Chapter 10: Nick Clark

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

Helen Keller

Mikhail's Audio Journal 29.08.2010

After the long harrowing journey to find Alicia and be reunited with her, I would soon come to the realization that it became a full occupation to protect her and her family. Choosing to protect her and her family as well as cary out my missions, did I know it would be hard to devote my energy and time to both. If I had a choice, I would only make Alicia my top priority.

Since I volunteered to help Madison find her son Nick, I knew I had to prove my worth to her and Alicia that I was trustworthy and reliable.

I've been experiencing a blackout again, when did it happen? When I proceeded with the mission. All I remember before I infiltrated the base was studying the layout and activities in the base before I got equipped and proceeded. The blackout happened as soon as I stood facing the base, spoke into my stereo with the record button down and said, „Prodolzhat' Missiya: Osada, seychas." The next thing I remember is standing in front of Alicia, Madison and Travis looking bewildered, it was as if I did something so heinous they were about to turn around and walk away. Behind me I found a young man who looked like my age. He had long brown hair which was combed back and hung at the back of his neck. His eyes were dark brown, almost matching the same color as his pupils and above his eyes he had thin perfectly trimmed eyebrows that alined with the width of his eyes. His nose was triangular and his lips were round and small. Overall he had an aggressive look about him, he reminded me of a classmate who always scorned me and became my rival. He also reminded me of Jack, the one whose fate was unknown after meeting him at the harbor.

He was accompanied by a slightly older and shorter Hispanic lady. Like her male companion she had a broad nose, but the bridge was smaller and inward. Her eyes were also dark and matched her pupils with longer trimmed eyebrows above her small eyes. She had round ears that stuck out and long jet-black hair that hung behind her long neck and slender shoulders. She looked like a superhero or a Hollywood action star, almost like Wonder Woman if she was Hispanic.

„Nick," exclaimed Madison running up to the young man. Alicia also ran past me with a sign of relief on her face as her and Madison both hugged him affectionately. The sight of this warm touching moment reminded me how this family was more complete and united compared to the family I had. My family consisted of a loving grandma, a neglectful abusive father and a mother who I barely have any memory of. Not much of a family I had, not compared to the Clarks who had love and a bond which I envied and wish I had with my family. Instead of envying and resenting the Clarks, I wished to become part of the family. Alicia was someone who I love deeply and would be my way into the family, but I didn't yet know if she felt the same way about me. If she didn't, then that would be the end of my hopes to become part of a family that I revered and built a fantasy about being a member.

Knowing Madison had already accepted me to join her group and that it seemed I got Nick out of captivity, I introduced myself to Nick and hoped to win his acceptance.

„Nick, are you Nick Clark?"

Nick's eyebrows drew closer together to form a perplexed frown. „Yeah I'm Nick Clark," responded the young man.

Confirming my hunch that this man really was Nick Clark, I threw out my open hand avidly, „I'm Mikhail, Mikhail Romanenko."

Nick didn't take my hand straight away, he continued to frown at me suspiciously until he slowly took my hand and shook it unenthusiastically, „Hi Mikhail." When we released hands Nick's frown remained on his face and his eyes peered into mine. „That accent… are you German?" guessed Nick.

„No, I'm Russian," I clarified.

„Oh Russian, didn't expect to see a Russian at a time like this."

„Well it sure feels like being a celebrity being the only Russian."

This did bring a smile on Nick's face, which did the same for me. It was true, being the only Russian around in a foreign place made me feel illustrious. It was one of those times it sure felt good to be a Russian, knowing people around you were interested in your presence.

„Would you excuse me Mikhail?" requested Nick, leaning towards me, „Family talk."

„Okay," I responded, feeling wounded by Nick mentioning „family" and excluding me, but I respected his right to talk to his family alone.

I watched in the distance, he looked concerned and agitated, which I was trying to figure out why. Surely he knows that I have rescued him, but I'm not sure what I did along the way to cause him to become wary of me.

