Wild Crows - 2. Revelation : english version

by Blandine P. Martin

  When he turned around, I was surprised to see he had a big smile on his face. But I didn’t let my emotions show. This asshole had raped my girl, and I would get even sooner or later. At that moment, I had to stay alert and concentrate on a strategy. The Russian guy walked towards me arrogantly. I was hit by the contrast between his smooth moves and his broad shoulders. I lifted my head and looked at him straight in the eyes.

  — "Tell me one thing, Jerry. Did you enjoy my video? "

  Under other circumstances, I would have smashed his face, but at that moment, I had to be smart, even though I felt like gouging his eyes. I clenched my jaw and spoke softly.

  — "Where is she? "

  — "She is safe, " he said in an overly confident tone.

  — "You have me. Let her go. "

  The tall Russian guy sniggered.

  — "It doesn’t work that way. "

  — "You want me, not her" I replied anxiously. "You said, “A life for a life.” "

  He stopped in his tracks and looked at me. It gave me a clue. This guy was playing with me. I could see the devil in his blue eyes. He was enjoying holding me hostage and he thought he was playing with a full deck. If he intended to make me pay for the explosion, he knew that he could. He had my daughter and my best friend. I didn’t want to know what he was thinking in his bald head. He knew he had the upper hand, and he enjoyed watching me torturing myself.

  — "If you had blown up one of my guys, it wouldn’t have been the same, Jerry. But you killed my brother. "

  His tone was aggressive. Speaking about Sergei seemed to bring back painful memories. He wasn’t just planning to kill me. He wanted me to suffer, and he knew exactly what would do the trick and he was keeping her in that rotten place.

  — "Listen, I have other plans for you, " he said, getting closer to me.

  His fucking accent and his breath on my beard were driving me nuts. His bodyguard still had a gun to my head, and his friend was watching the door. Through the half-open door, I saw another guy talking with a lean man. Behind them, there was another door.

  — "Let me see her, " I said.

  The only answer I got was a punch in the face. I didn’t anticipate it and my head jerked violently. I groaned.

  — "I give the orders. "

  — "A life for a life. That’s what you said. Let her go, let them go. It’s between you and me, Dimitri! "

  An evil smile came to his face.

  — "Except you forgot something. You didn’t play a fair, Jerry. So, it’s my turn to toy with your loved ones. "

  He let out an evil laugh, and I cursed.

  Then, we heard some glass being broken outside. His bodyguard moved and he followed him to the window. Dimitri froze, and his smile disappeared.

  — "You remember what I said, Jerry. You were supposed to come alone! "

  — "And I did, " I reassured him.

  He stared at me, but I could see no emotion on his face. Then he whistled. The next second, he spoke a few words in his native language to the lean guy who was waiting outside. He nodded and then disappeared behind the metallic door.

  — "I want to see her! " I screamed.

  Suddenly Dimitri Kasabov froze. He looked outside the window, as we heard more glass being broken. The sound grew louder. Instinctively, I ducked and placed my hands on my head. The next second, the window exploded under the rifle shots.

  CHAPTER 5

  Joe

  I had been held hostage in that disgusting cell for hours. Still, I was relieved. I preferred to be stuck there with Ash than be on the other side of the door with the Russians. Mack was still sleeping. His cheek soaked by the blood coming from his nose was pressed on the concrete floor. Ash had probably broken it. It was nothing compared to what I had to endure because of his mistake. I looked at him silently, thinking about my recent experience. Would he be able to heal? If we survived, would he be able to get clean? I doubted that the club would reintegrate him after what had happened. I knew that I would never forgive him. So where would he go? Would he leave town? With whom? Did he have a family? But most importantly, why was I so concerned about him? It drove me nuts! I was the one who had been raped! I was overwhelmed by my emotions, which were amplified by hunger, fear, and thirst.

  When Mack grumbled, I froze. Instinctively, I lifted my head and looked at Ash. He gave me a wary look. He looked agitated. Still, he was not as furious as he had been before, and I felt relieved. Saving Mack’s life was not part of my plan, but I had to admit I wouldn’t let him kill him. I couldn’t help it. I didn’t want him dead, even though he had betrayed me. I put my hand on my companion’s forearm, and we briefly looked at each other. I felt that he understood my silent plea. I had time to think it over: No one would be able to stop Ash if he wanted revenge. It was almost impossible to talk sense into him. I saw he was trying to make an effort. He didn’t say anything when Mack sat down with difficulty, leaning against the wall. I couldn’t see his eyes, as he kept his head down. I guessed it was his way of showing remorse and the guilt he was feeling inside. I swallowed hard, feeling sorry for this man I had known when he was a warrior and who was now only a shadow of himself. In front of me, I had a living example of how drugs could destroy a human being. I had never known any cokehead before him. Now, all the campaigns I had seen on TV or heard on the radio made perfect sense. It had only taken him a week to become a human wreck. The call of his old demons had been too powerful, or he had been too weak. Probably both were true.

