Chapter 2

Worcester, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Anna Smith left her college early on the break up for Christmas. As usual, she walked to the bus stop alone with her headphones on, listening to Russian rock music. Not that she understood a word of it, but the lead singer had such a good voice; the only decent male voice she'd ever heard. So deep it sent shivers down her spine. She just felt comfortable listening to foreign music than typical, modern Western bands who pretty much sung about the same, boring subject.

She's been fiddling with the inside of computers pretty much all day, but a complete advanced course in engineering took up a lot of time. The building site soon distracted her from her thoughts as she turned to regard two, well built young men lifting up a large, thick plank of wood. The younger one with the stubble whistled at her and winked, she responding by waving back. She walked ahead down to the bus stop at the hospital, smirking happily. She loved watching the builders at work; the only good thing about the summer was the top naked men on building sites.

As she reached the hospital, she saw several college students waiting by the bus stop, no doubt waiting for the bus that was free for the under 19s. She had no choice to buy proper bus passes being a mature student; 21 year olds didn't get free bus travel. And besides, using a free bus wasn't going to help pay the bus driver's wages or bus engineering fees. The paid buses also ran more frequently. She saw her bus; the orange 31 pull in just as the battery in her mp3 player ran out. She sighed, watching the bus pull to a halt and, unsurprisingly, none of the other students went over to it. Anna took out her bus pass and crossed over to it, meeting the bus driver on his way out. To her pleasant surprise, it was her Russian friend Maxim Berezkev who had come over Vladivostok in Siberia to drive here.

"Alright Maxim?" she greeted.

"Brilliant with this new cold, easterly wind!" Maxim replied, cheerfully.

"Are you not leaving yet?"

"No, I've got ten minutes."

The two of them walked away from the empty bus through the crowd of college students and sitting down on one of the benches. Maxim watched as the orange and purple coloured bus, Express Route 3, pulled into the bus stop.

"You're too old for the free buses aren't you?" Maxim noted.

"By two years," Anna replied. "Not the main reason why I don't use them."

"I'd miss seeing you if you did. I hate driving them!"

"Can you refuse to drive a route then?"

"Not really, but my friends get me out of it."

"Missing you isn't really the main reason, either."

He smirked. "I'm hurt!"

"That's the main reason."

She nodded her head in the direction of the bus, Maxim regarding it critically. All the seats were taken and half of the people who wanted to get on it were still queuing up for it. Once it was full, it was packed all the way along to the end and the bus looked very sluggish as it pulled away and turned the corner out of sight.

"I see what you mean," Maxim noted.

"I couldn't stand so many people around me," Anna replied.

"What if they were all half naked young builders?"

"Now that's a completely different situation!"

"So you wouldn't mind that then?"

"Not at all, but that's only likely to happen in my dreams."

"You have strange dreams, Anna."

"I know I do."

Maxim shook his head and smirked, glancing over at her and smiling. He stretched and rested his arm along the back of the bench behind her.

"You are brilliant, you know," he commented.

"It's nice of you to say that," Anna replied.

"If you were twenty years older and closer to my age, I'd got for you in a second!"

"A privilege I would probably accept."

"Hmm, but we're only friends. There's someone out there for you somewhere."

"Do you think so?"

"Yeah, without a doubt."

Maxim glanced down at his watch.

"Five minuets," he stated. "Come on."

They got to their feet, heading back over to the orange line 31 as another Express Route, this time number 2, pulled in to pick up the remaining students. Maxim entered the small bus, opened the door and to the driving compartment and climbing inside.

"Are you not married Maxim?" Anna queried.

He laughed. "I was six years ago when I first moved."

"Why would anyone want to leave you?"

"Hmm, it's a sad story Anna."

"I don't mind sad stories."

Maxim sighed and looked at her. "In Vladivostok, my wife suggested I move to England to get better pay. So I applied for a placement at First Bus Worcester, got a work Visa and a plane ticket for both of us. When we got to Heathrow, a man was there to meet my wife; apparently she forgot to tell him I was coming to. She told me he was just a friend, so we moved into the new place. The next day, what did I find in the post but a set of divorce papers. After a lot of shouting, she eventually told me that she only married me because I was an easy route into England seeing as I was paid low in Russia. She used me to get here so she could flirt with rich, English businessmen and I never saw it coming. What a stupid fat Russian I am."

