My sibling recommended that I set up a surveillance device in our home prior to departing on a one-month professional journey to a different town. I chose to heed his suggestion…

You’ll see the gate. I looked around. Is someone watching me? Who sent the message? John? His people? Or this is Mark’s trap? Ahead indeed the wall was visible.

I went along it to the left, as the message advised. Went slowly, cautiously, constantly looking around. No one.

Silence. Only rustle of leaves and beat of own heart. In five minutes, I saw the gate.

Small, inconspicuous, almost hidden behind bushes. Approached closer. Locked, of course.

But the lock looked simple, old. Perhaps I can open. I examined the lock.

Ordinary padlock, nothing special. But without a key, can’t open. Or can? The phone vibrated again.

New message. Key under the stone to the right of the gate. I looked down.

To the right of the gate, indeed lay a stone. Big, flat. I bent down, lifted it.

Under it lay a key. Old, rusty, but apparently suitable for the lock. Someone thought everything out.

Someone knew that I would come here. Someone helped me. John? His people? Or this is Mark’s trap? I took the key, inserted into the lock.

Turned. The lock clicked, opened. I removed it, put aside, pulled the gate handle.

It opened with a quiet creak. Behind the gate darkness. Forest or park, can’t make out in the night.

I made a step forward, stopped. Looked back at Mark’s house, at the garden, at my temporary shelter, my temporary prison. Go or stay? Trust John, or Mark? Escape, or stay, and fight? The phone vibrated again.

Another message. Faster. You have little time.

I took a deep breath, stepped over the threshold of the gate, found myself outside Mark’s territory. Free? Or in even greater danger? In front of me was a narrow path, leading somewhere into the forest. I went along it, trying to move fast, but cautiously.

Dark, though eye out. Only the moon illuminated the path. In ten minutes, the trees parted, and I came out to a small clearing.

On it stood a car. Black SUV, without identification marks. Headlights off, engine not running.

I stopped at the edge of the clearing, not daring to approach closer. Who is in the car? John’s people, as he promised. Or Mark’s people, who set a trap? Or generally someone third? The car door opened.

A person came out of it. In the darkness, can’t make out the face, only silhouette. Tall, athletic build.

Anastasia Sergeevna? He called me. Voice unfamiliar, low, with hoarseness. «Yes,» I answered, not moving from the place.

«John Johnson sent me. We need to drive. Fast».

I still hesitated. Approach? Get in the car with a stranger? Or turn back, return to Mark’s house, pretend that nothing happened? Anastasia Sergeevna, please. Time is little.

They can notice your absence at any moment. He is right. If I want to leave, need to do it now.

Later may be late. I made a step forward, then another. Approached the car.

The person opened the rear door for me, gestured to get in. I looked inside. No one in the salon.

Only the driver behind the wheel, another stranger. «Where are we going?» — I asked, still not daring to get in. «To a safe place.

John Johnson will explain everything when you arrive». I nodded, got in the car. The person closed the door behind me, walked around the car, sat in the front passenger seat.

«Let’s go,» he commanded the driver. The car started, slowly rolled along the dirt road leading through the forest. Headlights didn’t turn on, apparently fearing to give themselves away.

I looked out the window, trying to understand where we are going. But in the darkness, all trees seemed the same, all turns of the road similar. «How long to drive?» I asked, trying to defuse the tension. «Forty minutes,» answered the man in the front seat.

«Rest». The day was hard. That’s for sure.

The day was hard. And the previous one too. My whole life turned upside down in some two days.

Everything I believed in turned out to be a lie. Everyone I trusted turned out to be not who they seemed. Husband-cheater and criminal.

Brother-manipulator and traitor. And I am now a spy, double agent, toy in the hands of a person I hardly know. Well, if this is my fate, I’ll accept it.

I’ll play this game. And, perhaps, even win. After all, I have nothing to lose.

Except illusions. And I have already lost them. I leaned back in the seat, closed my eyes.

Didn’t plan to sleep, just wanted to rest, gather my thoughts. But fatigue took its toll. I fell into sleep, shallow, anxious, filled with fragments of nightmares.

Woke up from the car stopping. Opened my eyes, looked out the window. We were in the city.

Apparently in San Francisco. Historic center, old buildings, bay shining in the lunar light. Arrived? I asked, straightening in the seat.

Yes, nodded the man, whose name I didn’t know yet. Get out. Fast.

Something in his voice alarmed me. Tension, sharpness. Something is wrong.

I got out of the car. We stood at some old house in the center of the city. Dark windows, quiet street.

Late night, almost morning. The man led me to the entrance. Opened the door with some key, let me go ahead.

We climbed the stairs to the third floor. He stopped at one of the doors, again took out the key, opened. Go in, he said, turning on the light in the hallway.

I entered the apartment. Small, but cozy. Hallway, living room, visible door leading, apparently, to the bedroom.

