by Finian Blake
“Take her down the hall and wait in the SUV where the drive meets the street. Cherry you drive and make sure that the lift gate is open.”
Nadia walked into the control room finding that Boris had looped the final screen. she pointed to one of the smaller screens showing the blond forcing a plastic bag over a bound man’s head. Nadia put her hands on Boris’s shoulders.
“She could have been doing that to you. I am going to kill them all but if you have any objections I will consider them.”
“I do not wish to kill the lady.”
“She would have killed you.”
“I know but I do not wish to kill the lady.” Boris was firm in his request.
“I will honor your exception.” Nadia brushed his cheek gently kissing him. She picked up a roll of duct tape from the counter which she used to secure Candy to the office chair. She turned to Boris lifting her right hand.
“I swear that I will not harm this bitch beyond what you see here.”
“Thank you I can live with the rest.”
“Good now run to the car darling. You are going to hear two loud bangs. I swear it will not be her.”
Nadia took the shotgun shooting both the dead men in the hole made by the derringers bullet. Candy started to scream and Nadia stepped to the console turning the console volume up to full. So that the screams and painful protests of each monitor came blasting through. Nadia yelled into Candy’s ear, “this is what the police will see when they come.” Nadia tied a cord to the hood and pulled it off so that Candy could watch all thirteen screens of mayhem with ear shattering sound. As she closed the door Nadia could barely hear Candy’s terrified screams at the horror which appeared before her eyes in the control room.
Nadia walked down the hall with a determined stride reloading the shotgun that was still in her hands. Throwing open the rear doors she shot each one of the men in the head and reloading she repeated the action again throwing the shotgun in the back of the van. Nadia looked around quickly spotting a five-gallon gas can. She threw the can in the passenger seat and drove the van out of the barn close behind the SUV. She tied a trouser leg of one of the perpetrators pants to the bumper of the van stuffing the other pant leg into the filler spout at the gas tank and spread the gasoline through the inside of the van splashing each body liberally. Nadia lit both pant legs just before she sprinted to the SUV diving into the back and slamming the hatch.
“Drive…” Ten seconds after they pulled on to the street the Van erupted in flame lighting up the sky. After they were a few miles away Cherry removed Rhonda’s scarf handing it to Blossom, “put this over your eyes. We can’t afford to have you see where we are going.”
“Stop,” Nadia said emphatically from the back seat. Rhonda slammed on the brakes. “Blossom what about you? Do you want to go back home?”
“I have nothing to go back too.” Cherry gave Nadia a look that did not have to be explained.
Nadia looked at the blindfolded girl saying, “Cherry I am behind you 100%, but can you take a daughter from her mother?” Cherry looked at Nadia with soulful eyes.
“Blossom told me that her mother’s boyfriend was abusing her, and she ran away from home to escape the abuse. Will you at least look at the situation?” The SUV pulled up in front of Rhonda’s house with Rhonda and Cherry getting out of the car taking Blossom with them. Cherry looked back at Nadia and Boris still talking in the SUV before going inside.
“Let’s talk it over in the morning after we get some sleep.”
Nadia looked Boris squarely in the eye, trying to get some sense of what to say to him next. He was clearly stunned by the events of the evening, so she ran her fingers through his hair shaking his head gently.
“Boris, I would like to say that this is as bad as it gets, but there are few things that are worse. I only hope that you can see that this was necessary. They killed those three girls back there, almost killing Blossom and they surely would have killed us if they had their way.”
“I don’t know what to think, but there is no doubt in my mind that they were some very bad people. I do appreciate you not killing that lady. I need some time to deal with this. Why don’t we talk in the morning?” Nadia and Boris walked to the house finding a note on the front door: BLOSSOM IS IN THE GUEST ROOM. USE CHERRY’S BEDROOM AND WE WILL SEE YOU IN THE MORNING. Boris went in the bedroom with Cherry and Rhonda with Nadia moving over to the guest room to check on Blossom. Blossom was curled up under the covers in a tight ball.
“Blossom are you okay?” The figure under the covers curled tighter.
“I’ll be good,” a whimper came from under the covers. “I will do whatever you want me to.”
“Blossom, you are safe here. All I want to do is make sure that you are alright. I will be in the next room down the hall if you need anything.” Nadia did not wish to press the already traumatized girl so she walked down the hall to Cherry’s bedroom and started preparing for bed. There was an almost imperceptible knock at the door.
“I don’t want to be alone.” Blossom said in tears. Nadia threw back the covers, allowing Blossom to come into her bed. Blossom hesitantly crawled into Nadia’s bed pulling the covers over her and curling up into a ball. Nadia felt tears coming to her eyes as she could hear Blossom’s sobs.
Nadia awoke to Blossom hugging her back. She gently slipped out of bed without waking the traumatized girl going down to the kitchen to cook breakfast for everyone. Blossom awoke alone, smelling the wonderful aroma of cooking ham drifting upstairs from the kitchen, and she suddenly remembered how very hungry she was. As Blossom entered the kitchen, Boris was seated at the table having a cup of coffee and Nadia was cooking some ham and eggs on the stove.