"Oh Maxim, that's not true."

She smiled at his sad face.

"You're one of the nicest men I know."

"Thanks Anna."

She sat back down as Maxim's phone rang, listening as he answered it. Normally, when he answered his phone, he was speaking in Russian. Expectedly, he answered the call with the usual 'allo, Maxim Berezkev'. That simply meant yes. However, what happened next Anna did not expect. He spoke in his usual fast, fluent Russian and she understood every word he said. How strange. After a lot of harsh words, he eventually ended with 'Pashly!' and flipped down the lid with anger.

"My ex-wife wants more money!" he growled. "Stupid bitch."

He turned to Anna, who looked shocked.

"Do you want a translation there?" he asked, smirking.

She didn't reply, but continued to stare straight ahead out of the bus windscreen in shock, absently. The irritation on Maxim's face was soon replaced by concerned as he regarded his friend.

"Anna?" he queried.

She looked at him. "Sorry."

"Do you want a translation?" he asked again.

"No. I understood what you said clearly."

He paused. "I didn't think you could speak Russian."

"I can't Maxim, but I understood you clearly."

"Then what did I say?"

"You first asked 'why the fuck do you keep ringing me'. After her reply, you said 'I own the house, I got it after I applied for a Visa, so I don't need to pay you especially now you live with that rich English bastard'. There was another reply, which sounded rather loud and you ended with 'go away' before you put the phone down."

"That's exactly right, yes."

"But I've never even learnt Russian!"

"I know. I remember the last time I was on the phone talking to my brother Vyacheslav. I was speaking Russian then and you looked rather surprised at how fast and confusing it sounded. You even asked what the hell was going on about. You remember that, don't you?"

"I certainly do."

Maxim sighed. "Come on, let's go."

He pushed the button to shut the doors, leaving behind a few people who possibly wanted the 303 to Kidderminster or the red 44 to Malvern. He turned the bus through the corner and drove around the hospital before eventually leaving the complex for the main road. Anna left her seat and stood up front near the driver's compartment, leaning against a pole for support.

"You commented on my strange dreams," she stated.

"About the builders you mean?" Maxim queried.

"They are normal dreams from what I usually have."

He glanced at her in the mirror. "You're troubled, I see."

"I keep dreaming of Moscow."

"I also dream of Moscow; I don't know many Russians who don't! My brother lives there, but he grew up in Vladivostok like me. I stayed in my home city for my work and he left for the Capital for his."

"I don't mean like that."

"Then how?"

She sighed. "This may seem a little weird, but there's no other way I can really express it. I can do strange things with my mind. I found it out a few years back when I was 10 years old. We had a power cut and I was afraid of the dark. I lit a light bulb by simply wishing it to come on so I could see. Ever since, I've been able to do strange things like that, and I actually assumed that other people could also do them. I said nothing until one day at school I had to, and then everyone bullied me because they thought I was a freak. I knew that what I had was unnatural and something now tells me that I need to go to Moscow to find out why."

"Hmm, kids can be so cruel."

"What do you think Maxim?"

"I don't think you're unnatural at all."

"Do you know why Moscow?"

"Excuse me a moment."

Anna sat back down as Maxim pulled the bus into a stop to collected a few people who were waiting. She watched as Maxim took their change and handed out tickets before shutting the doors and driving off.

"I finish my shift now until six," Maxim stated.

"You'll have a nice long break then," Anna commented.

"We'll finish this conversation in the bus station."

Anna nodded and turned to regard the views flashing passed the window, leaving Maxim to concentrate on the road. People had already begun to put their decorations up for Christmas, but it didn't feel like the right time of year. There was no snow and it wasn't cold; only a bit of rain and temperatures around 8 or 9°C. Some places in the world only even reached those temperatures in the summer. Anna took a free Metro newspaper from up front and looked at the small weather forecast section. Moscow was -9°C currently and snowing. That would feel more like Christmas.

"Where are you going on holiday this year?" Maxim asked her.

They had now driven along the main road into town.

"No idea," Ana replied.