Watching Nick speak privately with his family (including the Hispanic lady who I'm sure wasn't part of the family) reminded me of the first time Matt made me feel ignored. Ever since Matt and I begun high school together, we became intrigued by a group of friends. All members of the group were black and were always immersed in conversation and acting very boisterous and vigorous. One of those members of the group who turned out to be Mark Antony, welcomed both Matt and I into the group. Everything went well at first, but then I started to feel left out. I wasn't getting much attention as I hoped, they never asked me any questions about myself, it was Matt that got asked questions. When I did try to take part in the conversation, everyone went quiet and turned back to each other and resumed talking. I started to get annoyed and angry, putting it down to the fact I was caucasian when everyone else was black. This assumption that this was a racial separation, I turned round and walked away not hearing anyone not even Matt's voice call out my name and asking me where I was going.

„Is everything okay Mikhail?" Travis' voice boomed in my ear behind me.

„Da, I just wonder what is wrong with Nick. He seems to be suspicious of me."

„Mikhail I don't know how to say this but you were acting strangely when you got back. You were cold and unresponsive."

„Really?"

„Yeah, you were a complete different person. You looked like you were going to lash out."

Knowing that I was close to hurting Alicia and her family made my stomach flip and my whole body quiver.

„I don't know what happened, I walked towards the base and the next thing I know, I returned to you with Nick and this other lady whose name I don't know."

„We'll get to the bottom of it, but right now we need to get out of here."

„That's probably a good idea," I conceded.

All of a sudden the Hispanic woman collapsed to the ground and was passed out. Everyone including Nick gathered around her, even Travis ran past me to tend to her.

„What's her name?" asked Travis, looking at Nick.

„Luciana," responded Nick.

„Luciana, it's going to be okay, just stay with us and you'll survive," soothed Travis, kneeling over her. Travis would instruct Nick to get the medical supplies from the car. I contributed by giving Travis my medical supplies to heal Luciana, but after I did, I wasn't required for any further assistance. Already feeling rejected from the group, I checked the items I collected while in the base.

I don't know how I got them, but I knew they were on the checklist. They were photos, a note book and a tape recording. I placed these items in a tight well concealed pouch, which was attached to another one of those air-balloons. I inflated the air-balloon which instantly stopped the conversation between Nick and his family as they turned their attention to the balloon rising in the air dragging its contents in the pouch.

„What was that?" asked Nick.

„Just a special delivery I had to make," I quipped, hoping to make Nick laugh too which he didn't, he just looked at me with a blank stare. He then turned his attention back to Luciana who was still unconscious and being treated by Travis.

Travis patched her up and stood up looking down at her, this was a sign that Travis had saved Luciana. It really surprised me to see that Travis was rather skilled in first aid, I only knew him as a good teacher who really knew how to keep me invested.

„Okay she's safe, she's alive, but she can't travel; well by car that is," said Travis, looking at the car.

„So this means we're going to have to abandon our only means of transportation?" disconcerted Nick.

„If you really want her to live, we're going to have to continue by foot," confirmed Travis.

Nick nodded and understood Travis' medical advice. We would then grab everything out of the car we needed for our journey. I helped Travis make a stretcher to carry Luciana, which was the safest way to carry her without subjecting her to any turbulence that could affect her condition or even kill her.

Travis and Nick carried Luciana on the stretcher while Alicia and Madison helped carry the supplies. I provided cover and lead the way, knowing I had the use of my GPS and my experience of surviving in the wilderness. Our plan was to go north and in a matter of days reach the Canadian border, where we assumed it was safer and less inhabited by walkers.

When the sun was going down and it was getting dark, we all decided it would be best to camp the night. I recommended camping deep in the woods down a steep slope where we would remain hidden from any intruders.

Alicia being the least attached to the group decided to allocate herself the task with collecting firewood, which I volunteered to come along with her. To my shock, she seemed less enthusiastic when I offered to lend her a helping hand. She rather I stayed with her family, but unexpectedly changed her mind after looking at Nick and allowed me to come with her.

My alone time with Alicia wasn't the affable and social encounter I was hoping for, but rather disheartening and demeaning. I was picking up dry sticks while I saw Alicia just stand around and wonder her eyes around the area with her hands in her pockets.

„Aren't you going to help collect firewood, you want a hot meal don't you?" I asked Alicia cordially.

Alicia just looked me emotionlessly and responded, „Nah, you seem to be better at finding firewood than I am."

„Oh come on it's not hard, just pick up any piece of wood that is dry. I really could use another pair of hands here." By then I had already collected an armful of firewood.

