Justice and Mercy
-Chapter Four-
"Please speak softly. For they will hear us and they'll find out why we don't trust them."
Paramore: Conspiracy
"Fine," I said, my voice wavering between hopeless and hopeful. The beep indicated the end of the call and I pressed the red button, ending it on my line. For a moment I just stood there, looking at the phone – imaging Dimitri on the other end. I pressed the phone to my chest and sagged against the wall. It took only a few seconds to collect my emotions, to collect them and shove them down below. They'll arise one day, but not now.
I strolled over to my counter, laid the phone on the hard countertop and grabbed the mallet, pounding on the phone till it was nothing but shards of plastic. The sound bombed through my apartment. Once nothing was left, anything recognizable that is, I dropped the mallet. I gathered the remains in my hands and dropped them into the trash, where other disposable phones were. I never had a land line, or real phone due to the threat of it being traced. A trick I picked up from Lissa.
I walked over to my bedroom and into the closet. The monitors were lit up with the activities of my father's men and women. I zone in on my father's office, where he was hunched over his big mahogany desk looking at a few papers. I glared at the screen for a bit before walking out and picking up another phone, identical to the one I smashed moments earlier. I dialed the number I vaguely memorized and walked back into closet, the phone to my ear. With the volume up, I could hear the ringing of my father's office phone which was placed next to him.
"Pick up the phone, old man," I muttered to myself. After what seemed like an eternity, Abe broke away from whatever he was looking at and answered the phone.
"Abe Mazur." He was curt.
"Hi, dad," I answered. I tried to hide the disgust from my voice. Even being thousands of miles from the man made my stomach churn.
"Rose?" he asked. On the screen I saw him lean back in his chair, his body totally relaxed.
"Who else would it be? Got any other kids I don't know of?" If so, lucky bastards. It'd be best if his illegitimates didn't know they have a crazy sister. Best for me as well, one zmey was enough.
Abe laughed, the sound coming from the phone and screen. To reduce the risk of him getting curious, I turn the notch down, letting it settle on being mute for the time being.
"Rose, my one and only. What makes you call me on this fine evening?" While his voice oozed casualty, I could hear a hint of suspicion. I never called my father, as a child or as an adult. His red flags must be raised.
"Oh, no big reason," I said, ever so nonchalantly. "It's just a little birdie told me you had a certain Alchemist in your chambers. Is it true?" Even from the camera that was perched high in the corner of his room, I could see his face scrunch up in confusion.
He leaned back on his desk, resting his elbows on the wood while stroking his chin. He stared off into the distance before replying. "Really? So does this little birdie have a name?"
"Not one that concerns you," I answered quickly. "However, just between me and you, it may actually be one of your recruits. News like this travels fast; it'll only be a matter of time before it passes my ears and one to another.
"Father," I continued, "I'll never tell you how to run your business but I think there's a severe breach in trust among closest to you." I figuratively patted myself on the back for killing two birds with one stone. Not only am I stroking my father's ego for him to do my bidding but I'm also bringing the attention from those little notes elsewhere.
"I'm aware," he answered, his voice dropped from his uplifting tone to a more somber manner. "I've been getting mysterious messages from someone who apparently has information on someone close to me. I'm starting to doubt my most trusted allies."
"You should. I don't want to be entering this business in the dark, so I must know direct information. From you preferably, not from someone's flapping lips. You have to trust me, and I'm probably a much better candidate as to be one of your closest since I will be running the machine one day," I told him.
"Right you are, little girl," he answered. His eyes darted around the office; from what I could tell only two guards were stationed at his door. The guards, like most, see and hear everything yet nothing at all. The guards were usually the first someone wants to pay off, yet the loyalty is astounding and rarely does an enemy get information from a bodyguard – whether it is loyalty, or fear is a coin toss. Abe's voice dropped to a whisper. "You're my own flesh and blood, Rosemarie. I'd feel much better if you were the one by my side. While I trust Victor and Eric, I'd much rather have my own daughter."
My lips curled up into a devious smile. Got him right where I wanted him.
"So, I'd like you to come to Turkey." Now I lost him.
"What?" I stammered out. Fear rose like bile in my throat, clogging my air and suffocating me. My hand laid flat against my abdomen, where my tiny baby rested. The simple idea of him/her being in close proximity to Abe frightens me – even if it is tucked safe in my womb.
"Now? Like…now?" I asked, barely masking the tremor in my voice.
"Yes, now," he said and from the screen I could see he had taken up his casual stance once again; however,his brow was knitted in confusion at my response. "No time like the present, little girl."
My eyes widened and I take a few deep breaths to keep my voice calm and my body to stop shaking. Abe seemed to be able to sense things as this through the phone. "And for how long exactly?" I managed to ask.
Abe laughed. "Till someone manages to gun me down, Rosemarie," he said, humor with an undertone of grimness in his voice. No fear, though. Abe Mazur doesn't have fear.
"Is this an option?" I asked, cautiously. Please say yes, please say yes.
"No," Abe said. "The more I think it over, the more I like the idea. Both of it beneficial to you, as well as to me."