"You normally end up spending the week around New Year with me because your family always end up going away for some winter sun. Mad if you ask me! This country's warm enough as it is in the winter. Will I be expecting you again this year?"

"It depends where they go. Last year it was Spain, the year before was Florida and the year before that was Mexico. My mother and my sixteen year old sister choose to go away to hot climates every year to avoid the British winter. I prefer cold snowy climates where there are no beaches and the temperatures are always below freezing. I cannot stand hot climates, which is why I always remain behind."

"You said your mother got promoted?"

"She did, so maybe we could afford something better this year."

"Where would you like to go?"

"Oh maybe Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland; somewhere like that. Perhaps even Russia! But my mother would probably prefer South Africa or Australia."

"If they don't take you to Russia, perhaps I will."

She smiled. "Thanks Maxim."

They drove passed the road into the city centre, Anna ignoring the advertisements for tanning salons and breaks for winter sun. Florida, New Orleans, Belize, Tenerife; who wanted that horrible weather in winter? How about Prague, Turin, Moscow, Berlin, Zurich, Warsaw or Helsinki? Nice proper winter snow and freezing temperatures. That was a much nicer thought to keep in her mind as Maxim drove the bus into the bus station and parked into the space.

He opened the doors and switched off the engines, giving the thumbs up to his replacement driver. All the people got off, Anna getting to her feet last and joining Maxim as he climbed out of the driving compartment. He picked up his bag and got off the bus, letting the other driver get on and leading Anna away. They sat on the bench opposite the stop for Anna's connection bus, the yellow 35.

"You said you could do strange things," he said.

"Yes," Anna replied. "With my mind."

"Like what?"

She thought about it and eventually came up with an idea. She took her mp3 player out of her pocket and unravelled the headphone cord she'd wound around it. She took off the battery casing and took out the battery, showing it to Maxim.

"This battery dies today," she stated.

"I saw you taking your headphones off as I drove in," Maxim agreed, nodding his head affirmatively. "It's irritating when that happened, but batteries never seem to last very long."

"This is a Nickel Metal Hydride battery."

"Rechargeable then."

"Yes. I can charge this using a charger at home."

Maxim watched as Anna took the battery in her hand, placing her thumb over the flat negative end and her middle finger over the positive end.

"I can charge this batter," she stated.

"But that's not possible," Maxim replied.

"Feel my hand Maxim."

He glanced at her slightly before putting his hand over hers. His eyes widened in surprise, removing his hand from hers and turning back to stare at her.

"It's hot!" he proclaimed.

"Exactly," she replied.

Anna reduced her grip on the battery. She handed it and her mp3 player to her Russian friend, who was surprised to find that the battery was warm like a freshly charged one. He put it back inside the mp3 player and put the cover back on, pressing the power button. Amazingly, the device turned on and the power indicator was showing three full battery bars.

"Brilliant," he mumbled.

"How much power?" Anna asked.

"The battery is fully charged!"

She nodded. "What takes about six hours to charge in a battery charged plugged into a 230V mains supply only takes a few seconds in my hand. Simply by willing it to charge, I can have full power again when the battery dies. That is how much I feel I need that mp3 player."

She took it off Maxim and turned it off.

"But that's not all."

She put it back into her pocket and continued.

"I can make light bulbs work! The car battery was dead and my mother phoned up a chap to come and fix it. By simply touching it, I was able to refresh the electrolyte and charge it up. Through a power failure, I managed to keep my PC on while I was flashing the BIOS. I can work the portable TV and laptop without batteries!"

"It's almost like you can generate electricity."

"I know; it's remarkable."

"So if that's the case, why rely on batteries to do the work of powering devices? Why not just run the machines yourself? It'll save buying batteries and recharging them when they run out."

"Doing this is very draining Maxim. I cannot operate a device like a laptop for more than an hour before I feel completely shattered. If I charge the battery, it takes a few seconds up to a few minutes depending on the battery capacity, and that's only until it runs out. Using my ability in short bursts rather than long time operations is not as tiring, so I don't feel like crap."

"So, you prefer to operate as a charger rather than a mains supply?"

She smirked. "You could put it that way."

"It might be unfair to ask you to charge my batteries."

"I'd do anything for you, Maxim."

