw, knocking a tooth off.
“She’s dead you asshole.” That obviously called for another fist. He felt a certain pleasure hearing his groan, watching his face writhing in pain. “You, Damian and another guy busted into a girl’s apartment… Her name is Nadja”
“Yeah the russian bitch…” It was the nose this time. A shooting pain, followed by the warmth of his own blood dripping on his lips. He hated that ferrous taste.
“Nadja, as I said. She’s a friend, and that should explain why we are having this conversation.” Looking around he notices a thin steel bar, leftover of some construction work. Pacing very slowly, he covered the short distance, picking it up and walking back to Jimmy. Ethan poked his swollen and bleeding nose with the rod. “Think of it of a remake of that night. With you on the role of Nadja. Obviously, like all the remakes, it will be much worse than the original.” Relentlessly he pushed the rebar inside his nostril. The frightful scream of agony that followed sounded even more sinister after bouncing against the walls, echoing in the empty warehouse. Ethan pulled the foreign object away from his nose, cleaning the bloodied tip with a filthy piece of cloth. “I have all night Jimmy. The ball is in your court”
“Fuck you man!” He felt his left leg buckle before his brain could process this new source of pain. The right knee, precisely where he got his LCL repaired, almost as he knew. And of course he did, getting these kind of infos was at the base of the first P in his golden rule.
“It was you, Damian and a third guy. Help me with his name…”
“I don’t know, I never met him before! Damian just called him Nieidvjev or some russian shit. Look man it was all his idea. Damian is the one who should be hanging here, not me!!”
This is why torture will never be a one hundred percent reliable source of information. A man scared would say everything and anything just to put an end to his suffering. Luckily enough, Ethan could always count on his ‘gift’. And on the fact that he already knew more than he let Jimmy think. “Bullshit.” Showing no emotions at all, he limited to swing the rebar again, leaving a deep bruise on his cheek. “But nice try. Easy question now. This Niedvjev, was the guy that drove you and Damian to the college where you approached her sister, Leila?”
He never imagined the poor bastard could get any scared than this. But it happened. Whoever the Polish was, he must have been one tough son of a bitch. “No.. No fucking way.. That guy.. He’s a crazier motherfucker than you!”
“It’s never smart to call the guy swinging a steel bar crazy.” The sudden impact with his abdomen was so hard that cut his breath. He coughed some blood, wondering if it was coming from the busted nose or if it was symptom of some internal damage. Some droplets from that red mist landed on Ethan’s chest, but he didn’t seem to mind. “Who was that guy?” Another shot to the flank, right in the intercostal space.
It’s hard to talk when your chest is burning in pain. Jimmy was realizing it, but his persecutor demanded an answer. “I… I don’t know… Him…” He was taking a deep breath when he noticed through teary eyes that the guy with no name was ready to strike again. His instinct told him to squirm, trying to get away from him. Not the brightest idea when you have some bruised ribs. This time though, he was telling the truth. “And what about the latino? You knew him, right?”
Ethan was pointing the bar to different parts of the body, deciding on the next target. The chest, the right knee again, the left one, the abdomen… He stopped on the crotch area, with a sinister grin on his face. “Wait… Wait.. Rodrigo Garza… His name is Rodrigo Garza!! Jesus Christ let me go now! This is all I know…” He was almost crying, overwhelmed by the diffused pain and by the sense of impotence in front of the inevitability of his fate. Jimmy closed his eyes, his mind going to that happy place in the vain hope it would save him the incoming torture. The next noise he heard was the sound of the steel bar hitting the concrete floor. With a new found hope, opened his eyes. “Are.. Are you letting me go man?”
“I thought I made it clear. You are going to suffer just as much as Nadja did. We only just got started.” Before he realized, Jimmy turned into a human punching ball. Ethan’s fists hurt almost as much as the steel bar, all the rage and frustration that didn’t transpire from his face and body language was focused in his hands. He eventually grew tired, picking up once again the piece of metal, and beating him up, until the pain was too much to withstand, and his body gave up. That was then, as if it was the most normal thing to do in a situation like this, he picked his phone from the pocket and took a picture of the unconscious Jimmy, and sent it to Leila.
He couldn’t help but notice the funny smell of his hand while he was typing on the screen. Intense. Metallic. Rusty. Of blood and steel.