  I heard men’s voices talking behind the door, and I lost track of my thoughts. Someone was pushing on the door handle on the other side, and I came closer to Ash. He put a protective arm around my shoulders. When the door opened, I recognized the lean guy with the long black hair. He looked like Travolta in Pulp fiction, maybe a bit slimmer. He was holding a gun in his right hand, and he walked to me. I wanted to slide backward but I couldn’t as I was sitting against the wall. Scared out of my mind, I tried to stand up. Ash’s grip grew tighter. Was it the end of the road for me? Was he going to kill me? I felt tears coming to my eyes, and my lips trembled uncontrollably. I had no strength left, no pride, and I was helpless in front of the fate that was awaiting me.

  — "Take me instead! "

  The deep voice of my only friend was just a whisper. He sounded like a wounded lion roaring one last time before dying.

  — "Get out of the way, " said the skinny guy pointing his gun at us. "We want her, but if you make trouble, we can take care of you right now, and we’ll deal with her later. So there’s no need to play the hero. "

  When I heard those words, I froze — well, not totally because I was so afraid of dying that I grabbed Ash’s jacket and burst into tears. I could feel his muscles contracting, but fighting would have been useless. The man with the gun was right. Ash was just a bonus. He still had a chance to save his life. I couldn’t let him risk his skin for me. When the Russian guy touched my shoulder, I brushed his hand away and looked down, not to see my friend’s eyes. It was too painful. Without a word, I followed my captor, who was holding a gun to my head and I crossed the room. I gave one last look at Mack, who was now standing but didn’t seem to feel better. I didn’t want to die, but I couldn’t imagine another outcome. Fighting would have been useless.

  — "I want to see her! " Screamed a bloodcurdling voice.

  I would have recognized that hoarse voice anywhere. Daddy!

  My pulse quickened, as my heart was pounding hard. I could hardly breathe. I walked faster, and the Russian guy followed, but I didn’t feel as threatened as before. My father was there. I needed to see him. I would have destroyed any obstacle to get to him and hold him in my arms. But I was stopped by a gunshot and the noise of broken glass. There were so much on the floor. Then I heard other gunshots. Before I could understand what was going on, I heard orders shouted from a man who spoke Russian in the next room, which was plunged in the dark. My captor closed the door behind us, and we heard more gunshots. Then he crouched, kee
ping me right in front of him. This asshole was using me as a human shield. He was such a coward. They all shouted in their native language to communicate. Then the ground shook a little. The noise grew louder and louder. Other windows exploded under the impact of hundreds of shots. Instinctively, I put my hands on my head and got to my knees, praying for all this violence to end. I wanted to go far away from the smell of death and that feeling of fear that kept taunting me.

  — "Dad! " I screamed as loud as I could.

  I tried to locate him, but the room was dark, and the only things I could make out were a few pieces of furniture. The smell of gun powder filled the room. I heard some footsteps, and I started to understand what was going on. A group of men was climbing the stairs, and a few moments later, they entered the room, holding rifles. They ordered us to get down, and I did. Everyone was screaming. I couldn’t figure out the words. There were a few more gunshots.

  Suddenly, my Russian captor grabbed me by the collar and forced me to stand up. He still had his gun pointed at me. He could feel him breathe heavily. I was standing in harm’s way, stuck between rivals who were shooting at each other.

  — "Get on the ground! " Shouted a man one more time.

  — "I’m going to kill her! " Said, my captor. "Let me go, or she dies! "

  I heard another round of shots, and I prayed not to be in a bullet’s trajectory. It was hard to breathe between the smell of gunpowder and the dust flying around. Then, I heard a woman’s voice.

  — "You’re surrounded! Let them go! "

  Was she the sheriff? Probably. Then, another voice with a strong accent was ordering my captor to free me.

  — "Let her go, dickhead! "

  The big boss was about to surrender. I realized I had an opportunity to escape when I saw the surprise on my captor’s face, so I struck him on the head. He fell backward, and I ran away. I was only hoping no other Russian guy would shoot me, while I was escaping. Suddenly I heard an explosion and the room lit up for a second. When I turned around, I couldn’t see one man on his feet. I blinked, as the lights came back. Was it over? It all happened so fast that I thought my heart was about to stop. I was brought back to reality by the smell of the gunpowder, and I realized I had survived this nightmare. I saw a group of police officers, wearing bulletproof vests who were heavily armed. They were walking around the room. Their leader was the sheriff. I was still shaken, out of breath and crying uncontrollably. I looked around the room, searching for my father, but he found me before I did. Disregarding the policemen’s orders, he decided to risk his life and crossed the room to come to me. Before I realized what was happening, he was holding me in his arms. I had never felt so alive. We were surrounded by death, but I felt safe. I buried my face in his neck and sobbed.

  — "It’s ok, sweetheart, it’s ok. "

  The police officers were still deploying in the building, but I didn’t pay attention to them. Then, a loud voice made me jump.

  — "Don’t shoot! "

  The sheriff was in the room, where I had been held captive. My heart was beating fast. Ash! Feeling wobbly, I ran, leaving my father behind and ignoring the policeman who was shouting at me.