„Well maybe we've got enough."

„You could never do with enough firewood, wood burns quickly, going to need fresh firewood to keep the fire going."

Alicia didn't respond, she just continued to stare at me.

„Tell you what, why don't you take the firewood back to camp and I'll continue to look for more wood," I suggested, placing the bundle of firewood in Alicia's arms.

Alicia aggressively shoved the firewood back into my arms and snapped, „You take it, you found it."

„Alicia what's the matter?" I said, already shocked by her sudden change of attitude.

„I heard about what happened in the base between you and my brother."

„What… what did I do wrong?"

„He said you abandoned him and left him to be recaptured."

„Wait I… that was."

„You don't remember do you.. oh wait there's more. He said you pointed a gun at him."

Hearing this pushed the air out of my lungs and rendered me breathless and unable to formulate my response.

„Alicia I would never do that trust me… it's just that… well I blacked out."

Alicia looked at me suspiciously displaying signs that she didn't believe me.

„Right black out… that's a good one."

„Alicia you have to believe me, I would never hurt you, your mother or your brother. I want to help."

„Well you didn't help after you swore to my mum you would rescue Nick."

„Alicia I'm sure I remember going into the base with the pure intention of saving your brother."

„I thought you said you blacked out."

„I did it's just I don't know how and when, maybe it was…" I struggled to complete my sentence and declare my innocence to Alicia.

„I know, cat got your tongue. It's okay, I believe you blacked out and I understand you got a problem. However, this doesn't mean I can trust you again." Alicia walked closer to me with angry eyes and words she growled out of her closed jaw. „If I ever catch you doing something like that to my brother, mum and Travis, I will fucking kill you. Believe me I killed someone before and I would do it again."

I'm not going to lie, but I was intimidated by Alicia's threat and the discovery she killed someone. I acted passive and tried to appease Alicia still looking mad at me.

„I understand."

„Good," responded Alicia as she turned around and walked away.

Watching Alicia walk away knowing she had just scolded me over something I was shocked to hear about, immediately caused me to drop the firewood, drop to my knees and cry.

„Hey Mikhail what's the matter?" toned Travis' voice and I looked up to see a blurry image of him with tears moist in my eyes. I saw Travis kneel beside me and put his arm around me. „What happened Mikhail? We expected you to be back by now."

„Alicia scorned me, she thinks I'm trying to hurt her and her family."

„Mikhail," said Travis sympathetically, grabbing some dry leaves and handing them to me. „Here, wipe your face."

I wiped my face and looked at Travis whose face was looking at me with a maudlin expression. „Alicia hates me, and I'm sure Madison and Nick are starting to."

„Mikhail, they don't hate you. They are just getting to know you. Even though you let them down once, I'm sure you can find a way to prove to them your worth."

„I pointed a gun at Nick."

„I know, Nick told us and Madison I will admit was shocked and appalled when she heard that, but I told Nick that you saved us back in Mexico."

„But I blacked out and could have killed Nick during my black out."

Travis pulled me closer to him, I could feel my shoulder press into his chest, it was almost like a hug; a father's hug.

„Mikhail, whatever those blackouts were, we will find out what causes them. Please have patience, I believe in you, you were my best student. You were the reason why I liked doing what I was doing, you made me feel that what I was doing was not a waste of time and that you took me seriously."

„Thank you Travis, I always looked forward to your class. My English would never have improved without you."

„Your English is impeccable. Every test you carried out and there wasn't one single spelling or grammatical error. You didn't need me to teach you anything, you taught me."

This filled me with fresh confidence and feel good about myself again, kind of a nostalgic feeling of being back in school with my favorite teacher.

„I'm worried how Alicia, Madison and Nick will react when we get back."

„Mikhail… it will be okay. Madison and I had fallouts, she went as far as thrashing me but we all worked it out in the end, besides, she likes you. When I reminded her of your heroic deed, her confidence in you was restored. I'm sure Alicia and Nick will trust you again, just give them time and I'm sure they'll start talking to you again."

„Okay let's go," I stood up as Travis stood up too. I started recollecting the firewood I dropped.

„Why don't you cook us something Russian, I don't think I ever had Russian food before."