“Jimmy and Candy refused to feed me until I read the script right and I haven’t eaten for two days. Is there any way that I can have something to eat?” Nadia eased the contents of the pan onto a plate placing it in front of Blossom.
“Boris will not mind if you eat his breakfast. Are Cherry and Rhonda still asleep?” Blossom looked fearfully at Boris waiting for the tantrum that she knew was coming being completely surprised as he smiled sliding the plate to her.
“My dear, sit down and enjoy the breakfast. I can easily wait for a little while.”
“Boris, have another cup of coffee while Blossom eats her breakfast. I have something to do.”
Nadia snuck up the stairs quietly lifting the bed covers from the foot of the bed ever so gently reaching between each woman’s legs delivering a world class pinch. The shriek caused Boris to slop his coffee down his shirt in the kitchen. There was the sound of thundering footsteps on the stairs and Nadia burst in the kitchen with Cherry and Rhonda close behind. Blossom jumped in Boris’s lap for protection.
“Blossom don’t be afraid they are just playing,” Boris laughed. After a few laps of the table, Rhonda reversed direction playfully tackling Nadia followed by them doing their best to tickle Nadia into submission.
Rhonda turned the TV on wanting to see if there is anything in the news about last night. The news caster looked deathly serious as the image of two bound hands appeared over his shoulder.
“And this just in… The police responded to an automobile fire with bizarre results finding, nine dead, multiple murders, and a bizarre porn ring. Unidentified sources claim that three of the victims were underage girls that were targets of what is referred to as a snuff ring. The other five dead were believed to be members of the snuff ring. All of them were shot in the head execution style. A woman who is the lone survivor is being held in conjunction with the activities of the porn operation. We will have more news at…”
Maalik threw the remote forcefully at the couch after turning TV off. What a sick Godless country how could such a Satan be so strong. These people seemed to have no morals. Everywhere he turned Maalik found perversion and drunkenness. Women were allowed to walk around displaying their Awrah (their intimate parts) and openly display affection. He would show these people how weak that they really
were. Nabil would finish his bomb and he would deliver it. There was just one problem Maalik could not find the propane truck that he needed. He had the women searching the internet and calling as if they were secretaries to find the truck. They expanded their search to everything east of the Mississippi he assigned each one specific states so that there would be no overlap. He could not let Nabil find a truck before he did. Nabil found the explosive and delivered a plan that would make this move a moment in history. The phone rang with the caller ID showing Nabil’s name.
“Nabil how are you this morning?”
“I am ecstatic I have found a truck. I bought it sight unseen, because they tend to disappear fast. Its registration is good for just three more months so we will not need to get it inspected. The price was $60,000, but it was the cheapest thing that was still running, everything else needed an overhaul and it is only 200 miles away. The trick is that we only have 24 hours to pick it up. Do we have enough money?”
“Yes I have the cash on hand now.”
“Do you think that Khalid could pick up the truck? I am designing the detonator and out of time. What do you have the other people doing?
“I am keeping them busy.” Maalik’s jaw was clenched so tightly that he thought that he would break a tooth.
“I could use Rajiya to search for a garage, if you don’t have something else for her to do.” Nabil seriously enjoyed baiting Maalik and did not tell him that Rajiya was sitting right next to him. “She is a clever girl and can be of great help to you, if you will only use her talents.”
“I have her doing exactly that, since you told me we would need a garage,” Maalik lied.
“Let me know when you have found a garage so that we can work on the truck? It should not be that difficult.” Nabil enjoyed hearing about all the things that Maalik could not do. “Well I have to go. I am meeting that new woman from your office. She sounds like she is of good breeding. We are going to meet in a half hour for coffee at that café that we usually go to.” Maalik threw his phone at the couch having learned that cell phones and walls are not compatible.
He grabbed the binoculars and headed for his car. It was a fifteen-minute drive to the café. Maalik found a parking space down a side street that had a clear view of the front door of the Café. He watched Nabil park and enter the restaurant, but there was no sign of the woman yet. At exactly eight thirty, one of the Four Diamonds cars pulled up in front of the café. Maalik noted that the woman driving it wore a brightly colored long sleeve top and a hijab. She looked to the left checking traffic. Through his binoculars Maalik could see that her eyes were brilliant light green. He focused the binoculars on the door and an obliging wind blew her skirt exposing her ankles. Her legs were perfectly formed and her skin had a light olive tone to it. He watched through the large picture window as Nabil greeted her indicating a seat. She sat up straight and kept her hands folded modestly in front of her on the table. She appeared to be modest and well-bred in every way.
Before he realized what he was doing Maalik’s hand was opening the door of the restaurant. He had driven down the street parked behind her car and walked to the door without conscious thought. He looked in the direction only seeing the woman at the table. Suddenly the door opened in front of him and Nabil was only a few feet away.
“Ah my good friend Maalik, so you did have time to join us please come in and have some coffee. Nabil let Maalik pass in front of him so that he could have a good view of this beautiful woman. Seraphina’s raven black eyebrows shimmered like a raven’s wing seeming to produce a light of their own. When Nabil introduced her Seraphina looked directly into Maalik’s eyes smiling demurely and moving her hands to her lap.
