Chapter 4:
1000 Words
ISABELLA:
I throw another knife at the target board and I miss the head by an inch and my anger increases.
I drink my water and take a deep breath in trying to contain my anger. With sweat rolling down my back and my continually racing heart as a result of adrenaline, I sit on the floor trying to actually catch my breath, my mind instantly went to the letter.
“I'M COMING ISA”
Who was coming? What did they want? How did they know me? I hated threats, encrypted letters or anything that made me overthink everything and made me look at everyone as suspects or looking over my shoulders.
“You've been in here for hours” I hear Miguel from the door, “you need sunlight”.
I stand up and pick up another knife and throw it and I miss by the same inch, “what's the update? Find any prints?” I turn to him and cross my hands.
“Came clean”he takes a deep breath in.
“And the blood?”
His silence confirms my suspicion, “it's yours Isa”.
My heart drops and my mind goes into static mode, but I keep a straight face. I scoff and pick another knife, “when I find whoever is doing this I will make his or her entire life miserable” I throw the knife and it hits the target's head.
***********
I go through the security cameras for the fifth time and I see nothing, it all stops when Miguel carries me away to the car, I hit the table in frustration, “dammit”.
“May I come in?” I hear Cara from the door.
I close my laptop, “sure”.
“You've been in here for hours” she sits down with a worried look, “even Miguel is more stressed than he usually is, what's happening?”
Cara was my younger sister but she always acted like the elder one but I didn't want her to worry, I didn't want to drag into this world of bloodshed and threats, “normal business Cara” I smile sadly, “when are you going back to Canada?”
“In a week” she sighs, “mum wants me to do some things for her so”.
“Right”.
“And speaking of mom, she's coming over today” she stands up and walks to the door, “whatever you need Isa you can always talk to me you know” her tone laced with sadness.
“I know Cara”
“Hasta El infinito?”
“Hasta El infinito” I smile back.
Till Infinity.
**************
“You disappeared even before I could introduce you to my guest” my mum says as she sits down opposite me.
“Well I didn't like your guests and I didn't want to be there remember? It was all about courtesy” I stand up and go to the kitchen, “what is it mum?”
“Isa” she turns to me, “is everything okay? Cara’s worried”.
“She's always worried” I scoff, “you're both so alike it's insane”.
She takes a deep breath in, “we'll you can't blame us” she walks to me, “I did something you might hate”.
I groan and facepalm myself, “what did you do mom?”
“it's not bad you know…it's for your own good”.
“Mom,” I say with anger.
“So I was talking to a friend that works in a protection agency and she recommended someone for you”
I knew it, “I told you I'll think about it. It's barely a week since we talked about it or rather you brought the idea”.
“I know but I couldn't sit around doing nothing, remember you and Cara are all I have left, I can't lose you like I lost your father because of his stubbornness”.
I grunt and take a deep breath in, “I'm listening”.
She brings out her phone and shows me a very familiar face, or rather familiar eyes, “Justin Warren, worked with different people including the President of Ireland and other very important and high class people and he is excellent at his job, ex military too” she smiles waiting for a response, “so?”
I look at his picture again, “Miguel would do a background check” I send it to myself, “will you drop this now and allow me breathe?”
“Yes” she hugs me, “thank you Isa” she cups my cheeks and pecks it, “te amo mi amor” she soothes my hair.
I love you my love”.
She picks her bag, “I'll be going back to Mexico in a week or less, when would you visit?”
I press the elevator button, “when my life is safe and out of danger” I smile.
“That's not funny Isa, no juegues conmigo Isa sabes que eso no es gracioso”
Don't play games with me. Isa , you know that's not funny.
“ten sentido del humor, mamà” I smile.
Have a sense of humor mother.
The elevator dings open and I see another letter on the floor, I pick it up, “call me when you're home” I peck her cheeks.
“Okay” she notices the change in my mood, “are you okay? Who's that from?” She points to the letter.
“Some mail I guess”
“Oh okay” she enters the elevator, “weird American mailing system” the elevator closes.
I open the letter and again written in all caps and blood body,
“RUN NOW ISA, I'M CLOSE”
“Motherfucker” I breathe out.
- Writer