I laughed and bantered, „Well I might not have everything I need to make my favorite dish, but we'll see what we got and what I can do."

This made Travis smile as we walked back to join the others.

When we got back, I acted normal and avoided eye contact with the Clarks. I made a fire and prepared to cook dinner. What was left in my field rations was quick and easy to make borscht (beetroot soup) and a small loaf of zavarnoy bread. When it was hot and ready to serve I was nervous when handing Alicia her soup, she stared into my eyes still looking distrustful towards me. I tried not to look at her while she was eating, but on one occasion I did look at her and I could see she was looking at me. As soon as my eyes met hers, she looked down into her soup and continued to eat.

Everyone seemed to like the soup, well I saw them finish it all. Whether they liked it or not was out was out of the question, in a time like this you have to get used to eating things you don't like to eat.

Luciana was still unconscious as Nick was sitting next to her while Travis checked on her condition. I pondered whether she would make it out of this or she might slow us down. Nonetheless, I wanted to try and earn Nick's respect and trust by helping what I assumed to be his girlfriend.

I was surprised that Madison or anyone brought up the topic of my mysterious blackouts, maybe they were too tired and hungry to bring that into discussion. I thought it was best to give it time and let it pass.

Everyone was tired and wanted to go to sleep as I volunteered to take the night watch while everyone sleeps around the fire. I kept awake while everyone was asleep, my AK was ready in my hand and I kept my eyes and ears open for anything suspicious that could be approaching.

My eyelids were getting heavy and I considered going to sleep too, but before then, I decided to have a cigarette before bed. Resting my AK on my lap and having a cigarette, I looked at Alicia sleeping on a sleeping bag cuddled up with Madison who was behind her. I saw how beautiful she looked while she was asleep, her serene skin illuminated in the bright orange fire, it was enough to make me cry. She was a real sleeping beauty who I wished I could kiss and awaken her. Even her lips looked so enticing, the light from the fire made her lips look like gold, it intensified my urge to kiss her. My first compulsion was to stroke her beautiful sleeping face so delicately and then kiss her lips and hope she wakes up to find her prince hovering above her.

I heard the sound of an owl flutter away and crickets ceasing their chirping. This was an obvious sign that someone or something disturbed their private space and there were intruders slowly approaching.

I threw my cigarette into the fire, got up and stamped out the fire with my feet, which instantly woke everyone up.

„Mikhail what's wrong?" wondered Travis.

„Someone's here, stay quiet and don't make a sound," I ordered, standing in front of my allies like a protector willing to take a bullet would. I tightened my hand around the hand-guard and my finger around the trigger. My shoulders were loose and I entrusted my senses and allowed them to direct me to the target.

A bright flash exploded and blanked my vision, seeing nothing but white and feeling it burn my eyes. At the same time I threw up my hands and had my AK pointed at a target, I knew because I could sense muscle tensions on my face and a bullet tip aimed at my face. I was surrounded by other men because I could feel parts of my body reacting to bullets that were intended for me. It felt like my skin brushed against stinging nettles and my little body hairs were standing on end. I knew that I could take out one target and would have to dodge the gunfire, but I was worried incase Alicia and her family would get caught in the crossfire, I could not allow that.

My vision did recover and I could see I was surrounded by shadowed men who stood in between the lights that assaulted my face. I breathed normally and prepared to open fire.

„Drop it now asshole," toned a sly voice of a male. I wasn't looking at him but I knew he stood to my right holding a pistol and was only five feet from me.

If I wanted to I could use the male at the side of me as a human shield and maybe demand his men to drop their weapons and avoid a massacre, but that would prove risky because he would order his men to shoot at Alicia and her family. Besides, I wanted to prove to Alicia and her family that I wasn't a violent ruthless brute but a good natured gentle person I always wanted to present myself to Alicia with.

I removed my finger from the trigger, lowered my AK and dropped It to the ground and prepared to do what I was told to do.

