-Beneath the street light, just opposite the airport entrance, a black sedan is parked, and from within a man is keeping his binoculars trained on Wolf’s car, as it comes back out of the check point. The glow of his cigarette tip illuminates the face of the mystery man, as the binoculars follow the direction of the speeding Porsche. Slowly, the agent lowers his hands, and sets down the binoculars upon the leather upholstery, before taking out his cellphone and tapping in a few numbers.
“Питер … Волк покидает аэропорт. Он не попасть на борт самолета с Ури и Viper.”
(translation : “Peter…Wolf is leaving the airport. He did not get on board the plane with Uri and the Viper.” )
Seated in a plush restaurant, the Russian operative takes the call, while dining with gorgeous auburn headed hostess by the name of Nikita. He was just about to tuck into his steak dinner, when the cellphone rang, so this changed the mood at the table almost instantly. Peter rips out the napkin that he has tucked into his collar, and smacks his lips angrily, to hear this most disturbing report.
“Что вы имеете в виду, он не попасть на самолет? GAH! Ли он с ума? Есть ли у него Deathwish?”
(translation: What do you mean, he didn’t get on the plane? GAH! Is he mad? Does he have a deathwish? )
Taking down the details of the speeding Porsche, he starts to relay them to Peter, who shakes his head violently.
“Нет .. нет нет нет. У меня есть его номер. Я буду обращаться с этим!’
(translation: “No…no no no. I have his number. I shall handle this!”)
Peter presses the red button on his phone, while his date for the evening stares down at her dinner, realizing that its about to get cut short. But what Peter says next, chills her to the bone.
“That mad…Wolf. He was supposed to get Ayalah out of the compound, with Lotus and leave the country. End of mission….NOW, he is going back. Foolish young pup.”
Nikita reaches for her glass of wine and downs it in a trice, for she is well aware of the mission, and just where Ayalah had been kept. She sets down the glass with trembling fingers, almost knocking it over. Peter holds up a finger to silence her, if she is going to speak in public of what she knows. Scrunching up her napkin with her left hand, she leans forward and mouths;
“He is going back…to Yuri’s compound?”
Her green eyes were incredulous, having hoped this would be the last she would hear about that dreaded place. Peter stared at her for a moment, holding her gaze and with pursed lips he made an audible grunt, that enforced his will to have her stay quiet. Sliding his finger over his phone, he searched for Ira’s number, coming up trumps and pressed to connect the call, while other patrons had now shown an interest in the commotion they were causing. The phone rang three times, and then a miracle as Ira answered. You could hear the growl of the engine of the Porsche in the background, and the stereo on full bore, belting out some odd Russian rock anthem. Peter tried to keep his temper intact, but he could not help say what he did.
“Yes…Wolf, its me, Peter.. You think you could just waltz back into the country. You were meant to get on that plane. Now…tell me you are not going back to that fucking compound.”
Weaving through the motorway traffic, Wolf’s eyes were transfixed with the road ahead of him, his mind filled with that of Lotus, who had been left behind without regard by Ayalah, in the lair of a madman. Wolf could hear the angry and frustration in Peter’s voice, but Wolf was now determined. He should never have left her behind in the first place.
“There is more to this, Peter. More than you could possibly understand. I can’t leave her behind. Lotus should never been sent in the first place.”
“Is she worth sacrificing your life for….your career? Our government will deny everything. You know what Uri is capable of to those that disobey orders.”
“Fuck him!….Fuck him and his fucked up piece of trash daughter!”
This last sentence from Wolf had Peter looking confused. ~Daughter?~ Nikita could hear Wolf yelling from where she sat on the other side of the table, and made a face at the language. Also the fact he was speaking in English, had other patrons taking even more notice. Nikita quickly snatched up her purse, and then snapped her fingers for the bill, since Peter was now standing up and getting ready to march out of the restaurant.
“You are not doing this alone. I don’t know what is going on now, but you will meet with me and my assistant…tonight. I will give you the location, and you programme it into the GPS, and meet me there in one hour. ….I am getting too old for this, Wolf.”
The waiter brought over the bill folder, which Nikita opened and quickly signed off for, along with her credit card. Waiting by the table, putting on her coat, she listened to Peter give the rendezvous address, and heard him sign off, still growling about missing his dinner. The waiter brought back the receipt, and Nikita pocketed it, as the pair headed to the door together, both clearly in a hurry.
Peter huffed, placing on his hat before they exited the restaurant, casting Nikita a sideways glance.
“This was not the plan ever, my dear. I know this is the last place you would ever want to go. But that boy is going to need help, and intelligence from one that knows these scum.”
Swallowing hard, Nikita’s face said it all, like she had just had a knife plunged into her very heart.
“Very few make it out of there alive, Peter…..I should know.”
Silently, Peter nodded, and gestured for Nikita to get into their car, holding the door open for her. Once she was in and settled, he slammed it shut. This was now a dangerous game. No longer about government agents, but the rescue of one that was purposely left behind, in the clutches of a mad man. Was she even alive? Was she worth fighting for?
Writer : CharlotteCarrendar
The Jackal was displeased in Ira’s defiant act, watching him get into the stolen car and speeding off after hurling obscenities at the pair. Slowly he lowered his right arm, and then re-holstered his firearm into the keeper inside his jacket. Ayalah continued to coo in Uri’s ear whilst running her nails down Uri’s back in an effort to sooth his temper. The cocky Israeli knew that Uri would not stand for such insolence from the reckless agent, who had just thrown away his career and all for the sake of a Japanese girl who was probably dead. The flight attendant came to the top of the stairs, just shy of the plane’s entrance and uttered;
“The Captain has said it is time to go, while we still have clearance.”
A sense of urgency in her voice, with her light blue eyes staring at the couple on the tarmac. The Hostess, dressed smartly in a navy blue uniform, also happened to be one of Uri’s agents. The blonde haired beauty extended her hand to gesture the pair to come aboard, urging them, while the pilot was going through the last of the pre-flight checks.
Uri snorted loudly, his face dark and with his heavy eyebrows knitted together, he then looked as though he had smelt something awful. And that awful was coming from Ayalah. Turning his head towards her, his nose wrinkled up, and he gripped the edge of her chin, with his thumb and forefinger, before saying with a growl in his tone.
“You smell like piss and a dead man’s jizz. Do NOT touch me again until you have washed. Now…get on the plane!” Uri pushed her face with his fingers as if trying to get her away from him, sensing she was indeed unclean after the months locked up in Yuri’s compound. Spinning on the ball of his right heel, he marched up to the stairs of the plane and reached the top, where he asked the flight attendant. “Get me a hot towel…and anti-bacteria hand wash. “ The young attendant nodded about to follow Uri on the plane, when he bellowed. “AND MAKE SURE VIPER IS CLEANED BEFORE SHE JOINS ME!” The attendant smirked as she glanced back down at the tarmac to the now fuming and humiliated Ayalah. “You heard him…get on board and I show you to the shower.” Ayalah tugged at the sack like dress she was wearing and headed up the stairs, only to have the flight attendant hold her own nose, as Ayalah passed her. “Ooo you do smell bad.” Ayalah rounded on the flight attendant and growled. “Shut up!” The angered Israeli disappeared inside the plane, as the flight attendant chuckled and closed the cabin door.
Before Ayalah could even think about the shower, the Captain’s voice came over the intercom, instructing all to take their seats and buckle in as the gulfstream prepared for takeoff. The flight attendant directed Ayalah to the seat beside her, rather than having her stink out the main cabin, where Uri was seated. Uri was staring out the oval window and looking out to the maintenance crew that were waving flags to get the plane ready to taxi out onto the runway. Though to him, this mission was a success to bring back his Viper, what he was not happy about was losing his Wolf, and the Lotus doing her final mission. Two for one, was it worth the price? As much as he loved Ayalah, he also loved being in control of these people’s lives. For one to have the balls and stare down the barrel of a gun, and more or less tell him to fuck off, was an insult he found hard to bare. Was he losing his touch? Had the Jackal lost his bite? Uri reached up and ran a finger along one of the deep creases in his forehead. Time was not being kind, nor his friend. He smacked his lips and said simply;
“Botox..I think I will get some…”
The jet engines fired up and the plane shuddered slightly, while the radio chatter from the control tower could be heard in deep Russian voices. In the flight attendants section, the blonde attendant was spraying some air freshener about, as she was finding the scent of Ayalah to be on the nose. Ayalah smacked the flight attendant’s arm, which was not the worst she could have done, at least for now, but clearly the attendant didn’t seem to care. Ayalah was ripe enough to make a man gag. The flight attendant took a breath and held it, while Ayalah folded her arms in annoyance. She couldn’t wait to have a shower and wash the scum and stain from her body; remove all traces of the foul men of Yuri and be acceptable once more to her Uri.
Finally the gulfstream was given clearance to take off, and the jet roared down the runway taking off into the wintry night sky, leaving behind the mess caused by those of the Death Club. The seat belt sign switched off, and Ayalah was finally able to make her way to the shower cubicle on board, where she would also find a change of clothing, shoes and makeup, as well as personal hygiene products. Ayalah practically tore off the sack like dress and tossed it in the trash bin, before stepping under the hot spray of water, and closing the frosted folding door. To even have a shower itself was a blessing, and she realized as she stood under the spray that she was free. However, whilst lathering the soap in her hands, a cruel expression pained her face. More than ever now, she wanted vengeance against those that landed her in that foul cell of Yuri’s in the first place. The steam rose up around her, and she rubbed the soap into every part of her body, cleansing herself, while she could not wash away the stain of the memory of the foul Boris. Ayalah grit her teeth remembering him licking her out and how she actually got off on it. The disgusting pig deserved the death wish he got for his efforts. Ayalah turned and tipped her head back, the water dousing her hair flat, and she vigorously washed with a sweet smelling shampoo. It felt so good; the hot water practically scalding, but at the same time invigorating to her senses.
Stepping out and wrapping the towel around her svelte and dripping body, she caught sight of herself in the small basin mirror, and wiped her hand over the glass. This was the first time she had seen herself in over a month, and the effects of her captivity were obvious. Sunken cheeks, dark rings under her eyes. Ayalah looked tired. The Israeli poked at her right cheek with her finger, and then made goose lips at herself. Things were going to get better, once she had recovered from her ordeal. A nice spot in a health spa; being waited on hand and foot by gorgeous men in tight white shorts…and not much else. This caused her to chuckle softly. Oh yes…the Viper would be back. There was no mistaking that.
Emerging from the bathroom, Ayalah was once again the picture of elegance and refinement, as well as smelling a lot sweeter than when she went in. The Flight attendant appeared smug as she served Uri a glass of gin and tonic, then took the tray up under her arm and enquired;
“Would Madame like to see the drink’s list, or shall I just bring a bottle and a straw?” The Flight attendant chortled, but seems she spoke too soon, for Uri shot her THAT look.
“Get her a white wine, and bring back a plate of the select cheeses. That will be all, Misty.”
The flight attendant pouted and sashayed back to the galley, as Ayalah took her seat across from Uri and snarled as she glanced back over her shoulder at the flight attendant’s ass.
“You’re fucking her, aren’t you?” Ayalah said with a nasally whine, much to Uri’s annoyance. He simply picked up his crystal glass and twirled his wrist. “Do I share my love life with you normally, Viper?” It was a fair question, and one that had Ayalah slink back. “For that matter, do I hassle you about your nocturnal pursuits?….Exactly. So let us leave such talk behind us, and you can fill me in on the compound. As you know, I am not entirely pleased to lose Wolf. He was…is a good man. I treated him like a son.” Uri placed his crystal glass back on the table, then sat back and gazed at Ayalah with intent. He wanted to know exactly what happened during the escape, and perhaps an insight into what spurred Ira to turn traitor. The flight attendant waltzed back with the glass of wine steady on the tray, and bent forward, extending her arm to offer the glass to Ayalah. Not entirely pleased to see the haughty attendant again, Ayalah took up the glass, and gave a quick nod as if to dismiss her silently, but then uttered a low hissing sound; her teeth gritted together menacingly. Uri watched the carry on, and tipped his head back and laughed.
