Three hours later:
Touch down. Oleg brought the plane down with a smooth landing at Moscow. We were actually at our government's official private airport. The plane is moved over and parked near one of the buildings. I unhook and get up. What is next? Are we expected to bring the box or is someone else going to get it? While I am wondering about this Oleg comes back followed by another man. "We are going to grab the box and then lift it onto the crane over there," Oleg says as he points out the window at a yellow crane. They lift the box and carry it over to the crane.
Oleg walks over to me, "Sasha told me that My text I sent as soon as we left America was accepted. And that the Governor of Moscow and many others are waiting for us as we speak." "Where are we meeting?" I ask. "Inside the airport," he replies. "Ok, let's go then," I say straitening my blouse. Oleg starts walking first, but soon my long legs ketch up with him and I'm leading the way. I smile as I stop and wait so he can open the door for me. "Have fun miss," he teases as he opens the door for me. I take a deep breath, smile and walk though the door.
I am bombarded with applause from the people there, before the governor introduces me and gives a summery of our mission. Would you please take a minute to tell us how you did it? He asks. I stand up on the stage the governor is standing on and tell the story, excluding the part about seeing Ethan do cartwheels in his yard. "Would you please open the box?" The Governor asks with politeness. I walk over and put the key into the lock, feeling all the anxiety of those prying eyes. What would I do if he wasn't in there? I would be fired and be the laughing stock of all these politicians. I turn the key until I heard the pop of the lock. I open the lid, and sure enough he is still in there. Thank goodness! My excitement is short lived, as he isn't responding to my touch on his face or the sound of my voice. "Come on, wake up!" I command Ethan to open his eyes. Being only loud enough for the the Governor and myself to hear. No No No! What's wrong with you? I need you up!
I rack my brain for what to do as the crowd is eagerly waiting for the reveal. I grab Ethan under his shoulders and lift his limp form to a sitting position. His eyes are still shut and his head falls down to his chest. I then spot the reason he is not responding, the back of his head was covered in blood that was starting to pool in the bottom of the box. I also notice the small nail poking up though the corner of the box. This looks very, very bad. The governor rushes over with the most disappointed look I've ever seen. "Is he alive?" He chokes out. I swallow as I take his pulse, "Yes, he's alive, but he has a very slow pulse and a head injury," I respond. He waves at two of his security guards and they take the crate off the stage to a private room. "Ok, go to my office," he says pointing to a small room behind the audience. I nod my head and push my way though the crowd towards his office.
"You were supposed to deliver him to me in fine health. You remember the agreement," The Governor accused, face fuming with anger. "I know, and I'm sorry," I say staring at the ground. "That's not good enough! I have 65 disappointed people out there who weren't able to ask him a single question. You didn't only disappoint me after my nice speech for you, you also embarrassed me in front of my friends and colleagues." He fumed. I hang my head, "I'm sorry," I whimper at the floor. "I know," He says lifting my chin to look him in the eye, "You know I like you, you have never had any problem before now to bring us the information and things we need. You have great potential, and I don't want to see you go. So, I'll make an exception. I won't fire you now, but you need to take the consequences of your actions," He says softly. "So, I'm putting Ethan Wright in you're charge and if he dies... Well, then you will have to be fired," Says Governor Volkov sadly.
I don't know what to think as I leave his office, I feel happy and sad at the same time. At least I didn't loose my job, I think as I head to my car. Two men follow me out to my car with the box Ethan is in, setting it down besides my car. "Do you want us to put it in your trunk?" They ask. "No, I don't want a casket in my house," I exclaim. Could you guys put him in the passenger seat? I ask. "Sure miss," Replied the one with red hair. They began pulling Ethan out of that box, when they saw the dreaded nail. "Oh!" The red head exclaimed as he saw it. "Shh" the other responded, seeing my appalled face. Then they both lifted him in to the front seat. I reach over and hook Ethan in from my seat, while the red head supports his head. "I hope he gets better soon" He says. "Me too" I reply as he lays the chair back. "Good luck!" He says as he shuts the door. I smile and wave, my smile quickly turning to a frown as I look back at Ethan. He looks so pail and fragile, not at all like the young man who was doing cartwheels in his yard. I stuff a jacket behind his neck for support and start the engine. This is going to be a long trip.