EXIT STRATEGY
542 Words
POV: Sasha
---
The radio crackled at 3 AM.
Antonio's voice was tight. "They found the bunker."
Marco was on his feet before the words finished. "How long?"
"Ten minutes. Maybe less. There's a tunnel behind the kitchen. Takes you to the subway line. Get out now."
"Copy."
He grabbed my hand, pulled me toward the kitchen. I didn't ask questions. Just ran.
---
The tunnel was dark, narrow, smelled like mold and rust. Marco went first, flashlight in one hand, gun in the other. I followed, my own weapon drawn, every nerve on fire.
Behind us, the sound of metal groaning. They were inside the bunker.
"Faster," Marco said.
We ran.
---
The subway platform was empty. Dead of night, no trains, no people. Just us and the rats and the distant echo of footsteps above.
Marco pulled me into a service tunnel, killed his light. We stood in darkness, breathing hard, listening.
"They're not following," I whispered.
"Yet."
"We need to split up."
"No."
"Marco—"
"I'm not leaving you."
"Then we both die."
He was quiet for a moment. Then he pulled me close, kissed my forehead.
"Stick to the shadows. Don't trust anyone. Not even Antonio's men – Ivan could have turned someone."
"I know."
"I'll find you."
"You promise?"
He looked at me – really looked – and I saw something in his eyes I hadn't seen before.
"Promise."
He slipped away into the darkness.
I went the other way.
---
The city was different at night.
Crueler. More honest. No masks, no pretenses – just survival.
I knew these streets. I'd memorized them months ago, planning escape routes, contingency plans, ways to disappear. I never thought I'd actually use them.
A train rumbled in the distance. I ran toward it.
---
The car was crowded. Late shift workers, drunks, lost souls. I blended in, head down, hood up, nothing to see.
My phone buzzed. Dmitri.
Running won't save you.
I didn't answer.
You chose him. Now you'll watch him die.
My thumb hovered over the keyboard. Touch him and I'll kill you myself.
I deleted it. Threw the phone out the window at the next stop.
No more contact. No more tracking. From now on, I was a ghost again.
---
Dawn found me in Brooklyn, outside Tatiana's building.
The old woman opened the door before I knocked.
"You look terrible," she said.
"I feel worse."
She stepped aside. I walked in.
"Sit. Eat. Talk." She pointed to a chair. "You have five minutes before I decide whether to turn you in."
"Turn me in to who?"
"Whoever's paying."
I sat. "Dmitri."
"I figured." She set a plate of bread and cheese in front of me. "He's been asking about you. Offering money. Lots of money. Enough to retire."
"Why haven't you taken it?"
She sat across from me, studied my face.
"Because your mother was my friend. And she'd want me to help you. Even now. Especially now."
I looked down at the plate. "I don't know what to do."
"Then stop trying to figure it out. Eat. Rest. And when you're ready, fight."
I ate.
I rested.
And when the sun was high, I went back out into the city to find Marco.
- Writer
