Chapter 17

Present – Zarika – At the cabin

I can not believe what Yasmeen the very annoying did! I must tell and show the nice Jens lady immediately. I dash down the hallway and call, "Jens lady help! Jens lady help!"

Present – Jens – At the cabin

That sneaky little bitch came into my room, threw all my clothes on the floor and even stole my picture of Ben from the nightstand. I am losing my patience with her and if she keeps this up she's not going to survive...

Zarika is yelling about needing help. I hope that Yasmeen and she had a fight because that would be something I'd even pay to watch. I grab a rifle, head into the hallway, Zarika runs up hugs me and begins to cry because she's so upset.

I ask, "What's wrong?"

But she's so upset she just blubbers at me.

Present – Thom – At the cabin

Byron noisily comes into the room and slams the door. I complain, "Damn, you sound like a herd of elephants." Then I grin and tease, "So how was the run?"

He laughs, "Thom, cut the crap we all know what you did."

I sit up and bed and begin to craft my lie, "We got separated..."

Byron interrupts, "Thom, don't try lying to me, because I'm not buying it. What you did was bullshit and if someone on our team did it you'd dress them down, but good."

He was right and I did feel a touch of remorse. I ask, "So how pissed is Jennifer?"

He grins at me and I immediately get a bad feeling, "Oh she was ready to kill you at first."

I nod my head, "Yeah, that I expected."

He continues, "But by the time we got back here, she was remarkably calm."

I question, "So do you have any idea what she's going to do."

Byron laughs, "She cautioned me with, 'loose lips sink ships.'"

Now I start to worry so I sit up and whine, "Come on Byron, I thought we were friends."

He moves over close to me, looks around then whispers, "Okay, she said something about a 'secret weapon.'"

I look at him and question, "What sort of 'secret weapon'?"

He answers, "I have no idea. I need to hit the shower."

Shit what the hell does she have planned...

Present – Byron – At the cabin

It's all I can do to keep from laughing my ass off. Thom and all his, 'payback's a bitch' threats - well he's met his match here. But I need to get some payback too, so that's why I told him about the 'secret weapon.'

Hell, I have no idea what it is, but the thought of what she's going to do, and the worry it's going to create in Thom will keep him busy all damn day. So I can clean up, have a good breakfast and settle down with a nice book or two...

Present – Mira, Ira and Alexi – At the cabin

I am providing a vigorous and strong digital manipulation with my phalanges and upper appendages to my sister's injured lower bipedal unit. Her face contorts and I question, "Is the anguish level created by my ministration too intense?"

She smiles and answers, "If your ministration could be less robust I would appreciate it."

I am not happy! Irinka's lower bipedal unit is lacking much motion of range. The injury she sustained was greater than she revealed even to me. I comply with her wishes and mouth a silent prayer that the surgeon will be able to assist my sister.

We hear Zarika in the hallway caterwauling, "Jens lady help!"

Irinka begins to rise but I countermand, "No Irinka, we are not completed yet." I look at Alexi and request, "Alexi will you ascertain what is bothering Zarika."

Alexi smiles and questions, "Do you feel I need a weapon?"

I reply, "No, not inside the cabin."

He leaves the room and I continue my ministrations...

Present – Jens – At the cabin

Alexi, opens the door, steps out, closes it very quickly and asks, "Ms. Donaldson might I be of some assistance?"

I look at him and say, "Something has happened which has Zarika extremely upset and I can't understand what she is saying."

He listens for a moment, then speaks to her in a different language. She starts waving her arms around and yelling. He replies with something else and she finally stops yelling. He looks at me and says, "It would appear that Yasmeen has fouled her clothes and bed and she would like for you to come and inspect it."

I question, "Was that Farsi you used to speak with her?"

He answers, "Yes it was, how did you recognize it."

I answer, "First, tell Zarika she is not alone because Yasmeen messed up my room and even stole my picture of Ben. And second, I spent some time in Iraq and Afghanistan."

He informs Zarika, she takes my hand and we walk toward her room. Then Alexi asks, "Sometime, if you would not mind, I would love to hear your stories of that experience."

I get ready to reply but as we get into the girls room I fight to control my rage! I thought my room was bad, but at least Yasmeen didn't use my clothes and bed for a toilet.

I look at Zarika, then give her a big hug and say, "Well, I think we should leave this mess for Yasmeen to clean up. Will you sleep in my room with me tonight?"

Alexi translates, Zarika smiles and says, "Kind Jens lady, thank you. I sleep on floor like dog."

I scold, "Like hell you will! I've got a big bed and you can share it. Now get showered and we will find you some clothes to wear."

She smiles, "Thank you most kind Jens lady." Then she leaves for the bathroom...

Alexi pulls me aside and whispers, "Ms. Donaldson, I would caution you from becoming too emotionally attached to Zarika."

I blink and question him, "Why's that."

He simply states, "Do you not see that she is preparing herself to take your place?"

I pause for a moment. Could he be right? I need to ask Liz about this.

I reply, "Thank you Alexi. However I am not sure that you are correct."

He smiles at me, "Yes Ms. Donaldson. You have doubts because of my age. I would suggest you ask your friend Ms. Morgan and perhaps verify the information with my sisters."

I ask of Alexi, "Tell Zarika through the door that I will bring her some clothes and then have her come into my room when she dressed because we need to clean it up."

He begins to tell her, then someone comes to the door...

Present – Thom – At the cabin

I finally find Jennifer in the girl's room which is a stinking mess. I ask, "What the hell happened here?"

She turns, I see fire in her eyes and she states, "Well it looks like your friend created a bunch of mayhem when you brought her back to the cabin. Didn't you know you needed to watch her?"

I answer, "I thought she was sleeping and it's not my fault she did this."

Jennifer gives me a funny grin and counters, "It sure as hell is your fault. You left a teenage girl alone to run amok in my cabin. We're probably lucky she didn't shoot herself."

I try to apologize, "Listen, I'm sorry about the run. I know it was a chicken shit thing to do and I'm ready for whatever punishment you deem necessary."

She gives me an evil grin that puts fear into me all the way down into my boots and simply states, "Don't worry Thom, I'm not going to punish you. Now I need to get back and clean up the mess Yasmeen made of my room." She and Alexi walk past me and I wonder ... What the hell game is she playing...

Present – Jens – At the cabin

We leave Thom in the room and I'm happy because my plan is working. Alexi smiles at me and states, "Ms. Donaldson that was masterfully played."

I know what I did, however I want to see if he really knows so I question, "What do you mean Alexi?"

He states, "You have recognized that to Thom the suspense of an upcoming punishment is worse than any punishment he could receive."

Damn for a young boy this kid's sharp but he missed this one a little. I state, "Alexi you are incredible. However you made one slight error in your assessment."

He gives me an incredulous look and says, "I am sorry Ms. Donaldson, I have failed you."

I take his hand and explain, "No Alexi, you don't know the punishment I have coming for Thom. If you did you would know it's much worse than any suspense."

We are at the twins room and he says, "Thank you for your instruction on this Ms. Donaldson. I will endeavor to never make such a mistake again." He opens the door, quickly slips into the room and I think ... perhaps he's right about Zarika. I need to find Liz...

Present – Mira, Ira and Alexi – At the cabin

Alexi slips into the room, I motion for him to not speak loudly and whisper, "Irinka is sleeping."