“Viper…you really must learn to steady your temper. Why be jealous of a simple flight floozy, eh? Not like you. Now…come, tell me all that I want to know.” Uri waved the flight attendant away with the flick of his wrist; his gold swiss made watch glinting in the artificial light. Ayalah raised the glass to her lips and tipped her head back slightly, taking a mouthful of the wine, and letting it roll around in her mouth before swallowing. She then toyed with the stem of the glass, staring at the golden coloured liquid, before uttering softly;
“That Russian Scum; Yuri. Foul beast of a man. Tortures and rapes women; treating them like cattle locked in cages for his use, or that of his clients. From what I am to understand, he sought to have me raffled off to a high bidder. I was fortunate, only got bitch slapped twice by his rabid dog of a woman, Sasha…I think her name was. “ Ayalah paused for a moment, licking her bottom lip, and staring directly now at Uri before continuing. “I got the word that the Wolf and Lotus were coming. I knew you would not let me down, so it was a matter of time. Course, one of the guards decided he would take his chance. Wanted to bed me….” The Israeli pursed her lips and stared out the window, while Uri drummed his heavily jewelled fingers on his arm rest. “Go on…don’t stop now, Viper. My girl never runs from a fight. You killed him, yes? ”
Ayalah shrugged her shoulders and pouted. Not exactly keen to explain how far that horrid man; Boris had got. “A small sacrifice for greater gain. Letting him get so far…enabled me to get out of that shoe box of a cell. Let’s just say…he is now a permanent reminder there of my visit.” You could hear the venom dripping off each word, and this made Uri smile with delight. She had not lost any of her bite and for this he was proud. “Good good. So…that clears up how you got out of the cell, then …how did you manage to get out of the grounds? Did Wolf help you?” This was the part that even Ayalah found bizarre. Setting down the wine glass, Ayalah then eased back and crossed her left leg over her right elegantly, whilst draping her right arm over the neighbouring chair. “A woman…dressed like a ninja of all things. She was the one that kept me hidden till Wolf finally showed up. Even gave directions on how to leave the compound, where to find the cars, the keys. Feisty bitch too. Remind me to slap her the next time I am sent to Russia on a mission. Heh.” Ayalah was starting to feel her confidence rising once more, for she felt a renewed sense of worth, now that she could tell her tale of her daring escape.
Uri then slammed his fist on the arm rest, breaking Ayalah’s concentration, and she looked up to see he was now angry about something. “What?” She asked, curious to this sudden change in his demeanour. “What…happened to Wolf? Why is he out there…searching for Lotus? Eh? He should have known that Lotus was on a one way mission? Why has he gone so soft?” Ayalah shrugged at first, clearly not understanding his anger. “Who knows…maybe he fell in love with little Miss Tokyo….how should I know? Probably a bigger slut than her mother….” Ayalah trailed off till she felt the slap of Uri’s hand across her face, leaving a huge welt. “Don’t you EVER speak of her mother that way…do I make myself perfectly CLEAR?!” Uri roared loudly, getting right in Viper’s face. Truth be told, Uri was actually in love with Lotus’s mother…very much so. Of all the women he wanted to keep, it was her. Wounded…Ayalah rubbed her cheek softly, wondering what had set him off, then a vile look came over her face. “I know what your problem is. SHE would not bow to you! She would never love you! That is why you sent her off on those whacked missions. HUH? You wanted Lotus to replace her mother….and she wouldn’t do it!” Uri leapt out of his chair and placed both hands around Ayalah’s throat, tightly digging in his nails, the very veins in his eyes bulging as he started to choke Ayalah with all his might.
As the Porsche sped out of the compound gates with the dust and debris flying up behind it throwing up a choking cloud, it would not go unnoticed by one of the guard patrols, that had a Jeep stationed near the gate. Ayalah drove like a fiend with her tongue licking her lips, changing up gears and then glancing back over her shoulder to see if the Jeep patrol car would follow. The wily Israeli’s laughter was starting to annoy the hell out of Ira, who was still kicking himself for leaving Lotus behind. The Porsche sped past the returning fleet of cars that contained Yuri and his men, along with Mia and now Steven too. Seeing them as Ayalah planted her foot on the excelorater, s he threw her head back and whooped loudly.
“Not..Ever getting touched by those fuckers again!” Ayalah yelled out, as she reached for the power on button for the car stereo, and it started pumping out Rammstein. Ayalah smacked her hand upon the steering wheel in time with the beat. Flicking on the high beam, the silver Porsche Cayman S illuminated the winding road ahead of them. She quickly checked the rear vision mirror, and could see the telltale lights of the jeep following. It would have been a few hundred metres behind them, obviously alerted by Yuri that one of his prized girls had made a daring escape. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, she tossed a look at Ira, who was simply sitting with his arms folded, and eyes closed. “What is with you, eh? You did your mission. Stop with the sour face, eh? Now hang on, while I give these boys a thrill. Woot!”
One of the guards in the Jeep coming behind them, opened his window, and leaned out, starting to open fire on the Porsche. The steady ~tink..tink tink…~ sound could be heard crackling through the dark of night. Ira angrily unfolded his arms, and hit the button for the sun roof, to slide back. The sudden whip of wind that entered the speeding Porsche tossed Ayalah’s hair around but she didn’t seem to care, continuing to drive like a woman possessed. The winding road was narrowing, as it rounded a cliff edge. The Porsche was taking the corners hard; almost drifting with the delicious roar of the 3.4 litre engine. This was now a dangerous game that Ayalah was playing. The jeep behind them was gaining, and with the passenger taking shots at the Porsche, they needed to act fast. Ira turned around on his seat, and then on his knees, he rose up out of the sunroof, and with his Stechkin APS pistol drawn, he fired four shots at the Jeep behind them. One bullet going through the windscreen, and taking out the driver, who slouched forward upon the wheel. The guard that had been shooting, tried in vain to take control of the speeding Jeep, but it began to slide across the road, then jack-knifed when hitting the side of the mountain. This caused it to spin out of control and with the guard screaming in Russian, the jeep careened over the edge of the other side of the road, bursting into flames. This illuminated the whole area behind them, as the car sped on. Turning and slouching back down into his seat, holding the smoking gun, he snarled at Ayalah, who found the whole incident now incredibly funny. Both hands on the wheel, she didn’t even look at him as she powered the Porsche on. Only saying;
“Uri will be indebted to you, Wolf. Who knows, he might get you a nice woman to please you on the plane for the return flight to Prague, eh?”
Hearing Ayalah speak this way, Ira toyed with the gun in his hand thinking only how he had left behind the woman who he realised meant more to him than just a mission partner. Taking another bend, Ayalah sped up and pressed the button to close the sun roof. “I think you liked the Lotus…am I right?” Ayalah teased. She could tell by his body language that she had dented his armour with her remark. Mocking a pout, Ayalah continued. “Oh Wolf….girls like her are very easy to find. Why Tokyo is full of them.” Ira shot Ayalah a look that was menacing. You could hear the audible growl in his voice. Clearly her antics were grating on his nerves. “You are a real bitch, you know that? Lotus is the reason you are out of that hell hole.” Ayalah appeared to shrug her shoulders, truly not caring. Eyes focused on the night road ahead of them, hands tightly clenching the wheel. She chortled. “I was already making my way out when you arrived, so don’t give me that…bullshit, that the Japanese cunt saved my life…okay?” Ayalah had enough of the conversation, as it seemed that Ira had no sense of humour. Ayalah simply turned up the music and head banged as the car sped onwards towards Moscow. Ira reholstered his firearm, and then went back to staring out his passenger side window. His thoughts were of course, of Lotus. The night where she bared her soul to him and explained to him what Ayalah and Uri had done to her life. And now here he was speeding away from her and possibly having left her to die at the hands of Yuri and his thugs. At this point, Ira hated himself, and wondered if Lotus would ever forgive him, if she made it out alive. Perhaps he underestimated her, and in his mind hoped she would have got out of there. But he had no way of knowing, and now driving down the highway with the one woman that Lotus despised over all others.
The Porsche was fitted with a GPS and also had a satellite phone, and Ayalah didn’t waste any time at all, plotting the course to the airport. One way or another, she planned to get out of Russia tonight. Tossing Ira the satellite phone, she barked at him. “Contact our Russian counterpart, and advise Uri we are on our way. He should have organised the flight. I am so looking forward to seeing Uri again. Mmm…I wonder if he will wear his special cologne.” For a moment, Ira twitched at her words, and slowly turned his head back around to her. The artificial lighting of the dash illuminated her face, and she appeared to be oddly smug, talking about Uri. Catching the phone, he started to press the number in for Boris, who happened to have left the ball some time before. He answered in the first three rings. “Ah…Wolf, you got the Viper and Lotus. I have news…” Ira grit his teeth and snarled into the phone. “Just Viper and I…you can tell us about the news at the airport.” Boris seemed confused by this. With no mention of the Lotus, he feared the worst. “She was a good agent. I am sure Uri will make arrangements to contact her family.” This was when Ayalah burst out laughing, hearing Boris on the loud speaker in the car. “No..you idiot. Lotus…is a guest of Yuri. She won’t be coming home.” Boris could be heard to cough, then swear in Russian. But he knew that the news he had would not be helping Lotus at all. “Then…I see you comrades at the airport. Gate nine. We have an operative on the guard box. *he sighs, then says to Wolf*…she deserved better.” Hanging up, Boris got into his car, and made his way to meet with the incoming flight….of Uri himself. This was the news that he didn’t get the chance to say. Apparently, Viper means more to Uri than anyone could have imagined.
The last hour of the trip, was just the steady stream of heavy metal playing through the speakers. Ira was practically clawing his nails along the interior of the door. Anger rising even more now, while Ayalah was simply singing along with the radio. Every so often she wiggled in her car seat and let out an odd laugh. The more time Ira spent with her, the more he was starting to hate her. Lotus was right about her…but what was coming would shock him to the core. Pulling up finally at Gate nine, the car was checked over and on opening the window, the guard automatically recognised them both. “Proceed…hanger 12.” Closing the window, the Porsche drove slowly through the gate, then headed down for the right hanger, that the guard had advised. A small gulfstream jet had landed not long before, and as Ayalah pulled up the bullet riddled Porsche, the door to the plane opened, and guess who came down the stairs.
“Pappa!” Ayalah squealed, turning off the engine and undoing her seat belt. She was in such a hurry to get out, that even Ira was surprised. No one was usually this way with the Israeli chief. Ayalah opened her car door, and leapt out, not even bothering to shut it closed. The Red headed beauty ran up the tarmac, as Uri opened his arms to her, and then ….then…they started to kiss each other, like long lost lovers, who had not seen each other in years. Ira…just sat there..dumbfounded. ~WHAT WERE THEY DOING?!~ Uri ran his hands up and down her back, squeezing her ass cheeks forcefully, as she bent to his will. It was a sickening display, since…Uri was her father! “God…I think I’m going to be sick.’ Ira groaned. He didn’t even want to get out of the car, and face this disgusting duo. For a time, they seemed to forget he was even there.
Uri pulled back finally from Ayalah, cradling her in his arms, and she was like this…lovesick kitten with him. Slowly Ira undid his seatbelt and stepped out of the car, but not away from it. Uri showed a huge smile, as he had his arm around Ayalah. “Ah…the man of the hour. Yes…I am very very happy you got my Viper back. Now…if you would get on the plane, we are going back to Prague. Our business in this country is done. Come. We have your next mission to discuss. I have the brief.” Ayalah made a goose lips expression at Ira, pleased with herself…which had Ira clench his fists tightly. “No…” Just one word. The Israeli chief stopped for a moment, and jerked his head back towards where Ira stood near the car. “Wolf…you do not say no. YOU…COME WHEN I CALL YOU!” Uri started to raise his voice sharply, while Ayalah blew in his ear, trying to calm him down. Ira shook his head. “I am done…I no longer serve you….or the Israeli government. You two deserve each other. Seriously. But the woman who was left behind…is a far more worthwhile human being than either of you could match up to.”- He turned away and Uri pulled out a gun and pointed it at Ira’s back, the right side of his jaw twitching. “WOLF…I COUNT TO THREE..”- Wolf shrugged and got into the car, as the older man stood there…barking at him. “WOLF…you are a disgrace!” Wolf started the car and then smiled. “Go fuck your red haired slut of a daughter. I am saving Lotus. ASSHOLE” He started the engine and threw it into reverse, then sped away, as Uri looked on….furious. “That..is no man. He will die before he even reaches her.” Did he know something that Wolf didn’t? <3>
Easter/April Fool’s Day Special – Death Club Live Role play
A New cold war.