“Seraphina is here from France to work with your company. She is here on a trial basis to see if her talents could be of use.”
Maalik was completely captivated. “How could they not be of use?”
Nabil continued, “My friend was very busy and wanted to be sure that you had someone to acquaint you with the area.”
Seraphina gave both men her most radiant smile. “I am sorry but I must be at Four Diamonds by ten AM. Tom Thomas my new boss is expecting me and I have only been here for a few days.”
“I would enjoy showing you around to acquaint you with the area.” Nabil was hoping.
“It would not be right to be with a single man without an escort. I have no family members here so perhaps with an escort but I have no lady friends yet.” Seraphina blushed and Maalik found himself staring at her cheeks. Unlike many women her skin was clear and perfect having never suffered from acne. There were no blotches or imperfections. His brain screamed to possess this woman. Maalik wanted to lock her away so that he would be the only man to lay eyes on her. If she were his, Seraphina would never walk outside and no other man would ever see her again. Seraphina interrupted Maalik’s private thoughts.
“I would like to thank both of you for taking your time to make me feel welcome, but unfortunately I must leave you now.” With that excuse Sera left for work. As she walked to the car all that showed was her feet and the simple sandals that she wore. He watched her leave. Nabil watched Maalik watch her leave.
“Nabil it was wrong of me to ask you to divert your attention from your busy schedule you have accomplished so much for the cause.” Nabil was not about to let his comment pass.
“My friend I was surprised that you could take the time with all that still needs to be accomplished.” Maalik slapped the table, but held his tongue. Instead he stood abruptly and left. Nabil walked to the cash register and stepped in back with the owner.
Maalik jumped in his car and sped down the only logical way that there was to Four Diamonds. He came within three cars of Sera and cruised behind her until he reached the gate marked COMPANY VEHICLES ONLY at which point he raced around to the employee parking lot. Maalik came around the corner just in time to see Sera walk into Tom’s office.
“Sera how are you getting on with…” the door closed and Maalik could not hang around without being noticed so he decided to go home.
Sera took a chair at the side of the desk removing the scarf.
“Tom I think that I created a stalker. You said get him interested, but I believe that he is way passed that.”
“Do you think that you can handle him, Sera?”
“He pushed for giving me a tour and I told him that since I didn’t have any family members here I would ask a girl friend to accompany us.”
“Who do you have in mind?”
Sera smiled, “I believe that I would like ‘King Kong’ but I will settle for Nadia. She speaks Arabic and she has stopping power.”
“I am sure that there will be no problem, just give her the details. What about Arnold, Sera?”
“You have the new apartments that you use for a safe house. Give him the apartment next to mine. If this clown starts stalking me he will want to be close.”
“I will give you that head board with the Taser compartment.” Tom laughed. Here’s the key go set your place up and give Nadia this key for the other apartment next to you so that you will have someone on each side.” Sera started to leave and Tom held her arm. “I saw what those other two did out there when you and Layla shot them. If things get dicey I will drop him like you did the other two.”
“Just like a rabid dog Tom.”
Nadia agreed to take Blossom shopping after she taught her class. She borrowed a set of sweats from Cherry which had to be belted because of the size difference. Nadia walked into the gym and straight up to Ted giving him a big kiss.
“Blossom this is my husband Ted. He is going to teach you how to defend yourself.” At six foot seven Ted stood a full two feet taller than her four foot eight and Nadia was only four inches shorter than him. She held her hand up next to Ted’s massive paw and it looked like a doll’s hand. Blossom held her hands up and Ted picked her up so that they were eye to eye.
“Do you protect Nadia?”
“Of course I do.”
&nb
sp; Blossom smiled, “Will you protect me?”
Ted hugged her, “You know I will.”
One of the recruits called out. “Hey is this take your kid to work day?”
“You wouldn’t be having a problem with that would you now?” Ted let his Scottish accent thicken a bit. “Would anyone care to comment about my daughter?” Blossom watched everybody shrink away from Ted and rewarded him with her biggest hug.
“Darling you work with Nadia and daddy is going to teach a lesson. When the class was through everybody was drenched in sweat. In the meantime, Nadia asked some careful questions, finding out that her mother was an addict that lived with her boyfriend who liked to beat both her and Blossom for the least little offense. When Blossom’s mother started beating her for pissing off her boyfriend Blossom split and hung out with a runaway hooker until they were both snatched off the street by Jimmy’s crew. It was her friend’s body that they found in the freezer with a plastic bag over her head and she had seen them do it. Jimmy had not beaten or molested Blossom so that her bruises would not show in the porn movies. Candy had tied her up as punishment for miss reading the script, not knowing that she could barely read.
Blossom came running up to Ted. “Nadia is taking me shopping will you come with us?”
“How about lunch first,” Ted smiled.
“Please…please…please,” Blossom squealed. “Sheila and I had to steal food if we wanted to eat and Candy would beat us if we asked for anything.”
Nadia gently put her hand on Blossom’s shoulder. “When you are with us you can ask for whatever you want.”