Oblivion

Jonas and I sat in silence for a while, and I calmly ate, my eyes fixed on the food. I didn't want to see or do anything else. All I wanted was for Vector to come in front of me and beg on his knees for me to save him. The exact same way I had needed for him to save my father. The same way my father had pleaded on his knees.

I lost appetite, closed the food flask, and then dropped it next to my feet in the car. Jonas gave a sigh.

"We are waiting for a friend. He is the one who will take you into the villa. I will not be able to go there."

I nodded. "I know."

"I prepared everything else, Red. The hair, the mole. The tattoo. I don't think he will remember you, especially since it has been one year and he has women between his sheets every other..."

I closed my eyes, hating the reminder that I had indeed been this close to being one of those women. It made me resent myself a little more.

I nodded simply, then leaned back, just as a knock came on the rolled up glass. I turned to see who it was, just as Jonas stepped out to meet the person.

He was holding a small bag and was well dressed, and I could see the tattoos peeking out from beneath the shirt. Typical of someone who could get me a job in Vector's home.

After a short discussion, Jonas ushered him into the car, and he entered the back seat.

"You must be red," he said, turning to me.

I nodded slowly. "Nice to meet you."

He accepted my hand with a smile. "Ivan."

"Nice to meet you, Ivan."

He smiled again, and I slowly turned away, letting my thoughts occupy me. I was quiet for a long while, my chest heaving with the prospect of seeing Vector again.

Soon enough, way sooner than I had prepared for, we were at the downtown motel where I would change. Vector's villa was fifteen minutes away, and I would go there alone with Ivan.

I got out of the car and grabbed the items Jonas had prepared for me, then went behind him as he got a room and paid for it.

I went into the room alone, then closed the windows and brought everything out. There was a simple black dress with a pinafore and a headgear, then a bobbed wig, a small mole inside a sachet, and tattoo stickers.

I got rid of the clothes I was wearing and stood in my underwear. Slowly, I leaned to the bag again. There was a smaller bag in it. One that contained the things I would really need.

I pulled out the black set of garters, then strapped it to my waist and thighs. It had a slim special pouch for the small pistol that was still in the bag. I attached it to the garter, then wore the dress on it.

It was perfectly covered, and I turned to the mirror. I looked okay.

Slowly, I pushed my hair up into a bun, then put the cap on it to hold it in place. I then wore the wig on it. Half of it fell in front of my face, shielding my left eye. Perfect.

The tattoo stickers went in my neck and the tops of my chest, and the mole went right beneath my nose.

I fixed the head gear, too, then finally turned to the mirror. I looked both intimidating and homely, like someone who would offer you a poisoned bowl of broth.

I nodded, then pushing everything back into the bag, I went straight down.

Jonas was waiting for me, and he handed me a small phone.

"My number is in there, and I will be here. If you ever need anything, if you change your mind..." He trailed off. He seemed like that was what he wanted. There was no guarantee that I would ever make it out if I failed. Even if I don't fail, Vector had enough trusted people who would want me dead, too.

I forced a smile, just to appreciate all of his effort, then walked out of the motel.

He had kept my duffel bag in the back of the taxi already, and I threw the other one into his car. I walked briskly to join Ivan in the taxi, then closed the door, my eyes turning to catch a final glimpse of Jonas. He gave a small wave, which I acknowledged with a nod before he finally went out of sight.

Ivan didn't say much to me, and I appreciated the silence. I closed my eyes, my fingers intertwined in each other, my chest heaving.

"If you are nervous, don't do it," Ivan said simply. "Vector is not just any man. You would be glad you gave up this mission."

I swallowed. "He is still a man. I will die trying."

He chuckled, then brought out a cigarette. Slowly, he lit it up, then rolled down the glass.

"Vector is not doing the screening of the new staff. You are lucky he had to change them now since their one year contracts expired."

I nodded. I knew Vector changed his workers every year. Obviously. There is no peace for the devil.

"Don't ask questions. Be as nonchalant as possible. Only speak when you need to, and never gossip. If you do well, you will be assigned to work closely with him. That is the goal."

The cab suddenly stopped, and I turned out. The massive black gates held the name of the villa.

Las Torres del Olvido.

Towers of Oblivion. It certainly was. I took in a sharp breath as Ivan got out of the car.

"Let's go."

I nodded, my eyes falling on the gold name plate again. Oblivion.