“Shadow Dancing”
Players:
LadyBelz
CharlotteCarrendar
Last time…
CharlotteCarrendar: – It was like God himself had flipped the switch and all the lights and power returned to the compound. Wolf ripped off his night vision goggles, as the sirens sounded loudly. “FUCK!” There was nothing for it, and Ayalah had already got in behind the wheel of the Porsche. “I will leave you behind, you big Dope.”- she snarled, as she started the engine. Part of Ira wanted to kill Ayalah himself at this point, but he had almost completed the mission, and now, he had to chose. Tossing his goggles away in anger, he got into the car beside her, just in time, as she threw the car into reverse and floored it, the car’s tires screaming as the car rocketed out of the garage and then did a 180 degree spin, spewing out vast quantities of burning rubber fueled smoke. Laughing madly, she hit the accelerator and the car took off down the drive, past the numerous guns that were firing from the bushes. Pinging sounds heard against the outer metal of the car, as she headed for the gates and freedom. Ira tossed his head back into the head rest and grit his teeth. He hated himself more than ever, and wondered, if she would ever forgive him, if Lotus got out alive. :: Back in the compound, the sudden burst of light had Lotus come to a halt. “Oh no..” Time was not her friend. Out in the open now, she was a sitting duck. Madly she ran back into the room where they first came in and grabbed back up her bag that she had brought with her. Everything she needed to make an escape. Still wounded as she tried to place the bag on her back, she staggered for the balcony entrance, where she did a right turn, and started running for the cliff face of the compound gardens. It was the only way.
LadyBelz: Gia ducked into alcoves as guards ran about, searching for downed comrades or possibly the person or persons who had caused all the chaos. Still covered in black, she was unnoticeable as she began searching for Lotus. She came across the decapitated guards and spotted the trail of blood leading out onto the veranda walkway overlooking the cliffs. “Shit.” she whispered to herself, drawing her knife – a just in case measure. Stepping stealthily through the doors, she checked the area thoroughly. There was no sign of Lotus. Using the lights from inside the compound, she looked around for the trail of blood and spotted it heading away from where she was standing. Quickly she made for the gardens, hoping it wasn’t too late…
CharlotteCarrendar: Lotus’s heart was in her mouth, as she saw the Porche speeding out of the grounds, tearing away into the night. They had left her behind, to suffer the fate of whatever Yuri and his men had in store for the Japanese spy. Blood dripped from her wound as she staggered along the veranda, hearing the sound of crashing waves, coming from the end of the landing. The Wind whipped up, and mixed with the shouts of the remaining guards, and the ricochets of bullets being fired at the car speeding away, she knew she didn’t have too many options left. Her hair spilling out from her bun as she ran, like a black torrent down her back, the bag was now weighing her down. Fearing for her life, she dropped the bag on the ground so she had enough strength to make it to the cliff edge. She didn’t look back, even if it meant she would be shot from behind..
LadyBelz: Lotus had a good head start but didn’t know the compound as well as Gia did. Ignoring the guards that were occupied inside and out in front of the compound, she quickly followed the trail of blood, noticing the little droplets were getting larger and thicker the further she traveled. A sound made her glance up and she spotted her quarry as she tossed some bag away from her in order to not be bogged down. Her right arm seemed to be hanging listless at her side. Gia picked up the pace, gaining ground quickly behind the fleeing woman. “Lotus! Wait!” Gia took a chance and called out the young woman’s name. The alarm was still blaring so it was doubtful she was heard.
CharlotteCarrendar: Ten feet from the edge, the balcony of Roman columns were the only thing stopping people from toppling over the edge and plummeting into the sea. Down far below, the roar of the waves, as they crashed against the rocks was almost deafening. Lotus could no longer have feeling in her right arm, as her shoulder had been seriously damaged by the gun shot wound. Suddenly, there were footsteps, running. Someone was running after her. Flashes of memory flickered through her mind as she made the final few steps. Then a voice; “Lotus! Wait!” Someone called her code name. Blinking tears, she whipped her head back around, to see the outline of a woman, then getting closer she was dressed like that of the Crow. Terrified it was one of Yuri’s people, she cried out. “I jump!”
LadyBelz: “I jump!” Gia heard the woman’s breathless and panic-filled warning. She stopped a few feet away. “Lotus…I only want to help you. You have to trust me now. Can you do this?” Gia asked, slowly putting her knife away and holding out her hand. “You can not jump, not from this height. The rocks below will rip you to shreds. There is an easier way to be free from this place but you have to trust me.” Gia pleaded with the young woman, hand held out, almost in supplication.
CharlotteCarrendar: :- All Lotus’s life, she had been betrayed, by each single person she had ever loved. Even Ira left her to die. Why now, would a saviour come to her aid, just as she was staring death in the face. Her face showed the torture of years of abuse and neglect, and the trust was just not there. Eyes brimming with tears. She took a look back down at the tumultuous sea, that would ravage her body, and wash her away like the stain that she was. There was only one way…and she slowly took her katana off her back with her left hand, and sank to her knees. As the woman would watch on, most likely horrified by this, Lotus, with one hand, turned the blade, so the tip would face her stomach. She had no honour, she had no true family, for she could never call Uri or Ayalah that. Her head dropped, as she tried to force the blade through her chest with one hand, as her body sagged.
LadyBelz: Gia watched in horrified shock at what she was about to do, paralyzed. She could not let this happen. She had made a promise and she was not about to break it. “No!” she cried out, running full out toward the girl. When she was close enough, she kicked out, striking the hilt of the katana with the heel of her boot, praying that she was not too late.
CharlotteCarrendar: – The tip of the blade starts to penetrate her clothing, and then she feels the tear of skin, when all of a sudden, the woman who is watching the closing of the lotus, kicks the katana out of Lotus’s hand and it clatters to the ground, the tip of the blade coated in her blood. Lotus’s head wobbles slightly, then rises as she views the woman who screamed “No!” at her. Sirens blaring and the roar of the sound of a fleet of cars, meant one thing….they were coming back from the Ball. Shuddering, Lotus extended out a blooded hand to the woman and then collapsed upon the ground.
LadyBelz: Gia hears the screech of tires out front and could hear Yuri yelling “Vhat zee fuck ees zees bullsheet?” She turned back to Lotus just as the young woman lost the fight with consciousness. “Dammit.” she swore. She had much to do and precious little time to do it in. First things first, she grabbed up the katana and backtracked to the bag that had been tossed away and quickly hid them where no one would find them, beneath a cluster of rocks that made up the north wall of the garden. She grabbed up the unconscious woman, careful of her injuries and got her up over her shoulders in a fireman’s carry. She turned back the way they had come, knowing time was precious, but the library was the quickest route back to the servant’s quarters, where she knew she could keep Lotus safe from Yuri and his men. Checking that no one was about, she slipped silently into the library and took the left hall into the servant’s wing. One of the other servant girls, who had bravely kept a watch out, saw her coming with her cargo, eyes wide. “What happened?” she whispered. “Not now. I must see to her safety but I need you to pick a few of the others that you trust to keep this secret to go to the main hall and clean up the blood trail leading to the gardens and to here. He has returned and he cannot find this woman or we are all dead. Do you understand me?” Gia’s tone brooked no argument and the girl, eyes wide with fright, nodded vigorously, hurrying down the hall to wake a few of the other servants for the task ahead. Gia got to her room without incident and carefully placed Lotus on her own bed. She ducked into the bathroom for medical supplies and water. Setting the items on the side table, she quickly ripped off the black silk top Lotus had been wearing and tossed it across the room. The wound from the katana blade was superficial and didn’t require her immediate attention. It was the gunshot wound that worried her and needed the most work. Ripping the shade off of her lamp so that she’d have more light to work with, she took up a pair of tweezers and began to probe the wound, checking to see if the bullet had lodged itself inside. Not finding anything, she turned the woman onto her side to see the exit wound in the back. Nodding, she took up the peroxide and poured half the bottle into the wound, taking a chance that this would knock the woman back into the land of the living, or make her groan in pain but remain unconscious.
CharlotteCarrendar: As Lotus hit the ground, she closed her eyes for what she thought was the last time. Would this be the moment, when God finally decided to let her end her suffering? Dazzling lights like fireflies danced about her in this state of unconsciousness. The beat of her heart became the final drums that led to the next life. Everything in her life started to show in her mind’s eye, but going backwards, in rapid time, as she stared down the pathway to the light….she glanced down beside her to see her five year old self, who reached out and took her hand. The little girl was smiling at her, and pointing to the light. That way…that way…Just up ahead, her mother stepped out from behind a tree and gestured for her to come. Take the journey into the light. Boom..boom..boom..Boom….Boom…her heart was still beating. The little girl started to pull on Lotus’s hand, trying to get her to walk faster. A blazing red light appeared from the other side of the track, and she could then hear voices. Two women talking; “Not now. I must see to her safety but I need you to pick a few of the others that you trust to keep this secret to go to the main hall and clean up the blood trail leading to the gardens and to here. He has returned and he cannot find this woman or we are all dead. Do you understand me?” In Lotus’s mind, the light was starting to fade, as the little girl broke her hand away and ran towards her mother. Lotus finally stopped walking and looked back behind her. Boom…Boom…Boom…Boom…”Misako…….” There was a god awful pain, that had her cry out in the real world, as she opened her eyes to see Gia hovering over her.
LadyBelz: Lotus’s eyes snapped open and caught Gia’s gaze. Gia stared back at her. “You are safe. No one will find you here. You are safe.” Gia whispered, returning to tending the gunshot would. It had stopped its furious bubbling and she used some water to wash away the blood. Grabbing up needle and thread, she began to stitch the wound closed, having done this many times for herself out in the field. Once the front wound was done, she again turned Lotus to her side to give the same treatment to the exit wound. She inspected her work, satisfied to see no oozing. She covered both with gauze and medical tape before wrapping her shoulder in a field bandage. She careful returned Lotus to her back and stood with a sigh. “If you can understand me, you must remain in this room until you are healed. Yuri cannot find you here, he does not come to this wing of the house. Once you are well, I will get you out of here safely.” There was a light tap on the door and drawing her knife, she turned toward it. “Yes?” she whispered. “It is me.” came the voice of the servant girl. Gia pulled the door open slightly and peeked through the crack. “We have done as you asked, but He is in a right state. He shot the Captain for his failure and they have another prisoner, a man, with them.” the girl stated. “What of the other girl…Mia?” Gia asked. The girl shook her head. “Dammit.” Gia snapped. She had been hoping that Mia would have gotten away while they were out, but it looked to not be the case. “Thank you. Back to bed with you now. And remember, you saw nothing.” The girl nodded and headed back to her own room. Gia closed the door and locked it before turning back to the bed. Despite the pain, Lotus looked to be staring at Gia in curiosity.
CharlotteCarrendar: “You are safe. No one will find you here. You are safe.” Gia continued to reassure Lotus, as she carried out cleansing the gunshot wound, which at this point was agonizing. With nothing to bite down on, Lotus grit her teeth, to stop herself from crying out further and giving away the fact she was there. Whilst the sewing of the wound was performed, Lotus stared at the woman, unsure of what to make of her. Surely she was risking everything just by helping her and hiding her in her room. Lotus still had no idea what to make of her, but she was in no position to argue. . “If you can understand me, you must remain in this room until you are healed.” Lotus finally knew what this meant. She had been double crossed by her half sister, Ayalah. Ira obviously in on it, had led her here purely to be the decoy as he rescued Ayalah for her Father, Uri. The more she thought of the whole plan, the more she realized she meant nothing to no one. A knock at the door, and Lotus had been eased on her back. Laying there, she listened to the two women converse again about Yuri returning. He may well tear the place apart looking for Ayalah, but maybe this woman knew more of the compound than she had imagined. On the closing of the door, the young girl dismissed, it was just Lotus and Gia again. The two staring at each other. Lotus finally spoke. “I am honoured you have helped me….but who do you work for? Why help me?”
LadyBelz: “I am honoured you have helped me….but who do you work for? Why help me?” came the hushed question. How was one to answer that without giving too much away. “I work for…a friend. And I help you because I can. Do not ask any more. You need your rest. When it is safe to do so, I will bring you something to eat.” Gia turned away, pulling off her top to reveal the stained wife beater underneath…stained with the blood of the Lotus no doubt. She sat down in the chair across the room to pull off her boots before standing again to strip off her pants. Standing only in her shirt and a pair of plain black underwear, she crossed the room to collect the supplies she used. She gave Lotus a piercing look, one of some deep suffering she had yet to reveal before she shook her head and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. The sounds of a shower starting made it to Lotus’s ears, but there was nothing beyond that. Who was Gia? And what was the look in her eyes for?
CharlotteCarrendar: – Told barely enough, Lotus had to stay quiet as instructed. Clearly the woman had been through an ordeal in the release of Ayalah, and now had the wounded Japanese girl in her room, that could well undermine her ability to do her job. Promised food, and assistance, Lotus simply nodded, but continued to watch her with wide eyed fascination. Following her movements, and she caught the look in her eyes. Haunting to say the least. It seemed that the pair, may well have something in common, but what? Only through sharing words, would they discover the truth behind the eyes. With the shower starting in the other room, and now Lotus was on her own, she turned over to stare at the wall, as in her mind, she plotted the destruction of the Viper and Uri…if she ever got out of this alive.
