Inner Demons

9

The GPS instructions lead me to a small airstrip in the middle of nowhere a few hours away. I park my car and pull my bag out of the trunk, walking quickly over to where Ivan stands. He nods to the door of a small private plane, following me up the steps. He sits across from me in the cabin, staring me down. The flight to Russia is long, too long for me to deal with this.
"Take a picture," I sneer at him, letting my forced American accent slip for the first time since I arrived in DC. He rolls his eyes, but turns to look out the window as we take off.

16 hours later, the plane lands.
"You know what I have to do," he says, reaching into his bag.
"Please, not this time. Just blindfold me, I'll behave."
"Yeah, right." He stands up, and before I get a chance to move away a needle pinches my neck. My limbs become heavy and he lifts me over his shoulder, carrying me off the plane as I blackout.

"You're up!" my sister says as I open my eyes. I sit up as the small apartment comes into focus, still feeling the effects of the sedative. She reaches for a hug and I pull her in, squeezing tight.
"I've missed you," I say.
"I've missed you too. So, tell me about the case! You must have done well if they're letting you see me."
"It's not over yet. But I did just get access to some classified files locked in the FBI office. I'm sure they just want to remind me what's at stake if I don't do well."
"So you won't be here long then."
"No, a couple days tops."
"It's better than nothing, I suppose."
"It is. And listen, I promise I'll get you out of her soon. We can move to the US, be family again."
"Katya, I appreciate it. But it will never happen."
"Yes, it will. I'll finish this job and prove to them that I can be trusted not to leave again."
"There's someone else though, isn't there?"
"What do you mean?"
"Someone on your case in DC who you don't want to leave?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I get it, you've been there nearly three months, that's a long time to not form any relationships."
"Vanya, seriously, it's nothing but business for me. I don't get attached."
"Who's Emily? You said her name while you were waking up."
Fuck.
"Emily is no one, I must have been dreaming."
"Fine, don't tell me."
"There's nothing to tell Vanya, I promise. Once I have what I need I'll be right back here. Now enough about me, how have you been feeling?"
"I've been as good as I can be. Sergei let's me go on supervised walks sometimes."
"Really? So do you know what city we're in?"
"I'm sorry, I don't."
"It's alright. I'll figure it out eventually. I'll get you out."
Her face contorts into an expression of disbelief. I can't blame her. It's been four years since they took her captive in exchange for my cooperation and I'm nowhere closer.
"It's getting late," she says. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Vanya."

I'm woken up to Vanya shaking me gently. Asleep on the couch, the first thing I see when I open my eyes is Ivan.
"Already?" I ask, feeling myself deflate.
"You're still on an assignment," he reminds me, "And you still have a time limit. Only three months left."
I roll my eyes, but I don't argue. My bag is not yet unpacked save for a few small things. I slowly put them in, stalling time as best I can.
We say our goodbyes, then Ivan leads me out to a parking garage. Once I'm in the car, he sedates me, waiting until my eyes shut before leaving.

He must have given me a higher dose than usual, as I wake up to the plane landing. My car still sits in the parking lot. I exit the plane, pulling my phone out of my pocket as I walk towards it.
"Hey Emily," I say as she picks up the phone. "I just got back."
"Awesome! Want to meet me for dinner?"
"Sure, where at?"
"I'll send you the address."
"See you there in 20?"
"Sounds perfect," she pauses for a second. "Bye."
"Bye."
Here's hoping 20 minutes will be enough time to come up with a passable story.