When Shadows Rise | I

Ch. 17 | Change

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April called Yoshi and told him that that Talia and Seth agreed to go to the safe house, so all the father and daughter had to do was wait in Central Park and Yoshi would send someone to pick them.

First, Talia and her father went back inside their apartment to pack their bags. Once they had gathered all of their necessities, they took a cab to get to Central Park. Normally, Talia would not mind walking to get there, but she was still a little rattled after tonight's close-call. She also did not like the idea of making her and her father more vulnerable to another ninja attack if they were to walk to their destination. It was better to be safe than sorry. 

"I suppose all that money I put toward the apartment was all for nothing, then," Seth sighed from the back seat. "How long are we to stay in this 'safe house'?"

Talia could not give him a precise answer. She assumed it would be until the problem with The Shredder was taken care of, but when exactly would that be? Weeks? Months? Years? Dear lord, she hoped not.

"I believe it is for a short while," Talia said. "Just until the assassins leave us alone."

Seth removed his glasses to rub his eyes. "Let us hope so."

The cab driver dropped them off according to where Talia told him to. The park was mostly empty, with only the wind greeting them. If it were any another day, Talia would not mind strolling around on her own for a little while; it was relaxing, for the most part. But after what had happened tonight, she figured it was best to stick close to her father. Darkness was her enemy now.

After a couple of minutes, Talia and her father see someone approach them. Seth protectively stood in front of his daughter, but the man surrendered his hands and showed off his ring, revealing a symbol— the symbol of the Hamato Clan. Talia loosened her shoulders once knowing that the man was not here to spill their blood out onto the streets.

"I am Itsuki," the man introduced, pulling his cap down. "You do not have to fear me. Yoshi sent me."

Talia nodded. Seth was skeptical, but Talia managed to persuade him that this man was not going to hurt them. Seth obliged, but that did not mean he was going to put his trust towards a total stranger.

"We should go," Itsuki urged. "There are eyes and ears everywhere."

Talia could not have agreed more. She and her father followed Itsuki to his SUV, where he told them to get in. Seth kindly reminded him that he was watching him like a hawk.

Itsuki started the vehicle and drove off. Talia looked out the window. Meanwhile, Seth looked left and right, expecting to be knocked out by sleeping gas any second now.

"This is a bad idea, Talia," Seth whispered to his daughter. "We should ditch him."

The corner of Talia's lips slightly turned upside down. "We're already inside, Abba. There is no escaping."

"It does not mean we cannot try." Seth had no clue how he was going to get out of this vehicle, but he had heard that some Americans had invented the idea of opening the door and jumping out onto the street. Was it stupid? Yes. But was Seth willing to try it out just to leave? Absolutely.

"Abba." Talia felt like groaning. "Itsuki said he was not going to harm us. He is escorting us to the safe house."

"How do you know it is only an act and he will not kill us later?"