LadyBelz: When the alarms had started blaring, Yavin thought it was a drill so he ignored it at first and continued his patrol. It didn’t even concern him that Boris had been gone nearly an hour, supposedly to take a piss. It didn’t take anyone an hour to take a piss. He shook his head and made a mental note to speak to the Captain of the guards about Boris and his “tendancies”. When the lights went down and the reports started coming over the radio of shots being fired, Yavin went on high alert. He needed Boris and needed him now. Backtracking, glad that because of his patrols, he knew the compound like the back of his hand, he made his way quickly to Yuri’s study. Not wanting to alert anyone to his presence, he made his way around the room using the wall until he came to the fireplace mantel, wherein he encountered a problem. With the power cut, there was no way to open the door to the dungeons. “Fuck!” he swore [in Russian – translate later]. Thinking he’d try and pry the door open, he was surprised to find that the door was already open [meaning Ayalah got out before the lights were killed]. Grabbing a penlight from his pocket, he clicked it on and with his gun aimed and ready to fire, slowly descended.
CharlotteCarrendar:- Ira removed a pistol from his holster, as he followed the stone wall along, that led down a corridor, on its way towards the dungeons. The sounds of gunfire and shouting from above signalled that the remaining guards were in a panic, and were trying desperately to restore power and light to the compound. Ira’s head turned back, the greenish glow, illuminated his sight giving the corridor an eerie feel. He had his objective, first and foremost, and that was to get Ayalah out of the compound and to the airport as quickly as he could. A turn in the corridor, and from memory of the lap top image, he took the turn, and made sure to check first, by peeking around the corner, for signs of Yuri’s men. Heart pounding in his chest so loud it was deafening, he tried to regulate his breathing. Don’t panic. The wolf continued to make ground, each step poised and perfect. He soon reached an opened door, obviously a guard was also on the way down. There was no going back, he went through the door opening, and started his descent. In the dungeons, Ayalah was running, running past cells filled with women that were the pleasure slaves of Yuri. Many were screaming for help, for release, and she refused to stop. She was no saviour, she was the Viper. And only cared about herself. :: Two floors up, Misako had stepped out before two guards and then tilted her head, as she assumed a crouch, the blade held vertical. The stance of a Samurai, just as Ryu had taught her. The Lotus fell silent, and then poised for their attack. <3>
LadyBelz: Yavin paused in the middle of the stairwell, certain he had heard footsteps. He waited, breathing shallow, for the sound to come again. All he could hear was the distant shouting of the other girls begging to be let out. Ignoring that, he continued his descent. He reached the bottom and from memory, went right to check the guards rooms to make sure no one could be hiding there. As he did this, it would ensure that he and Ayalah didn’t cross paths. Gia, the young servant girl who had been instrumental in letting Ayalah know help was on the way, hid in a corner of the cells, her body encased in all black and her own night vision goggles perched upon her face. She held her gun at the ready and watched as Yavin turned toward the guards rooms. She liked Yavin, as he was one of the more nicer guards and would have hated to kill him if he had come across Ayalah before she could get away. As he was searching the rooms, she heard running and turned to see Ayalah running from the direction of the girls’ cells. She quickly gained her feet and went after the young woman. When she was close enough, she reached out and quickly slapped a hand over the woman’s mouth, hoping she wouldn’t scream or fight back.
CharlotteCarrendar:- Suddenly Ayalah felt a small hand, feminine clamp over her mouth and then her body being pulled into an alcove. Furious, she snarled through the hand, her hot breath upon the woman’s skin. The gun in her hand was cocked, however, it’s very hard to shot someone who is right in behind you. At that same time, the sound of another set of footsteps could be heard coming. Possibly a guard, and this is when the penny dropped. A guard would have shot her, why would a woman try to silence her? Holding her breath, she waited for the person that was approaching to come into view. Upstairs, Misako now had the attention of the two guards, who just made her outline in the darkness. “Come on girly. You should not be out of your cage.” Lotus took a deep breath, then started a sprint, her katana whirling, as she went to slash off the right hand of the first guard, with one swift stroke. The guard screamed as his gun hit the stone floor, his hand flipping alongside it, as Lotus went into another spin, and did a vertical slash with her blade, both hands gripping the tsuka, she sliced at the top of the head off the second guard, hoping to scalp him alive. <3>
LadyBelz: Pleased when Ayalah didn’t move a muscle, they stayed that way and through her goggles, watched as a second guard met up with Yavin just down the hall from them. “Yavin, is this drill?” the guard asked. “I do not think this drill, comrade. Get back upstairs, stay alert.” Yavin told him. The other guard nodded and headed off. Yavin decided to check Ayalah’s cell…he had a feeling that was where Boris had run off to. He passed within a few feet of the two women in the alcove, they could have reached out and goosed him. He continued on until he was out of sight and out of earshot. Gia waited a few more minutes before slowly removing her hand from where it covered Ayalah’s mouth. “You are armed, yes?” Gia whispered, the light of the goggles throwing Ayalah’s sweat-slicked face into sharp relief.
CharlotteCarrendar: – The woman’s voice was familiar, as the guard passed just within a hairs breath of them. You are armed, yes?” Gia removed her hand from Ayalah’s mouth, and Ayalah was ready to bite out in rage. “That fucker got in my cell…ugh, I can still feel his saliva on my clit. Ugh.”- she spun around and showed off the gun in her hand. “This is what I got for my troubles.”- she flicked her wrist, and then leered at the girl. “Get…me…the…fuck…out…of …here” Her voice hoarse from not having used it much in the past month. Coming down the stairs, Ira could hear someone coming back up. ~FUCK!~ He swore internally, backing to a wall, and then holding his firing arm out and pointed, ready to shoot the person who came around the winding staircase. :: The man who had just lost the top of his head, was showing off a sliced opened portion of his brain, as he sank to his knees, twitching and bringing up blood and vomit. It was a disgusting sight, as the Lotus went back into a defensive stance, her blade dripping in the crimson blood of her victim. The guard with the missing hand, was flailing about, blood spurting out upon the floor. <3>
LadyBelz : – “Get…me…the…fuck…out…of …here” Gia heard the woman growl. Nodding, she took the woman’s hand and after checking to see that the coast was clear, began leading Ayalah toward the stairs…Meanwhile, Yavin had reached Ayalah’s cell and the beam of light illuminated the dead guard laying in the hall, a single gunshot wound to the temple telling him more than enough. “Boris?” he hissed, getting a firm grip on his gun. He didn’t hear a sound from Ayalah’s cell and grew worried. “Boris? You better be dressed, you sonofabitch!” Yavin growled, stepping over the dead guard. He shined his light into the open door of Ayalah’s cell and froze in stupefied shock. Boris’s sightless eyes stared back at him, a congealing pool of blood turning the left side of his face into a crimson mask. He fumbled for his radio and clicked it on. “T47 to T3, come in!” he hissed. There was a short burst of static. “T3 here, report.” Yavin could not tear his eyes away from Boris’s dead body. “Boris is dead. The girl has escaped…and she is armed.” Yavin reported, tearing his eyes away and heading back toward the stairs. “Copy, T3! Get back up top! We need those lights back on!” was the reply. “I’m heading for the power breakers now. Out!” Yavin took off at a run, knowing that they needed to get things back under control before Yuri returned or they were all dead men.
CharlotteCarrendar: – In the stair well, Wolf could make out the approaching of possibly a guard’s footsteps coming closer around the winding staircase. With his arm stretched out and aimed, at the shadow that was getting closer and closer to his position, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. This could be Ayalah trying to escape, or possibly a guard. He would not know until he pulled the trigger. But the person was in a hurry, since the lack of power, meant the darkness was the ally of the enemy. Sure enough, as soon as the guard rounded the bend, Wolf took aim and then blasted two bullets, in rapid succession, going right through the forehead of the unlucky guard. The entire back section of his skull was blown off, and splattered, caking the wall behind him with matted hair, skin and skull fragments. The dead guard’s knees buckled, and he fell backwards, going down the few stairs, till coming to a stop, his blood continuing to flow down each step. Wolf lowered his arm and then leapt over the dead man’s legs and continued on to the ground floor, where he was sure to run into…the other guard who called in a report. But where was Ayalah? <3>
LadyBelz: As the two women headed for the stairs, there was the report of gunfire above them. Gia froze, waiting, the grip she had on Ayalah’s hand going tight. There was a thudding noise and a dead guard fell at their feet, a large hole in his head. Gia’s gun went up, hoping Ayalah’s did the same behind her. A moment later, an armed man stepped into the light of her goggles and her finger clenched on the trigger. Gia wasn’t familiar with all of Yuri’s guards and assumed he was one, trying to recapture her charge. Gia scowled darkly and took aim. “One more step and I kill you dead.” Gia hissed, the cocking of her gun loud in the near silence of the dungeons…Yavin heard the distant shots and swearing, he headed back toward the stairs at a run, hoping he got there in time to stop whatever was happening. Mentally, he cursed Yuri for making the dungeon halls so fucking long on either side, almost a mile between the cells and the stairs.
CharlotteCarrendar:- “One more step and I kill you dead.” Gia hissed, holding her gun out towards the oncoming Wolf, who heard her all too clearly. He just came into view, still wearing the night vision goggles, and then on recognising the pair, a broad smile broke out upon his face. “Whose afraid of the big bad Wolf, eh? Not you Gia, surely. I see you got Ayalah. Nice. Now, put the gun down, I would like to get out of this mess in one piece.”- Ayalah almost died when she realised who it was. The sound of his voice, was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard. “Ira..”- Ira reached out and gave her face a small slap. “In the flesh….now come on, let’s get up the stairs. Lotus is on her own, with who knows how many guards.”- Upstairs, Lotus now had the attention of another guard, who had heard the cries of the ones she had felled. “Bitch…Yuri will be having you fuck his dogs!” He held up a torch and a gun, and he fired the gun towards her right shoulder. <3>
LadyBelz: Ah, the infamous Wolf. Gia breathed a sigh of relief and lowered her gun. She could feel some of the tension leaving Ayalah upon his appearance, through the hand she still held. “You must go now. There is another guard here and he is sure to have heard the gunshots. I will hold him off as long as I can. They do not know I work for Uri so my cover must not be blown. Go up the stairs, take a left when you reach the top, you will come the servant’s hall. Follow that, it will bring you straight to the garage. Keys for the cars are beside the door. I never saw you.” With those instructions, Gia turned away from them and headed back into the darkness to wait for Yavin. She quickly removed her goggles and slipped a black mask over her head so her face was covered before slipping the goggles back on. She made sure her gun was loaded and found a niche that gave her a full view of the hall leading to the girls’ cells. They could still be heard banging on the doors, hoping to be let free. For now, her only priority was keeping Ayalah out of Yuri’s clutches. She’d worry about the rest later. Rapid footsteps echoed up the hall and Gia, fully known amongst Uri’s men as The Shadow, blended into the shadows of her name and waited…
CharlotteCarrendar:- Wolf was still grinning, though he took a step back so he could check down the corridor for the oncoming of another guard. The screams and cries of the other women however, did bother him some and he wondered, would they ever be freed. But they were simply not his problem for now. Gia, ever the professional, gave her orders, as she decided to stay undercover, rather than risk exposure. You must go now. There is another guard here and he is sure to have heard the gunshots. I will hold him off as long as I can.’- Ayalah and Wolf listened carefully to her instructions. She was truly one of God’s angels, in this case, and Wolf took her into a hug, before releasing her to go back to previous location. Watching her go, Wolf seized Ayalah’s free hand and jerked it forward. “Now we go…come on.”- Ayalah nodded and followed him back up the stairs, but she just wanted to follow Gia’s instructions, and not worry about the Lotus. To her, that is what Lotus was there for. A distraction. :: The bullet whistled through the air, and hit Lotus at the top of her right shoulder, causing her to wince and buckle over, losing the grip of her katana, which fell from her hand with a dull clunk upon the stone floor. Seeing the Japanese assassin wounded, the Guard ran at her, ready to tackle her to the ground. <3>
LadyBelz: From the darkness, Yavin appeared in her goggles and she took aim, firing two shots into the dirt at his feet. Yavin stopped dead in his tracks before quickly backing away and taking cover behind the open door of one of the empty cells. He cursed the lights being out as he couldn’t see a fucking thing. Taking a breath and hoping for the best, he took aim and fired into the dark. Gia felt one of the bullets wing past her face, nearly grazing her skin through her mask and she scowled. That bastard had taken a potshot at her! Fuck that! She took aim and fired, embedding two slugs in the steel door he was hiding behind. Yavin heard the pings as metal struck metal and he hit the floor, kissing dirt before he realized that the door had stopped the bullets’ momentum. Now he was pissed. Hunched down, he ducked around the door and fired, just as Gia fired back. The flare from the gun gave away her general position and he fired again. Gia had to duck backward as the bullet struck the wall where her head had been positioned. Now she was well and truly pissed. Meantime, the guards were running about like scared babies, trying to figure out where the shots were being fired from. What none knew was that there were automatic weapons, set on timers, in the bushes surrounding the fence [think “Aliens” when they set the guns up in the hall outside the room they were hiding in]. They were set to fire short bursts every 5 minutes. The Captain had whatever men he could round up firing back and taking cover, but it was hard to see what you were shooting at when there were no lights, not even moonlight. “Somebody get those fucking lights back on!” he screamed.
