II

II

--What did you do to him?—Sawa tried her best to bring herself together and asked firmly. She didn't break her gaze from the person behind the window. The voice from behind answered indifferently.

--Me? Nothing. It was just an accident.

--What kind of accident?—Sawa didn't give up. She knew that the woman told lies. It was obvious. Oburi didn't look like he was a victim of an accident. The woman didn't answer anything.

--Is he still alive?—Sawa asked after a deep breath. She was frightened to hear a negative answer.

--Maybe he is, maybe he is not. Everything depends on you,--with that words the woman turned and made her way to her office-chair. She sat down and took off her sunglasses. Sawa could see all her actions in the glass of the window. The woman wasn't old. She was in her early 30. She had cold green and blue eyes. Yes, her eyes were different colours. Huh, maybe that's why she were hiding them behind that Gucci sunglasses. Her black and straight hair was falling on her shoulders. She brushed some strands from her face. Then crossed her legs, put her elbows on the table and pushed the bottom. The window began to close slowly in front of Sawa's eyes. She pushed her hands away from the window and looked at Oburi one last time before the window was absolutely closed. Then she turned to face the woman.

--What does it mean?—asked Sawa with anger.

--I think it's enough for you looking at him. I know he is cute but as you see he is not in a good shape,--the woman was watching Sawa's reaction. She liked to make people suffer. Now Sawa knew it. Sawa's eyes were staring at the woman's. There was silence between them for a moment. Then Sawa spoke.

--Why didn't you take him to the hospital? You know that he is injured badly. What do you want with him? And why did you bring me here only to look how he is dying?—she said it calmly without any emotions.

The woman took a cigarette from her bag and began to smoke. She was silent for some seconds and then looked up at Sawa and said:

--Actually, no. I brought you here not only because of him. As I said, everything depends on you. You can save him. You have only two ways: the first one is to say "yes" and he will live, the second one is to say "no" and he will die,--the woman exhaled the cigarette smoke from her lungs and a grey cloud appeared in front of her.

--What conditions?—Sawa looked at the woman with her ruby eyes filled with confidence.

--Well, nothing special really. You know everything about such jobs. Akia was a good teacher in such things. I think that you are one of his best killers, huh?—She raised an eyebrow and made an evil grin.—So, everything you need to do is to work for us. Well, to do the same work that you had been doing earlier. This is the condition,--the woman brought the cigarette to her lips and inhaled the smoke.

Sawa was shocked. She didn't want to kill people again not knowing what for. She told herself that she would never do it again that day when she killed the last time, when she killed Akia. She thought, that if she killed him, her nightmare would over. But…she was mistaken…Now she must break her promise…she must…for…him…she must…save…him…

--If I say "yes" you will save his life?—Sawa returned her gaze on the woman who was now looking at her nails.

--Huh? Oh, yes. I told you that we will. So your answer?—the woman looked at Sawa with the corner of her eyes.

Sawa deepened in her thoughts. She didn't want to return to that life. Every second was dangerous. There would be no future for her anymore. She was always under the aiming. It wasn't a life it was a dance with death. The job always must be done excellent. This is the rule. And no witnesses.

--Tick, tack…tick, tack…--The woman's voice interrupted Sawa's thoughts. Sawa had known the answer already. She must save Oburi. She was absolutely sure that he must had done the same for her.

--But I also have a condition,--Sawa stood up and looked at the woman.—I say "yes" but Oburi must live. If you don't save him and he'll die I say "no".

--Deal. You partner will live,--the woman picked up the phone and said:

--Dr. Figadzun? You may come in. The patient is waiting for you,--she put down the phone and looked at Sawa,--your Oburi is in good hands. Soon he will be like a new. And now, lets talk about your new work. Oh forgot to greet you. Welcome Sawa. I hope you'll like your new job more that the previous one. Akia was a good teacher. But he was a private. We have always competed with each other. Do you have your gun with you?

--No,--answered Sawa sharply.

--Well, it doesn't matter. You will have the best gun of the next generation. Our specialists are the best in the world. Now you must sign up the "contract". No, you don't need to write anything. We have contracts of new generation. When I say new generation I mean it,--the woman came to her table and sat down in the chair.

--What contra…--Sawa wanted to ask something but was interrupted by the person who came in. He was very small and fat. He was dressed in white robe like doctors usually dressed, he had big glasses on his nose, curly red hair picked in a 2 meters ponytail, and he was quite old, maybe in his early 70.

--Where is my patient?—The man asked and rubbed his hands one against the other with that unpleasant stupid smile on his lips.

--Oh, it's you Dr. Figadzun. He is in the operation room. I think he is quite bad. Try your best not to loose him. We need him alive,--the woman pushed another bottom on her controller and the door opened in the wall.

--Whooo-hooo! I like when you open that door. I'm coming!—the last words doctor said leaving the office.

--I told you that Oburi is in good hands. Dr. Figadzun is the best specialist in the world. He has never lost his patients,--said the woman closing the door after the doctor.

--He looks like he was a patient of a mental hospital,--commented Sawa,--So what kind of contract do you mean?—Sawa returned to the subject.

--This method was created by one Russian scientist. That HE was a really crazy minded person. His name was Vasiliy Pomidorov,--explained the woman and came to Sawa,--it consists from an injection. All you need is to take a little injection and it will be the contract,--the woman said half smiling.

--I don't believe that this injection is non-hazardous,--Sawa looked the woman into the eyes.

--It's your business, you can believe in what you want and I can just tell Dr. to stop the operation,--said the woman indifferently.

That was the game with the fire. If she doesn't agree Oburi will die. That was the decision.

--Alright…I agree…