Chapter 1
Dashiell sprints towards his destination, his prizes clutched closely to his chest while his pursuers hound his every step. While he wishes for the opportunity to fully let go and let the wind whistle though his hair, this desire, unlike most times, was not in the foreground of his mind. This desire was pushed back into his sub conscious as the foreground of his head raced with the new possibilities that had recently presented to themselves this afternoon. However, this train of thought quickly became de-railed as his pursers managed to wrap their large hands and arms around his waist not only causing him to crash painfully into the dirt under their weight, but his prize was also taken from his grip. Dashiell could only stare in shock at this amateur mistake, he was better than this, at least he thought he was. A sharp exhaling of air escapes his lungs, partially due to his defeat, but primarily due to the weight of the multiple men pressing down on him. In a single futile effort Dash reaches out, his fingertips barley grazing his brown prize before a sound of utter humiliation pierces the air, a whistle. A heavy groan emanates from bodies above him as the weight slowly lifts, a hand reaches out to the small young man with a chuckle,
"Hey D, you sure aint that fast today man, you all right?" As Dash grasps the hand, he rises to eye level with the slime, but wiry frame of his shot time friend Alex. His perpetual grin still plastering his freckled, tanned face. Dash only responds with a shrug as a lumbering figure slowly approaches from behind,
"Parr! What the hell was that? I know dam well you are faster than that! If you can't run with effort in practice why in the hell should I put you on the field! I mean hell, most seniors would kill to have your spot fresh! So I will not tolerate this sloppy play, now get up and get your ass in the end zone!" Throughout this verbal conflagration Dash was simply mesmerised by the ways in his coach's flab managed to mimic the waves of an ocean. An ocean where Dash was at that moment, sitting on the beach. The sun baking his skin while some scantily clad waitress pours him a tropical drink, however, the fantasy is quickly shattered as the bark of the coach overrides the gentle crashing of the waves. With a sigh Dash goes back the huddle, the same play, the same pattern. This time, however, Dash smiles, knowing full well he will not only get to the end zone, but he will guarantee his starting spot on the team.
-I-
While the high school students run on the grass, resuming their practice, a black sedan slowly pulls away. Its passengers exchange glances of humor while the female right of the driver lights a cigarette and slowly drags on it, a plume of smoke escaping her finely defined nostrils and ruby lips. She slowly brushes her auburn hair aside and smirks at her large, burly compatriot with the heavy set brow and thick beard.
"So, my dear husband do you think of our chances for success?" The man simply glowers at the forth word out of the sentence.
"Don't call me that, you know how I hate it."
"Oh come on, you know we have our roles to play, you just need to be flexible," the woman says, her voice softening as she softly blows on her 'husband's' ear. This only causes his one set of knuckles to whiten on the wheel while his other hand brushed her away.
"I was not given this assignment because of flexibility, and frankly I do not see why you of all people are needed. Me and Geo alone would have been more than adequate for this assignment!" This short speech accompanies numerous slaps of the steering wheel, while the man weaves through traffic.
"Well comrade, quite simply I am needed to add a certain, oh how you say, feminine mystique." Her comrade simply shrugs.
"Well in that case, I still don't understand why they brought in another Serbian, I mean one is more than enough."
"Oh come on, not even you can be this daft. Turn left, Geo is awaiting his pick up," the man quickly turns, cutting off a small red car. "I mean we are to pose as refugees, and how many families do you know would leave without their mother," the man simply grunts, dismissing the line of conversation. Oblivious to the tone of the grunt, or not caring, the women continues the conversation, "finally, how many Serbian teenagers do you know that have fled the Grand Socialist Republics with two Russian parents." Silence permeates the car, only broken up by the purr of the engine. The man finally groans and nods as the car slows to a stop along the curb. Without a second of hesitance the door opens and a large young man clambers into the back, his knees pressing deeply into the back of the female's seat, electing a soft moan of discomfort from the passenger. "So Geo, how was the scouting?"
"It was adequate, I found the girl. As the report suspected she is distracted and untrained. Not only was she unable to even notice my movements, but her footfalls are of one who is an amateur in the field." The young man states as he stares out the window, his eyes counting the people on the street. His counting only stopping to stare at various shop windows, while his two 'parents' chuckle at the formality of the youth's reports.
"Well then, I will take this as pleasant tidings then my large, burly Boyars. Very, very pleasant tidings," smoke wafts out of her mouth while her words slither towards her 'family' while the car makes its way through traffic and on its way home.
-I-
A red car pulls into the driveway of the Parr's as Violet turns the corner and maintains her brisk pace towards her house. As her feet step onto the driveway an obviously irate Helen exits the car, slamming the door hard enough to cause the small vehicle to shudder. This causes Violet to stop before approaching her mother tentatively,
"Hey mom, you okay?" Helen simply sighs and smile weakly,
"Sorry Vi, just horrible traffic today. Some person almost caused an accident today by cutting me off. Also, could you garb some bags and help me take them in?" With a shrug the young woman grabs several bags full of produce and dairy products and follows her mother into the house. Helen, using her elbow, rings the doorbell. During the silence that ensued while the two wait for Bob to open the door, Helen turns to her daughter, "So honey, how was your day?" Violet shrugs,
"Not bad, I mean in terms of schooling, but otherwise it was great. I mean, did you and dad hear the announcement today?" Helen nods,
"Yes, amazing isn't it? Your father and I were simply flabbergasted by the fact that it happened so soon, I mean, we both knew that eventually you and your brothers would get the same opportunities we had growing up, but," her pause indicates all Violet needs to hear. With a smile, she sets down her bag and embraces her mother in a paternal hug.
"Its ok mom, I understand," Helen's lips slowly crack into a smile as she wraps her arms around her angel. "Though does this mean I get to drive now? I mean I have to find a way to get to those scenes of the crime." Her daughter's question breaks the moment of tranquillity, which is further shattered by the large frame of her husband opening the door.
"Well I hope I am not interrupting some sort of bonding moment." The two women break the embrace and gather up their bags of produce and dairy,
"No dear, just interrupting me telling your daughter no," Violet rolls her eyes as they all walk into the house. As the door closes, a black sedan slowly pulls up towards the driveway.