CharlotteCarrendar: – The pair hot footed it up the stairs, going round and round the twirling stair case, till finally reaching the top, where Wolf was looking to the right direction, where the sounds of gunfire and men screaming could be heard. Lotus was out there fighting for her life, trying to take down all the guards, and he knew he made a promise to her, to come find her once they had Ayalah free. Ayalah, had other ideas. She knew the directions that Gia had given had to be correct, and she said to Wolf. “Come on…Gia said to go left toward the servant’s hall. That is the way to freedom.” Wolf on the other hand, had other ideas. “I promised Lotus, to come get her.” This was when Ayalah raised her gun to his face. “No…you are going to come with me now. My father knew what he was doing sending her. She is the Lotus, and she will do her job. *Ayalah sneered angrily* “Saving me… Now come!”- She truly was the Viper after all. Venomous; and deadly. :: In the other part of the building, Lotus was doubled over, with her left hand unseen. The right shoulder bleeding profusely from the gunshot wound to her shoulder. The guard made the bolt, charging straight at her, when all of a sudden, her head flicked up just enough to see those cold eyes, as she flicked forward her left arm. She released two hira shuriken from her fingers, which found purchase, one in his left eye, the other in his forehead. With blood blurring his vision, he staggered about, as she quickly knelt to retrieve her blade with her left arm. Lotus screamed and ran at him, thrusting her katana right through his chest. Held up against him with her body, he twitched and jerked as she kicked him back off her, and he slid back off her blade. Another down…but Lotus was wounded…and needed to escape. <3>
LadyBelz: Yavin and Gia had been shooting at each other for almost 10 minutes and she was running out of ammo. She needed to get back to her room in the servant’s wing before they discovered her missing. Checking her last clip, she saw that she had two rounds left. She had to make them count if she was going to get out of this unscathed. Peeking around the niche, she saw Yavin hadn’t removed his leg from her view. Taking aim, she fired off her last two rounds, praying they hit their marks. Blood exploded and Yavin screamed in pain as the bullets sunk into his thigh and foot respectively. He fell backward, dropping his own gun in the process and that was her cue to run. She took the stairs two at a time, reaching the top as another guard came into the room to see why it was taking so long to get the lights back on. Without stopping, she drew her blade and sliced his throat, the man dead before he even knew what had happened. Into the hall she ran, coming upon Wolf and Viper facing one another, the gun in Ayalah’s hand ready to fire. “I thought I told you to leave!” Gia scowled, angry at the whole situation. This was not going how she planned. She could hear a guard screaming just down the hall. “It is only a matter of time before they get the lights back on, you need to leave. Now!” Gia pulled a second blade from her belt and threw it with deadly accuracy toward Ayalah. Whether the woman moved or not was another story.
CharlotteCarrendar:- Lotus’s right shoulder had dropped slightly; the blooded wound clearly visible through her torn fight suit. The pain was excruciating, but she had to see past it, if she was going to get out of this alive. Making it past her third victim, she could hear the rapid gunfire coming from outside, along with the shouts of the men, trying desperately to get the lights back on, so they could see their foe clearly. Thinking that Ira must have Ayalah by now, she headed in the direction she recalled him taking, but with all the noise and distractions, she was now incredibly alert to whoever might come around a corner and fire at her. Would Ira leave her to die? :: In the entrance to the stairs, Gia found Wolf and Viper squared off, and let it be known that this was not the plan at all. “I thought I told you to leave!” Ayalah shot a look at Gia and then snarled. “Oh but we are.”- Ira was still in two minds, but then Gia screamed. . “Now!” Drawing out a blade and throwing it in deadly accuracy towards Ayalah, who leapt just shy of it, as it tore the side of her arm. Ripping her skin open. “RRAAWWWRR! I will get you for that.” She then gripped Ira’s arm and attemped to drag him with her up the hall towards the servants hall where she seized the keys to one of the cars. Wolf was protesting. “You can’t do this!”- Ayalah simply laughed. “I bet you fucked her too. Nearly all of Daddy’s boys do.” She then pointed the key at a porches’, which beeped with its lights flashing, and she ran for the driver’s side door. <3>
LadyBelz: The knife zipped by Ayalah’s arm, drawing blood, but the blade imbedded itself into the head of the guard that had been coming up behind her, ready to shove his own blade into Ayalah’s back. Ayalah for her part grabbed Wolf and dragged him to the garage, his protests futile. Gia watched them go, but at the name of Lotus, turned back the way she had come to look for the famed Lotus Flower. If Ira had promised to get Lotus out, then Gia would take his place and do just that. She removed her blade from the guard she had killed and went in search of Lotus. It was then the lights came back on, their brightness ripping through her night vision goggles. With a scream, she ripped them from her head, covering her eyes with her hands. “Fuck!” she hissed. She was now vulnerable. Luckily she had kept her mask on, hiding all her facial features except her eyes. But any guard who saw her now would assume she was one of the ones who were attacking and shoot her on sight. Feeling her way, she found a place to hide until her vision could correct itself. The wait was excruciating. Five minutes later and the spots slowly faded from her view until she could see again. Checking the hall, she eased out of her hiding spot and went in search of Lotus.
CharlotteCarrendar: – It was like God himself had flipped the switch and all the lights and power returned to the compound. Wolf ripped off his night vision goggles, as the sirens sounded loudly. “FUCK!” There was nothing for it, and Ayalah had already got in behind the wheel of the Porsche. “I will leave you behind, you big Dope.”- she snarled, as she started the engine. Part of Ira wanted to kill Ayalah himself at this point, but he had almost completed the mission, and now, he had to chose. Tossing his goggles away in anger, he got into the car beside her, just in time, as she threw the car into reverse and floored it, the car’s tires screaming as the car rocketed out of the garage and then did a 180 degree spin, spewing out vast quantities of burning rubber fueled smoke. Laughing madly, she hit the accelerator and the car took off down the drive, past the numerous guns that were firing from the bushes. Pinging sounds heard against the outer metal of the car, as she headed for the gates and freedom. Ira tossed his head back into the head rest and grit his teeth. He hated himself more than ever, and wondered, if she would ever forgive him, if Lotus got out alive. :: Back in the compound, the sudden burst of light had Lotus come to a halt. “Oh no..” Time was not her friend. Out in the open now, she was a sitting duck. Madly she ran back into the room where they first came in and grabbed back up her bag that she had brought with her. Everything she needed to make an escape. Still wounded as she tried to place the bag on her back, she staggered for the balcony entrance, where she did a right turn, and started running for the cliff face of the compound gardens. It was the only way. <3>
-Uri had gone to great expense, to arrange for a team to come from Japan, especially to prepare Lotus for her final hours. In a special case, that had been brought over, directly from Japan, was the ceremonial Kimono, the one sure to enhance the beauty of his Japanese flower. A trained fitter was sent to escort the kimono, so that when the time came, Lotus would be assisted into getting ready for her Russian debut. Misako stood in her apartment, facing the large bay window that overlooked the Moscow skyline. Her face was stern, since she had opened up solely to Ira of her tragic past. With arms folded across her body, as though wrapping her tight, closing the petals around her, she tried to find solace in her mind. The Geisha now viewed this night as her final act. The curtain was set to come down on the Geisha, whether she completed this mission or not. She understood this. A life for a life. A lotus for a Viper.
In his own room, Ira lay upon the large poster bed, staring at the ceiling. Never before had he been so conflicted about a mission that had been set for him. Thoughts raging, his heart now unsure as to his feelings for Ayalah, now that he knew the truth of her past with Uri. Uri. That was another thing. The vile acts that bastard committed, how he single handily destroyed Misako’s life, and now was sacrificing her to save his Viper. To his right on the side table was two tickets to the Ball. Reaching across he picked them up and stared at them. A masked ball, that would be held in one of the most renowned buildings in Moscow; the Radisson Royal Hotel. Ira tapped the tickets upon his open palm, exhaling slowly. Eyes returning to the ceiling as he tilted his head back. The original plan, was to show off Lotus and entice Yuri to pay heed, and possibly gain entry to his inner circle, using the ideal of buying rights to sexual favours from his “women”, and in turn providing Lotus to the men of that circle that fancied a little Japanese. It could work, in hindsight, but then again, it could fall flat. Decisions. Ira was specially trained for gaining access to the most rigorously secure buildings of the world. His talent was not what was in question, but Uri definitely had two motives to have Lotus perform this mission as he had directed. One was to replace Viper as a new sex toy for the mad Russian, the second, to allow Ira simple access to the compound, should she succeed. Either way, Lotus would be at high risk. She had become disposable to Uri, and Ira now realised this. Ira’s lips pursed tight, as he tossed the tickets to the ball aside. He now contemplated action that would go against the orders of Uri. Ira…was about to go rogue.
A light tapping on Misako’s door, was followed by a small cough. A feminine one. Misako at first did not move, but then realised that it would be the agent assigned to dress Misako, to be ready for the Ball. It would take hours to do, what with the hair and makeup, then the ceremonial dressing . Why did time seem to go so fast? As though the very clocks were spun forward. Lotus was now resigned to her fate. Another light tap. The assistant was growing impatient, being made to wait out in the hall. Misako could no longer delay this, and turned slowly, still in bare feet. The texture of the carpet on her skin, was comforting, but not enough to quell the sinking feeling, as she crossed the floor to the door. Undoing the latches and then the last lock, she turned the handle and saw a diminutive woman, dressed traditionally, and carrying a small bag. She bowed before Misako and then entered silently.
A bell boy wheeled in the large trunk that contained all of Misako’s outfitting, and equipment, needed to turn the simple Japanese girl into a work of art. Crafted by skilled hands, and with her poise and knowledge, she would be irresistible to the men that seek to tear away each petal, and land at their feet. Another night where a foreign man’s hands would seek to use her, for their own desire. Oh the nights she had been taken, again and again. And yet, she mastered detachment, from body, as if her soul could rise up and step aside, then go gazing out at the window of freedom, while her body was nothing more than a puppet. Strings pulled to make a man smile. But every time, that a man took her, her soul crept further away. She knew one day, her soul would not return, and her cold lifeless body would be left for those that cleaned the rooms.
The bellboy was given a tip, and then dismissed without word, Misako closing the door once more, whilst the Japanese assistant started to open the trunk, and piece by piece, start to remove all the fabric of the Kimono, along with boxes of makeup and tools to do Misako’s hair. Hair pins, ornate and antique, were placed out on the dresser, while Misako was gestured to sit, and be ready for the transformation to begin. Misako stared into the mirror, seeing her reflection. Without the makeup and the finery, she was in her mind the plain girl that would not gain a look from any male, just a face in the crowd. In her heart, she felt the first strike of the blade….her time was coming, and she knew it. But the show must go on.
As the assistant picked up an bone handled brush, and went to step in behind Misako to begin preparing her hair, the door between the apartment burst open and Ira came in, gun drawn at the assistant. “Step away from her, or I blow your head off!” The assistant dropped the brush upon the floor, where the handle cracked, and she bowed stepping back, fearful of why the Israeli was coming at her with a gun. Misako turned her head slowly, her right eye catching sight of Ira, holding the gun with his right hand, the tickets to the ball in the left. He tossed the tickets in the garbage and then with gritted teeth, he snarled at Misako. “Change of plans. We are not going to the ball.” Shocked by his sudden emergence into the room, she creased her brow, and started to turn on the stool. “What are you talking about, Ira? It’s our mission.” Ira re holstered his gun and then took out a box of matches and sliding the box back, a row of matches were in view, he took one out and struck it, the red head bursting into flame, as he then tossed it into the bin. The tickets instantly caught fire, and you could see the yellow of the flames, before they slowly extinguished, with smoke smouldering from the top of the bin. Glancing up from the burnt tickets, Ira simply shakes his head. “Our mission was to recover the Viper. And that is exactly what we shall do. *he then turned his attention toward the assistant and said sternly*…Your services are no longer required. The Geisha will not be making an appearance. *Ira then smiled at Misako and offered her his hand* “She has other plans.”
