by Lumi Laura
*
Next morning, the Chief of Police, Captain Mariusz, was the first to come see her. Every policeman on the force was with him. He accused Alex of attacking the guard who tried to feed her.
"If you consider raping my mouth feeding me," she replied.
"That's not what happened," Mariusz said.
"You've filmed the entire episode on closed circuit television. You know what happened."
"It was... out of order," he stammered. "You've assaulted one of our officers and will pay for it."
"You knew what he was doing. You sent him to me. You’re all ticăloși."
Alex heard a commotion down the hall, the sea of police officers parted, and she saw Father Zosimos enter.
"What have you done this time?" he asked.
"Yes, well that is the way you'd view it, isn't it," she said. "They invade my home without provocation, drag me in here, and turn loose a monster who wants a little fellatio. What do you expect?"
"But Alex, you assaulted three police officers in your home and almost killed another here in the jail."
"And he's your concern, instead of me? What a dirtbag. I've done him a favor. Now he's inoculated."
"They have your DNA. They know you killed a man. It matched that of the killer of Petru Balc."
"The rapist? That was self-defense, and you know it. So do they. Now get out. You don't want to witness what I'm about to do. I thought I'd get a fair shake in here, but now I know I won't. I'm leaving. If they try to stop me, if they injure the child I'm carrying, I'll kill everyone in this building." Of course, she was bluffing. If they had guns like the one Stefan used on her, they might be able to subdue her and kill her.
"Give me a few minutes. Let me talk to them," said Father Zosimos.
"Five minutes, and then I'm tearing this cell apart, and if anyone gets in my way, I'll shred them like a beef at the butcher."
They all left the room. A few minutes later, Father Zosimos returned with Captain Mariusz. He carried a bag with her personal effects.
"They'll release you into my recognizance, until the inquest," said Father Zosimos. "I've posted a hefty bond. Promise to do what I say."
"Why would anyone not do what a priest asks of her?"
Mariusz opened her cell door, and she and Father Zosimos left by the backdoor.
"I could have helped you. We could have worked together," Alex said.
"You'll be safe at the Monastery until we get this figured out. The murder charge will never stick. The nuns will take care of you, and even deliver your child."
"And take her from me. No thanks, Father."
"What do you mean?"
"I have to get some things first."
On the way, Alex called Jaklin on her cellphone. "Can you meet me at home?" she asked.
When they arrived, Jaklin was already standing on the front steps, tears streaking her cheeks.
"No more tears," said Alex. "This is business."
Alex and Jaklin went upstairs to the bathroom first where she washed her hands to get the smell of the policeman off, then to her bedroom where she packed a small bag. She explained to Jaklin that she was going away but that she'd return to have the baby, if at all possible.
"Where are you going?" Jaklin asked.
"You'll be safer not knowing."
"Oh, Missy. I've missed you so these last few weeks."
"Just a few more months, and maybe we can be together again. I'll need help with the baby."
"That sounds wonderful."
"It would be nice if you and Mikhail would stay here in my home and watch out for it."
"That would solve Mikhail's problem. He's running out of money and was considering returning to live with his parents in Russia."
"You two split up? Please, don't do that. Go with him, Jaklin, if he leaves. By all means, do it. But if you want to stay..."
"We're just not the same without you. I don't want to give up my job."
"Then get him to stay. You two will get through this. Use my assets. That is, if you still want him."
"In the worse way. Mikhail does love you, Missy. But, I mean, vampires. It's just really tough."
"I don't blame him for a second."
Alex showed Jaklin the safe place in her closet where she'd stashed her money, pulled out a clump of bills and stuffed some into her bag.
"I won't need much where I'm going. Use whatever suits you. Tell Mikhail to take what he needs. And don't worry about it, Jaklin. I have more money than you can imagine. Don't starve yourself, and if you need some new clothes... Well, that's what it's for. And use my grandmother's car if you need to. Just don't run over anyone, I care about. Father Zosimos, on the other hand..."
When Alex and Jaklin went back downstairs, Father Zosimos was standing in the middle of the room. He looked downhearted. "You not going with me, are you?"
"Sinaia is no longer safe for me and the child," she answered. "I don't trust you, Father." She plugged her cellphone into her computer and downloaded the rest of the music she'd bought recently.
"Your grandmother would have wanted you to." He seemed sincere. She thought she saw a tear.
Alex turned on him. "Three nights ago, I came to see you when Stefan tried to kill me. I heard him telling you about it. You'd planned that with him."
"Never did I conspire against you. He told me it was an accident, that you got in the line of fire. I would never order your murder." He looked shaken, stammered for words. "I'll talk to him about it. He's a good, God-fearing man trying to rid the world of evil."
"He should be behind bars. Where's your sense of mortality? You've aligned the Church with murderers."
"Perhaps I've not done well with this, or you," he said. "I've been harassed by swarms of angels in my dreams lately."
It was too little, too late. Alex showed Jaklin where she kept Nălucă's food and the litter box. She started to take her grandfather's staff, but thought a sharp stick might not fit in too well where she was going. She hugged Jaklin, kissed her on the lips. Alex had something to say, but she didn't want to. She stiffened her resolve.
"Here's my most fervent wish for you and Mikhail," she said with tears in her eyes. "Don't stay here. Leave. Go to Bulgaria or Russia. Leave immediately and never come back. You are not safe, and the life choices you make here could take you on a path of spiritual catastrophe. Take Mikhail, get married, have kids. Love and be loved. Forget you ever knew me."
Alex left by the backdoor with Father Zosimos following. As she walked off into the woods, he called after her.
"The police, they'll come for you again," he said. "You'll be safe with me."
"Would I be safe from you?" Alex shouted over her shoulder.
"I promised Mariusz. I'll lose the bond money."