Chapter 25

The rear-tinted windows afforded David some protection from the rising sun, but not the noise of a car door closing. He turned to peer out the driver’s window to see the parking lot filling with mall shoppers. He put on his shoes and, exiting the GTI, stretched his worn, torn body. His muscles were coming to life, and his leg wound began to ache, as well as his chest and shoulder.

He was hungry and needed the bathroom. He was cautious as he entered the mall, using the bathroom and splashing water on his face to refresh himself. He inspected the bruises on his face and leg wound, which needed a fresh bandage. The white interior of the mall was accented by blue neon lighting that guided the patrons up and down the escalator. The whole mall was decorated for Christmas, both the Christian and Orthodox celebrations of Christ.

He visited the Burger Station, where he bought a double-serving breakfast and a second coffee. He noticed a crowd gathered around a large-screen TV suspended from the high ceiling. He chose a table and chair and sat facing the TV.

A news broadcast was playing with English subtitles.

“For those of you who are just tuning in, we have the latest on the attempted assassination of President Zelensky.” The reporter began, standing with the wreckage of two cars and a helicopter in the background.

He went on to explain that the president was to give a speech honoring St. Nicholas at the Orthodox Church when a shot was fired, missing him. There were numerous gunshots as the president was rushed to safety.

He further mentioned the three-car chase on the Naberezhne Highway, with gunshots and causing several accidents.

“Eyewitnesses on the west side of the Dnipro River stated they heard two explosions. There was silence for a moment, then the sky lit up in a fireball as a helicopter was hit, crashing to the ground. Three people died in the fiery crash and exploding ammunition, and then a second car exploded.”

“The reason the witnesses heard no gun shots is that the weapons found at the scene all had silencers attached to them. We have learned that an American citizen was responsible for thwarting the attempt to kill President Zelensky and was killed in the explosion and gunfire. His identity has not been released by the United States Embassy, pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. What we have learned is that the helicopter was Russian, with three people on board, all Russian. Also, another victim, determined to be Russian, was found dead in the second vehicle. I will update you on the evolving situation when we have more news to bring you.”

David smiled, knowing he was the nameless hero. He finished his breakfast and found a pharmacy in the mall, where he bought some painkillers, an additional first aid kit and bottled water. He took two pain pills and redressed his wounded leg in the bathroom.

He used his phone to calculate the driving distance from Kyiv to Catania, Sicily. “Wow, 3,105 kilometers. The route takes me through Ukraine, Hungary, Slovenia, and Italy. That long a drive by myself will take a good three days, to play it safe. I want to get back to Rita in one piece.”

He recalled passing a sports and camping store in the mall and going there, where he purchased a cooler he could plug into the 12-volt receptacle of the GTI. Next, he went to the small market by the food court. He bought medium-sized containers of potato salad and egg salad, plus sliced beef and ham. With a half loaf of bread and several bottles of water, he’d make his meals and find food stores along the way. The pastry shop was too tempting to bypass, and he indulged in a variety of donuts and muffins.