"Plus," he added, "it'll be good to be a family again, just you, me and your mother. What do you say?"
What do I say? Since when were we ever a family? Since the time I was an infant I was raised by other people. The last time we were together and it wasn't by unfortunate circumstances was when I was conceived. I don't think that counts as family bonding…
"Whatever you say, Abe," I said, trying to convey being submissive. Even when I was freaking out inside.
"My four favorite words!" he said, joyously. "Now, what did you want with the Alchemist girl?"
In all the turmoil, Sydney actually managed to slip my thoughts and I couldn't seem to remember why I even called Abe. Sydney…something about Sydney. Shit, how the hell am I supposed to care about Sydney when I was in my own hell? My eyes drifted over the monitor where she was currently wrapped in chains, the fragile girl…
"I think it'll be better if you attended to her better nature." If Sydney had one that is.
"Feeding her for one. If you truly want the Alchemist to bend to your will, you have to get the leader to do so. Fear and torture will not work. Simply because the Alchemist loses its leader does not mean they'll be like sheep without a shepherd. They will not break, it'll only cause more resentment."
"It might be easier to crush the organization." Abe pointed out. I rolled my eyes.Always destroying with him – never to mend or craft into something better.
"And lose such talent?" I asked, astonished. "No, it must be kept. They're a great resource, better made into a partner than a distant memory. Don't make a decision now, but at least feed her a sandwich or something. She's no use to us dead."
Abe grunted in response. He beckoned a guard near and I could hear murmuring through the phone, vaguely hearing the words sandwich and ham.
"We have much to discuss, little girl," Abe said. "I see big things for the both of us, maybe you might even make me proud."
Trust me, I'm planning on it.
Seconds after the conversation ended with Abe, I was on my laptop furiously searching for ways to hide a late-term pregnancy. The first few weeks should be easy. The small bump was barely noticeable but it'd only get worse from here as my baby continued to grow. From my quick search on the internet, I could only see that people wear loose clothing and black – sometimes add weight so it'll seem less noticeable. Not that it's anything news breaking but at the moment it'll have to do.
I went back in my closet, quickly turning off all monitors. I grabbed my clothes off the floor and stuff them inside any bag I can find. I take a special duffel bag and put weapons inside along with my laptop. I quickly ran to put the two bags near the door before going back in my bedroom. I went down to my knees and flung my arm under the bed, looking for an emergency box. For…well, emergencies.
Grasping it, I pulled it out. The box slide against the wooden floor effortlessly and bumped into my knees. It was no bigger than a jewelry box. I opened it and set sights on several explosives inside. I grabbed the box and made my way to the door again, flung the bags over my shoulders. I adjusted the weight to my comfort before trotting over to the fridge, and taking out a bottle of water. I went over to the cabinet and pull out a lighter. I dragged my thumb across the thumbwheel, the small flame igniting. I put it out before stuffing it inside my jean pocket. I then leave my apartment, not bothering locking the door on my way out.
Looking into the dimly lit hallway, I didn't see any signs of life. Everyone must be sleep – hopefully that included Jill. I walked down the hall to the lobby, the receptionist not there unsurprisingly. I walked around the desk, my eyes setting on exactly what I was looking for.
The receptionist was a nice lady, smiling warmly at everyone who passed but I've seen her take a few swings of this bottle a few times when she thought no one was looking. It was Russian Vodka, something that can go down like rocket fuel – and it goes in up in flames just as well. Reminded me of the first time I met Dimitri…
I look up, seeking a smoke alarm. I spot one near the corner, a safe spot where a flame can be lit but if someone wanted to get out, they could do so safely. I open the bottle and tip it so the contents spills out on the hard tile floor. I only do it a little, just enough to cause a flame or two. I take the lighter out of my pocket, lit it and carefully tipped it to the puddle. It barely hit it before the small spot erupted in flames. My hand burned from the close proximity. Once the flame was up, it took one…two…three seconds for the alarm to go off. Water sprouted up from the ceiling, just missing the flames.
I went around the building, doing this in several different areas before people started coming out of their apartments like ants. Screams and cries came from the halls, but I knew the cries were more from panic than, 'Oh my god, I'm on fire!' I may be a ruthless bitch but I don't want to kill anyone…except Jill.
The apartment complex was only two stories with a handful of families living inside. So it seemed that the apartment was evacuated. Good. I pulled off the explosives, strapping them to the wall. First the second floor, than the first. I backed out the back door where I saw two small children huddled together in a bush at a safe distance along with who I assume was their mother. The small family pays no attention to me, the ominous stranger, as I walk past. Out front more, families are crowded in the streets, along with some noisy bystanders. All of them seemed entranced by the flames, as if it was a beautiful light show instead of a burning building. Well, if it's a show they want…
I pressed a small button and only a second later a loud explosion follows. Large chunks of debris fell from the sky, scattering on the streets and nearby structures. A smirk found its way onto my lips as I walked to my car, a large piece of the building flying overhead and crashing into the minivan that was parked next to mine. A loud beeping then proceeds but is drowned out by the sound of flames, screams and fire trucks.
