Mirrors

 

“At first I thought worst, like he’d have him killed or something. He told me that he believed people were basically good, only sometimes they just forget and need to be reminded that consequences will always find those who abuse others. Derric was certainly one of those. Then he asked me if I was sure this is what I wanted to do. It was pretty scary because I didn’t really want anything bad to happen to Derric, but I didn’t want to hurt anymore either, you know? I just wanted to be free. He told me it would be fine and not to worry anymore. And that was it. It was done.

He got out and the driver took me to this huge house somewhere west of town, I think, where I stayed for two days. I still don’t know where it was. That’s how I remember the windows were blacked out. Everything I needed was there. I was told not to make any calls or talk with anyone. A few days later he came back, sat me down and told me that everything was okay. He said that Derric and his people would never bother me again. I was assured they weren’t dead, but was also told not to inquire about details. That was part of the deal.

He set me up with an apartment and got me a teaching position at the university. The different last name was to make a break to any obvious past associations. No one really cared about Derric’s former wife anyway. It was just a precaution I guess. A lot of my personal information was removed from public records as well. The Professor must have connections somewhere because no one has bothered me at all since all this happened. I don’t even get credit card applications unless they’re addressed to ‘resident.’ Whatever he did was pretty thorough.

So now I live alone, teach math under a name that isn’t even mine and I’m watched over by a man with more influence than I care to honestly know about. At least I’m not getting beat-up anymore. That’s a good thing.” Ethan hadn’t expected such an involved answer. It was a lot to take in. “So, does that answer your question?” she concluded.

“Yes, it does,” he replied solemnly.

“Good. Your turn.”

Ethan stopped walking. “What?”

Alex stopped a few feet ahead and turned around. “It’s your turn. You tell me something about you. It doesn’t have to be personal, just something.”

“We should be heading back.” Ethan turned around and started walking slowly, allowing Alex to catch up.

“Oh now come on. I answered your question, now you give me something.”

“I don’t have anything worth telling.”

“Oh please. I don’t believe that for a second.”

The one interesting subject he had was so strange that any normal person would think his crops had a few too many circles in them. And this professor sounded like he had his hands in some very powerful and questionable pockets. It takes high-level connections to remove that kind of information from public records. The man’s affiliation with Alex made him wonder whether or not he wanted a friend that close to those kinds of people. He’d been in that environment before, and wasn’t really interested in going back.