He smiled and put an arm across her shoulders.

"I have something you need to know," he said.

"What?" Anna questioned.

"My brother Vyacheslav moved to Moscow as I told you, but I've kept it a big secret why and what he does there. He was born with a special kind of gift that enabled him to do strange things, like read people's thoughts. Apparently, there are some Russians who can do these things and they all work for some kind of corporation. Vyacheslav always said it was safer for me to move to England because all of the action happens in Russia. He likes to check up on me from time to time."

"You've never really talked about him much."

"I promised never to tell anyone."

"Let me guess, no one would believe you."

"Exactly. If you do get to go to Moscow, I'd like to encourage you to find my brother; his full name is Vyacheslav Romanovich Berezkev. If he doesn't recognise your name, just tell him you're a friend of Maxim."

"Alright. If I go to Moscow."

"If not, then I'll hold you to my promise."

Maxim winked at her and smiled.

"Here's your 35," he observed.

"I'll see you soon."

That evening, Anna was sat downstairs watching the rain dripping down the window pain. Her mother Sarah was in the kitchen and her sister Kate was upstairs getting ready to go to the cinema with her friends. Anna glanced down at her watch; how could anyone take so long putting a few clothes on? It wasn't as if she wore many in the first place. Anna sighed and glanced at the light switch; it'd be getting dark soon.

"Everything alright Anna?" Sarah asked.

Sarah came back into the room and sat down opposite her daughter.

"Fine," Anna replied.

"Kate's going to get wet," Sarah noted, observing the rain.

"I guess she won't be wearing a water proof, then."

"What Kate? No, of course not!"

"She's not sensible and her dress code is disgusting."

"I'm not keen on it myself."

"Why don't you tell her not to?"

"Because she won't listen."

"She'll get raped one of these days."

Anna shook her head as the door opened and Kate walked in, in her usual fashion. High heels, miniskirt and a strappy top under a long coat; she'd strip that off in the cinema. Kate was waiting desperately to turn 18 so that she could go in the nightclubs and was envious of Anna being old enough to do so, especially when she didn't go to them.

"How long have you got?" Anna asked.

"20 minutes," Kate replied.

"A good time to discuss holiday plans," Sarah noted.

"Australia this year mum?" Kate asked, hopefully.

Sarah smiled at her youngest daughter and Anna's heart fell; it was looking as though she'd be staying behind again. However, Sarah then turned to glance at her eldest daughter's expression, thought about something and continued.

"Not this year," she noted.

Kate turned to Anna. "Still friends with that Russian bus driver?"

"Of course," Anna replied.

"I love the sunshine! I'll be glad to leave winter behind for a week."

"We go to hot climates every year," Sarah cut in. "We all know that Anna gets badly ill in hot climates, especially the humid ones. Perhaps we'll do something different this year. It never feels like a family holiday if Anna gets left behind, and it's not always fair on Maxim."

"Maxim's happy to let me stay," Anna noted.

"Where would you like to go?"

"Really? You're asking me?"

"But she'll pick somewhere cold!" Kate protested.

"Come on Kate, be fair please," Sarah replied.

Anna thought about it; there were several places that instantly came into her mind as great destinations. There were loads of Swiss ski resorts where you could eat chocolate and have skiing lessons. There was Prague which would look beautiful in the snow and she could sit in pubs and drink beer with the gorgeous Czech men. But then Maxim's words came into her head. There could only be one place.

"Moscow," Anna said, finally.

"The capital of Russia!" Sarah proclaimed.

"I feel a real need to go to Moscow."

"I guess so; it always looks so pretty."

"I've heard it's supposed to be the most beautiful city in Europe."

"What are the temperatures like in Moscow?" Kate asked.

"At the moment, somewhere below freezing!"

"Then you'll need to dress sensibly Kate," Sarah noted critically. "No miniskirts and strappy tops. Tights under trousers and roll neck jumpers under fleeces I think! I'm sure Moscow will be lovely."

"Who can speak Russian?"

"Can you Anna?" Sarah asked.

She remembered talking to Maxim on the bus. "Yes."

"Good, then you can get us around!"

"Can we really go to Moscow?"

"Of course Anna. I'll book the flights tonight."