  — "Don’t move! "

  I had been in the crossfire before, and I had survived! I couldn’t care less about his warning! With a sense of panic, I entered the room, and what I saw was unbearable for my broken heart. Ash was standing, and his eyes were shiny. He seemed overwhelmed and helpless. The sheriff was extending her hand toward Mack, who was holding a gun to his head. Tears flooded his face. His red eyes were fixed on his friend. When he saw me, he clenched his jaw, and I felt the ground open under my feet.

  — "Mack…"

  It was a desperate plea, barely audible.

  — "I am sorry, " he whispered, sobbing and trying to catch his breath. "I am so sorry. "

  Instinctively, I extended my hand, as if my gesture could prevent him from…but it was too late. The gun had gone off. As his blood splattered the walls and my shirt, I envisioned hell. His body seemed to be falling in slow motion, and I could see the life draining from his eyes. I felt like I was dying with him. My legs, my stomach, and my head couldn’t take it anymore. I fell into a big black hole. I vaguely felt two arms catching me, but it was too late. I let myself sink into that hole, unable to cope with such violence. Death had won, while life had abandoned us like a coward.

  CHAPTER 6

  Joe

  The last words I heard were my father's. He was asking someone to drive me back home. Then, there was total darkness. I couldn't even remember walking out of that place, filled with dead people. I didn't dream of my mom anymore or saw her image floating before my eyes. I just felt empty, as if my body had decided to stop functioning because it wasn’t able to tolerate more pain. Later, I opened my eyes for a few seconds, and all I could see was the rolling landscape and a few lights along the way. The sound of the car engine was soothing, and I dived into the darkness that filled my soul. I didn't want to fight anymore.

  Finally, I couldn’t hear any sound, which awoke me. I didn’t find the strength to think about where I was and why. I would let the person who was in charge make the decisions for me, as I was incapable of making a decision. Suddenly, I felt extremely cold, and I realized that someone was moving me. I had this strange feeling I was on a rocking boat, floating on the water. I heard a rattling sound, and a door opened. My feet were not touching the ground. I was cradled in somebody's arms, and it was fine, as far as I was concerned.

  I had to open my eyes as the light became too intense to keep them closed. I recognized my apartment and the corridor at the end of which my bedroom was. I found the strength to whisper "no." My friend stopped, and I uttered a few words.

  — "No… on the sofa... "

  We turned around, and he carefully put me on the couch. I opened my eyes and saw the tired face of the man who had saved me from hell. I couldn't say I was surprised. I had recognized the smell of his shirt and his skin, when he had carried me in his arms. Ash disappeared for a few moments, but he came back with my comforter to cover me. Then, he sat in an armchair nearby. Still disoriented, I watched him. Holding his head in his hands, his face was hidden, but I knew he was worried. He sighed and grumbled. I suddenly realized that it hadn't been a nightmare. These terrible images inside my head were not hallucinations. Everything was true, absolutely everything. I clenched my jaw, and tears flooded my face. I tried to wipe some with my sleeve, but there were too many. The pain was tearing my insides apart, my throat was burning, and I could hardly breathe. Clumsily, I sat on the couch and looked at the tall, dark-haired man beside me. He was nervously rubbing his eyes. His expression was tense. One could read despair and tiredness on his face. The dried blood on his forehead made it worse, and his usually bright blue eyes were masked by reddish shadows, caused by the stream of his emotions. His eyes caught mine for a second, and I had the feeling that our mutual sorrow was too heavy to bear. Instinctively, I leaned forward and took his hand in mine. I pulled on it, and he sat with me on the sofa. I felt like I was in a cocoon, the same one that had helped me survive. I snuggled into his arms, where I knew nothing could reach me. I felt his head against mine, and I finally relaxed, completely helpless and unable to fight the powerful emotions that were ripping my heart apart. I put my legs under the comforter and grabbed the remote on the coffee table. I zapped until I could find a channel which broadcast music videos from a time when love and freedom mattered the most. I pulled the comforter to my friend's knees and snuggled back into his arms.

  — "My father…?" I whispered.

  — "He had to go with the sheriff. He asked me to take care of you. He should be back in a few hours. "

  Half-conscious, I nodded, but I wasn't quite able to understand what was going on. So I listened to the Stones singing « Paint it black,» and the words of the song became my new reality. All I could see was total darkness.

  *

  After falling asleep in the early hours of
the morning, I was awoken by a strong smell. I wiped my mouth and found out my head was resting on a pillow which had replaced the lap of my friend.

  — "Ash? " I said in a sleepy voice.

  — "He went home to have some rest, " said a man's voice that I immediately recognized.

  I got up, even though my legs were still weak and I walked to my father, who was standing in the kitchen. I fell into his arms and smelled his leather jacket. He stroked my hair with his large hand, and I would have done anything to keep his arms around my body forever.

  — "The poor guy watched over you all night long. I sent him home. He needs to sleep. "

  I nodded silently, and I reluctantly pulled away. My father gave me a cup of coffee, and I grabbed it with both hands. The hot liquid felt so good on my lips and inhaled its strong smell. It reminded me that the nightmare was over. I was standing next to my father in my kitchen. I was back to my routine, and it felt good. Suddenly I was brought back to reality.