Chapter 3 - Jamie

Staring at the screen, my mind whirled at the speed of light. Before my eyes, was a message; it wasn’t something any hacker ever wanted to see. It read, ‘Found you, prepare for war!’

I was still trying to absorb the details when my screen changed, and my personal information flooded the internet. I stepped forward, sat down, and started slamming at the keys, moving from one site to the next, trying my best to stop it. I’ve been hacked, and my firewalls cracked.

After a couple of seconds, I realized I wasn’t going to be able to stop or remove all of it. I watched in horror as my name, telephone number, address, and more leaked out into the open. “No,” I screamed at the laptop, picked it up, and chucked it at the wall. Rising from my chair, I knew there would be company coming soon. I grabbed a bag and started collecting the most vital items.

Running was my only option now. I would have to find a place to hide. Ben did this to me, I thought as I pulled my shirt back on and added a hoodie for extra cover. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I stared at the screen. Feeling sure my security on the phone was good enough, I decided to keep it. I kept some of the information I discovered. With this came the realization that the Mafia groups would be looking for me and those who wanted to get to them.

Standing at my door, I wondered where I would go as I put on my coat. I dialed my last client. It was the only number I had for Ben. He has to assist me; after all, it’s his fault. “Ben, Ben, you must help. I got traced doing what you wanted. I need a place to lay low.” I breathed into the phone as he answered.

“You do know you were paid, and it’s not my problem if you get sloppy and are caught in the act.” He responded abruptly.

“Really, Ben? You know, I don’t do sites where there are traps. You led me there. Now you have to help me.” I replied angrily.

“Slow down, let me think for a second,” Ben replied in his usual quick manner. “Okay, okay, I have it,” he added. “Hang up and get to the address I am sending you now. You can tell them I sent you.”

Feeling a tinge of relief moving up my spine, I darted out and headed to the address on my phone. It was still dark out, but morning would come soon. I stuck to the buildings and bushes on the sidewalks as I moved, checking for anyone suspicious. After a while, my muscles burned, but slowing wasn’t in the cards.

I wasn’t even sure if I’d make it as the address was on the other side of town. Staying low and out of any area with cameras made for slow progress.

By lunch time I was only about halfway. Counting what cash, I had on me left me with very few options. I bought a pack of chips and a water at a corner shop.

Hiding in a brush, I rested my body and appreciated the little food. Looking at the sun”s movement, I knew I would be spending the night outside. Getting up, I proceeded with the hope that I would at least get closer to my end destination before complete darkness.

As night finally set in, I estimated I was about twenty to thirty blocks away. I found a secluded spot in an alley hiding behind some dumpsters and settled in for the night. It had been ages since I had slept outside in fear for my life. It brought back a lot of memories I had long forgotten, and my sleep was filled with demons.

Waking in the early hours, I started moving again. I felt sure that I would reach my destination before lunch, hoping that Ben hadn’t betrayed me a second time.

Nearing the location, I slowed down to survey the area. I felt my heart pushing up my throat. Between me and the entrance stood a couple of thugs. I thought they had to be from one or the other Mafia group. They weren’t beggars or street people. Their clothing was rugged but too neat, and something about their posture just screamed at me.

I didn’t know them and couldn’t be sure if they could be living in the area, but I wasn’t going to take any chances. The buildings in this area were mostly rundown, doors and windows were smashed, there were no gardens and most of the houses looked deserted. This wasn’t the type of place I would visit or be caught in under normal circumstances. But the events forced my hand.

Pulling my hoodie further down over my face, I walked briskly hoping to pass them without an issue. As I started to pass , one guy tapped the other on the chest. “That’s her, let’s go.”

I started running as dread snuck in and turned the blood in my veins to ice. Glancing back as I ran across the street, I saw them gaining on me. I wouldn’t be able to enter the house as they would surely follow. Who knew what would happen then?

Glancing over my shoulder as I turned away from the entrance to the property before me, my foot caught on the curb, and I went sprawling forward.

Putting out my hands, I managed to save my head from colliding with the stone curb. I slid forward, taking off the outer layer of skin from my palms. Coming to a stop, I knew there was no time to fuss about my bleeding hands. My clothing also looked atrocious now, dirty and ripped. I would now fit in, I thought, glancing down.