It had been years, since Misako had been given the choice for her destiny, so to see Ira extend his hand, to take her from the chosen path of Uri and to become what she truly should be, was the greatest gift. One that she would grasp with both hands. Slowly rising from her stool, she brought her chin up proudly and crossed the floor, reaching out and taking his hand in hers, as his steely eyes stared down onto her face. “We are a team, and we do this together, or not at all.” Ira’s fingers interlocked tightly with Misako’s, as both turned to look out at the Moscow skyline. The Wolf and the Lotus; united. The match had been struck, and the countdown had begun.
Minus two hours to the ball.
Ira hung up the phone from their Russian contact, Peter. He was shocked to say the least that Ira was not preparing Lotus to get ready for the ball, but even more so, that neither would attend the ball to seek out Yuri themselves.
Phone conversation:
“Wolf, I take it you will be ready for the car to pick you both up at the right time. Traffic is expected to be bad this evening. I suggest you be ready and waiting in the foyer.” Peter said hoarsely, having had one too many cigars.
“We will need the car, but not to take us to the Ball. Change of plans. I want you to ensure the car has gear required for accessing the compound and also a copy of the plans of the interior. If Yuri is at the Ball, he should have fewer men in attendance at his estate. Lotus and I are going to get Viper back, without having to get into Yuri’s circle.” There was a long pause, as Ira could hear the clink of ice cubes in a glass, since Peter had just downed his drink quickly.
“You are going against Uri’s orders. You know what this means?” Peter asked, curious of what Wolf would say.
“All Uri truly cares about is getting back Viper, nothing more. So, this is a slight detour, and it also means that we do the job faster.” Ira spoke firmly, as in behind him, Misako stood, with her hand placed gently upon his shoulder. “What I want you to do, is attending the ball in our place, and keeping tabs on Yuri’s movements. This should give us more time, to do what must be done. Alert us while we are at the compound, if he should be returning. “
Behind Peter’s desk, he picked up a portrait of his family and sighed, before setting it down again. His family were still in Israel, and Peter knew that if Uri had wished it, he could arrange for Peter to never see his family again. Peter ran his finger over the image of his wife, and then uttered. “Very well, I just so happen to have a suit….although I look like an oversized monkey in it. Hate these formal things. Bah! *he cursed in Russian for a minute, but then resided to his fate* “You are lucky my Friend. I don’t know why you are doing it this way, but I am sure you have your reasons. Your request shall be fulfilled.”
Minus thirty minutes to the Ball.
The black Mercedes was parked just outside the entrance of the Le Royal Meridien National Hotel. Checking his watch, he grumbled, and then adjusted his cuffs, feeling very uncomfortable about his attire. Suits were like straight jackets to him. And this tuxedo was simply a black version of one. “Why do people wear these things?” he mumbled in broken English, as the doors to the foyer opened, and Ira with Misako behind him, emerged from the building. Peter pushed his bulk off the car and strode over, taking Ira’s hand and shaking it, only then noticing Misako, dressed in a black jumpsuit. Her hair was brushed down, and she looked immaculate, but nothing like the Geisha he had seen before. Impressed, he nodded, and on releasing Ira’s hand, he chortled. “You are so much more beautiful without the paint. But I imagine you are more deadly.”- observing she was carrying a black sports bag, he quirked a brow. “Shall I take your bag?” He asked, extending his hand for it. She offered it up without argument, and watched as Peter approached the boot, pressing the boot key pad on his keys and the boot popped open, with little fuss. In the boot, an array of equipment, with everything from abseiling ropes, harnesses and hooks, to electronic devices, guns, and even some explosives, to be used at the compound. Infrared goggles, for seeing through the darkness, heat seeking devices, bolt cutters; two lap tops, and changes of clothes. There were also air tickets, to fly the three back out of the country, with papers prepared. Closing the boot smartly, Peter then faced the pair.
“This will probably be the last time we see each other. I will be wearing a wire and com when I enter the Ball, and will keep you updated with progress reports. And…*he then took out a small electronic device that had suction pads on its base. “Should I need to get you more time, I simply set this off. It is a remote device that could stall Yuri’s engine from starting. “ Ira opened the back passenger door for Misako, who bowed politely at Peter, and got into her seat. Seeing she was comfortable, Ira then closed the door firmly, before saying to Peter. “As of now, we are off the radar. If we are caught, we will be viewed as possible terrorists, even though we seek to get back one of our own. I take full responsibility for this mission. We will meet again, Peter. Just not here in Russia.”- He smacked Peter’s arm, in a jovial way, showing affection to the over sized Russian. Peter drew Ira into a massive bear hug, slapping his back repeatedly before letting go. “Just a reminder for you. The GPS system contains the location of the compound, so you will be able to find it easily, even on a night like this. I highly doubt that Yuri is expecting this, however, remain cautious. Take care, my Friend.” Ira broke from the bear hug, and gave something of a mock salute, as he ran around to the driver’s side of the car and opened the door smartly. The keys had been left in the ignition, and the car had a full tank of fuel. Getting into the car, he pulled over his seat belt after shutting the door. Drawing back his cuff, he pressed in the time on his watch. It was exactly 6.00pm, the time the ball was to start. The drive to the compound registered on the GPS as being approximately 56 miles, so this then registered the time of arrival about 8.00pm, give or take, depending on the roads and traffic. Turning on the engine, he glanced in the rear vision mirror at Misako, who had been quiet this whole time. He offered a reassuring smile, and then a single nod. The engine purred loudly, as he hit the indicator, and pulled away from the curb. Standing still outside the entrance to the Le Royal Meridien National Hotel, Peter gave a wave, and then hot footed it to his second car, where the driver was ready to take him to the ball.
The ride from the Hotel down the streets of Moscow, and then heading out onto the motorway, were silent. Misako was going over in her mind, how to proceed once they make the compounds outer limits. She was used to being brought into situations, and then becoming the pawn in Uri’s games to bring down politicians and other world leaders, with her sexual prowess and charms. Geishas were entertainers, first and foremost. This operation would tear her straight out of her normal duties. Secretly, she had a dream of what she wanted to do to Ayalah, when she was freed from the Russian compound. Course, it was just a dream. There was no time to think of vengeance at this point. She owed it to Ira, to get the job done.
8.04pm – Yuri’s compound
The black Mercedes slowed to a crawl, as the GPS alerted that they had reached their destination. The estate bordered on the coastline, a grand image, even under the veil of darkness. Lights could be seen beyond the high perimeter walls, and Ira shut off the lights and engine, as the car cruised to a stop, just shy of the boundary. A buzzing in Ira’s ear, followed by the voice of Peter, was welcomed, when Ira placed his hand up to his receiving device. “ I hate parties. Ugh. Wolf, the targets are here, including that one that Ayalah helped kidnap. The Mia, I think she is called. They treat her like dog. Leash and shit. Pathetic. Yuri is playing cards…he should be a while. I try to get closer.” The signal ended, and Ira opened the car door, looking about as he stood on the gravel. Popping the boot, he shut the door quietly, and then tapped on Misako’s window, for her to exit as well. She didn’t wait, she simply opened the door, and tied her hair back, as she followed him around to the back of the vehicle. The air had a nip to it, and she was not dressed for such elements, feeling the cold, she shuddered. Arranging all the necessary equipment in two large bags, he glanced back at Misako, as she unzipped her own bag, taking out twelve shurikun and a sheathed katana. Misako threw a strap over her shoulder, so the blade would be hoisted upon her back. The shuriken she pocketed into a special pouch. Ira slung one of the heavier bags over his shoulder and then handed one to Misako. “I can’t carry both.”- Accepting the bag with a light “oomph” she followed suit, and slung the bag over her back. It was indeed heavy, but the equipment was necessary to do the job. Checking his watch again, ira said. “Just after 8.00pm, the buffet would be serving, so we should have ample time. Come on.” Closing the boot, the pair make their way around the vehicle and trudged off into the bushes, that surrounded the perimeter fence. What they didn’t know was that a laser tracker had picked up their movements, and set off an alarm, inside the compound. The sound was a shrill sound, much like a fire drill, but more menacing. Ira cursed under his breath, and then using his wrist watch, which was giving out a grid of the power installation, he found they were close to the transformer, that supplied power to the compound. Taking out the bolt cutters, he cut off the chains that bound the lock in place, and handing the bolt cutter back to Misako, he tore open the cover, and started to turn off, the power grid, which included the electrified fence toppers. Suddenly, the compound was bathed in total darkness, and the shouts from the remaining guards in Russian could be heard loud and clear. Disoriented and going on the offensive, this gave Ira and Misako the break they needed to simply enter through the now open gates.
*
Taking no chances, they both donned their night vision goggles, and ran from bushes, to trees, past the ornate garden statues, to get closer to the main building. Once reaching the terrace, where they could see a guard coming their way, Misako got in behind a pillar, dropping her bag down at her feet, then slowly sliding her katana from its sheath. The look on her face. Determination. Kill or be killed. If it was a time to die, she would do so with honour. Blade held vertically, she held her breath, and as the guard ran past, she side stepped out, and then whistled. The guard turned, but only to have the katana slice through his neck, his eyes rolling back, as the blood vessels spurted out a spray of crimson. The heart pumping out more and more, as he fell to his knees. Dead. One down…many more to go. Miskao wiped her blade, on a flimsy cloth from her pocket, then re-sheathed the blade, in a fashion that emulated a noble warrior of Japan. Strapping it on her back once more, she picked up her bag, as Ira took the guns from the guard, and then kicked open the living room glass door. If they were going to make noise now, it may alert Ayalah, depending on exactly where she was. The night goggles allowed the room to become like light. Polished and high valued furnishings littered the room, as the pair made their way through. Doors could be heard opening and closing, while more shouts, rang out. Obviously, they were keen to get the power back on, but also find out who had breached the perimeter. Dropping down his bag, Ira knelt down and unzipped it, taking out the lap top, and quickly opening, it, seeing a plan light up of the interior of the compound. The lower floors were of the dungeons, and it is clear that this may well be where Ayalah was kept. Shutting the lap top and tossing it back into the bag, he got out a utility belt with extra magazine clips, as well as the explosives, a rope for abseiling and another gun, a hand gun. Rising up, he urged Misako to do the same, while the panic gave them a brief amount of time. “We split up. You…take on the guards, as many as you can. I am going down to the underground section and find her. Then we get the hell out of here.” Seeing Misako do as she was told, he gently ran his hand over her head, while she was crouched, and took off out of the room, heading for the lower region of the estate. Misako took a deep breath, and then rose slowly. Suitably armed, with swords, and skuriken, she kicked her bag under a covered table, and strode out the door, going in the opposite direction of Ira. The lotus was about to bloom. <3>
-Ira could see on Masiko’s back, the tattoo of the Lotus. Carried out by a member of the Yakuza, the exquisite depiction of a lotus in bloom was without a doubt captivating to those that love this form of body art. Just below her left shoulder, it captured her soul beautifully. Ira was impressed by this, but as Masiko pulled up her dress once more, she swallowed hard. Memories began to resurface of what getting that tattoo meant. Turning back around and sitting back upon the edge of the bed, she continued with her bed time story. Already now, the sun had long since gone, and the streets of Moscow, were illuminated with the street and car lights, the buildings, becoming jewels in a black velvet night. Though hungry, Ira wanted to hear this story to its conclusion. They had not yet reached the summit, in the story of her life. Masiko clasped her hands together tightly as she spoke softly.
“I was to find that my Father’s connections led news of my tattoo back to him. Needless to say, his reaction was swift and brutal. If he could have carved it from my flesh, with a knife, he would have. But instead, he took me outside, and beat me repeatedly. Although I had learnt to fight, he was my Father, and I had to endure my punishment in silence. I remember seeing my Grandmother, watching on, the look in her eyes. Such hatred. I did not know that they both knew the truth. At this stage, I was still unaware. When the beating was done, they left me there, and went to arrange what would become my new life. Taking me out of school at the age of fifteen, and then packing my bags, they sent me to the Geisha house of my Father’s Mistress. My Father’s obsession with Geisha had him turn to the idea, that if I was one, then I would bring pride to the family name. That and he would finally be rid of me. My fees were paid, to the Okiya, who was the Head of the Geisha house.”
Masiko paused and then blinked, following with; “It would be the last time, I would see my Father. He simply put up his umbrella and headed back to his car. No words spoken, not even farewell.”
The more that Ira heard of Masiko’s life, the more his heart opened up to her. Sadly, he knew that once the bed time story was told, that she may well return into the dark prison where her soul was held captive. This was indeed a rare talk. Masiko was unfolding, opening up like the very Lotus that was upon her back. The world of the Geisha, was far removed from Western society and similar cultures, as it was from even those of the Japanese themselves. Steeped in tradition, they truly are an art form, unlike any other. One thing that has never changed, was that the biggest industry in Japan was not shipbuilding, producing cultured pearls, or manufacturing transistor radios or cameras. It is and always has been entertainment. A Geisha was the ultimate Japanese woman. The term Geisha literally translates to mean “entertainer”. One that could captivate and serve a man, to show him off at his best in a public gathering or setting. The perfect hostess, and a fine accessory to the business man, who wanted to be seen as having everything. His wants, needs, and desires are to be met without fault.