"The authorities are currently looking into the apartment complex's strange explosion. No evidence of foul play has yet to be discovered." The radio voice announced. I turned it up; hearing about my destruction might make me feel less nervous.
"Luckily, no deaths as of yet but over ten people were injured by falling wreckage, moderate injuries."
Ten unlucky bastards, well, can't save them all. Still, I thank the stars that no one was severely injured. However, I can't help but hope that Jill was one of those ten. That little shit deserved it.
I turned the station to a pop station where a Britney Spears song was playing. I rolled my eyes but kept it on there anyways, allowing the nonsense, upbeat lyrics take my mind off everything. Like the fact that a plane will be taking me to Turkey in only a few hours, or the fact that I sent Dimitri there and there is a slight chance we might bump into each other. I can't help but think over our last conversation, his voice so desperate.
"I need to see you, to know you're okay. It's driving me insane to be in the dark," I recalled him saying. His voice was sweet like honey, yet had that man undertone that demanded it.
"If I cared about your sanity, I would have never said hello," I remarked only seconds later. I sighed, remembering those terms he wanted me to agree to, ridiculous terms. He wanted to come to me, to find out my reasons for leaving him and stay with me throughout the pregnancy. The unsaid words were after as well, like I was letting him get into this more than he already is.
I quickly cut him down, even if he tried to play it like he was the one calling the shots, he wasn't. I was. As long as our bundle of joy is cradled in me, he'll do my bidding. I swear no man has ever wished he was pregnant more than Dimitri – then he wouldn't have to worry about my recklessness affecting our child.
After a few minutes of arguing we finally settled on something, something bearable – an ultrasound.
I may have let it slip that I had no prenatal care and Dimitri flipped. He quickly rattled off questions as to what have I've been eating, what are my exercise habits, am I smoking, drinking, doing drugs? All of that bullshit. The conversation that started out with Sydney ended in us talking about the baby. Well, him talking, me barely listening.
Telling him I'd get an ultrasound shut him right up, and the term was agreeable. I also promised him that I wasn't going to do anything reckless and stupid during the remainder of my pregnancy.
Promises are meant to be broken anyways.
Now that left me here, in the parking lot of the little shady clinic. I called him two hours before, during the long drive here. I would set up a simple ultrasound appointment, make sure everything was okay and then mail the picture to Dimitri and hitch the plane to my death – I mean Turkey.
I turned off my car and headed inside. It was early morning and the orange sun shined through the foggy windows, giving the dreary clinic an uplifting feeling. The waiting room was empty and the only sound was soft classical music playing through the speakers. I walked over to the receptionist, who smiled at me the moment I stepped through the door.
"I'm here for an appointment at 8:30," I told her, looking at the clock behind her puffy blond hair.
"Yes, Rosemarie Mazur, right?" she said, typing something in the computer. It then occurred to me that I should have probably given them an alias, but what's done is done. I handed her the money and sat in the dusty looking waiting room, waiting for my name to be called. The waiting room was filled with old magazines. Old as in 2008 old. Apparently they never heard of an update, the receptionist's 80's hairstyle is proof of that.
Once my name was called, I dragged my feet through the doors. While part of me was excited to see the little guy for the first time, I was also nervous. What if they found something wrong? This kid's the only thing I got going for me, otherwise I'm screwed.
Once my pants are off and my shirt is up, the doctor, an old wrinkly man, puts the cold gel on my stomach.
"In your opinion, how many weeks are you?" He asked.
"Twelve, thirteen weeks." I answered. "I haven't been tracking it very well." Or at all, I'm just counting the money I save on tampons. He nodded in response and puts the wand over my stomach, swirling it around spreading the gel.
He stared at the screen for a moment, brow scrunched together. "Yes, thirteen weeks," he said.
He turned the screen so I could see. The image itself was crappy, black and white lines circled around a bubble it seemed like. Inside that bubble was blackness with a shape inside – my baby. It looked so…developed. Like an actual baby. It was turned in profile so I could make out its tiny legs and arms waving around. I also could make out its nose, but I must admit the baby seemed a bit top-heavy.
"Its head will get smaller right?" I asked, the only response I could say. The doctor raised an eyebrow, painfully reminding me of Dimitri.
"Bigger, actually," the doctor said. "The body will as well, so don't worry about your child coming out looking like a cartoon character." The doctor took a few pictures and printed them off for me. He had taken five. I stuffed four of them inside an envelope to mail off to Dimitri but the last one was mine. It was probably the last time I'd see my baby, till it was born that is.
Now, off to Turkey.
Disclaimer – I don't own VA.
A/N – Hope you all like this chapter, big thanks to my beta - Tatiana Belikova. I find myself re-writing a lot of chapters, which meant you guys wait longer for update. I start of thinking its good but three, four pages in I throw it away, only to start over a few weeks later. I hate when that happens. Anyways, do you guys have the copy of 'Indigo Spell', because I don't. Yes, I'm bitter. But on other news I LOVE the people they cast for the V.A movie. I think the girl they got for Rose is perfect! Can't wait till they cast Christian.
So on that note, till next time. Remember to review.