The soccer ball shot towards him like a big white bullet, and it was headed for the side of the net he was not on. Matty Winthrope needed to jump and dive for the other side. His perfect record was about to be broken. Thank God this was just practice but he had never let a goal in. Not in the three years he had been playing soccer for Chelsea School for the Deaf. He sighed and dove towards it. He blocked the ball with his head. It hurt but he blocked it. His perfect record was intact. His teammates were all smiling and cheering for him. His coach was grinning. His coach an older short stocky man signed to him "Brilliant save Matty! Just brilliant!"
Then he saw his father coming down from the stands. Michael Winthrope was a tall man with dark hair that came down to his shoulders, hazel eyes, and a grey beard. He was grinning at him. "Hit the showers kid and then we'll go home." Matty came over and hugged him first. As he walked to the locker room, he saw his coach come over to his dad. "Mr. Winthrope need to talk to you a moment" He saw his dad nod and go with the coach.
Matty wondered what all that was about. But he went to the locker room. He showered and got dressed. He looked at himself in the mirror. He was 10 years old, but he looked small for his age. He had brown eyes with gold flecks, and dark longish hair. It was not as long as his dad's, but Matty kept it past his ears to cover the scar on his ear.
He left the locker room and went back out onto the soccer pitch. His dad was waiting for him. He could read lips, so his dad just talked to him. "Is your head ok kid? That was some move." Matty grinned and signed "Yeah it hurt for a second but I'm ok." His dad put his arm around him, and they walked to the car. His dad drove a 1964 Silver Aston Martin.
"Um kid, some scouts came to check you out from the London Academy. They have one the most elite soccer programs for children in London." Matty signed to him "Isn't that a regular school though? They won't want me because I'm deaf." His dad smiled at him. "They don't care about that. I can hire you an interpreter. We're rich, remember? They think it will make you more interesting of a player. They want to meet with us at the London Academy next weekend. They are having a tryout for their summer program for prospective students." Matty stared at his dad. "Really?" "Yeah, I told the coach I'd let him know tomorrow. That I wanted to discuss it with you first before I said yes." "Won't it attract attention to us dad? If I were to become a famous soccer player? Maybe I should start letting some goals in occasionally."
His father's eyes filled with guilt. His father's eyes were so expressive. You could tell exactly how his father was feeling at any given moment in his eyes. "I don't want that to hold you back. You deserve an amazing life kid. Alright? We will worry about getting found out when and if that happens. Ok? Soccer makes you happy and that's all I want for you." Matty smiled and signed. "Well, it might be fun to try out at the very least. They won't want me. I'm small and deaf." "Yes, but you use that to your advantage kid. You love it when people underestimate you. Your mom was the same way."
They drove home. Their house was a beautiful English manor house. It was built in the 19th century. They lived in the guest house in the back of the manor house. It was a long story of how they came to live on this estate, but Matty was happy here. It was his great grandfather's home. Matty at 10 years old was technically the lord of the manor now. It should have been his father, but it had passed down. Well ownership of the estate was between himself and his real identity. His great grandfather had left it to both Matty and under Matty's real identity. Alexander Matthew Stetson.
As they walked to the front door his dad all of the sudden his father put his arm out to block him. "Something is wrong. Stay back. Hide. Don't come out until I come tell you it's safe." Matty felt his heart beating faster. His dad went to a big pot that was outside and pulled out a bag. There was a gun in it. "I'm serious kid. Hide and you run if you need to. Find Tony or Irene. They will help you. I love you." Matty signed back. "Don't go in. We can call the authorities." His dad looked at him. "Let me check it out. You hide and you find Tony or Irene." Matty nodded and started to go and hide as his dad slowly went inside. But Matty couldn't leave his dad. He would help if he needed it. All those martial arts classes he'd been taking. He could help. He knew he could. He was only 10 years old and small for his age, but he had two black belts.