Everything clean, tidy, but impersonal. Rental apartment, not residential. Settle in, the man said, passing into the living room.

Bathroom there, kitchen here. There is food in the fridge, you can have dinner or breakfast, as you like better. John Johnson will be in the morning.

Thank you, I nodded, looking around. Are you leaving? Yes. I have other tasks.

Don’t worry, the apartment is safe. No one knows you’re here. He headed to the exit, but at the door stopped, turned to me.

And, Anastasia Sergeevna. In your place, I wouldn’t ask extra questions. About Helen and the rest.

In our work, curiosity can be dangerous. Even deadly dangerous. Remember that.

He went out, closed the door behind him. I heard the lock click. Locked? He locked me.

Rushed to the door, checked. No, not locked. Just slammed.

I returned to the living room, sat on the sofa. What’s happening? Who to believe? What to do next? If John is telling the truth, and he is really a secret agent, then I made the right choice. Escaped from Mark, ended up in a safe place.

Soon the husband will arrive, explain everything, show evidence. And we will be together again, as before. Or not quite as before, but at least without lie.

If Mark is telling the truth, and John is a criminal, then I made a terrible mistake. Escaped from the person who wanted to help, ended up in the hands of a criminal. And what will be now? What will John do with me, when he understands that I know the truth?

I didn’t know the answer.

Didn’t know what to think, what to do. Fatigue rolled in waves. Eyes closed by themselves.

Decided to lie down, sleep a little. Morning is wiser than evening, as grandmother said. In the morning John will arrive.

In the morning everything will clear up. So or otherwise. Went to the bedroom.

Big bed, neatly made. Wardrobe, nightstand, mirror. Everything simple, functional.

I took off the jacket, threw it on the chair. Lay on top of the blanket, without undressing. Just in case, need to be ready to act quickly.

Sleep came instantly. Fell into darkness, without dreams, without thoughts. Just switched off, like a burnt-out light bulb.

Woke up from the sound of the opening door. Opened my eyes, not immediately understanding where I am. Then remembered.

Apartment in San Francisco. Escape from Mark. Waiting for John.

In the doorway stood a man. Tall, in a dark suit. Face not visible, only silhouette against the light from the corridor.

John? I called, rising on the bed. No, Anastasia Sergeevna. Not John.

Voice familiar. Very familiar. I turned on the table lamp to see better.

Mark? Yes, it was he. Mark Ashford in person. Stood in the doorway of the bedroom, looked at me with a light smile.

How did he end up here? How did he find me? What are you doing here? How did you find me? Find? Anastasia Sergeevna, I always knew where you are. From the very beginning. I didn’t understand.

What is he talking about? You followed me? Installed a bug? Mark shook his head, the smile became wider. Not quite. Let’s say, you were where I wanted you to be.

Always. I looked at him, trying to comprehend his words. What does he mean? You? You planned all this? Phone in the pocket, message, key under the stone, car? Of course.

I told you I would arrange a check for you. Wanted to make sure I can trust you. And you passed it.

Brilliantly passed. I couldn’t believe my ears. All this was set up.

All my escape was part of some Mark’s plan. But why? Why these games? These checks, I already explained. I needed to make sure you are on our side.

That you won’t betray us, won’t run to warn John. And you proved it. Escaped, thinking you act against me, but in fact did exactly what I planned.

I shook my head. This is some surrealism. This person plays with me like a cat with a mouse.

And gets pleasure from this, judging by his smile. And the man? And the driver? They are also your people? Of course. Ian and Dmitry, my employees.

Very reliable. But why then Ian? The man didn’t know about Helen. When I asked about her, he was surprised.

Mark frowned. This was a mistake on his side. He should have played better.

But this is even good. You once again received confirmation that John lied to you. That Helen is not part of any team, doesn’t work for any government.

She is just your husband’s mistress, his accomplice in the planned crime. I was silent, trying to digest what I heard. So all this was set up.

All my escape, all my freedom, were illusion. I was always under Mark’s control, did exactly what he wanted. And what now? What next? Now, when I made sure of your loyalty, we can move further.

You will return to New York, to John. Say you were urgently recalled from the business trip. And will be our eyes and ears in his house.

Will collect information about his plans, about his accomplices. Especially about the mysterious patron who stands behind him. I sighed.

We returned to where we started. Mark again proposes me to spy on my own husband. And now, after all these games, these manipulations, I must agree.

And if I refuse? If I say no? Mark shrugged. Then I will act myself. Arrest John, pressure him, trying to get information about the patron.

But the chances are less. And for John this will end badly. Very badly.

You said he can avoid prison if I help. Is this true? Yes. If we get the name of the patron, I can arrange so that John gets off with minimal punishment.

Perhaps even a conditional term. But only if you help. I looked at him, trying to understand if he is telling the truth.

