Injustice, poverty, slavery, ignorance - these may be cured by reform or revolution. But men do not live only by fighting evils. They live by positive goals, individual and collective, a vast variety of them, seldom predictable, at times incompatible.

- Isaiah Berlin, Russian Philosopher

Elizabeth felt a chill run down her spine. Someone was in her house. She took a deep breath, cautiously walking into the kitchen, pulling the butcher knife from the block. Relying on her instincts, Elizabeth slowly made her way through the house, keeping her senses open to every sound, every vibration, every…

Elizabeth quickly spun around, grabbing her assailant, holding them from behind, knife to their throat, her every instinct telling her to slit whatever ill-advised individual had decided to ambush her that day.

"Wait. I am a friend of Mischa." the woman spoke calmly while skillfully spinning out of Elizabeth's grip.

"Irina." Elizabeth whispered, emotionless as she now stood face to face with the dark-haired woman.

"Yes. I'm sorry, Mischa didn't mention your name," Irina responded, a slight smirk on her lips.

"It's Phillip now, Irina. And it's obvious he didn't tell you about me" Elizabeth stated stoically before hitting Irina as hard as she could with the palm of her hand, sending her back stumbling. Irina quickly regained her balance, attempting to strike Elizabeth, who gracefully maneuvered away from each blow until she finally grabbed Irina by the throat, holding her against the wall as she struggled for air, "Because if he did, you would know all the ways I could kill you right now."

As Irina struggled for breath, Elizabeth pressed harder into her larynx, but was interrupted by front door swinging open, "Mooooom!"

Elizabeth's heart raced as she quickly dragged Irina to the nearest closet, "Make a sound, and you will never see the light of day," she whispered before shutting the door.

"Mom? Where are you?" Henry called out again.

"Right here." Elizabeth responded, walking into the kitchen to find her ten-year old son biting into an apple, "What are you doing home?"

"Gas leak at school. Charlie's mom drove me home." Henry answered as he grabbed the remote and jumped onto the couch.

"Turn off the TV. It's a beautiful day, go outside and play." Elizabeth said, trying to sound as if she had not attempted to murder the woman hiding in her closet just a few moments earlier.

Henry sighed, "Alright," he shrugged, jumping off the couch and running to the closet where she had just thrown Irina.

"Henry, no!" Elizabeth ran to jump in front of the closet, but wasn't quick enough to stop him before he opened the door.

Shit. Elizabeth held her breath.

"Geez, mom, calm down, I was just grabbing my skateboard. You were the one who said to go play outside." Henry said, not noticing Elizabeth's relived sigh as she realized that Irina was no longer in the closet, "You can be so weird sometimes." He concluded as he walked out the door.

Elizabeth's relief was short-lived.

"Your son is very handsome." Irina said from behind Elizabeth, this time maintaining her distance, "He must take after his father."

"Go to hell." Elizabeth moved swiftly towards Irina, but stopped abruptly as Irina pulled a gun from her coat, pointing it at her.

"Relax. I just want to talk," Irina said.

"You just want to talk? You're the one sneaking around my house, pointing a fucking gun at me." Elizabeth spoke enraged, yet composed.

"I like to be prepared for any possibility." Irina responded calmly.

"What are you doing here, Irina?" Elizabeth asked again, her rage building.

"Like I said, I just want to talk" Irina answered.

"So, talk." Elizabeth demanded, her own curiosity about her husband's former lover defeating her desire to finish this stand-off.

"To Mischa." Irina steadied her grip on the gun she was still pointing at Elizabeth.

"Phillip isn't here. So I guess you'll have to talk to me. His wife." Elizabeth said, contempt dripping from her words.

"His wife." Irina mimicked, laughing, "Don't you mean his cover?"

Elizabeth walked up Irina until the barrel of the pointed gun was at her chest, "You think I'm scared of your weapon? Of you? You have no idea who you're messing with."

Irina rolled her eyes, "Please. You don't think I've been trained the same as you?"

Both woman stood face to face for what seemed like an eternity, but in reality, was only a few seconds when, without warning, Elizabeth swiftly moved, knocking the gun from Irina's hand, sending it sliding across the floor. With Irina disarmed, both women again engaged in hand-to-hand combat, only this time, Irina gained the upper-hand. As Elizabeth miscalculated a swing, Irina grabbing her arm, and threw her on the floor.

Before Elizabeth could react, Irina was on top of her and bashed her head against the floor. Irina wrapped her hands around Elizabeth's throat, "Blyadischa!*" Irina yelled as Elizabeth's vision blurred.

… To Be Continued.

*Whore