Matty watched from the door. His dad was attacked by a man, but his father had gotten the upper hand and was punching him in the face. But then another man appeared on the stairs. Matty needed to warn him. Make a noise. He tried to scream but nothing came out so he banged on the door so his dad would look. But it was too late. The other man fired the gun at his father. His father looked and the door and yelled "Run Matty Run!" and then there was another shot and his father slumped over. They had shot his dad twice. Nobody could survive that. The two men both wearing all black ski masks turned their attention to Matty. He felt numb. His father was everything to him and now he was just gone.
Matty ran. Faster than he thought possible. The men were behind him. He ran for he was not sure how long, but the men were not behind him anymore. Matty was fast and was a star soccer player. He looked around. He had run at least two miles without stopping at a full pace. He was in the city now. He had his school bag with him which was good because his London Underground pass was in it. He went into the Tube station to go to Tony's apartment.
He got there and he rang the buzzer, but he could not speak but he tapped in morse code. "SOS" He had no idea if Tony heard him or not, but he kept pulling on the door hoping Tony figured out it was him and then he felt a vibration and the door opened. He ran to Tony's apartment. Tony was standing in the doorway. "It is you Sunshine; I had a feeling. Come in. What's wrong?"
Tony was a very skinny, very British looking young man, he had short brown hair, crooked teeth, and an easy smile. "What's happened Sunshine?" Tony had been one of his father's students. Matty's father had helped Tony out of a tough situation with Tony's stepfather and ended up hiring Tony as his assistant.
Matty signed, "They found us, Tony. They killed my dad. I can't let them get me too. I promised." Matty was not crying. He wanted to but he felt nothing right now, he felt numb. Tony looked at him, "Michael is dead?" Matty nodded. Tony hugged him, "I'm so sorry Sunshine. You know I will help. I can't go with you because of my mum. We need Irene. She might be able to go." Matty signed "Irene's away on holiday with Trish." Tony ran his hand through his hair. "I will call the airline. Make arrangements for you. You know what to do when you are there, right? You have the address and the note?" Matty nodded. Tony sighed and booked Matty passage, Then Tony gave him all the money in his wallet. "Take this." Matty stared at him, he nodded no. He knew there was a ton of money in the airport locker. Matty signed. "My father stashed money in the airplane locker." Tony smiled at him. "Yeah, but you might need it before you get to the locker or to come back here if there is a problem. Just take it. Ok?" Matty took the money.
Matty got to the airport. He was handicapped and an unaccompanied minor. But when you were rich and flew first class nobody questioned anything. His father had taught him that. People did not pay as much attention to first class as they did coach. Fly first class they expect you to do weird stuff and they let you get away with so much more. Tony had posed as his brother and booked everything for him. "Find a way to let me know you made it safe Sunshine. Safe travels, mate." Matty hugged him.
The plane ride was uneventful. He had a whiteboard in his bag. So, he could communicate. The tough part was going to be getting to his destination, but his dad had drilled into him the Metro plan and which bus to take. It had been five years though. There was a backup plan too in the off chance the man he was going to see had moved. His dad thought the alternative was not as safe.
The plane ride was smooth. The flight attendant kept trying to give him food. But he was not hungry. She did give him coffee though when he asked for it, which was a blessing. He was only 10 years old, and he looked young for his age, so adults did not always give him coffee when he asked. But he gave her a sad pleading look when he asked for it.
Matty did not want to fall asleep. Not on the plane when he was alone. He did not want to have a nightmare. He just looked out the window. He was scared. What was waiting for him in DC? He knew he was born there but the only memories he had were horrific. London was all he knew.
Last time he flew on a plane it had been an adventure. He had not cared where he was going or why. Only that the man next to him had freed him from Karbala. Had saved him. Now he was alone. He had to go back, and he had no idea what awaited him.
He knew he had a grandmother and older brothers. He had no idea if any of them would even want him. He was about to uproot their lives. Plus, the bad men were not gone. The group that took him was still out there.
Maybe he should have found Irene on holiday. Gone to Cardiff. She would have gone with him. At least he would not be alone, but this is what his dad had trained him to do if there was a problem He had no real memories of his family. He had only been 5 when he was taken. And they had done something to him, so he had no memories of before. He felt a hand on his shoulder.