After all these games, these manipulations, I didn’t know if he can be believed. But I had no choice. Either help Mark, or lose everything.

Husband, freedom, future. Good, I said finally. I agree.

I’ll help you. Mark smiled, satisfied. Excellent.

Then the plan is such. Today you rest here. Tomorrow morning, we will take you to the airport, and you will fly to New York.

At home, tell John that the business trip ended earlier. Come up with a reason. Colleague’s illness, change in management’s plans, anything.

John will be unpleasantly surprised, but won’t show it. He doesn’t want to arouse suspicions. And further? Further you will live ordinary life.

Loving wife, suspecting nothing. But at the same time will look for information about John’s plans, about his accomplices, about his mysterious patron. Everything you find, will transmit to me through Michael.

Michael also participates in this. He knows about your checks? Of course. Michael is my most trusted employee.

He knows everything. So, the brother also betrayed me. Participated in these games, these manipulations.

Knew I was in danger and did nothing. On the contrary, played along with Mark. And if John suspects something? If he understands that I spy on him? Won’t understand.

He is too confident in himself, too confident in his power over you. He thinks you blindly trust him, that you will never doubt him. This is his weakness, his vulnerable place.

And we will use it. I nodded. Mark is right.

John was always confident in my devotion, in my love. Never thought that I can doubt him, can suspect something wrong. This is his weakness.

And mine too. And how long will this last? How much time do we have? A week. Maximum 10 days.

On the 14th John plans to act. By this time, we must have all the necessary information. And then? What will be with me then? Then you will be free.

You can start a new life. Without John, without his lie, without his betrayal. With clean conscience and with my protection.

I promise. I looked at him, trying to understand if he is telling the truth. After all these games, these manipulations, I didn’t know if he can be believed.

But I had no choice. Good, I said. I’ll do everything you ask. Mark smiled, satisfied.

Excellent. And now rest. Tomorrow is an important day.

He went out from the bedroom, closed the door behind him. I remained alone, sitting on the bed, trying to comprehend all that happened for these crazy days. My life turned upside down.

Everything I believed in turned out to be a lie. Everyone I trusted turned out to be not who they seemed. Husband-cheater and criminal.

Brother-manipulator and traitor. And I am now a spy, double agent, toy in the hands of a person I hardly know. Well, if this is my fate, I’ll accept it.

I’ll play this game. And, perhaps, even win. After all, I have nothing to lose.

Except illusions. And I have already lost them. I lay on the bed, closed my eyes.

Need to rest, gather strength. Tomorrow begins a new chapter of my life. Chapter full of dangers, intrigues and lie.

But I’ll cope. I must cope.

For myself.

For the truth. For justice.

Sleep didn’t come.

I lay with open eyes, looking at the ceiling, sorting in my head the events of recent days. Listening device, John’s confession, Mark’s house, escape that turned out not an escape, but another manipulation. And now a new role of spy, double agent.

How did I roll to this? How from an ordinary woman, English teacher, turned into a participant of some spy drama? All because of John? Because of his ambitions, his greed, his lie? Or because of Mark? Because of his games, his manipulations, his own plans, about which I can only guess? Or because of myself? Because of my blindness, my trustfulness, my inability to see the truth, even when it is right in front of my eyes? Probably, because of everything together. Life rarely is simple, rarely divides into black and white. Usually this is shades of gray, where truth and lie are intertwined so tightly that can’t distinguish one from the other, but now I know the truth.

Or part of the truth. And will act accordingly. Will play the role that was imposed on me.

But at the same time will look for my path, my truth, my justice. With such thoughts I finally fell asleep. Sleep was anxious, full of nightmares and strange visions.

But when I woke up in the morning, I felt rested. Ready for a new day. To a new life.

Knock on the door. I sat on the bed, fixed the rumpled clothes. Yes? The door opened.

Michael entered. My brother, my former protector, my. Traitor? Good morning, he said, smiling.

As if nothing happened. As if he didn’t participate in all these games, these manipulations. How did you sleep? Normal, I answered dryly.

Considering the circumstances. Michael sighed, sat on the edge of the bed. Emily, I know you’re angry.

And you have the right. But believe, everything I did was for you. For your safety.

Really? And it seemed to me for Mark. For his plans, his games. Mark is not as bad as you think.

Yes, he is tough, calculating. Yes, sometimes crosses the law. But he is fair.

And he really wants to help you. I shook my head. Didn’t believe.

Couldn’t believe after everything that happened. If you really wanted to help me, you would have told the truth from the beginning. Wouldn’t play these spy games with listening device, with checks, with fake escapes.

I tried to protect you. Wanted you to see the truth about John yourself. So that there were no doubts that I just slander your husband, out of some jealousy or envy.

Perhaps there was a share of truth in this. But still. Manipulations remain manipulations, even if they are from good intentions…