“Once inside the walls of the Geisha house, the Okaa-san, other Geisha and Maiko were to become my Mother and sisters. They were my new family. Of all the Geisha I would be assigned to, it was to be Kikuyu, my Father’s Geisha. She was to be my Onee-san, the closest that I would have, in the years of training to be Geisha. As her Imouto-san, I was her servant, while she trained me in the arts of how to work in a Hanamachi. To serve tea, playing shamisen, and dancing. Musical ability is also important. I had to master every instrument, as well as sing. Something that I did not believe I was good at. I don’t know how many times I was hit with a fan, for getting it wrong.”
Ira adjusted his posture, and relaxed more in the chair, as he continued to listen, but had many questions. “And your Father did not come to the Geisha house, even though your Geisha sister was his?” Maiko shook her head from left to right and back.. “Kikuyu would always have to be ready, and go to meet him, either in a car that he had organised for her, or to travel to a nearby tea house to meet him in the district. I remember the hours that it took to prepare her for those nights. Everything had to be immaculate, her hair, makeup and the dressing of her in the special kimono. That alone was something I had to get used to. When she would go out, I would have to stay up and wait till the early hours of morning for her return, and then help her undress and ready for bed on her return. Thankfully, she did not speak of her time with my Father, for at this stage, I felt hardness in my heart for him. As I was not yet tested to be Geisha, I could not go out with her to “entertain”, but remain behind in the house, and clean and serve others their meals. During that time, I practiced everything, from how to walk, how to kneel, how to serve tea. I knew there was no escape, that this was my one and only chance to prove all wrong about me. I kept my silence, when not spoken too. Diligent;, and mindful of my place.”
“So when did you become a full Geisha, Masiko?” Ira asked, taking out his cigarette packet and tapping it on his palm. His eyes trained on her, watching for a change in her demeanor. This was when there was a flickering in her eyes, and part of the veil started to rise back up. “As a Imouto-san, the key to learning, is to watch everything. No matter how small or insignificant, and learn to mimic and get it down pact, that you yourself are immersed with your Geisha side. Soon, I was surpassing the other Maiko, and this did please my Onee-san. You see, when you are assigned a sister, the relationship is like that of what you westerners regard as like a marriage. Kikuyu was the one to have assigned my Maiko name. She took full responsibility for any fault or the displeasing of clients, when I was ready to be shown in public. A full year, after my Father dropping me off at the Geisha house, I would emerge, dressed in a full celebration Kimono, and become a Maiko that would be requested across the many tea houses of the district.”- Masiko actually looked proud, her cheeks reddening, and there was something about her eyes. Ira toyed with an unlit cigarette, and asked. “So what was your Geisha name? What did Kikuyu choose for you?”
A Geisha’s name is specially chosen, so that it has not only meaning, but will be popular with the clients that vow for her services. The name chosen for Masiko, was one that had special meaning. “I was called Kyoka, which in part means flower or perfume, depending on how it was taken.” This made perfect sense to Ira, considering that Ryu had the tattoo made on her, of a Lotus. Ira wondered what Ryu must have done, to find that Masiko had been taken from school, and placed in the Geisha house. Knitting his brow, he placed the cigarette down on the table beside him, and lent forward, curious of one thing. “Did Ryu search for you? Did he try to hire your services, if it was known in the social circles where you were?”
Suddenly, Masiko rose from the bed, and turned away from Ira. Her hair whipping around her as she could not seem to face Ira at this point. She stood, staring out the large window, her hands clenching into fists. This was to be the part of the story, where hell was unleashed. Ira got up from his chair, and approached her, but keeping a safe distance, since he knew they were still just acquaintances, and partners in this operation. “Misako?” Ira was now concerned, and without thinking, reached for her shoulder, attempting to bring her around to face him. Misako did turn, but the look on her face, was one of a woman who had been broken. Stunned, Ira looked down into her eyes, and said, “What happened?”
Masiko tried to speak, and the words were just not there. Like she was frozen from fear. But who would she fear? Who in her life had brought her great harm. Surely not Ryu. He was her best friend, he was the one, that named her. His Lotus. “Misako….speak to me.” Ira implored, now seriously worried about her. Having gone this far, she needed to let it out. Finally, after a few nervous moments, Masiko started to tell, exactly how she became what she was today.
“The House mother had received an invitation, for both me and Kikuyu, to perform on a vessel, a yacht. It was said that a new patron, wished to …wished to…*Masiko repeated herself, as Ira urged her with his eyes to continue*…to deflower….me.” Ira looked confused, and asked. “But I thought that was about granting permission, and surely not someone you had never met.” Ira was thinking this made perfect sense, and then he thought he had it figured out. “Ryu was to be your patron, am I right?” Masiko started to nod…but then shook her head slowly, as the tears fell. Ira now placed both hands on her shoulders, and urged her to tell him. “Who was on that yacht? Who was your patron, Masiko?”
“We were sent for, and picked up in a fancy car. Kikuyu thought this was to be a great moment for me, she was so proud of how I looked. I was so scared, and then when we were dropped off at the yacht, all these members of the Yakuza were there. But I could not see my father. They all allowed us to pass them, as they bowed, and we went up the gangplank. Ryu was on the boat, he was standing there, but the look on his face. Anger. I thought it was something I had done, but he bowed, and we were ushered inside, to the main cabin. Kikuyu kept smiling at me, that everything would be alright, but I had sick feeling in my stomach. There was a man, standing with his back to us when we entered. Grey haired, but smartly dressed. I then heard a woman laugh, and I looked over to the bar, and this red headed woman, was smiling and toasting me with a glass of champagne.
“Poppa….look who is here?” The red woman hair said, smirking as she took a sip of champagne.
Masiko held herself steady, while a large security guard came in and seized Kikuyu’s arm. Kikuyu cried out as the guard chuckled, and dragged her out of the room, screaming back for Masiko. Not a minute later, there was the sound of two gunshots, followed by the thud of a body on the deck. Masiko looked for the exits, but in her kimono and geta, she would not be able to make a run for it.
The man with grey hair, finally turned around, and when it was when she saw his face, she realized who it was. He smiled at her, as she could feel the blood run from her face. He tapped his cigar, and then placed it between his lips and puffed on it, chuckling as he could see that she was terrified.
“You know…with all that makeup on, you are still as beautiful as your Mother. Course, she had to go and kill herself, to get away from me. But then…then I found out, that…she left me a gift.”- He slipped his hand inside his pocket and then extracted a piece of paper. A birth certificate. He unfolded the document, and coughed, placing down the cigar in a crystal ashtray. “Ahem…turns out, that for all these years, you have had the impression, that I was some sort of monster. I do remember you watching, as I fucked your mother. You were so sweet then. *the man grinned broadly, while the red headed woman started to laugh* “Well….according to this…*he held out the document and waved it about*…you…like your mother, belong to me. You… are a part of me. My blood is flowing through your veins…. Daughter.” Masiko wanted to be sick. All the years, her life had been a lie, and now the knife was about to be twisted even further into her heart.
Ira watched her intently, as Masiko came to the last page in the bedtime story.
“Who was the man in the suit?” Ira begged of her, half knowing, but wishing it was not so. The final blow. The falling of the petal….
“It was Uri….my real Father.”
The Israeli was incredulous, shocked beyond belief. He kept shaking his head, and released her from his hold, turning around, and then laughed, laughed like this was some sick and cruel joke. This all made sense now. It’s how he got her back, to his side. Killing her sister Geisha, and taking her back to Israel, where she would be taught, by none other than her “sister”, Ayalah, how to please a man. From that day on, she was known simply as the Lotus.
-Ira had heard the term of Yakuza before, since it was known worldwide as the Japanese Mafia. Course, he had seen the news reports, and the odd foreign correspondent story on a local television network some years before, but he did not truly know the extent of the history, of the Lords of the Mafia. Masiko had started off this tale of her life, from a simple question, of how she came to be. Now, it was time, to unmask the Geisha. Ira’s feelings now, were like that of a student that had in his hand the book of knowledge, of how a person, can grow through life and be molded by the actions and decisions of others. Already, he had learnt that Uri played a large part in dismantling her family, but what he didn’t know, was the missing years. His curiosity peaked, on the meeting of the mute Misako, and her over sized savoir.
“And it was Ryu that lead you into the underworld of the Yakuza?” Ira asked, his face now showing concern, for Misako. Having gone this far, she felt no reason to stop now. Relaxing from kneeling on the bed, to then swinging her legs over the side and sitting to face Ira, she took a deep breath, and said.
“Ryu was chosen you could say, by those of the Yakuza that kept a close eye on the boys in our school. They favour those that are strong, and know how to fight. It was when he signed into the martial arts academy, that they made their presence known. The owner was a man called Nobuyoshi Suzambo. A well known figure of the local syndicate. One of the elders you could say. I followed Ryu to the academy, and Nobuyoshi spotted me. Came over and said he knew my Father, and wished him well. I bowed and was polite, but did not speak. “
The Israeli didn’t need to be an ace scholar to figure out what Nobuyoshi’s relationship with Masiko’s father might have been, but felt the need to ask. “This, Nobuyoshi, he knew your father in social circles, or….was your Father in it too?” Now this was the sixty four thousand dollar question. Masiko raised her hand and let it glide over her hair, now about to reveal a family secret. One that no one outside her family or the Yakuza knew.
“They say that there are those that lead a double life, and in order to succeed, will keep some of their activities hidden. You see, my Father was a government official, but on the flip side; he was an elder of the Yakuza. His family had interests in commercial properties and hotels in many countries, outside of Japan. So naturally, he was in the perfect position to build up his wealth in the corporate sector by establishing contacts through his position as Ambassador to Israel.”
Misako appeared sad, as she spoke of her father. Was it possible to live with someone and yet know so little about them, till the truth is revealed from another source? When Misako went home, and handed her father the flyer for the academy, with the name of owner, Nobuyoshi Suzambo on it, he grabbed her and shook her violently. The idea that Misako had even been to the academy, meant that there would be talk, talk of her father being back in Japan, and also, he had certain debts to pay. One of those debts was the upkeep of his Mistress. He was patron to a Geisha. A high honour to have one ; especially in the circles of the Yakuza. Whenever the local syndicate would meet for their rituals and functions, it was the Geisha, who accompanied them and entertained the men with fine conversation, music, song, dance, and then there were the “other benefits” to those who allowed it. Naturally, her Father’s Geisha did more than just allow it. He was smitten with her, and thought her to be the epitome of what a Japanese woman should be.
But Ira wanted to know of the boy, Ryu. He leant forward in the chair, and said. “So what of the boy? Ryu? Tell me more of him, because I feel he did a lot more for you than you are letting on.”
The Geisha known as Lotus paused a moment, reflecting on the past, and then she spoke with her head tilted just so to the right. “Ryu saw that Nobuyoshi approached me, and was polite. Heard the words spoken by Nobuyoshi , that I was to wish my Father well. He gathered what that meant too, and kept extra close to me, even taking me aside, and started to teach me, how to defend myself; how to fight like he was learning. Days turned into months, then years. At one point, we were practicing, and I did a move, that he showed me, that he was very good at. I countered him and he fell on his backside. I am not sure if it was the expression on his face, or the fact I took him down, but….I laughed. For the first time, since I was so little and I knew what joy was? I laughed, and I couldn’t stop. At first Ryu was angry, but then he heard my voice and he saw the look in my eyes. He started to laugh, and I fell to my knees. He had given me back something I thought I had lost forever.”
Such a revelation had them both smiling, with the idea of her actually laughing about something as funny as to take down the school bully and junior member of the Yakuza. There were actually two worlds of the Yakuza; one was of the old ways, where they believe they are descendant from the mighty Samurai, with same strict rules and codes to which to live by. They were the protectors of those that could not protect themselves. Even in great disasters, the Yakuza were the first to come and give aid to survivors. It is part of the reason; many are so open in showing that they are Yakuza.
The other world however, is one based on crime, prostitution, drug smuggling, and money laundering; even pornography. It is a far cry from the original Yakuza, and the side that has given it such a bad name. Many newer recruits were actually from Korea, the very people they had fought in wars now long forgotten. Internal gang warfare has brought a lot of attention upon their activities, and what the police and authorities fear most, is the underground culture more than anything. While her Father, and Nobuyoshi may have been from the old ways, the newer and upcoming had much darker plans.