Matty looked at the flight attendant. "The plane will be landing soon. Just stay in your seat until the plane clears and I will get you and bring you through customs. Ok little one?" Matty smiled at her and nodded.
The plane landed and he sat there for what felt like an eternity. Had the flight attendant forgotten him? The blonde flight attendant came back and smiled. "Ready, little one?" She took him through customs. He did not have to wait in the long line. He was first class and a minor. "Well, you're a little young to be traveling for work. You have a British passport." Matty wrote, "My mom works in the US and is picking me up at luggage claim." The customs agent said, "Your mom is American? But you live in England?" Matty nodded yes. "My father is British. I live with my father." Matty wrote on the whiteboard. The customs agent seemed ok with it and let Matty pass.
Now came the tricky part. He was going to need to ditch the flight attendant. Then she said, "Do you see your mom? I will bring you over to her." Matty smiled at the flight attendant and pointed at a random woman in her early forties obviously waiting for someone. She was far enough away. Then Matty wrote on the board, "That's her over there. Thanks for everything." Then Matty ran away from the flight attendant and prayed he had guessed right. He went and hugged the random woman.
The flight attendant seemed satisfied and walked away. The woman he was hugging seemed confused. Then Matty wrote, "Sorry thought you were someone else." And he ran away from the random lady who was just staring at him.
Matty then found the section with the airplane lockers and went and opened his dad's locker. He grabbed the bag in it and put the British money he had in the locker and put the American money in his rucksack.
He went to the metro station and bought a pass. He got on the metro and rode it. He could not hear the announcements, but Matty had a photographic memory and he made sure he watched and counted so he knew where to get off. He got off the metro and it smelled like diesel, city, and food. He got out on the street. It was nighttime. His watch said it was 2AM but that was London time. The US was five hours behind. So, it must be around 10PM. He hoped he was not too late for the bus line. He walked to the bus stop and looked at the schedule. It was after 9PM so the next bus was not for another 40 minutes as it looked like it only came once an hour.
Matty patiently just sat there. A couple of other people came and sat next to him. Nobody said anything to each other. Then the bus finally came. Matty handed the bus driver a $20. He wrote "No change. You can keep the $20. I just want to go home." The bus driver smiled at him. "It's late for a kid like you to be out alone. You deaf? Did you runaway and then get lost?" Matty nodded yes. "Well keep your $20 kid. Ride is on me." and the driver put 50 cents in the slot." Matty went and sat in the middle.
He got off at his stop and wrote. "Thanks again." The bus driver smiled at him. "No problem. Just don't do that again. It's dangerous for a kid like you to be out in the city alone at night." Matty nodded. He walked to the neighborhood. He saw a white van parked outside the house. He had a bad feeling. He noticed there was a tree with a hole in it and he stashed his rucksack in there in case there was trouble. He'd come back for it later. Maybe he should go back to this bus stop and go to Arlington. But he really wasn't in the main part of the city anymore and it was late. There were going to be fewer buses, and he could not talk so he would not be able to call for a cab.
The van was probably nothing. He was tired and paranoid. God he should have done this differently.
He grabbed his whiteboard out of the rucksack and stashed it back in the tree and walked to the house. It was a greyish blue house with a long driveway. He walked up to it and ran his hand through his hair nervously. He started walking up the driveway and all of the sudden a man wearing a suit and an earpiece was standing in front of him "Where do you think you're going?" He was right. He needed to get out of here. Then there was another man in a suit behind him
Oh god it was the bad men. Karbala had found him. They were waiting for him. He was going to end up back in the warehouse. He knew it. He knew he should have gone back. Matty's heart was racing. He tried to run but another man reached his arm to grab him. Matty threw his white board and flipped the man that touched him. Then there were more. Matty started fighting back. Trying to get away. But there were too many of them and then one of them jumped on him. He felt his arm snap and then there was an intense pain in his arm. But they carried him and threw him in the van. And they put handcuffs on him. It hurt a lot.
