New York. It was in spring when the tentacles of the monster slithered as far as Manhattan. Respect for jurisdiction or territory was about to be disregarded, if they had some of it, as one assassin followed JC up to where he thought himself unreachable. Rudy Rude landed at JFK International Airport incognito. With no other purpose but to look for the tape, he checked out, picked up his bag, and immediately got a taxi directing himself nearest to Central Park West. He checked into a hotel and never worried about his identity. Nobody knew him and time was all his in the world to find his quarry.
The next thing he did was to secure a weapon. It wasn’t hard to buy a Beretta semi-automatic with a silencer from one of the shops. It was small and easy to handle. After going around the shops for the things he needed he rested. It was already dark when he settled himself. He sat on a chair, looking at the shapes in his hotel room: the
He searched his memories, going over and over every detail for answers to all questions. Deep in his mind, he knew the reasons for all the events that had unfolded, for which now he was answering to be punished. No . . . It’s the tape, JC concluded. The word resonated in his mind. Now he was certain it was the tape, but would they go this far? There’s no other cold-blooded heartless evildoer who would do that to Fidel. It’s got to be the monster. But why include poor Fidel? He was only a bystander. If they were after the tape, they would have to go straight for me. Or to the office and turn it upside down. But would they know it’s hidden there safely? With two guards at the entrance and a close circuit security system, getting access would be difficult if not nearly impossible. Go on . . . let’s see if you could bust the office, he said angrily. Fear pierced through him after reali
JC went out of the café to breathe fresh air. He paused and stood at the door thinking. Then he went back inside. With no place to go, he used the remaining coin to dial another number. “Hello,” Kate answered in her classic soft voice. “Hello, Kate. It’s JC here. I’m outside in a café. Can you meet me here?” “Are you ok? You sound weird, JC. Am I wrong?” “You’re right. I am worried as hell.” “Worried about what?” “I can’t go into my apartment.” “Why so? “The policemen found a dead body in my apartment and I don’t have any clues as to why. I couldn’t stay until they’re done with the investigation, at least for the night” “Which café are you in?” “It’s one alon
Rudy Rude went into a gaudy shop where colorful hats hang on display, at the corner of Times Square. It's one where they sold masks, beards, wigs, and the like aside from hats. He scoured the shop, looking for something that could make a perfect disguise. After finding nothing to his liking he discarded the idea and left. He didn't need any disguise as of yet. But if the time comes when he would need one, he knew where to find it. The assassin stood at five feet eight inches, about four inches shorter than JC. In a dark suit, he was cleverly disguised to blend himself with any of the ordinary office workers in the streets of Manhattan. Inside his breast pocket was the Beretta semi-automatic with a silencer. When the police had gone, he came back to stalk JC's apartment. He stationed himself on the other side of the road, looming like a fierce predator in the jungle. JC was hoping everything would be all right. Unmindful
JC kept running along Broadway Street towards the north. He aimed for Trinity Catholic Cemetery for that was the only direction on his mind. He stopped ten times but only to take a rest on one of the benches. Upon reaching the vicinity he was relieved to see the chapel was open. At the gate, there was an old woman who sold flowers and candles. He scanned the frontage towards the end of the wall that turned left. All was clear. Still panting he slipped inside after looking back to check if his pursuer was following. It was comforting to see that the light was subdued and no soul was in sight. It meant that the services had long been terminated. Before slipping in, he asked for a bunch of roses and one candle, and then gave the woman a bill which he removed from his wallet. After making his purchase, he proceeded directly to Mary's gravestone. Again, he heard the tapping of his footsteps, which he was familiar with. He needed this familiarity to fe
In high school, Tessa Lopez was not popular with boys at all. She was slender and flat-chested like a walking stick. Her movements were gawky and awkward, typical of a girl adjusting to changes in her body. The bullies said she walked like Ichabod Crane, which made her very conscious and pissed. She was not too particular on what she wore. She had a loose knitted yellow Burberry which was her favorite. She always wore it to make herself look more stuffed. She cared less about what her classmates said, but this pullover compensated for her skinny figure. If it were not for the criticisms of the bullies, she wouldn't have started to seriously look at herself in the mirror. This fueled her desire to take some actions to change her outlook. Her mom who was a former model corrected the defect with daily exercises. She listened to her advice. They did this together with regular work out
Back at the camp, General Ver received the news on Rudy Rude’s bungled mission lackadaisically. Not even a little sign of remorse had softened the impassive expression on his face. Rudy Rude was only an expendable pawn of little value. He could spare a thousand of his kind. Being the General, it was his privilege to play with his pawns, sacrificing them to gain an advantage over his opponents. Dull and gloomy his office reeked of tobacco. He even cared less to dispose of the butts in the ashtray. This made him cough continually. His physique had also suffered badly and his countenance had shrunk. After the fiasco at the airport, he had learned to smoke profusely. This made him look older than he used to be a month before. He had been anxiously waiting for the Colonel to report back to him. While in this restless state, he straightened his bush jacket and kept his head high. When the subordinate came, the General clear
The sky rained hard. Rivers rose and the banks overflowed on all sides. Muddy water rushed strongly downstream, drawing all the debris found on its track, and then dragged them towards the great seas until it finally subsided. Typhoons came and left, and so were the events that had unfolded over time. The headlines flashed with the president creating a fact-finding board composed of lawyers and members of the public. Consequently, a hearing was carried out, but as anticipated, it absolved those who were responsible. The drama was seen as a complete sham, only created to calm down the protests. It also created a reaction from all sectors. Intellectuals whispered. They were however powerless, and their only move was as unsuccessful as the rest of their efforts. They tried the noise campaign but this had neither worked out. Boycotting banks and establishments owned by the cronies were also ineffective as they h
Norwalk, Connecticut. Christmas was in full blast in 1984. Prairies and rooftops blanched with recently fallen knee-deep snow. Despite the cold, children played snowballs while two squirrels frolicked joyfully on a sagging oak tree branch. Yuletide carols resounded all over the land. Inside their home, the Martin family exchanged gifts. JC got a tie from his father and a watch from Joan, his stepmother. His father received a Cuban pipe from him and two shirts from Joan. She, on the other hand, received more: a ring from his father and a golden locket from JC aside from books and chocolates. His sister Jacky had the most gifts. Then they had dinner with grilled turkey. After having dinner and the champagne Joan and Jacky took all the dishes to the kitchen, leaving both of the men at the dining table. Father and son walked toward the window, warmed up against the cold with the fireplace blazing nearby. The previous night they wer