“So yes, Ira, Ryu was the one that showed me not only how to fight as they do, but also made me realize, my Father was deeper in the Yakuza than even I knew. As Ryu would be accepted and go to the rituals, he saw my Father, there with his beautiful Geisha. Laughing and smiling, enjoying each other’s company. Ryu told me everything, but made me swear that I was not to tell a soul, or share anything of what I knew with the authorities. I kept it buried deep inside. One day however, Ryu was to get his first tattoos, and naturally I tagged along. I sat and watched, as Ryu got his tattoo of a mighty dragon, which was on his back. So proud he was. Then he asked the tattooist, if I could have one done. I shied away, scared if my Father found out that I had marked my skin, but Ryu smiled and assured me it was the right thing to do. Ryu chose the design.”
Masiko then turned around, and started to unbutton the back of her dress, and showed Ira, the tattoo.
-Ira could no longer sit in bed, and having heard the horrific childhood account, of the breaking up of her family. The Israeli was furious, throwing back the sheet, that barely covered his black boxers, and he planted his feet down on the carpeted floor, padding over to the bar, where he reached for a bottle of whiskey, and a glass. Opening the fridge with a hard jerking action, he took out the ice bucket, and seized the cap top, removing the lid, and then picking up the tongs, to retrieve a few ice cubes, to drop into his glass. More or less dumping the ice bucket on the bar top, which made a metallic clatter, Ira gripped the edge of the bar, trying to steady himself, to stop the flowing up of rage, from deep within. Bowing his head, his shaggy locks swept from his brow to cover his eyes; eyes that were now filled with hatred, for a man, he believed to be…good. From what Masiko had revealed, Uri had been a part of both Ayalah’s and her life, for a very long time. Jutting out his chin, while he inhaled sharply, Ira tapped the floor with his right foot, tapping out like a code of what he wanted to say, but was simply too enraged. Masiko continued to lie on her back, staring up at the ceiling, not needing to speak at this point, for the tension level in the room had reached a dramatic new high.
Taking up the bottle of whiskey, he unscrewed the cap, and poured himself a glass, hoping that the taste of the alcohol might help numb him from experiencing the mental images of Masiko’s past. But unfortunately, as he took a sip, and there was the liquid fire burning from his tongue down his throat, he could still see Uri in his mind, treating Masikos mother as something less than human. Hearing the clink of the ice cubes that swirled inside the crystal glass, Maiko decided to speak. “Are you ready for the next chapter, Ira?” Masiko’s voice had become flat, as though she were speaking to him in a dream. Joy and love were absent, just like the child spoken of; herself.
Ira, did not want to return to the bed. In fact, he no longer wanted to look at her. Perhaps it was shame; shame for simply being a man, and hearing what another man had done. And all for sexual gratification? The more that Ira thought about this, he realised. No, no…It wasn’t about gratification at all. It was about power. He could have stopped; he could have given the family their lives back. But instead, he continued to humiliate Masiko’s mother; and her Father. Ira drank the last of the scotch, downing it in one go, Ira gasping loudly, before wiping the back of his hand, across his mouth. The Israeli set down the now empty glass, with just the remanets of the ice cubes left, and decided to sit on the single comfortable chair, that was in earshot of the king-sized bed. Easing himself into the chair, he lent back, and tried to relax, even though he felt like every muscle in his body was tightening. “Only, if you are willing to tell it.” Ira replied, curious to know what happened after they left Israel. There was still the matter of how she came to be not only a killer, but one of the most captivating of Geishas.
Masiko, rolled over and then went into a kneeling position on the bed, as if she was playing out her childhood, once again, in both mind and body. Her black tresses, perfectly straight, fell down her back, and with those enchanting yet haunted eyes, she stared straight ahead, where there was a mirror behind the bar.
The Claw of the Dragon.
“Although, I am Japanese, this was my first trip to Japan. I was all of five years old, and my Mother had taught me to speak Japanese, so at least I could understand those that I met * she paused for a moment, bringing up her hand, and touching the side of her right cheek, as she stared at her own reflection.* “The trauma from seeing what Uri had done to my Mother, and the forced removal from Israel had meant I had lost my voice; my will to speak.. Not that I needed to speak. My Father, he refused to even address me. I recall, arriving at his home, in Tokyo, and it was a far cry from what I knew to be home.” Masiko’s father was very wealthy, having made his fortune, off the back of an inheritance, and well thought out in his business structuring. Course, he would come to meet Masiko’s Mother, through family connections, so to keep the wealth in the family. Family influences came to see him enter government only a few years later, going on to become the Ambassador to Israel. But what many did not know was that he had been sponsoring a woman back in Kyoto. And no ordinary woman. Her name was Kikuyu, and she was a Geisha. One of the finest in the entire region. Course, Misako would not come to know about her straight away. Left behind much of the time in the main house, with her Grandmother, Masiko was to have a very lonely existence. Often, by the time her father returned from his business meetings, Masiko would be asleep, and he would be gone before she awoke each morning.
“For those first few years, my Grandmother tried everything to entice me to speak, but, I just couldn’t. No word on my Mother, an absent father, and this Grandmother, who would not show care or love. I was just the ‘child’ It’s like, everyone knew but me. I was different, to the other children at school. Teased mercifully, as the older children tried to get me to speak. My hair pulled, my food stolen, my shoes hidden. I remember the day I was cornered after school. About five boys and they had given me hell in class, I was surrounded, and they shouted obscenities at me. I didn’t cry, I didn’t run, I just stood there, waiting… for the beating.” Masiko’s voice almost became breathless, as her train of thought had finally pulled out of the station of her mind. Casting her gaze across the room, at a vase filled with beautiful flowers, so delicate and fragrant, Masiko uttered. “There has been only two people in this world, kind enough…to help me, when I thought I was at my end.” Masiko’s nose started to glow red, while her eyes showed the glistening of tears. Slowly blinking, the first of the two tears fell, one for each of her guardians. “One of the larger boys had picked up a brick, and he held it in his hand, ready to throw. And just like that…a boy I had seen, fleetingly at school, because he was always in the Principal’s office. He appeared as if by magic. One minute, my eyes were closed, ready…waiting for the strike. But opening them, he had his hand around the boy’s neck, and thrown him against the wall, the brick falling to the ground, and smashing. The other children all scattered. They were terrified of him. Everyone was.” Ira was now definitely hooked. This was becoming a roller coaster ride of emotions, sweeping him up and now tugging at his heart, for a young girl facing bullying at such an age. The Israeli inched forward in his chair, and asked. “So who was your saviour?” Misako licked her top lip, and had a double take, as she finally heard Ira asking a question. Turning her head towards him, Misako said softly. “His name, was Ryo Takeo. I was to discover, that HE was the school bully. So much larger than the other boys, and he was so strong. Ryo released the boy, and gave a warning, that it was he that dished out the punishments. I had never seen anyone run home so fast. He kicked away the brick, and then walked right up to me, and held out his hand.” Looking to the floor, it was clear, that Masiko was reliving this tale as she told it. “There is something about Japanese culture, that the bond between Mother and Child, is the greatest one of all. To quote another is to say “a child is like clay, always being moulded into different shapes by mother’s firm hands.” You see, Ryu was well aware of me, for the whispers of the elders, had been heard by the eldest sons, and Ryu knew that my Mother was never there, just like his. We shared a common bond, and it had shaped us both, but in different ways. I refused to speak, and he beat everyone up. It would become the unlikeliest of friendships. But what I didn’t know, was that others were watching. Their members spread across every city, looking for new and upcoming youth that would swell their ranks, and make them even more powerful. My friendship with Ryu….would lead me into the world, of the Yakuza.” <3>
-Ira was stunned. The Israeli operative could not believe what he had just heard. “Her name…was Ayalah Romach.” Spoken with little to no emotion, each word was like slamming down a gavel, punching home the fact, that the Lotus and the Viper, had more than just working for Uri in common. And Ira, he knew what this meant. Both sat in silence, but neither looked away from the other. All of this was now starting to make sense, though he had heard only the beginning of the story of her life thus far. But would this revelation affect the mission at hand?
“Lotus…”- Ira said just her name, as if he didn’t know how to follow on. He reached up and rubbed his left temple, while Masiko watched on, slightly bemused by his reaction. “I have a name, you know. Lotus is my code name. My real name is Masiko, feel free to call me that, for the sake of this….bedtime story.” The last two words, were said with a haunting smile, for this was not the kind of tale, you would dare wish to read to a child at night. No, this was the telling of a child’s nightmare.
“Masiko then…I have to ask you. Why did you take this mission, knowing full well just whose life is at stake, as well as risking your own?” Ira had a point, for in order for this job to be done, meant she would have to bury her true feelings deep within herself. Masiko simply let her hand slide, slipping onto the bed, lying upon it, then propping up her head, so she could continue this talk. Her eyes appeared to glaze over, and again, she answered his question, with another. “Did you really think I had a choice, Ira? Did you think Uri would just send anyone to do this?” Masiko’s voice got lower, as though telling another secret. “Surely you are not blind to the truth. Ayalah, is his treasured Viper, his greatest asset. No, she is more than that…so I came to discover.”
Ira was now deeply intrigued by the way in which Masiko was answering questions with questions. But then he had another that was certain to crack her cold exterior. “If Ayalah is so important to him, then what are you to him? What aren’t you telling me?” Ira was no longer smiling, and he wanted an answer this time. But instead of answering, she simply rolled onto her back, and stared up at the ceiling. “It’s the wrong question, Ira. You shouldn’t be asking me, what I am to him..*she turned her head so he could stare at her face, which again, was the cold mask. “You should be asking… who?”
Now it appeared that Maiko was toying with him, baiting him further along, and yet revealing nothing. This would bring a rise from Ira, who was getting tired of the tactical chess game currently being played. Ira folded his arms across his chest, showing signs that he was getting defensive, from her nonstop questions. Turning the tables on him, yet again. Exasperated, he let out an audible sigh, and said more or less to no one. “You’re enough to drive a man to drink.” It was an off the cuff remark, more like he was thinking out loud. Maiko stifled a chuckle, and then went back to wait for the next serve…the next question. “Wouldn’t be the first time, Ira.” Well, either she was serious, or had finally revealed her sense of humour. “Indeed. Now, I am going to ask, and hopefully you are going to give me a straight answer. So…who are you to Uri, Masiko?”
And there it was, the cold mask started to fade away, and a more natural expression, like she was about to let the weight and burden of years of heartache and sorrow, be released like doves into the sky. Masiko tipped her head back, and then began to tell the story….in all its glory.
“For years Ira, I always thought I knew who I was, who I believed myself to be. Sadly, everything I had been told, and came to know as truth, was nothing more than a lie. A lie that would destroy my father, and assure my place at Uri’s side.” Masiko swallowed back the building saliva that was lacquering her tongue. She had come this far, and it was time to make peace, as though the recanting of her life, may well offer solace to her own heart.
“My mother had been “entertaining” Uri, as she did every other week, while my Father was back in Tokyo. I was outside, playing with Ayalah; we were having a tea party, and she asked me if we had any cookies. So, I decided to go back into the house, which I was not supposed to do. *Masiko shot a look at Ira and said*…Ayalah must always get what she wants. Heh.” Ira shrugged, but he knew what Masiko meant, Ayalah was always demanding something, whether it is new lingerie, or a meal out on the town, dancing till all hours, when not working. “So I crept in, and had to pass my Mother’s room, on the way to the kitchen. The door was partially open. I heard her high pitch cries, begging Uri to stop. But he wouldn’t. He kept at it. I could hear his animal like grunting, rutting her while she was suspended from the ceiling. Tied up, like you would a slab of meat. I was so shocked, I couldn’t move, I couldn’t look away. In my horror, I must have released a sound, for he looked to the door, and saw me. And you know what he did? DO YOU?!”
Ira shook his head, now feeling physically sick. “He laughed….he..fucking laughed. I can still see her face, etched in shame, caught in the act, with the man my Father trusted.” Wiping away a stray tear, she then sniffed loudly, and proceeded to tell the end of this sickening tale. “I was not the only one to see them. For my Father had arrived home early, and he was standing, right behind me. I don’t even know how long he was there. All I remember is the scream from my Mother. Like the sound of a cow being gutted while alive. Uri didn’t laugh then. He just stood there…and then, he kept going, he kept fucking her. What kind of man does that?” Ira was shocked to silence, unable to look at her any more, he was now looking out the window, angered at his own Boss. Masiko paused, like she was trying to regain her composure.
“The next thing I remember was I was on a plane, flying back to Tokyo with my father. He never spoke; he just sat there on the flight. I kept reaching for his hand, trying to touch him. But he kept flicking my hand away. Like he never wanted to be touched again. That he never wanted to love again. This was to be the start, of my journey into Hell, and finding out…just who I really was.” <3>