He had let himself be caught. He failed his father. His family in America had no clue he was even alive. Nobody would come for him this time. His father was dead. Tony was in the UK; he could not help him. Irene was in Wales. His family in America did not even know he was alive. He was utterly and completely alone.
The ride in the van was not long and they pulled him out and took him to a parking garage and then they went through an entrance and Matty was taken to a very white room with a table and mirror. They handcuffed his hands behind him which was painful because he was fairly sure his arm was broken.
They left him there for a while. When a middle-aged balding man with a mean gruff looking face came in. He was wearing a suit too. Everyone was wearing suits, and nobody smelled like last time cheap cologne and cigarettes. This faction of the bad men was at least fancier than the last time. They were not nicer though.
The man with the mean face came at him with a needle. He rolled up his sleeve and injected him with something in his broken arm. It hurt so much. But Matty did not cry. He wanted to but he didn't. He had been happy for too long. He had failed his father. He deserved this.
"Who are you working for? Where is your base? We know you are one of the Karbala kids. You have the mark on your wrist." Matty did have the mark on his wrist. He was branded with a mark when he was taken. He usually wore an arm band or something to hide it.
Whatever the man injected him with made him feel warm. The pain in his arm was also getting worse. But he could not talk even if he wanted to. He had not spoken outloud except in his sleep in years. He just stared at a point on the wall. He started replaying soccer matches in his head. He made the world around him go away. Maybe he could zone out long enough and they would kill him. Then he could be with his dad again and the pain would stop.
Matty snapped back to reality. The man injected him again with another dose. Matty was already warm and sweaty from the first dose and the broken arm. The second dose made it so he could not replay soccer matches in his head anymore.
He felt fuzzy. He saw the man screaming "Talk dammit. What is your name? Who do you work for?" Matty felt nauseous. The man kept asking him questions. He was not sure how long he had been there. He was quite sure if he had eaten anything recently, he would have thrown it up. God, he hoped this would be over soon.
Then another man entered. A young man with a friendly face in a suit with light brown hair. "What are you doing here Prince?" the young man answered. "I am here to relieve Agent Watson. Sir. Its morning." The mean man said, "Fine just stay over there and stay quiet. I know you don't have the stomach for this type of thing." The young man gave him a dirty look but went over and replaced one of the other young men in a dark suit.
Then Matty endured another round of the man screaming questions at him. He was deaf but he could tell the man was yelling. The mean man was starting to get fed up with Matty's silence. He grabbed him by the hair and pulled his head back. "Talk dammit. We can leave this room if you would just talk, you little bastard. The G12 is obviously not doing its job. Maybe the third time will be the charm." He saw the man reach for the syringe again. And the young man with the nice face said "Whoa he's just a little kid sir. You'll kill him if you inject him with another dose. Plus, you're violating all his rights."
The mean man looked at him. "Stay out of this Prince. Why the hell did they send you down here? All you ever do is get in my way. You think you're so special because of who your parents were. I am the senior agent. You need to follow my orders." The young man got angry. "Yeah, well I don't follow orders that involve me watching you torture and kill a child." The other man said, "He's not though Prince. The Karbala kids. They aren't even human." "They are human. And there's obviously something wrong with his arm. Has medical even checked him out? Plus, he looks sick. He's sweating and he's the wrong color. I think he's not talking because he's hurt, and you gave him too much of that stuff. Medical should check him out"
The mean man was yelling at him "Get out Prince. I'm putting you on report." The young man said "Fine put me on report. But I'm not going to let you kill a kid and violate his rights." "Get out before I make you get out." The young man gave him a glare "Make me." Then the mean man lunged for him, and the young man just punched the mean man right in the face.
"I'm so fired." the young man muttered to himself. Then he went over and knelt with Matty. "You're not going to kill me are you kid?" Matty just stared at the young man. He nodded no, "You can answer a question." The young man smiled at him and said "Seriously Agent Henderson is such a douche." Then he undid his cuffs. Matty winced in pain. "Your arm is really hurt huh. Yeah well, medical will fix you up. And well you'll have to endure another round of questioning or two. But I am going to make a call while I still have a job and the next person that asks you questions. Well, I know she's a hell of a lot nicer."