„Very good, now turn and face me," commanded the male voice,

I turned around and saw a young man in a camouflaged uniform (boiler suit), obviously a soldier. His hair was thick brown and wavy and glossed in the light he stood in. He had blue eyes, a small straight-bridged nose and a small mouth with thin lips. The way he looked at me was menacing and did haunt me with how familiar he looked to me. He must be someone I knew, I remember those eyes back in LA, eyes that had their sights on me and were obscured by a gas-mask. Surely it can't be…

„Hey I know you… you're that Russian. Yeah it's you, the one from the hospital in LA," the man lowered his gun, placed his fingers on his forehead and threw his eyes down on the ground. „Oh my god what is your name I forgot… Miroslav, Mirko, Misha?"

He went through a list of Slavic names beginning with ‚M' which didn't come close to sounding like my name until I decided to give him my name, „Mikhail, your name is Troy."

Troy's face froze and turned into a mixed expression of disapproval for not allowing him to guess my name and flattery, „Mik-Kyle right. You remembered my name, I'm touched… no seriously I really am. I wanted to guess your name and you guessed mine, I don't know how to respond to that."

„Maybe we can talk about letting my friends go and taking me instead," I suggested, hoping this would win back the respect of the Clarks.

„Hey you're in no position to make any demands here. Besides, I think we want to take all of you in. Who knows, I think you're going to love your new home," smirked Troy.

„Mikhail?" emanated another male voice from afar, which brought me back to hospital where I woke up from. I turned around and I saw what I hoped to see, it was Troy's brother, Jake Otto. „Mikhail I didn't expect to see you," effused Jake, giving me his hand as I shook it.

„Well where there is Troy I expected to see you," I bantered, trying to add humor in our unexpected reunion.

„Mikhail what the hell happened to your face?" Jake looked shocked as he adhered his eyes on the right side of my face.

„That's what I was going to say, that's a serious burn there man," remarked Troy.

„I was in a car accident, I crashed my car and suffered a burn and laceration to my face. The next thing I knew I woke up in hospital, which is the same hospital I met you both," I smiled, thinking back to the nostalgia.

„No wonder why you wore those bandages, probably didn't want people to see how hideous that looked," teased Troy with an evil smile.

„Troy, don't be an asshole. The poor man suffered a serious injury, he could have died," rebuked Jake.

„I'm just saying, he's probably insecure about his looks," soothed Troy. Suddenly Troy's eyebrows drew closer together and his nostrils widened into two big holes, he was smelling something. He leaned his face towards me and smelt my shoulder with a long deep whiff. He drew his head back and suspected, „I know that smell, the stench of nicotine. The same stench I smelt back at base." Troy stepped back and drew his pistol at me, looked at me angrily and accused, „It was you, you were that sneaky rat that infiltrated my base, stole my notebook and killed my men."

„Troy put the gun down, maybe it's not him. That could have been any of our men, some of them smoke too you know," placated Jake.

„No Jake, it's definitely him. I've been around plenty of smokers to know the different brands of tobacco. The tobacco our friend recently smoke matches the same one I smelt back at base."

„Look even if it was him he must have had a reason why he was there."

„Yeah to steal from us and kill some of our men in the process."

„No I was there to rescue Nick, I did it for his family," I interjected.

„Is that all, you sure it wasn't you who stole my notebook?" Interrogated Troy.

„Okay I admit I stole it, I attached it to the balloon and let it float away," I admitted, hoping it would appease Troy.

„So that's what that balloon was. Good you are telling me the truth, so who are you delivering the notebook to?"

„Look Troy why don't we get back to the ranch, we can take care of it from there," pleaded Jake to Troy.

„Oh okay, my arm is getting tired anyway," said Troy, lowering the pistol and beckoning with his head, „It's a long way to the ranch, I suggest we camp here for the night."

I felt relieved knowing that there was no longer going to be a firefight and no one had to die tonight.

I was tied to a tree and watched by well disciplined soldiers who sat opposite me and aimed their rifles at me. While sitting against the tree with a rope wrapped so tightly around my body, I caught glimpses of Alicia with Jake, who was talking to her. He even put his hand on her shoulder, it seemed he was trying to comfort her. Seeing Alicia returning a smile aroused new feelings I felt for Jake, someone who I considered my friend was trying to move in on Alicia. I hated to admit it, but I was getting jealous of my friend, I just hope it doesn't lead to a rift between Jake and I.

I was able to get some sleep and wake up the next morning and be greeted by Troy, who ordered his men to untie me. Once the ropes were off, I felt bruised and a rush of blood go to my head, the tightness must have hindered my blood circulation. Looking around I could see my companions and the soldiers gathering their belongings and preparing to move out.