Jumping to my feet, I felt pain shooting through my left leg. I thought to myself, this, too, would have to wait as I took off again. After taking a step or two, I started hobbling along as the throbbing in my leg increased. Glancing back again, I felt the blood drain from my body as the two men were on my heels.

The one had pulled a gun and was trying to aim it at me. This came from trusting strangers, I thought as my heart tried to smash through my ribs. Heaving as I moved, I knew this day wouldn’t end well. My lungs burned almost as much as my leg, I was battling to breathe, and my head felt light.

The chase hadn’t progressed far when a gunshot vibrated through the air. I froze and lifted my hands slowly. Turning, I saw an elderly man standing on the curb by the house I was heading to. He screamed something at the two thugs and started shooting at them.

Noticing they were now running in the opposite direction, I collapsed to the ground heaving heavily. Thankful for the interruption but still shaking from fear I sat in a heap. I wasn’t sure if I should go to this place Ben had sent me and if it was safe. The man walked over to me and stopped a couple of feet away.

“You’re the hacker?” the man inquired in a low, deep tone. His graying beard seemed to be one with the little hair he had left on his head as it appeared to surround his face. He wore a large dark brown overcoat and brown slacks. Even though his clothing seemed worn, his black pointy shoes shined and looked brand new.

Shaking my head, he waved for me to follow. Dusting myself off as I rose, I reluctantly contemplated my chances on the street.

“Sorry, sir,” I called after the man as he entered the property, heading for the door. He stopped and turned to me. “Do you know who those men were and where I can find Ben?” I questioned.

“Yes, yes,” he replied, glancing over his shoulder. “Come inside. It’s not safe out here.”

Scanning the area around us, the street appeared quiet. Those two men were surely Bratva, and they may come back. Entering the yard, I moved little by little as I couldn’t shake this feeling of impending doom. The man walked ahead of me as we entered the rundown house.

There was a long hallway with stairs to the right leading up and two entranceways on the left of the passage before us. We moved down it to the open room ahead. The room appeared to be a kitchen with broken cupboards, shelves, and a small island in the middle. There were three people seated around the island.

“Come, come, have a seat.” The man said, pointing to the island as he moved around it. My heart was racing, and I felt a slight tremor run through my body. Something was off, but I couldn’t place the feelings.

Moving forward at a snail”s pace, I kept my eyes fixed on the seated inhabitants. As I closed in on the island, I noticed the one pulling out a knife and lowering it to his side. To my right was what I hoped was a backdoor and a way out should I need to run.

“Where’s Ben?” I asked abruptly as I came to stand on the side of the island. It seemed that the three seated were one female and two men. The woman sat on the stool closest to me. Their clothing looked worse than mine, and I noticed their hands and faces were dirty. They made me think of street kids, beggars, and thieves.

I was out of place here; I may be a hacker, but I was nothing like these people. I never associated with people who would stab you in the back for a penny, and that is what I thought of them.

Turning her head toward me, the woman who was younger than me whispered in an airy voice. “He’s not coming, love. You are the target.” Her words had barely filled the air when the two men slid off their seats.

Knowing trouble when I was faced with it, I turned on my heels and pushed out through the door. Stumbling onto a broken porch, I almost fell over the lifted floorboards. Managing to stay upright, I headed for the back fence. It was in ruin, and there were only a couple of places where it still stood.

“Come back, young lady,” the man called after me. “Ben said you need to face the music.”

Glancing back as I wiggled through the pieces of fencing, I saw the other three pursuing me. As I stepped through, I screamed back at him. “You tell Ben this is his doing, and he will pay!”

Clutching my backpack, I picked up some stones and threw them at the first one, trying to follow me through the fence. As he ducked back in, I turned and ran. I didn’t look back and ran sideways, up, and down streets, through yards and buildings until my legs burnt and I couldn’t breathe anymore.

My leg, my head, and my heart were pounding. I felt the excruciating pain as the adrenaline started to wear off.

Cowering behind some dump bins, I pull out my phone. With no other options, I made a call to Pedro. I didn’t know him well; he worked for shady people, but if anyone could help, it would be him. We had a one-night stand last year, but he wasn’t the kind of man I usually hung around with. Yet, we kept in touch now and then.

I listened as it rang, my heart beating in my ears as I took a couple of deep breaths. “Pedro,” I heaved out as the ringing stopped.