The young man picked him up and carried him down a couple hallways until they got to a room. He saw an older black man with glasses. "Hey Prince. What happened to him?" He saw the young man say "Karbala kid they brought in last night. Henderson went heavy on the G12. I think there's something wrong with his arm too." The doctor had a nice face "Well bring him over to that bed. We'll check him over." The young man brought him to the bed and then on his good arm he put a restraint on it. But it wasn't a cuff and he was gentle, "Sorry kid. But apparently you have some serious ninja moves. Can't have you attacking the medical staff. But I won't do your bad arm. Doc McJohn is good people, He'll fix you right up. Well, it's been real. Good luck to you."
Matty wanted the nice young guy everyone called Prince to stay, he liked him. But then the doctor ran all kinds of tests on him, and they took him over and he got an x-ray. Then they started checking his ears. They gave him an iv of something, and Matty drifted off into an uneasy sleep.
He dreamt he was home again. His dad was fighting with the man in the ski mask. The shots rang out and a red stain appeared and started growing and then there was another shot. The gunfire had been so loud Matty heard it, a small popping sound. Matty could only hear very loud noises. The gun shots had been loud enough. His dad was screaming "Run Matty Run!" but he hadn't heard that. He'd just read his father's lips. He opened his eyes and woke up in a sweat breathing hard.
A young nurse was tending to him. "Bad dream love?" Matty stared at the nurse. Where was he? Oh yeah, he was in the new bad place. He wasn't in as much pain though. His arm still hurt. Then the doctor came over "Oh good your awake. We are going to be moving you a holding cell shortly. But I have a couple of questions for you. Can you hear at all?" Matty looked at the man and nodded no.
Doc McJohn nodded "I didn't think so the eardrum on your left ear is non-existent. And your right ear, someone used your right ear as an ash tray, didn't they?" Matty nodded yes. Then McJohn said, "But it doesn't look like any of your injuries are recent except the fight, wherever you came from. They've been feeding you regularly and not beating you. Am I right?" Matty nodded yes, McJohn smiled "Well we have just the person to come talk to you later. She is much nicer than Henderson. Won't give you any drugs either. She's helped a lot of kids like you find their way home. You read lips? Can you sign?" Matty nodded yes but pointed at his arm and he noticed 3 of his fingers on his other hand were bandaged up now.
Doc McJohn smiled at him. "You can but obviously not right now. Got it." Then the doctor said, "We will get you sorted out. You are an interesting case young man. It's going to be ok. We are going to get you all the help you need and hopefully find your family."
Two young men in suits came in. Not the nice one that helped him earlier. Matty was hoping to see him again. They took him down a corridor and took him to a room. It was white and bright in the room. There was a sink, toilet, and a bed. They led him to the bed, and he sat down. The two young men left. At least he was not handcuffed anymore.
He was alone now. He needed to think. Get out of this place. Where was he? The doctor had been really nice to him. Maybe he could give the doctor the note. Maybe he'd help him. He'd wait though and bide his time. Luckily, they had not taken his trainers. He was wearing white sweatpants and a white t-shirt, but they let him keep his trainers. He went to the corner of the room and sat down. He did not want to lie on the bed. He did not want to sleep unless it could be a dreamless sleep.
The door opened and a young woman came in with a tray of food. She smiled at him and put it down on the bedside table. She didn't say anything and just left. He walked over and looked at the food. It was some sort of sandwich. He wasn't sure what the meat was. Potato chips and a Coke. He took the Coke. He was thirsty and it had caffeine in it. He leaned his head against the wall. How could he have failed so miserably? He should have just stayed with Tony until Irene came back. But his father had drilled this plan in his head.
It was stupid coming to the United States. He didn't know anybody. Sure, he had family here, but he didn't remember them. Even if he could escape from here, where would he go?