„Hey Mikhail, you want to ride with me?" offered Jake.

Before I could accept Jake's offer, Troy intervened, „Oh no he doesn't, he rides with me." Troy threw his arm around me, „I want to get to know him better, maybe Mik-Kyle and I will will become good friends."

Jake just stood there and nodded in approval as Alicia and Madison joined him by his side. Seeing that Alicia was going to be riding with Jake did make me feel jealous of him, knowing he was going to be getting acquainted with her. I abated my jealously with the idea and comprehension that Alicia probably does need time away from me if I'm to win back her trust. Making no objection I pulled out a cigarette and decided to have a smoke to repel my anxiety and envy.

„You need a light Mikhail?" asked Jake.

„No thank you Jake," I pulled out my light with the cigarette dangling in my mouth, „I got one."

Jake gave me a thumbs up before he turned and walked to his landrover with Alicia and Madison. I lit the cigarette and before I could have a real drag and fill my lungs with the sweet intoxicating nicotine, my cigarette was yanked from my mouth.

„No smoking in the car," scolded Troy, throwing the cigarette onto the ground and stamping it out. It mortified me to see the spilt tobacco and thought what a waste of a cigarette that was. My hands were bound from behind and I was pushed from behind by a soldier towards a landrover with the back-passenger door open, waiting for me to get in and be taken away.

Once I was in, I was sat in the middle next to soldiers who were obviously there to make sure I don't escape or thrash around in the car. I tried to be cooperative and submitted myself as their prisoner. A sack was placed over my head. It was obvious they didn't want me to know where I was being taken. Having the sack over my head was really uncomfortable, it was hot, itchy and I found it hard to breathe.

The car did eventually stop and I heard the sound of metallic gates open and the car continued to accelerate forward, I assumed I was at the ranch finally. The unexpected acceleration at a spasmodic movement and lack of oxygen almost caused me to throw-up in the sack, but luckily I controlled the queasiness in my stomach.

The car pulled over and I was dragged out into the scorching sun. I could already feel the sweat dripping over my face profusely, I needed to wipe my face but my hands we tied. Two men dragged me by each arm and we up a steep hill until I found myself out of the sun and felt cool air, which I haven't felt since I've been surrounded by trees. A door opened and I was pushed through, I could sense I was standing on a wooden floor and the interior had air conditioning somehow.

„You can leave you two, I'll take it from here," said Troy. The two soldiers released my arms and I felt a strong grip on my arm and Troy's voice boom in my ear, „Lets go sunshine, the boss wants a word with you."

Troy lead me around the room until he pulled me down and I found myself sitting on a chair. The sack was pulled from my head and the sweat had already begun to sting my eyes, I could barely keep them open. My face was violently wiped by a tissue and absorbed all the sweat which smeared my face.

When my eyes readjusted and I could keep them open, I saw a man sitting at a desk looking at me. His eyes were gazing at me, two big brown staring, bulging eyes, staring at me like a dog. His top teeth flashed from under his top lip. His eyes were sunken in and he had wrinkles on his forehead. He had a big wide nose, almost looking like he had it broken a couple of times and required reconstructive surgery. His neck was wrinkly and had extra skin, which looked malleable almost like play-dough. He was bald with short almost shaven white hair at the side of his head next to big ears, which weren't symmetric to the rest of his face. He looked in his late sixties and was on the verge of being unable to walk because of his slightly hunched back, which barely supported his head, it looked like it was about to sink in.

„Well hello stranger, you look like you've come a long way," greeted the old man.

„Save it dad, I didn't bring him all this way to be treated with our hospitality," said Troy, who stood by my left.

„What's this about Troy, why is our guest tied up and had a sack on his head?" asked the old man looking directly at his son.

„Well if you hear what a naughty boy he's been, there's a good reason for it."

„What did he do wrong?"

I heard footsteps behind me and Jake's voice, „Is this how you have to treat our guest? Cut him loose."

„Before we cut his bonds and give him a chance to earn our trust, perhaps our guest might want to introduce himself," proposed the old man leaning forward to place big wrinkly hands on the desk.