“Hey there, sunshine,” his voice echoed through the speaker. “How are you doing, I heard you got some trouble, is that true? How can I help?”

“Yes, Pedro, I need help, please.”

“I heard through the grapevine you gotten yourself into a sticky mess.” He replied.

“Please, this wasn’t my doing, I need a place to lay low,” I asked quietly.

“Mmm…”

“Pedro, what does that mean?” He was my last hope; if he couldn’t help, I didn’t know where I would go.

“Well,” he replied, sounding excited. “I can assist on one condition.”

“Please, Pedro, please, anything, you have to help me,” I begged, disgusted at the hint of desperation in my voice.

“Okay, okay, but you have to give me another shot, just one more time with you in exchange for safety, dol,” the lust dripped from his voice and made me shiver.

I couldn’t believe my ears; did he really expect me to sleep with him again? I sat contemplating the situation, and my fate. He wasn’t that bad, but I didn’t like people who thought the world revolved around them.

“You still there dol? This is a limited offer, you know,” Pedro spat through the phone.

Glancing around, I knew there was no other option. “Yes,” I said reluctantly.

“Sorry, can you repeat that? I didn’t hear you clearly?” Pedro retorted.

Pulling my face into a scrunch as my heart sunk to my feet, I replied louder. “Yes, Pedro, I said yes, now please help me.”

Chuckling, he asked me where I was and then gave me directions to an address.

“When you get there, ask for the boss. Tell him I sent you, and he will assist you. You got that?”

“Yes, yes,” I replied quickly and hung up. If I didn’t move soon, someone would surely come upon me here. The day was moving along quicker than I had anticipated, and soon, it would be night again. I didn’t want to be outside another night.

Staying low and as covered as possible, I moved a bit slower, heading to the location Pedro gave me. After going about eight or so blocks, I noticed I was no longer in the same territory. Ducking behind some bushes on the corner, I surveyed the area.

I knew I was still in Miami, but I felt sure I had just entered the territory of the most feared Bratva in all the states. Moving inward as directed, I saw the cars parked outside this club. There was no more doubt. I now knew that I had entered their territory.

Moving in behind an old coffee shop, I sat for a while contemplating my life. Was the danger this area held worth the risk? What if Pedro lied like Ben? I felt tears running softly down my cheeks and rubbed ferociously at them. This wasn’t the time to turn soft, I scolded myself quietly. I couldn’t even be sure which information Ben leaked and who it belonged to.

Looking down at my hands, I noticed they were covered in dust, sand, and filth. I could only imagine the lines they had left on my face after rubbing my cheeks and eyes. My heart was beating in my throat, and my legs felt numb from all the running. I couldn’t look for another place, I knew I had to trust that Pedro actually wanted me, and he wasn’t lying.

Maybe I could find safety here or not, but running was over. I needed rest and could only hope they weren’t looking for me or knew who I was.

“To hell with it,” I said out loud, moving out from the dark corner. I waited for the traffic to decrease before moving over the street and heading to the address he had given. It wasn’t far now, only about three or four blocks. I felt sure of it. I could see no immediate danger, and most people just scurried past me without even a look.

Rounding the corner two blocks up, I saw the big neon sign just up the street. Almost there, I told myself as I lowered the hoodie further and focused on the pavement. My legs felt like lead and appeared to get heavier as I got closer to the gambling den.

I had no other hope, the situation Ben had gotten me into was life or death. I chose life, so I would just walk in and ask for the boss as directed. Stepping up to the door, the valet gave me a strange look. I was sure he was wondering what someone so dirty was doing here.

Ignoring him, I walked through the large double glass doors. Inside, I was met with more disgusting stares, and two guards quickly came over.

“Can we help you with something? Are you lost?” One of them asked as they stepped in front of me.

Glancing up, I saw the guns at their sides. Both were quite large men with short hair, black suits, and no facial hair. They looked more like they could have been clients if not for the weapons. I didn”t know what the mafia looked like, but these men surely weren’t thugs.

Straightening out, I spoke up. “I’m looking for the boss.” I hoped my voice was calm enough to sound professional and didn’t portray the fear I felt bouncing through me.

“May we ask who’s wanting to see him?” the other guard inquired, sounding less threatening than the first.

“You can tell him Pedro sent me, please,” I replied feeling a bit more confident. At least they didn’t throw me out or shoot me.