At that, there was a sudden rumble of thunder and a short, sharp flash of lightning. They all jumped, Kate screaming and backing away into the window. Anna turned to look outside, watching the street lights flicker. Lightning at this time of year was strange. Suddenly, a blast of hail came down followed by a second explosion of thunder and a gigantic fork of lightning. All of a sudden, they were plunged into darkness as the lights cut out.

"Oh no!" Anna cried.

"It's alright Anna," Sarah replied.

"I can't see a bloody thing."

"We'll have to wait for the power to come on."

"I need light."

"Look who's scared of the dark," Kate sneered.

"Be quiet Kate," Sarah snapped. "You're scared of spiders."

"I need light!" Anna exclaimed, starting to panic.

"Cool down dear, it'll come back on soon."

"Now!"

There was a flash of light from the bulb on the ceiling. It was followed by another short, sharp surge, but the darkness soon returned. Moments later, the living room light came back on and the room was flooded with light. Anna was sat on the sofa with her head in her hands, not moving and not saying anything. But it didn't stop there; the kitchen light came on, followed by the hall light and the other lights in the rest of the house. Sarah and Kate looked at Anna, who still wasn't moving.

"Are you doing that Anna?" Sarah asked.

Anna suddenly got to her feet and looked around, glancing at her hands and looking around frantically. She began waving her hands, seemingly swatting at invisible flies, or something similar. Then she suddenly collapsed on the floor, her skin pale and her eyes still open. Sarah got off the chair and sat down besides her daughter, tapping her cheeks and trying to bring her round, but it took no effect. Kate stepped back slightly, cutting her finger on something sharp behind her on the table. The blood dripped to the floor and at that moment, the lights went off again.

Sarah suddenly felt Anna stir on the ground, listening to another, more distance crack of thunder. She got to her feet and entered the kitchen, fumbling about and eventually finding a torch. She dashed back to her daughter in the living room and turned on the torch, filling the room with a dim orange glow. Anna slowly sat up and glanced at her hands before looking around.

"Are you alright?" asked her mother.

"It was so dark," Anna replied, quietly.

"Well stupid," Kate sneered. "It's a power cut."

"I don't mean the power cut! It was a different kind of darkness and I seemed to be drawn into it the moment I willed the lights to turn themselves on. Once I made them do it, the darkness consumed me and…"

"Wait, you turned the lights on?"

Anna glanced down at Kate's finger.

"You're bleeding," she stated.

"I know," Kate grumbled. "One of your damn circuits."

"That's a Creative Sound Blaster Live…"

"I don't care! It cut me!"

"Then it was your blood that brought me out of the darkness."

There was the sudden sound of a car horn beeping outside and Kate glanced out of the window. After moments of standing up on tip toe and peering, she made a girlish wave to whoever she saw. She walked over to the door to leave, but soon turned back to look at Anna.

"You're a real freak, you know that?" she stated.

And with that she left, flicking round her blonde hair before opening the front door and pulling it shut. Anna sat back down on the sofa and sighed, reaching down and picking up the torch on the floor. Sarah eventually returned with more, setting them on the shelves to light the room.

"Is that better?" Sarah asked.

"Thank you," Anna replied.

"Just ignore your sister; she doesn't really understand you."

"I guess it's because I'm a little older."

"And you're much more mature."

"Why does she act like such a slut? I mean, where does she get it from?"

"Peer pressure Anna, that's all."

"Then she should fight it!"

"Maybe you found it easy, but it's difficult for her."

Anna sighed. "She'll regret it later."

"So, I bet she'll end up pregnant and ruin her life."

"Do you not find that thought rather horrible?"

"Of course I do, but she won't listen to me."

"Maybe she will do in Moscow."

At that, the lights came back on again, including the video recorder and the microwave, the clocks both flashing at them wanting to be reset. Sarah sighed and got to her feet, turning off all the torches.

"Do you have Maxim's number?" she asked.

Anna nodded. "Of course."

"He might be worried about you."

Anna fetched down the cordless phone from the receiver, but turned back briefly to observe her mother.

"Do you think I can really turn the lights on?" she asked.

"No," Sarah replied. "It was just a power surge."

She left the room, Anna sighed and dialling Maxim's number.