I let a moment of silence fill the room and looked at both Troy, Jake and the old man who all watched with eagerness and anticipation for me to introduce myself. „Mikhail, Mikhail Romanenko ," I introduced.

„Mik-Kyle ay, judging by your name and accent you must be Russian," assumed the old man.

„Da, I am Russian. What is your name if I may ask?"

„Jeremiah, Jeremiah Otto, these are my two sons Jake and Troy," introduced the old man.

„Yeah I met them."

„Well now we all know our names, lets cut your bonds and have a drink," suggest Jeremiah slamming his hands on the desk and grabbing a bottle of scotch. „Unfortunately I have no vodka, do you like scotch?"

„Do you have any black tea?"

Jeremiah paused and looked at me, „What's the matter can't you Russians have a little scotch? I know it's not vodka but it's strong potent stuff."

„It's too early in the morning to drink alcohol, besides I'm not much of a drinker."

Jeremiah placed the bottle back on the desk and scoffed, „Ah well suit yourself." He looked over my right shoulder and ordered, „Troy, go into the kitchen and see if we have any black tea or I don't know, any tea. I'm sure he doesn't mind what color it is."

Troy walked away from me and marched into the kitchen. Jeremiah leant back on the backrest of his chair and looked at me with puzzled eyes.

Troy did come back with a mug with a bag floating in a transparent dark liquid. „O you do have black tea," I astounded.

„No we don't, I found it in your items," assured Troy with a sneering look. Troy walked to the right side of the desk and slumped a sack containing blocky items on the desk. „This is what he had on him, I think they might be of some importance."

Jeremiah opened up the back and dug his hand in, „Well let's see what we have in her." Jeremiah pulled out each item and placed it on the desk. „We have binoculars, a walkman, a strange looking thingy here."

„It's a directional microphone dad," affirmed Troy.

Jeremiah continued to pull out every item in the bag, „Directional microphone and a walkie-talkie, unlike any walkie-talkie I've seen, must be Russian made." Jeremiah held the walkie-talkie in his hand and examined its complex looking exterior. „And last but not least… we have a I don't know what this little thing is," Jeremiah held the GPS in his hands.

„That is a GPS," confirmed Troy.

„GP what?" baffled Jeremiah.

„GPS, global positioning system. It enables the user to locate and navigate anywhere on the globe, our Russian friend really is well equipped if you ask me," said Troy, holding the GPS in his hands and toggling at the buttons. He walked towards me and asked, „How do you change the language settings?"

I operated the buttons on the GPS and looked at the options on the screen which were in my language. „There aren't any language settings," I confirmed, handing it back to Troy.

„Well I hope you're telling the truth Mik-Kyle, you better hope I don't have a Russian dictionary in my possession, because if I find out you're lying you're in for it," threatened Troy, hovering over me with his face glaring at me.

„Hey no fighting you two. So tell me Mik-Kyle, what was it you were involved with that Troy is talking about?" asked Jeremiah.

„I don't know what he's talking about," I answered.

„Don't play dumb with me Russian, I know you were there," spat Troy down at me. He turned to look at his father and divulge, „He infiltrated my base, stole my notebook and killed my men."

„Is this true Mik-Kyle?" shocked Jeremiah.

„I really don't know, I think I went in and…"

„Killed my men, slaughtered them like cattle. You should have seen how he killed my men, cut their throats open leaving a large gash, they looked like Pez dispensers," interrupted Troy, trying to demonize me.

„Did you witness the killing?" wondered Jeremiah.

„Look dad, I know what happened might be true, but I know Mikhail; he's a good man, I'm sure he had a reason," defended Jake, which made me feel secure and protected from Troy's bullying.

„What killing our men?" objected Troy.

„Well I'm sure he did it in self-defense."

„Okay let's not get into any arguments here, we need to decide what we should do with him," concluded Jeremiah.

„Well I know exactly what to do with him," suggested Troy, glaring at me with murderous eyes.

„Troy don't you even think about it, I mean it," warned Jake, walking towards Troy, so close it looks like a fight would have broke out.

„Stop it boys," berated Jeremiah, he drew his eyes back to me, „Look Mik-Kyle, we can't let you stay here. I don't know what the full story is but my prime concern is the safety of the ranch. If you really are this killer that Troy has described you to be, I can't run the risk you pose to the residents living here."

„So what are we going to do, ask him to leave? I don't think so, he could infiltrate the ranch and kill us all," fretted Troy.

„Dad, he needs a place to stay. There must be someway we can help him. Just give him a chance to earn our trust," pleaded Jake.

Jeremiah locked his eyes on me, sealed his lips and stretched them into a wide skeptical grin. „Okay, we won't ask him to leave. We'll keep him close by, but he can't stay in the ranch, he's sleeping outside the ranch. He'll take on the regular duty as a guard and do menial and labour duties around the ranch. As payment for his services, he'll be fed and will sleep in a tent outside the ranch. The only rules I do have around here, he doesn't socialize with anyone on the ranch other than colleagues. He gets his revolver, with one bullet, he will only use it for self defense purposes. Do we understand one another Mik-Kyle?" asked Jeremiah, looking stern.

„Da, I mean yes," I agreed.

„What about you boys?" asked Jeremiah.

„Okay," conceded Jake.

„Fine with me," agreed Troy apathetically.

„Good, show him the campsite Jake," commanded Jeremiah.

Upon leaving the house, I do remember looking at Troy who still looked like he didn't trust me and was about to kill me in cold blood. I could tell by the look in his eyes and how he had his hand on the holster on his hip.

Jake would lead me outside the ranch and set up a tent next to an abandoned wooden shelter, which had a roof and a long bench up against the wall. It almost looked like a bus shelter.

Jake did have conversation with me while setting up the tent. First of all he apologized how he failed to convince his father and brother to let me stay at the ranch. I assured him it was alright and he explained his father's attitude that he too wasn't too keen on Russians, and that he grew up having dreams about fighting the Russians should they have invaded America during the Cold War. This should have shocked me to know that Jeremiah is somewhat prejudice towards Russians, but I laughed that he had a wild fantasy that he would one day defend his country from a Russian invasion. Guess he's been watching too much Dr. Strangelove or what is that film called again, the one with Patrick Swayze and Martin Sheen?… Red Dawn.

Jake parted and notified me that dinner is served at 20:00 and he will personally bring me food, which I thanked him for.

When Jake was gone, I sat under the shelter and examined my revolver, I opened the revolving cylinder and examined the one bullet I was permitted to have. I placed it in the the cylinder, closed it and rolled it and heard the round enter the chamber. I just looked at it and pondered my future at the ranch and how things would turn out with Alycia and I, would she forgive me and be on speaking terms or would she continue to ignore me. This got me deeply concerned but I tried not to think about it too much, I need to be patient and confident and just give her a little more time. Be optimistic and act normal should our eyes ever meet again, then hopefully she'll bestow me with a friendly smile and that would be a sign that we can start over.

One thing I was allowed to keep, which wasn't among the items that were confiscated was my binoculars. With my binoculars I could use them to observe what's going on in the camp and hopefully see Alicia for afar.

I got out my binoculars, scanned around the camp with people either working, socializing or just walking from one place to another. After looking through the binoculars for a matter of minutes, I finally saw Alicia in my sights accompanied with her brother Nick. Together they were socializing and were looking ambivalent, as if it was their first day at school.

I zoomed in as close as I could on Alicia's face and observed her every move and facial expression. I never saw her smile as much, but that didn't matter, even when she didn't smile her beauty remained untarnished and elegant. I tried to lipread (my directional microphone was confiscated) as best as I could and hoped to decipher her body language what was really going on in her mind. Has she forgiven me, is she still distrustful and vigilant towards me?

Unfortunately I was forbidden to enter the ranch and approach her. I could only hope she comes to me and we can both reconcile. The question was if it was ever going to happen? Have I lost my chance with Alicia and she's going to move in on another man, maybe Jake for all I know. I didn't want to think about it, mustn't give up on hope. I still have a chance, it's not too late to prove to Alicia of my good intentions and commitment I would vow to her and her family.

I desensitized my paranoia by riveting on Alicia and telepathically saying to her, „Alicia please don't be angry at me, please give me another chance. I will prove it that I'm loyal to you and your family. I would never hurt your brother or your mother, I would protect them and risk my life for you and for them. I love you Alicia, I love you with all my heart."

To be continued…